How much cash to withdraw for 8-day trip?

Anymore, I assume your cards are contactless capable or able to "tap" to purchase, which will be used for most everything, even small purchases. Beyond that, I am still in the camp that says it does not hurt to have about 50 EUR on you in smaller bills and change, if only for a bottle of water, a shot of Ginja, or a snack. If you get by without spending it, you can pay for lunch or something in cash the last day to use up.

Hi Muriel, we were in Portugal in April/May. We used credit cards for most everything. However, we did have a few restaurants that wanted cash, and sometimes you'll need coins for bathrooms or parking. We always start our trips with the balance from a previous trip. It sounds like you plan to use an ATM when you arrive. That's what we would do if we didn't have a balance. Make sure to use the Multibanco ATMs. I try to use an ATM affiliated with a bank during bank hours. Make sure to decline the conversion so that you are withdrawing in euros and NOT USD. I would suggest having about 75 euro between the two adults. That should cover any restaurant "surprise" of requesting cash. If you have any leftover and plan to be back to Europe within a couple years, save it for the next trip. Or start using up the cash towards the end of your trip. We never convert any leftover euros back to dollars.

I like to carry enough cash spread around pockets and packs to get one night in an okay hotel and and two meals for me and whomever else is in my party.

So 250 euro? There abouts anyway.

Some people don't like it, but have no trepidation about carrying some cash. If I got mugged they can have it, no big deal. If I don't use it for whatever reason, it just goes in an envelope at home for the next trip.

I’d get about 150 Euros at an ATM. If you find you’re paying cash more than credit cards, you could replenish it later on.

I had my credit card on my iPhone through Apple Pay for our trip last month which was very handy, and I only paid with Euros for smaller transactions.

I always recommend having 50 to 100 euros, but truth is I carry more than that myself. I don't mind coming home with euros or GB pounds, but I avoid coming home with quantities of one off currencies from other countries. I never run out of ways to spend cash in the last day or so of a trip anyway.

I never run out of ways to spend cash in the last day or so of a trip
anyway.

Ain't that the truth!

All, this is so very insightful. Thank you!

Meanwhile, I had initially thought that husband and I would carry.500 Euros in cash, each. Ha! I
may be just too nervous about our cards not working or that Portugal is not much of a Card society. We have our cards on our phone and also the physical ones. I’m glad to hear that a number of you have iPhones with cards in the digital wallet and that Apple Pay works! We have the same setup.

Living in the US, I can say I use cash 0 times a month! I often don’t even have cash with me. It’s pretty much a cashless existence for me!

I think we’ll lower what we withdraw maybe to 100 Euros each or less. Our plan is indeed to use our credit car as possible to pay

By the way, do folks have experience using US credit cards to purchase train fare from Lisbon to Porto? Any hassle? Read some websites that sometimes the automated booths could be a problem for accepting US credit cards.

By the way, do folks have experience using US credit cards to purchase train fare from Lisbon to Porto? Any hassle? Read some websites that sometimes the automated booths could be a problem for accepting US credit cards.

The problem traditionally has been the need to validate the transaction, either by entering your PIN (which you do not have) or 3D Authentication, which requires an active phone with service, and your credit card may not offer.

You can try the machine, if it has been updated to contactless, you should be in luck with your phone or card, also tickets for that route are not too expensive (25 to 35 euro each?) so no validation may be needed. Otherwise, there is always a manned counter at a larger station.

The problem traditionally has been the need to validate the
transaction, either by entering your PIN (which you do not have) or 3D
Authentication, which requires an active phone with service, and your
credit card may not offer. You can try the machine, if it has been
updated to contactless, you should be in luck with your phone or card,
also tickets for that route are not too expensive (25 to 35 euro
each?) so no validation may be needed. Otherwise, there is always a
manned counter at a larger station.

Ah! That's very helpful information. I've never heard of 3D Authentication though.

We use T-Mobile at home and they say that in Portugal we will have 3G data and text as part of our plan. I was surprised not because data and text is included for international trips, but because it's 3G. Haven't they already phased out 3G networks? In any case, hope our iPhone will work. We already use its digital wallet.

For an upcoming 23 days trip to Spain and Portugal I have 450€ and don’t expect to use most of it. As others have said, what I don’t use I’ll use on another trip.

I had no problem buying train tickets online for Portugal from home. Honestly, the CP website was the easiest country specific website I've ever used. No PIN or 3 day authorization needed. My problem was that the ticket I purchased ended up to be for trains that were cancelled due to strikes.

We had no problem finding alternate travel arrangements. We used FLIX, I have an app for it. They are very comfortable buses (though it seems they rarely have restrooms). My only beef is that my "personal item"/day pack will not fit in their stupid overhead shelving. In fact, I'm not sure what fits there. So if you don't have an extra seat, you hold it or put it between your legs.

I've used FLIX other places, and they are always reliable. Very reasonable prices (cheaper than the train)

There are at least two other bus companies people have been using in Portugal.