I just decided last minute to travel to Portugal, arriving next Monday 10/24 midday, staying through 11/3, I'm new to Rick Steve site & wish I found it before booking my stay. The site has so many tips that I'm noting for this trip. However, I didn't find recent details about obtaining a pass to public transportation.
Where do I buy train/metro/bus card at airport to use for use from airport to old town Lisbon, getting around, within and outskirts of Lisbon, travel to/from Porto and to/from Cascais. Although I will walk most of the time with occasional hops on busses or metro within central Lisbon when tired, what's a reasonable amount to keep on the card to cover side trips to outskirts and outside Lisbon (Porto, Cascais)? Can I pay with credit card or do I need Euros cash.
Also, how much Euros cash should I expect to spend in 11 days, given I will use a credit card for most expenses. Is 25 euros per day enough?
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3046 posts
In today's world, a credit card can be used for all kinds of things that cash used to be required for. We were just in Italy. We took out E1000 for 3 weeks, and had to spend down E200-E300 - and this was in a situation in which we owed travel companions some euros. We put 85% on our credit card, including small purchases. For 10 days, I would get maybe E200. If you have extra at the end, you can buy something at duty-free on the way home. And if you have a card that covers your transaction costs, you can take out more if you want toy. I've not been to Portugal, but I can imagine that the same advice is true there as anywhere - use only bank-associated bankomat machines, and decline the "dynamic currency conversion" offer in which the machine offers to give you the money and convert it to US dollars. Tell the machine to use euros to dispense money.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1676 posts
You can buy a zapping card at any metro or train station. They are called Viva Viagem cards. You load them with x amount of euros and each time you use it, the amount is deducted from your balance. They are good in the Lisbon metro area for buses, metro and trains.
They don’t work on long distance trains. The website is cp.pt for booking long distance trains. If you book ahead, you save significantly. But, trains are very inexpensive even without the discount. So, you can buy at the train station at the time of travel. Cp.pt will give you time schedules, too.
If you are going to use a CC for most things, I think €25 is enough. If you have a debit card with no foreign transaction fees, all the better. Then you can get more cash if needed without paying a hefty fee.
Posted by
near San Francisco
4638 posts
Where do I buy train/metro/bus card at airport
There is a metro station at the Lisbon airport. Follow the signs to find it. There was a helpful attendant when I arrived. I bought my Viva Viagem card there with a credit card and put €20 on it, which lasted my 8 day stay and still had a balance when I left. (I walk a lot.) So I gave it to some young travelers standing in line to buy one at my departure station.
Posted by
near San Francisco
4638 posts
how much Euros cash should I expect to spend in 11 days
I'm just leaving Portugal. I used CC whenever possible. I spent €50 / week in cash on tips, snacks, small souvenirs, etc.
Posted by
OP
midwest
7 posts
I appreciate all your responses. They've all been very helpful.
I don't like carrying much cash around but I don't rely on flawless cc technology 24/7, hence keeping cash on hand. In some countries folks like to be tipped with cash, and some welcome $dollars. What's been your experience?
I plan to use cc without foreign fees for most purchases but learned that my debit card imposes foreign fees (must change to a different bank), so I will use debit card as little as possible.
l will pick up Viva Viagem card at airport and commute into and around Lisbon, and get train tickets at cp.pt for out-of-town trips.
I have no qualms with the rain forecasted all next week (it's better and balmier than snow I'm experiencing at home this week) but does anyone have specific tips regarding the rainy weather, such as: is it a big down pour half the time, or persistent all day, are there places to set aside for rainy days, etc. Otherwise, I'll wing it and look forward to an adventurous learning experience.
Thank you all!!