Money Saving Tips for Travel in Portugal
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Money Saving Tips for Travel in Portugal Unlock the Secrets to Getting Great Value for Money by Julie Dawn Fox Text and images copyright © Julie Dawn Fox 2017 All rights reserved This publication may not be reproduced, transmitted or sold, in whole or in part, in any form without prior written consent. Please contact Julie Dawn Fox directly ([email protected]) to discuss terms if you wish to reuse any of the content. This is an updated version (Feb 2017) of Money Saving Tips for Travel in Portugal – Unlock the Secrets to Getting Great Value for Money (2015) which was an updated and revised version of Money Saving Tips for Portugal: An Insider’s Guide to Making Your Travel Money Stretch Further by Julie Dawn Fox (2013). Table of Contents Table of Contents About this book Disclaimer and Disclosure How to save money on accommodation Vouchers and discounts Key Portuguese vocabulary How to save money on transport in Portugal Getting to and from the airport How to save money on driving in Portugal Tourist cards How to save money on food and drink Attractions and activities Entertainment About Julie Dawn Fox About this book Portugal is still a relatively cheap country to visit or live in but unless you’re blessed with unlimited funds, you can still benefit from discovering simple ways of making your hard-earned cash last a little longer. Whether you’re visiting Portugal for a weekend or moving here for good, this book gives you practical advice on finding fabulous discounts, avoiding that nasty ‘just been ripped-off’ feeling and generally making the most of your travel funds. Reader reviews: “A very easy to digest guide that really does help you find your feet (and save money) quickly when travelling in Portugal, or for those who live here as we now do. It will save you the purchase price many times over.” - SwaziJohn “We’ve lived here in Portugal in the north, mid-country, and now near Lisbon, for over a year and a half. The money saving tips you share with your readers are invaluable, especially the “Tapas aren’t free” one. (I’m sure we were the laughing stock of the restaurant, when we visited Coimbra ten years ago). And every one of your blog posts provokes a “We’ve been there!” or “We must go!” You do an awesome job with this. Thank you!” Tricia Pimental Through living in, travelling around and writing about Portugal for several years, I’ve learned several insider tips and tricks that you can use to avoid paying more than necessary for accommodation, transport, food and drink, sightseeing and entertainment. With the money you save, you can treat yourself to something extra special or maybe even stay for longer. Most of the tips in this book are easy for anyone to access and apply. A few relate to discount websites that only exist in Portuguese at present. Just in case your Portuguese is shaky at best, I’ve included some relevant vocabulary and instructions to help you understand the bargains they offer. For more inspiration and practical information about living and travelling in Portugal, visit my blog, Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal. Disclaimer and Disclosure Disclaimer I have done my best to check that the information in this book was correct and up to date before publishing but prices, products and services are subject to changes beyond my control. As such, I do not assume responsibility or liability for any Third Party material, products or opinions. Disclosure This book contains a few select affiliate links to products and services I know and love. Should you use these links to make a purchase, you won’t pay any extra but I may earn enough to buy an occasional coffee and maybe a cake. How to save money on accommodation Look for bargains My first point of call when planning a trip is usually Booking.com. I’ve found some excellent deals that have enabled me to stay in special hotels at reduced prices and have never had problems with reservations I’ve made through their website. My rule of thumb is to look for accommodation with a minimum review score of 8/10. I then check the photos, map and descriptions to find the most attractive option. There are usually plenty of reviews for each lodging written by people who have actually stayed there to help you decide if a place is right for you. Whether you’re looking for a bunk bed in a hostel dorm or 5-star luxury, Booking.com offers a wide selection for most destinations in Portugal. If you use them often enough, you’ll qualify for extra 10% ‘Genius’ discounts. HotelsCombined.com is also worth checking as a comparison engine but it hasn’t managed to win me over from Booking.com yet! Go local Alternatively, you could rent a room, an apartment or a villa from a local through Airbnb.com. Not only does this option give you the chance to save some money, you might also get a glimpse of Portuguese life and sound recommendations through your hosts. I’ve stayed in some wonderful apartments that feel like a real home from home, often in residential areas with no other tourists in sight. At the time of writing, you can get you a 35 Euro credit if you sign up but I don’t know how long this offer will be available for. Hostels If you’re on a tight budget, don’t be afraid to consider hostels. I stayed in an all-female dorm room for the first time in over 12 years and was amazed at how far hostels have come in that time. The new breed of ‘super hostels’ are usually clean, comfortable and secure with lots of freebies, including breakfast, making them a viable option if you’re travelling alone. Just try to avoid ‘party hostels’ if you’re staying in a big city and don’t want to join in the revelling. Camping There are plenty of campsites all over Portugal, especially in coastal regions. That doesn’t mean you have to sleep in a tent, of course – most of them have bungalows for rent. Some are run by local councils, others are privately owned or part of chains like Orbitur. Check the websites of chains and camping clubs for offers and multiple passes which can give you significant savings. Stay for free If you’d rather not spend any money at all on a place to sleep, Couchsurfing is an option, even in tiny villages. Don’t worry; you don’t have to sleep on the sofa if you don’t want to – many hosts offer private bedrooms to travellers in return for a cultural exchange through conversation. House sitting is another way of staying in Portugal without forking out for accommodation. It requires more planning and commitment as you’ll be looking after someone’s house and usually animals while they’re away but it can be a great way of getting to know a new place. One of the most popular and trustworthy websites for matching potential sitters with homeowners is Trusted Housesitters.com. If you want to read a detailed guide to house sitting, this book should answer all your questions and more besides: Break Free: The Ultimate Guide to Housesitting. Travel off-peak and book ahead It might seem obvious but the time of year really does make a difference when it comes to prices and availability. July and August are the busiest months and prices skyrocket, especially in coastal areas. Many hotels and villas block-let their accommodation to travel agents each summer so you need to plan ahead to get a reasonable price or look out for special offers. Easter and Christmas are naturally expensive periods but prices and availability can also be affected during local festivals and events. If prices seem higher than you expected, try searching for alternative dates to see what difference that makes. During low season, not only are the standard rates lower, you can often get great discounts, either through booking sites or by negotiating directly with hotels. You will get significantly cheaper rates if you book up your summer holidays before the end of March. Vouchers and discounts Voucher sites are increasingly popular in Portugal and you can find deals offering up 70% discounts on accommodation, restaurants, beauty treatments, products and activities. To get the discounted price, you buy a voucher then redeem it directly with the retailer. In most cases, you need to print off the voucher and hand it in when it’s time to pay. You’ll also need to book the restaurant/accommodation/service in advance and tell them at the time that you have a voucher and which deals website you got it from. Of the Portuguese voucher sites, I’ve used LetsBonus and Lifecooler successfully and there are others such as Groupon.pt. Once you register with one of these sites, they will start bombarding your inbox with offers so you may want to unsubscribe from daily promotional emails unless you’re actively on the lookout for a great discount. Even if you don’t speak Portuguese, you can still have a look at what’s on offer, using Google Translate or my list of useful vocabulary to help. If a deal looks tempting enough, the sign up form is usually fairly standard – just make absolutely certain that you understand what is and isn’t included and what conditions are involved, for example date restrictions, before you buy.