How much does a trip to Lisbon & Porto cost from South Africa?
About R47 960 for 7 days, solo
Or R37 880 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R4 000 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistHilltop Lisbon with its trams and fado, Porto's riverfront port lodges, and custard tarts everywhere: one of western Europe's best-value capitals.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R39 920 | R38 771 | R37 910 |
| 7 days | R47 960 | R46 294 | R44 858 |
| 14 days | R76 100 | R72 624 | R69 176 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R14 000 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R16 800 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R6 650 |
| Getting around (transfers, internal travel) | R600 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R7 610 |
| Visa and entry fees | R2 300 |
| Total | R47 960 |
Visa for South Africans
Visa required Yes. South Africans need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) to visit Portugal.
Apply 4–6 weeks ahead (up to 6 months early).
When to go
| Best time | Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | Nov–Mar |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
Book 3 to 4 months out; avoid August, when it's hottest and busiest.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 14 to 16 hours with one stop, via Luanda (TAAG), Istanbul, Addis Ababa or a European hub. |
|---|---|
| Health | No malaria. |
| Money | Cards everywhere; restaurant couvert (bread and olives) is charged only if you eat it. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Tram 28 through Alfama
- Day 3 Fado in a small Alfama tasca
- Day 4 Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery
- Day 5 Miradouro de Santa Luzia at sunrise
- Day 6 Pastéis de Belém
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Tram 28 through Alfama
- Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery
- Pastéis de Belém
- Day trip to Sintra's palaces
- LX Factory
- Train to Porto
- Port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia
- Douro River cruise
Where locals go
- Fado in a small Alfama tasca
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia at sunrise
- Cascais and the Boca do Inferno cliffs
- Mercado de Arroios for a local lunch
- Setúbal's fried cuttlefish and river dolphins
- Porto's Bolhão market
- Train into the Douro Valley's quintas
- Surf lesson in Ericeira
Hidden gems near Lisbon & Porto
Ericeira
A whitewashed fishing town and World Surfing Reserve, 50 minutes from Lisbon.
About R300 extra to get there
Douro Valley
Terraced vineyards along the river, reached by one of Europe's most scenic train lines from Porto.
About R800 extra to get there
Ready to book?
Affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Quick answers
How much does a trip to Lisbon & Porto cost from South Africa?
About R47 960 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R37 880 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Portugal?
Yes. South Africans need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) to visit Portugal. Apply 4–6 weeks ahead (up to 6 months early).
When is the best time to visit Lisbon & Porto?
The best time is Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct. The cheapest time is usually Nov–Mar.
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 14 to 16 hours with one stop, via Luanda (TAAG), Istanbul, Addis Ababa or a European hub.
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.