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Practical information
What to know before you travel in Portugal: trains and buses, the euro, a few Portuguese phrases, emergency number 112, plugs and time zones.
Getting around
Fares and timetables change often, so this guide points to the operators instead of quoting prices.
Trains
CP runs the national rail network. Lisbon–Porto has the fastest services; many regional lines are slow but scenic. Buy tickets and see timetables on the operator’s site or app.
Sources: CP – Comboios de Portugal
Buses
Long-distance coaches, such as Rede Expressos, reach towns without a train. Check the timetable for weekends and holidays, when service thins out.
Sources: Rede Expressos
Driving
Traffic drives on the right. A car is the easiest way to reach the Alentejo, the Algarve’s west coast and mountain villages. Many motorways are tolled electronically; see carhire.pt before you hire.
Sources: carhire.pt
Islands and airports
The main international gateways are Lisbon, Porto and Faro, plus Funchal in Madeira and Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Between the Azores islands you fly or take a ferry.
Sources: ANA Aeroportos
Money
Portugal uses the euro. For exchange rates and tipping norms, see the sister sites.
Currency
The euro (€). Cards are widely accepted, but small cafés and markets may prefer cash. ATMs (“Multibanco”) are everywhere.
Sources: Banco de Portugal
Tourist tax
Some municipalities, such as Lisbon and Porto, charge a per-night tourist tax on top of your accommodation. Rates change, so check tourists.pt.
Sources: tourists.pt
Language
The language is Portuguese (European Portuguese, pt-PT). English is often spoken in tourist areas, but a few words in Portuguese go a long way.
Bom dia / Boa tarde
Good morning / good afternoon (and “boa noite” for the evening).
Sources: Dicionário Priberam
Se faz favor / Por favor
Please. “Se faz favor” is the common way to call a waiter or ask for the bill: “A conta, se faz favor.”
Sources: Dicionário Priberam
More phrases
The tourists.pt phrasebook has more, and aprende.pt can teach you pt-PT.
Sources: tourists.pt phrasebook
Safety & health
Portugal is generally considered a safe country to visit. Use normal city precautions, and be careful in nature.
Health cover
EU/EEA visitors can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for necessary care; other visitors should have travel insurance.
Sources: SNS
Weather, sea and fire warnings
Check the national weather service for warnings before hikes, levadas and beach days. Summers can bring heat waves and wildfire risk in the interior.
Sources: IPMA
Good to know
A few basics before you arrive.
Time zones
Mainland Portugal and Madeira share one time (Western European Time); the Azores are one hour behind. Check horaportugal.com.
Sources: horaportugal.com
Plugs
The standard is 230 V, 50 Hz with two-round-pin sockets (types C/F). Visitors from the UK, US and elsewhere need an adapter.
Sources: IEC World Plugs
Public holidays
Many shops and sights close on public holidays; each city also has its own municipal holiday. See folgas.pt.
Sources: folgas.pt
Last reviewed 2026-11-06. Rules, fares and timetables change: confirm with the operator or authority linked above.