Country guide
Flights to Portugal
The closest continental Europe gets to the US east coast
Portugal is the shortest transatlantic flight from the US east coast to continental Europe, which makes it an easier first European trip than most people expect. From Boston it is under seven hours, which is barely longer than a domestic transcontinental flight.
The country is also small enough to see properly in a week or ten days. Lisbon and Porto are three hours apart by train, and almost everything else worth seeing sits between or near them.
Cities we have guides for
Where to go beyond the obvious
Porto and the Douro
Three hours north of Lisbon by train. The city is compact and steep, and the Douro valley beyond it is the port wine region and among the most scenic parts of the country.
Sintra and the Lisbon coast
Palaces in the hills half an hour from Lisbon, plus the beaches at Cascais and Estoril. Sintra needs a full day and an early start rather than a casual afternoon.
The Algarve
The southern coast, about three hours from Lisbon by train or car. Busy in summer and genuinely pleasant in spring and autumn when the crowds thin.
The Azores and Madeira
Atlantic islands with their own climate and character, reached by domestic flight. The Azores in particular have become an easy stopover on transatlantic routings.
When to go
March to May and September to October are the best months: warm without the summer heat, and the crowds are manageable. October in the south still holds proper warmth.
June to August is hot, dry and busy, with the highest prices of the year on the Algarve and in Lisbon.
November to February is mild by northern European standards but genuinely wet. That matters more here than elsewhere because the tiled pavements in Lisbon and Porto get slippery.
Getting around
Trains connect Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve reasonably well and are inexpensive. The Lisbon to Porto service is fast and frequent.
A car is worth it for the Douro valley, the Alentejo and exploring the Algarve coast beyond the main towns.
Domestic flights are only needed for Madeira and the Azores.
The basics
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Portuguese; English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas
- Time zone
- WET, or WEST from late March to late October — an hour behind most of continental Europe
- Power
- Type F plug, 230V
- Driving
- On the right; many motorways use electronic-only tolls
- Entry for US passports
- Short visits are visa-free, but the EU is introducing an electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. Confirm the current requirement with Portuguese or EU authorities.
Before you book
Bring shoes with grip
The calçada pavements in Lisbon and Porto are polished limestone and become genuinely slippery in the rain. It is the most practical advice about Portugal and the most ignored.
Portugal is an hour behind the rest of Europe
It shares a time zone with the UK, not with Spain. This catches people out on connecting itineraries and on arranging calls home.
Check the electronic tolls if you hire a car
Several motorways have no cash booths and bill electronically. Rental companies handle it but the arrangement needs setting up at pickup.
Consider an Azores stopover
Some transatlantic routings allow a stop in the Azores at little extra fare cost, which turns a long flight into two shorter ones with an island in between.
Routes to Portugal
Flight times are non-stop estimates from great-circle distance. Actual schedules and whether a non-stop exists on your dates come from a live search.
Airport guides
FAQ
Flights to Portugal — common questions
If yours isn't here, just call — we're happy to explain.
How long is the flight from the US to Portugal?
It is the shortest transatlantic crossing to continental Europe: roughly seven hours from New York and under seven from Boston. From Chicago it is about eight and a half hours. That shorter flight, combined with a favourable exchange rate for many travellers, is a genuine reason to consider Portugal as a first European trip.
Should I visit Lisbon or Porto?
Both, if you have a week. They are about three hours apart by train and quite different — Lisbon is bigger, hillier and more varied, while Porto is compact, atmospheric and the gateway to the Douro valley. On a shorter trip Lisbon has more to fill the days and better onward connections.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
March to May and September to October. The weather is warm without the summer heat, prices are lower and the crowds are manageable, and October in the south still holds proper warmth. Winter is mild but wet, which matters here because the tiled pavements become slippery.
Still have a question? We're happy to explain — just call.
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