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TAP (Air Portugal), the national airline, has direct flights to Lisbon from a number of destinations including England, France, Spain, the USA and Canada. There are also international flights to Porto and Faro. International departure tax is US$10, but this is included in the price of your ticket. Direct and regular bus services operate from France, Spain and England. Train connections from France and Spain are just as routine, with a number of scenic stops en route. You can also drive, ride, pedal or walk into Portugal, with major border posts open around the clock. If you're driving from England, the quickest route is via the Plymouth-Santander or Portsmouth-Bilbao ferries to northern Spain and then on to Portugal.

Money and Costs

Currency: escudo, euro

Meals


• Budget: US$4-6

• Mid-range: US$6-15

• Top-end: US$15 and upwards
  
  Lodging
  

• Budget: US$7-25

• Mid-range: US$25-60

• Top-end: US$60 and upwards

Although costs are beginning to rise as Portugal falls into fiscal step with the EU, this is still one of the least expensive places to travel in Europe. On a rock-bottom budget - using hostels or camping grounds and mostly self-catering - you could squeeze by on about US$20 per person in the high season. With bottom-end accommodation and the occasional inexpensive restaurant meal, daily costs would hover around US$25. Travelling with a companion and timing your trip to take advantage of off-season discounts, you could eat and sleep in relative style for about US$65 for two. Outside major tourist areas, prices dip appreciably.

Though travellers' cheques are easily exchanged, and at rates about 1% better than for cash, they are very poor value in Portugal because additional fees are so high - sometimes up to 13% for a US$100 cheque. The exception is American Express travellers' cheques, which can be exchanged commission-free with Amex agents. Plastic is overall a more sensible alternative and there are Multibancos (ATMs) in all tourist centres of any size where you can withdraw cash from credit and debit accounts. Keeping a small cash stash in US dollars or pounds sterling is a very good idea.

If you're not unhappy with the service, a reasonable restaurant tip is about 10%. For a snack, a bit of loose change is enough. Taxi drivers appreciate about 10% of the fare. Good-humoured bargaining is acceptable in markets but you'll find the Portuguese tough opponents. Off season, you can sometimes bargain down the price of accommodation.