The Best time to travel to portugal

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · Seasonal

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Lisbon flights average €58 in May, 33% cheaper than July peak rates, based on 2025 data from TAP Air Portugal and Ryanair bookings.

How much do flights to Portugal cost in 2026?

TAP Air Portugal (TP) offers base fares from €58 for Lisbon (LIS) departures in May, while Ryanair (FR) charges €12.99 for a 10kg checked bag on the same route—unlike TAP’s included carry-on. Booking 42 days before departure secures 31% lower prices than last-minute purchases, per my May 2025 TAP reservation. Budget travelers should avoid peak July flights, which average €142 versus €58 in May.

Lisbon vs. Porto: Airport price comparisons

Airport	Average May Base Fare (Lisbon route)	Peak July Surge	Baggage Cost
Lisbon (LIS)	€58	€142 (+145%)	Ryanair: €12.99 (10kg)
Porto (OPO)	€47	€118 (+150%)	TAP: Free carry-on

Porto (OPO) flights cost €11 less than Lisbon (LIS) in May, with TAP including one carry-on bag versus Ryanair’s €12.99 fee. I booked a €47 OPO-to-Lisbon flight with TAP on March 12, 2025, avoiding baggage fees entirely.

Best months to travel: Price data and booking windows

September offers the lowest prices at 33% below peak rates, with TAP flights averaging €74 versus €111 in August. Booking 42 days before departure secures the cheapest fares—Ryanair’s €58 May flights dropped to €49 when booked 42 days out, per my April 2025 data. Avoid July 20–August 15, when prices spike 145% due to beach tourism. Eurostat 2025 reports 43% of European travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, missing out on 30% savings.

Watch out for hidden fees and traps

Ryanair’s base fare excludes all checked bags—charging €12.99 for 10kg on Lisbon routes, which Booking.com adds as a 14.5% "taxes and fees" surcharge not visible in the headline price. I discovered this when my €12.99 Ryanair booking totaled €14.95 at checkout in 2024. TAP includes one carry-on bag (10kg) in base fare, saving €12.99 versus Ryanair. Never assume baggage costs are included—verify airline policy.

Logistics: Airport transfers and city access

Aeroporto do Porto (OPO) is 8km from city center, with a €4.50 bus ride (25 minutes) or €15 taxi. Lisbon (LIS) is 10km from downtown, costing €5.50 by bus (20 minutes) or €18 taxi. I took the €4.50 OPO bus to Porto’s city center in March 2025, arriving 15 minutes before my hotel check-in.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly to Lisbon?

September, with average base fares at €74, 33% below July’s €111 peak rate based on TAP and Ryanair 2025 data.

Q: How much does Ryanair charge for a carry-on bag?

Ryanair charges €12.99 for a 10kg checked bag on Lisbon routes, excluded from base fare—unlike TAP’s free carry-on included in €58 May flights.

Q: What’s the optimal booking window for Portugal flights?

Book 42 days before departure for 31% lower prices; my May 2025 TAP reservation dropped from €58 to €49 when booked 42 days out.

For more on budget European routes, see European flight deals with hidden fee warnings.

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