A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alexandria vs. Portimao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Alexandria or Portimao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Portimao can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Portimao?

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

Portimao

The second biggest city in the Alrgarve region of Portugal, Portimao sits on the coast where the Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is renowned for its fresh fish restaurants and is also a popular destination for beachgoers at the Praia da Rocha to the south of the city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Portimao or Alexandria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $17, while the average daily cost in Portimao is $163. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alexandria and Portimao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $7.99
    Portimao $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $16
    Portimao $166
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Portimao

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Portimao? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Alexandria


Hotels in Portimao


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Portimao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $2.49
    Portimao $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $26
  • Alexandria to Alexandria Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $26
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
  • Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
  • Alexandria Airport to Alexandria - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $71
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portimao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:

  • Private Airport Transfer To Armação De Pera Area: $114
  • Private Transfer from Algoz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $81
  • Private Transfer from Armaçao de Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $55
  • Private Transfer from Estombar to Faro (FAO) Airport: $94
  • Private Transfer from Lagoa to Faro (FAO) Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Monte Ruivo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $236
  • Transfer Alvor - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $58
  • Transfer Alvor - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $49
  • Transfer Armação de Pêra - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $34
  • Transfer Carvoeiro - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $47
  • Transfer Ferragudo - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $34
  • Transfer Ferragudo - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Portimao?

Prices for flights to both Portimao and Alexandria change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Alexandria $6.46
    Portimao $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
  • Alexandria Food Tour: $50
  • From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portimao

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portimao.

  • Algarve wine tour and mountain top trip with lunch or dinner at sunset time: $147

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $3.50
    Portimao $44

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • The Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • Citadel of Qaitbay Entry Ticket : $3.80
  • Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Tickets : $3.80
  • Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.25
  • Alexandria Library Entry Ticket: $5.70
  • Qaitbay Citadel Entry Ticket: $5.70
  • Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Ticket: $5.70
  • Alexandria Library Skip the line Access Entry Ticket: $6.12
  • Skip the Line Tickets for The Catacomb of Kom eL Shoqafa: $6.12
  • Skip the Line Tickets for The Roman Theater in Alexandria: $6.12
  • Library of Alexandria Entry Ticket Included Pickup And Drop Off: $6.38

Tours and Activities in Portimao

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:

  • Stand Up Paddleboard tour in Benagil: $14
  • From Portimão to Paradise 60 minutes Sunrise Tour: $15
  • SUP - Stand Up Paddle Algarve Adventure: $16
  • From Portimão to Paradise 90 minutes Sunrise Tour: $22
  • From Portimão to Paradise 90 minutes Sunset Tour: $22
  • Kayak Tour around Benagil to see Sunset or Sunrise: $22
  • Express Tour - Benagil Cave: $22
  • From Portimão Early Birds Benagil Tour By Traditional Boat: $24
  • Portimão: Benagil Caves Speedboat Tour: $24
  • Portimão to Benagil: Adrenaline Wave - 90Mins Cave Tour: $25
  • 2 Hours Cruise Portimão to Benagil Cave & Marinha Beach: $27
  • Benagil Cave Kayak Self-Guided Tour: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.35
    Portimao $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Portimao

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:

  • Algarve Wine Tasting & Music Experience: $60
  • Algarve Wine Tour of Two Wine Estates: $74
  • Algarve wine tour of 2 wine estates and lunch at the countryside: $154
  • Alentejo Wine Tour from the Algarve: $210


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Portimao, we can see that Portimao is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Portimao is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Portimao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portimao than you might in Alexandria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Portimao Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Portimao?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Portimao, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Portimao?

Portimao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Portimao in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Portimao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portimao for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Alexandria is around the same temperature as Portimao in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Portimao fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

In July, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Portimao. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F) 
    Portimao 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portimao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Portimao. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Alexandria is a little warmer than Portimao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 22°C (72°F), and Portimao averages at about 19°C (67°F).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in October than Portimao. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F) 
    Portimao 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portimao in the Winter?

Both Portimao and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Portimao this time of year.

In January, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Portimao. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 13°C (55°F), and Portimao fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In January, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Portimao. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F) 
    Portimao 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portimao in the Spring?

Both Portimao and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Portimao for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Alexandria is a little warmer than Portimao in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Portimao fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than Portimao. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F) 
    Portimao 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Portimao and Alexandria

Alexandria Portimao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 14°C (56°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)