A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Havana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisbon or Havana?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Havana? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lisbon or Havana?

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Lisbon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €167, while the average daily cost in Havana is €63. 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 Lisbon and Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 63
    Havana 36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 126
    Havana 72
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Havana? 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 Lisbon


Hotels in Havana


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: Lisbon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 25
    Havana 16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

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


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
  • Airport Private Transfer to Óbidos | Caldas da Rainha: $114
  • Airport Private Transfer to Ericeira | Torres Vedras | Campo Real: $51
  • Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $66
  • Airport Transfer | Cruise Port - Estoril | Cascais | Sintra: $82
  • Airport transfer to any destination: $131
  • Algarve to Lisbon Airport Transfer: $470
  • Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure with Transfer from Lisbon: $96
  • Arrival Transfer by Sedan from Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon City: $46
  • Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $72
  • Cascais Aerodrome (CAT) to Lisbon city - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
  • Costa da Caparica Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $36

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    0.58

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana and Lisbon 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
    Lisbon 73
    Havana 15
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pizza Cruise on a Luxury Boat with Open Bar: $29
  • Lisbon Sunset DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $29
  • Lisbon Exclusive Sunset Cruise – Pizza, Open Bar & Dolphins: $29
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $32
  • Sunset DJ Party – Sangria, Pizza & Open Bar : $35
  • Traditional Walking Food Tour: $50
  • Sangria DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $54
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $57
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $58
  • Lisbon Sangria – Exclusive Luxury Cruise with Pizza & Music: $59
  • Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $59
  • Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $59

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Havana 9.53

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unravel Lisbon an Outdoor Charms Self Guided Tour: $1.18
  • Alfama and Mouraria Tour - The oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon: $1.24
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.24
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $1.76
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - Discover Belém and the Discoveries Age: $1.79
  • Lisbon Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.37
  • Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $3.59
  • Self Guided Tour in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
  • Lisbon Tour in Walled City and Alfama and Old Town: $3.59
  • The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.59
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $3.61
  • Lisbon (Chiado-Baixa) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.52

Tours and Activities in Havana

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

  • Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Havana 4.90

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

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

  • Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $19
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar (Premium Upgrade Available): $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: Unlimited Drinks, Shots & V.I.P Club Entry: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting: $25
  • Guided Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif: $28
  • Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $29
  • Lisbon Wine Tasting: $29
  • A Taste of Wine Tasting Experience: $42

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    0.13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Havana, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon than you might in Havana.

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


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Havana, 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 Lisbon or Havana?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Havana in the Summer?

Both Havana and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

Lisbon is cooler than Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Havana. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Havana 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Havana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Havana. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Lisbon is cooler than Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In October, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Havana. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Havana 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Havana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Havana. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

In January, Lisbon is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Havana 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Havana in the Spring?

Both Havana and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Lisbon is much colder than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Havana. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Havana 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Havana and Lisbon

Lisbon Havana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)