Which place is cheaper, Havana or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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.
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.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Havana is €61. 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.
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.
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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in 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.
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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?.
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.
Lisbon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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) |