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

Should you visit Lisbon or Montevideo?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Montevideo? 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 Montevideo?

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.

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

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


Which place is cheaper, Montevideo or Lisbon?

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 Montevideo is €59. 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 Montevideo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 58
    Montevideo 37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 116
    Montevideo 74
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Montevideo

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Montevideo? 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 Montevideo


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 and Montevideo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Montevideo 6.80
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 to Seville private transfer one way max 6 persons: $743
  • Full Day Tour - Transfer to Porto from Lisbon with Stops: $727
  • Full Day Tour - Transfer to Algarve from Lisbon with Stops: $673
  • Lisboa - Porto Private Transfer, with 2 visits on the way: $635
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Faro: $592
  • Lisbon Private transfer to Porto 1-Way Transfer max 6 person: $573
  • From the Algarve to Lisbon; Guided transfer with extra Wow!: $560
  • To/From the Lisbon Airport: Faro Private Transfer: $538
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Lagos: $538
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport and Portimão: $538
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Albufeira: $538
  • Porto: Private Transfer Between Porto City and Lisbon City: $537

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $19
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $30
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • Carrasco Airport Transfer: $20
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Montevideo?

Prices for flights to both Montevideo 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 42
    Montevideo 13
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:

  • Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
  • Tapas Food Tour: $38
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
  • Lisbon Food Tour: $53
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $54
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $54
  • Cooking Pastel de Nata with a glass of wine !: $54
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $54
  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
  • Original Morning Food Tour: $64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

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

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Montevideo 19

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

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

  • Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $217
  • 2-Hour Night Sailing Tour in Lisbon with a Drink: $49
  • Private Walking Tour - Wandering Around Lisbon: $93
  • Private day tour Serra da Estrela cheese factory bread museum: $210
  • Saint George Castle Guided Tour from Lisbon: $34
  • Sintra or Cascais Half-day Private Tour - The real portuguese essence!: $120
  • Street Art Walking Tour in Lisbon - Parque das Nações: $16
  • The Heart of Lisbon- History & coffee experience: $66
  • Évora & Arroiolos Small-Group Full Day Tour : $109
  • Évora Tour: $164
  • Évora Tour - Évora Town and Surroundings Private Tour: $244
  • Évora Unveiled: A Half-Day Discovery| Premium Private Experience : $109

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
  • Private Tour to Tourist Places in Montevideo: $260
  • Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
  • Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
  • Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
  • Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $120
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $120
  • Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
  • City Tour of Montevideo: $40
  • City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
  • City tour Montevideo: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Montevideo -

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

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

  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $17
  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $19
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
  • Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Shots and Drinking Games: $22
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

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

  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Montevideo, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe and Montevideo is in South America, 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.

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


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Montevideo?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Montevideo, 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 Montevideo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Montevideo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Lisbon has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Lisbon or Montevideo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Montevideo. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lisbon is around the same temperature as Montevideo in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Montevideo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Montevideo during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Montevideoin January. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Montevideo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Montevideo. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Lisbon is a little warmer than Montevideo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Montevideo averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Montevideoin April. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 171 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Montevideo. Lisbon usually gets less rain in October than Montevideoin April. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Montevideo in the Winter?

Both Montevideo and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Montevideoin July. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Montevideo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montevideo during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Montevideoin July. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Montevideo in the Spring?

Both Montevideo and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

Lisbon is around the same temperature as Montevideo in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Montevideo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.

In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montevideoin October. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 248 hours of full sun.

Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lisbon usually gets less rain in April than Montevideoin October. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Montevideo and Lisbon

Lisbon Montevideo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)