Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Porto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Porto or Coimbra?
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 Porto and Coimbra can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Porto or Coimbra?
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPorto €126Coimbra €103
The average daily cost (per person) in Porto is €126, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is €103. 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 Porto and Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPorto €65Coimbra €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPorto €130Coimbra €88
Compare Hotels in Porto and Coimbra
Looking for a hotel in Porto or Coimbra? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Porto Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Porto €21Coimbra €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Porto HTL-APT (OPO): $42
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Porto APT-HTL (OPO): $39
- Transport/Private Transfer from Porto Airport to Régua and Samodaes: $272
- Transfer to Porto from or to the Douro Valley: $182
- Transfer from Porto to the Douro Valley : $217
- Transfer from Porto to Coimbra visiting Aveiro, half day: $152
- Transfer Train/Bus station Campanhã to Porto City: $23
- Transfer Premium Privado: Aeroporto do Porto - Porto e Gaia: $32
- Transfer Porto Centro to Airport (OPO): $38
- Transfer Porto Airport to Douro Valley ( Régua / Samodaes ): $184
- Transfer Porto: $32
- Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $146
Is it cheaper to fly into Porto or Coimbra?
Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Porto 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
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Food Meals for one dayPorto €36Coimbra €48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto
For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Downtown Porto: $37
- Tastiest Calories Food Tour: $48
- Bolhão Market and Codfish Tasting Guided Food Tour: $52
- Bolhão Market & Codfish Tasting Food Tour: $53
- Christmas All Inclusive Dinner River Cruise with DJ on Board : $54
- Porto Food Tour: Full Meal & Drinks: $56
- Porto Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $57
- Half-Day Food Tour: $68
- 3-Hour Food Tour: $68
- Semi - Private Oporto Food Tour: $73
- Portuguese Craft Beer and Food Tour: $73
- Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Porto €25Coimbra €18
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- 4 Hour Blissful Wave Experience at Maceda Haven: $76
- 1 Day Tour to Douro Valley from Porto: $206
- 1.5-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour Historic Porto: $26
- 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto Douro to Left bank: $63
- 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $156
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Two Banks of Porto: $33
- 2-Hours of Porto Sunset Segway Tour - Guided Experience: $59
- 2-hour Private Tour (1 to 6 people) on the Douro River with a local: $153
- 3 Hour Porto Essential Private Tour: $49
- 3 Hour Tuk tuk Tour in Porto: $98
- 3 Hours of Private Porto Classic Tuk Tour: $261
- 3-Hour Best of Porto Segway Tour - Guided Experience: $75
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $119
- An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $69
- An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coimbra: $76
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $76
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $130
- Bairrada Winery Route Experience, full-day from Coimbra: $133
- Coimbra Private Walking Tour: $253
- Coimbra Private Walking Tour with U.C. Tickets Early Access: $43
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.42
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPorto €19Coimbra €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $8.51
- Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket with Wine Tasting: $8.71
- Tickets for Port Cellar Visit and Wine Tasting at Fonseca: $11
- Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry: $13
- Magic Train Tour and Port Wine Tastings: $15
- Guided Port Wine Tasting with Parings: $16
- Pub Crawl with 5 Drinks: $19
- Mysterious Pub Crawl Interactive City Discovery Game: $19
- Douro and Port Wine Tasting: $20
- Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer: $20
- Pub Crawl Porto Live night: $21
- Poças: Guided Tour & Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27
- Port Wine Tasting in Coimbra: $65
- Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $174
- Full-Day Private Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour from Coimbra: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porto and Coimbra, we can see that Porto is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto than you might in Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porto Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Porto or Coimbra?
Porto has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Coimbra, 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 Porto or Coimbra?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Porto or Coimbra in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Coimbra. Most visitors come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Porto is generally cooler than Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Porto usually receives more rain than Coimbra. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPorto 21°C (69°F)Coimbra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Porto or Coimbra in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Porto as well as Coimbra. The autumn months attract visitors to Porto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Porto is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. Porto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Coimbra. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPorto 17°C (62°F)Coimbra 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Porto or Coimbra in the Winter?
Both Coimbra and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Porto this time of year.
In the winter, Porto is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Coimbra averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. It's quite rainy in Porto. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Coimbra. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPorto 10°C (50°F)Coimbra 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Porto or Coimbra in the Spring?
Both Coimbra and Porto during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the spring, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Coimbra. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPorto 14°C (56°F)Coimbra 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Coimbra and Porto
| Porto | Coimbra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.