A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porto vs. Lugo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Porto or Lugo?

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 Lugo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Porto or Lugo?

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.

Lugo

Located in northwestern Spain, Lugo is a city of the Galicia region best known for its old city, completely surrounded by Roman walls. Within these walls are some of Lugo's most impressive sights including a striking city hall, elaborate cathedral, and many beautiful city squares and plazas. The city is also known for its festivals and is the capital of a province of the same name.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Lugo or Porto?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Porto is €126, while the average daily cost in Lugo is €98. 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 Lugo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Porto 65
    Lugo 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Porto 130
    Lugo 100
Compare Hotels in Porto and Lugo

Looking for a hotel in Porto or Lugo? 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 Porto


Hotels in Lugo


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 Lugo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Porto 21
    Lugo 20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto

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

  • Airport Transfers: $27
  • Airport transfer with vintage Vw Kombi van: $107
  • Arrival Transfer from Porto Airport OPO to Porto in Private Car/Van: $97
  • Arrival Transfer: Porto Airport OPO to Porto in Business Car: $76
  • Aveiro Private Transfer to Porto: $79
  • Departure Transfer: Porto to Porto Airport OPO in Business Car: $76
  • Departure Transfer: Porto to Porto Airport OPO in Luxury Van: $92
  • Effortless Wheels Seamless Transfer Experience Porto-Lisbon: $364
  • Exclusive Private Transfer Gaia - Porto Airport: $46
  • From Porto Bus Station: Transfer to/from Lisbon Oriente: $4.22
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Lisbon: $642
  • From Private Transfer to Lisbon with Coimbra & Fatima: $627

Is it cheaper to fly into Porto or Lugo?

Prices for flights to both Lugo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Porto 36
    Lugo 34

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
  • Porto Food Tour: Full Meal & Drinks: $56
  • Porto Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $57
  • 3-Hour Food Tour: $68
  • Half-Day Food Tour: $68
  • Portuguese Craft Beer and Food Tour: $74
  • Semi - Private Oporto Food Tour: $74
  • Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto: $75
  • Secret Food Tour: $77
  • Semi Private Oporto Fado Show with Dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Porto 25
    Lugo 13

Tours and Activities in Porto

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

  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $1.07
  • Porto Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.09
  • Ultimate Ribeira Walking Tour: $2.60
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center: $3.26
  • From Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.81
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Porto (Gaia) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
  • Porto (Gaia) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
  • Casa São Roque Direct Entry Ticket: $8.56

Tours and Activities in Lugo

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

  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $80
  • ¡¡NEW!! Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $80
  • Cathedral of Santa Maria Entry Ticket and Audio Guide: $6.42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Porto 19
    Lugo 16

Sample the Local Flavors in Porto

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:

  • Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $8.56
  • Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry: $13
  • Magic Train Tour and Port Wine Tastings: $15
  • Mysterious Pub Crawl Interactive City Discovery Game: $19
  • Pub Crawl with 5 Drinks: $19
  • Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer: $20
  • Pub Crawl with Shots and Drinking Games: $21
  • Poças: Guided Tour & Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Poças Guided Visit and Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Rooftop Fado concert, Port wine tasting, Portuguese tart: $21
  • Classic Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $22
  • Pub Crawl Porto: $23


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

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


Which is Bigger, Porto or Lugo?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lugo. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Lugo, 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 Lugo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Porto or Lugo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Porto as well as Lugo. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

In the summer, Porto is around the same temperature as Lugo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porto in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Lugo averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lugo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In the summer, Porto often gets more sunshine than Lugo. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lugo receives 248 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Lugo. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Porto 21°C (69°F) 
    Lugo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Porto or Lugo in the Autumn?

Both Lugo and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Lugo. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 17°C (62°F), and Lugo fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Lugo during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Lugo receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lugo. It's quite rainy in Porto. In October, Porto usually receives more rain than Lugo. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Porto 17°C (62°F) 
    Lugo 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Porto or Lugo in the Winter?

Both Lugo and Porto during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Porto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Porto is around the same temperature as Lugo in the winter. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Lugo fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets more sunshine than Lugo. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lugo receives 103 hours of full sun.

Lugo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Lugo. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Porto 10°C (50°F) 
    Lugo 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Porto or Lugo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Lugo. Most visitors come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Porto is around the same temperature as Lugo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porto in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Lugo averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Lugo during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Lugo receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Lugo. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Porto 14°C (56°F) 
    Lugo 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Lugo and Porto

Porto Lugo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in)