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

Should you visit Porto or Plzen?

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

Where Should I go: Porto or Plzen?

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.

Plzen

Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.

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 Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Plzen 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 Plzen is €95. 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 Plzen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Porto 65
    Plzen 57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Porto 130
    Plzen 114
Compare Hotels in Porto and Plzen

Looking for a hotel in Porto or Plzen? 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 Plzen


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 Plzen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Porto 21
    Plzen 7.75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto

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

  • From Porto Bus Station: Transfer to/from Lisbon Oriente: $4.20
  • Porto Airport Transfer from/to Porto Center: $9.58
  • Porto Airport Transfer (to/from Porto City Center): $11
  • Porto Airport Transfer from/to Porto Center : $11
  • Oporto Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $13
  • Bus Transfer to/from Madrid South: $13
  • Porto Airport: Shared One-Way Arrival or Departure Transfer: $13
  • Private transfer from Porto Airport to Porto City Hotels: $15
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Porto Airport To/From Porto): $15
  • Porto Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $15
  • Porto Airport Private Departure Transfer: $15
  • Porto Private Airport Departure Transfer: $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:

  • Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $269
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $115
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Porto or Plzen?

Prices for flights to both Plzen 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
    Plzen 29

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Porto 25
    Plzen 20

Tours and Activities in Porto

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

  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $1.06
  • Porto Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.08
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
  • The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center: $3.25
  • From Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.79
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $5.32
  • Porto Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.44
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.37
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.66
  • Porto (Gaia) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
  • Porto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
  • Porto (Gaia) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85

Tours and Activities in Plzen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:

  • Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $249
  • Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.69
  • Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $200
  • Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.51
  • Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
  • Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $269

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Porto 19
    Plzen 22

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 Plzen

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:

  • Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.52
  • Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $6.92
  • Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
  • Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
  • Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
  • Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $139


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

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


Which is Bigger, Porto or Plzen?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Plzen, 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 Plzen?

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 Plzen in the Summer?

Both Plzen and Porto during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Porto is around the same temperature as Plzen in the summer. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In Plzen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Plzen. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Porto 21°C (69°F) 
    Plzen 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Porto or Plzen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Plzen. Many visitors come to Porto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Porto is much warmer than Plzen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porto in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Porto usually receives more rain than Plzen. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Porto 17°C (62°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Porto or Plzen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Porto as well as Plzen. Most visitors come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Plzen can be very cold. In January, Porto is generally much warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 10°C (50°F), and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Porto 10°C (50°F) 
    Plzen -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Porto or Plzen in the Spring?

Both Plzen and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Porto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Porto is a little warmer than Plzen in the spring. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Plzen. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Porto 14°C (56°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Plzen and Porto

Porto Plzen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) -1°C (31°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 5°C (41°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)