Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Spain and Portugal, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Spain and Portugal, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
11 of the 29 items cost less in Portugal.
Bottled, convenience store
Spain: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Portugal: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Cafe or street vendor
Spain: ≈ $1.20 – $2.50 €1.10 – €2.20 Portugal: ≈ $0.79 – $2 €0.70 – €1.80 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Spain: ≈ $2 – $5.60 €1.80 – €5.00 Portugal: ≈ $2.30 – $3.90 €2.00 – €3.50 Tourist area, main course
Spain: ≈ $17 – $39 €15 – €35 Portugal: ≈ $14 – $25 €12 – €22 Local market or stand
Spain: ≈ $3.40 – $9 €3 – €8 Portugal: ≈ $3.40 – $6.80 €3 – €6 Mixed drink, bar
Spain: ≈ $9 – $14 €8 – €12 Portugal: ≈ $7 – $11 €6 – €10 House wine, restaurant
Spain: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Portugal: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Cafe or street stall
Spain: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Portugal: ≈ $2.80 – $5.60 €2.50 – €5.00 Standard route
Spain: ≈ $34 – $51 €30 – €45 Portugal: ≈ $11 – $23 €10 – €20 Metered or typical fare
Spain: ≈ $3.90 – $5.60 €3.50 – €5.00 Portugal: ≈ $4.20 – $5.60 €3.75 – €5.00 Single ride
Spain: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Portugal: ≈ $1.90 – $2.60 €1.72 – €2.30 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Spain: ≈ $7 – $14 €6 – €12 Portugal: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Tourist shop
Spain: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Portugal: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Tourist shop
Spain: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18 Portugal: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Spain: ≈ $11 – $39 €10 – €35 Portugal: ≈ $11 – $39 €10 – €35 Data package
Spain: ≈ $11 – $34 €10 – €30 Portugal: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Pharmacy or shop
Spain: ≈ $9 – $18 €8 – €16 Portugal: ≈ $9 – $18 €8 – €16 Supermarket
Spain: ≈ $0.45 – $1.10 €0.40 – €1.00 Portugal: ≈ $0.45 – $1.10 €0.40 – €1.00 Pack of 20
Spain: ≈ $5.60 – $7.90 €5 – €7 Portugal: ≈ $5.60 – $7.30 €5.00 – €6.50 Pack of 20 tablets
Spain: ≈ $0.75 – $2.80 €0.67 – €2.50 Portugal: ≈ $0.90 – $2.80 €0.80 – €2.50 Spray or lotion
Spain: ≈ $2.80 – $5.60 €2.50 – €5.00 Portugal: ≈ $9 – $16 €8 – €14 Local barbershop
Spain: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Portugal: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Laundry service
Spain: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Portugal: ≈ $4.50 – $7.90 €4 – €7 Standard full-body massage
Spain: ≈ $45 – $96 €40 – €85 Portugal: ≈ $45 – $90 €40 – €80 Basic cut, salon
Spain: ≈ $23 – $45 €20 – €40 Portugal: ≈ $23 – $45 €20 – €40 Entrance ticket
Spain: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20 Portugal: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20 Organized excursion
Spain: ≈ $28 – $68 €25 – €60 Portugal: ≈ $28 – $68 €25 – €60 Organized excursion 6-8h
Spain: ≈ $45 – $90 €40 – €80 Portugal: ≈ $73 – $105 €65 – €95 Local cuisine cooking class
Spain: ≈ $47 – $79 €42 – €70 Portugal: ≈ $68 – $135 €60 – €120 Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price in Spain and Portugal alike.
Spain 15th lowest of 60
Portugal 20th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Spain Tipping is not expected in Spain and menu prices already include tax. In casual bars and family restaurants locals just round up or leave a few coins, and 1 to 2 euros per person is plenty. In upscale places check the bill for servicio incluido; if service is not listed, 5 to 10 percent for good service is generous.
Portugal Tipping is not mandatory in Portugal, but 5–10% is appreciated at sit-down restaurants. In Lisbon and Porto, tourists often round up the bill. Note that "couvert" (bread and appetizers brought to the table) is charged separately and is optional, you can send it back.
Not by much. In Spain and Portugal you pay about the same at fair prices: the two price levels are within 3% of each other. TruePrice Index: Spain 148, Portugal 148 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 11 of the 29 items cost less in Portugal. The tourist day breaks the tie: at fair prices, two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride cost less in Portugal, about $39 against $51.
A week is cheaper in Portugal: about $275 at fair prices, against $355 in Spain. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $835 in Spain and $725 in Portugal.
In Portugal: food and drinks cost about 9% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $17 – $39 in Spain and $14 – $25 in Portugal, street food $3.40 – $9 and $3.40 – $6.80.
Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price in Spain and Portugal alike.
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Spain vs Portugal, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/spain-vs-portugal/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
TruePrice keeps fair and tourist prices for both countries, and 58 more, on your phone. Offline too. Free on iPhone and Android.
