Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Cascais

Accommodation

$20-45 per night

Shared dorm rooms in hostels, basic guesthouses, or budget rooms slightly outside the town center

Food & Dining

$15-30 per day

Local cafes, Portuguese bakeries, supermarket meals, occasional traditional tascas, self-catering

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Public buses, walking, occasional train to Lisbon, cycling

Activities

$5-20 per day

Beach time, free walking tours, public parks, occasional museum entry, hiking coastal paths

Eat at local Portuguese cafes and tascas instead of tourist-focused restaurants (typically 40-60% cheaper)

Use public buses and trains instead of taxis for transportation (usually 70-80% savings)

Stay in accommodations slightly outside the historic center for 20-40% lower rates

Visit free beaches and coastal walking paths instead of paid beach clubs

Shop at local supermarkets and prepare some meals yourself (can reduce food costs by 50-70%)

Book accommodations 2-3 months in advance for early booking discounts of 15-30%

Travel during shoulder seasons (October-November, March-April) for 20-35% savings on accommodation

Eating exclusively in the tourist areas near the marina and main squares (typically 100-150% markup over local spots)

Taking taxis for all transportation instead of using efficient public buses and trains (3-4x more expensive)

Booking last-minute accommodation during peak season without comparing options (often 50-100% premium)

Paying for expensive organized tours when many attractions are easily accessible independently