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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Things to do in Manchester

Manchester is one of the most important cities in England, known for its nightlife and incredible architecture. It is also one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe. If you plan to travel to Manchester, here are some things to do.

Learn some history live: Castlefield

In the inner city of Manchester, you’ll find remains of what used to be the Roman for of Mamucium. Five main areas have been reconstructed and can be visited: the Roman Gardens, the Vicus – civilian settlement outside the fort – , the North Gate, the Defensive Ditches and the West Wall. There are canal-side bars and restaurants, so if hunger strikes, you can relax and have a bite to eat.

A day in Chinatown

Whether you want to get something to eat, plan to wonder around for some shopping or just want to kill some time, head to Chinatown. On Sundays, you can pick up wonderful herbs from here. It’s located behind the Town Hall and really close to The Village.

Clubbing in the Village

Even if you are not in the clubbing scene, an evening in a bar is something you should try while in Manchester. The staff at the hotel/hostel will be able to tell you some of the hottest bars and clubs or whether you can find something to suit your tastes.

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry

Adult or child, you’ll love this interesting museum which shows impressive machineries, such as a working waterwheel. You can also see the booking halls of one of the first passenger railway station (on the route to Liverpool) , learn about Castlefied – the Roman Fort – and many more. It is open daily from 10 a.m. Entrance to the museum is free.

See the city from above: The Wheel of Manchester

London has London Eye and the Wheel of Manchester is this city’s take on the idea of getting a bird’s eye view of the surroundings. Admission fee is £8.50 for an adult (£5.00 for a child). You get to see the city from the height of 60 min and the ride takes about 13 min. It is open daily from 10 a.m.

A museum for the (big) boys: Imperial War Museum

If war vehicles, weapons and war memorabilia are what interest you, then don’t miss this museum. Entry is free and the museum opens at 10 a.m.

Market Street

If you are looking for food , great shops and fun, then this is the place to check out. The pedestrian street is filled with stuff which will easily diminish your vacation money, but it’s so worth it.

Tour Old Trafford

If you are a football (soccer) fan, then this is an exciting thing to do. Of course, you can watch a match but if you happen to travel when no matches are played, then a tour of the famous pitch is the next best thing. The Museum & Tour Centre is open daily from 9:30 a.m. The museum and tour ticket is £15.00 for an adult (£10.00 for juniors). More details here

Visit Manchester Cathedral

The current cathedral dates from Medieval times but was extensively renovated and , as a result, looks much newer. It is a working church so pay attention to the visiting hours (unless you plan to attend the service). Personal guided tours of the cathedral and grounds can be requested. Find the details here .

Aerial Extreme at The Trafford Centre

If you want something different than museums, markets and cathedrals, then Aerial Extreme is a good choice. It’s a combination of amusement park with a challenge of your fitness, which will get your heart pumping.

Photo credits : Castlefield , Chinatown , The Village , Museum of Science , The Wheel , Market Street , Old Trafford , Manchester Cathedral

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Planning a Trip Portugal Transportation travel guide

Getting from Lisbon to Sintra


Lisbon , the capital of Portugal, is a vibrant European city, offering stunning views of the Atlantic. It is also an excellent base for exploring the near-by cities and attractions, such as Sintra and its Moorish castle. Aside from the castle, Sintra is also home to Pena Palace. The surrounding hills as well as the historical center are UNESCO Heritage Sites.

Quick summary

The easiest way to get from Lisbon to Sintra is by train. There are trains departing every 15 min from Lisbon’s Entrecampos station and the fare is €1.95* one way (unless you have a Lisbon travel card and then you won’t pay anything for this ride).

Trains from Lisbon to Sintra

There are train departing Lisbon Entrecampos to Sintra every 15 min , every day of the week. The travel time is about 40 min and the single fare is €1.95. Trains don’t run between midnight and 6 a.m. (last train departs Lisbon at 11:42 p.m.).

If you purchase Lisbon travel card, you should know that it covers the price of the train ride to Sintra (and other cities located close to the capital).

The train station in Sintra is located about 10 min walk from the city. If you don’t plan to do any walking, you can catch a bus from the bus station, located opposite the train station.

Tickets can be bought online here

>>read more about Train Travel in Portugal

Driving from Lisbon to Sintra

You can rent a car and drive the 35 km from Lisbon to Sintra on A16. A shorter route (32 km) is via A5 and IC19. In either case the travel time is little over ½ h.

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Note:*at the time the article was written

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Planning a Trip Portugal Transportation travel guide

Getting from Faro to Seville


Faro is the main gateway into the Algarve region of Portugal and although it is generally overcrowded by tourists pretty much year-round, it is also quite popular among budget travelers who use it as a base for exploring other cities in the area or traveling to Spain. In fact, the Far to Seville route is very popular among backpackers and budget travelers, in general.

Seville is the cultural and financial capital of Southern Spain and also a top destination in Andalucia. There is a lot to do and see here and the budget travelers are happy to find affordable accommodation.

Although both cities are served by airports, the short distance between them (about 200 km) doesn’t require a flight. There are connecting flights via Lisbon, but the time spent traveling is long (about 4 hours) and the prices start at €124 one way during early spring (although it’s possible to find flights from €98 when the low cost carriers start to serve Faro during the summer months).

Quick summary

With no railway between Faro and Seville, the best option for any traveler is to travel by bus. There are several companies operating on this route and the single fares start at €16*.

Buses from Faro to Seville

Eva Transportes offers daily connections between Faro and Seville (Sevilha) . There are two buses per day from Faro, at 8:20 a.m. and 3:35 p.m. The travel time is 4 h 40 min and the single fare is €16. The return fare is €27.20. On the way back, catch the bus from Seville at 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Eurolines also operates on this route, but to find the buses, go on the Spanish site and look for Seville to Faro (if you go on the Portuguese site, you cannot find the Faro to Seville route). There is one bus departing Seville at 11:59 p.m. daily and arrives at 2:30 a.m. (local time in Portugal). The single fare is €20. On the way back, catch the bus at 2:30 a.m. in Faro and you’ll be at 6:15 a.m. in Seville. The same fare applies.

Driving from Faro to Seville

You can rent a car in Faro and drive the 197 km to Seville on A22 and A-49. You will be driving on a coast for a while, so you are also rewarded with lovely views.

Make sure to ask the rental company whether you are allowed to take the car across the border.

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Note: at the time the article was written

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Planning a Trip Portugal Transportation travel guide

Getting from Faro to Lagos

Faro is the main gateway into the Algarve region and also home to the closest airport to Lagos . Faro is generally over crowded with tourists pretty much year-round, but it is also a good base for exploring Southern Portugal as well as a gateway into picturesque cities, such as Lagos.

Quick summary

Bus tickets are cheaper than train tickets but not by a lot. Both are good options for those looking for a way to get between Faro and Lagos.

Trains from Faro to Lagos

Faro and Lagos are connected by “Regional” trains. There are 9 departures per day from Faro, between 7:16 a.m. and 8:12 p.m. The travel time is 1h 35 min to 1h 50 min. The single fare is €6.80.

On the way back , catch one of the 9 trains which depart Lagos between 6:05 a.m. and 7:19 p.m. The same travel time and fares apply.

Tickets can be bought online here.

>>read more about Train Travel in Portugal

Buses from Faro to Lagos

Eva Transportes offers 6 buses daily between Faro and Lagos. They depart Faro at 8 a.m., 9:05 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. , 4:25 p.m. and 5:25 p.m. The single fare is €5.65 and the return fare is €11.30.

On the way back, catch the buses from Lagos at 6:50 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m, 12:35 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Portugal

Driving from Faro to Lagos

You can rent a car and drive the 92 km on A2 in about 1 hour.

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Planning a Trip Portugal Transportation travel guide

Getting from Faro to Lisbon

Faro is the main gateway into the Algarve region. Usually overrun by tourists pretty much year-round, Faro is also a very good base for exploring Southern Portugal.

Lisbon , the capital of Portugal, is a lively European city, perched on the edge of the Atlantic and offering a lovely vacation destination.

Quick summary

Considering that train and bus tickets cost almost the same amount of money, it makes sense to book a train ticket as you’ll get to the destination faster (about 3 hours). Or, if you want to explore the country at your pace, you could consider driving.

Flights from Faro (airport code: FAO) to Lisbon

Faro Airport (FAO) is located just 2.6 km from the city. It mostly receives seasonal flights (March to October) but there are some year-round flights available, too. It is hub for Ryanair.

Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) is located just 7 km from the city center and is hub for easyJet , Portugália, SATA International, TAP Portugal, White Airways, and Luzair.

The only airline offering flights between Faro and Lisbon is TAP Portugal . The flight time is 45 minutes. Should you plan to fly in 2012, expect to pay from €154 one way. Return flights start at €185.

Read more about
>>Flights to Faro
>>Flights to Lisbon

Trains from Faro to Lisbon

There are direct trains daily between Faro and Lisbon. They arrive at Lisbon’s Entrecampos train station. You can choose between Intercidade (IC) and Alfa Pendular (AP), with the big differences between them being that AP trains are faster and more expensive than IC trains.

The train ride is about 3h 15 min on IC trains and there are 3 IC trains per day departing Faro at 9:18 a.m., 1:41 p.m., and 4:57 p.m.. A single ticket is €21 for an adult (2nd class). On the way back, catch the trains from Lisbon at 10:29 a.m., 2:29 p.m. or 5:29 p.m.

The train ride on AP trains is 2h 50 min and there are two trains per day departing Faro at 7:05 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. A single ticket is €22 for an adult (2nd class). On the way back, catch the trains from Lisbon at 8:31 a.m. or 6:31 p.m.

Tickets can be bought online here.

>>read more about Train Travel in Portugal

Buses from Faro to Lisbon

Rede Expressos is the most important bus company which offers long haul connections between Portuguese cities.

There are 15 daily departures from Faro. The travel time is between 3h 45 and 4 hours. The first bus leaves Faro at 1:30 a.m. and the last one at 8:30 p.m. The single fare is either €19 (Rede buses) or €19.50 (Mundial Turismo buses operated by Rede). Some buses only operate during the tourist season (March to September or June to September).

On the way back, catch one of the 18 buses from Libson to Faro. The same fares and restrictions apply.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Portugal

Driving from Faro to Lisbon

You can rent a car and drive the 278 km to Lisbon on A2 in about 3 hours. It is a stress-free drive on a modern highway.

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Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

Portugal in October


Spring and autumn are two of the best times to visit Portugal. And yes, many other tourists know that , but that doesn’t mean the country is crowded. If you plan to visit Lisbon, pack a waterproof jacket and make some plans in case it rains, such as visiting museums. But, in general , the weather is warm and sunny, so you can enjoy day trips and the country side.

Weather

The best times to visit Portugal are spring and autumn, so October falls into this category. The days are pleasantly sunny but the cities and sights aren’t crowded. You can explore the countryside or take a city break. Do expect rain in Lisbon though, so pack a waterproof jacket.

Sample temperatures:
Faro avg 22C / avg low 14C
Lisbon avg high 21C / avg low 13C
Porto avg high 19C / avg low 11C

>>read more about Weather in Portugal

Flights and accommodation

October falls during the shoulder season , a popular time to visit Portugal but not as expensive as summer. While it’s a good idea to book the airfare and accommodation ahead of time, you won’t have issues finding a place to stay a week before departure, for example. Hostels https://www.portugaltravelguide.org/hostels can be excellent choices , as well, particularly if you are on a low budget.

Many low costs carriers fly into Portugal, but by late October the number of flights start to decrease a bit. So plan in advance but not too far in advance (for low cost flights that means you pay a bit too much if you plan too far in advance). Keep your eyes on the sales and you’ll probably grab excellent deals.

What to do

October is still warm and although it is rainy in Lisbon, you will be blessed with lovely sunshine. While in Libon, don’t miss Belem , an enchanting historical neighborhood. If it does rain, some other things to do in Lisbon , such as visiting the museums or taking a ride on Tram 28 , will prove to be excellent choices. Or you can hide in a restaurant where you can enjoy the local food and drink.

You can also plan a day trip and visit the Moorish castle of Sintre, located a short drive from Lisbon. And while you are here, don’t miss the Palacio da Pena, built on the site of an old monastery. Today it’s a museum.

If you are a fan of wines, then autumn is the best time to visit Portugal. Aside from tasting Port, other things to do in Porto include sightseeing and visiting the museums . Don’t forget to enjoy the local cuisine, as well.

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Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

Portugal in May

May in Portugal starts to feel like summer, but without the scorching heat and crowds of visitors. However, don’t expect a deserted country, by now the visitors start to come in large numbers but you can still grab a deal or two. Plan for outdoor activities, day trips and checking out the sights.

Weather

May is the last month of spring in Portugal and the weather is quite warm by now. Actually, by the end of the month it’s possible to enjoy some sunbathing (if you are not brave enough to jump into the water, as well). It’s a good month to plan outdoor activities and of course, visiting the cities is a pleasure, as well.

Sample temperatures:
Faro avg 21C / avg low 13C
Lisbon avg high 21C / avg low 12C
Porto avg high 18C / avg low 10C

>>read more about Weather in Portugal

Flights and accommodation

May is not a high season month for traveling in Portugal but the country get a lot of visitors any time of the year. By May the number of visitors start to increase, so it is a good idea to book the airfare and accommodation ahead of time. Hostels can be excellent choices if you are on a low budget or if you plan to visit several cities and want to save some money.

There are many low cost carriers flying to Portugal but don’t just assume you can pick up a dirt cheap ticket anytime. Do a bit of research and sign up to their newsletters so that you know when there are sales that might interest you. Generally speaking though, 4 to 8 weeks before departure, you can grab a good deal.

What to do

In May, you can watch the Estoril Open , where world’s premier tennis players fight for supremacy.

Libson’s Book Fair is held in Eduardo VII Park and is an awesome chance to meet the authors and fellow readers. Of course, you might not leave without buying some books.

Many people come to Portugal with the idea of tasting Port wine and enjoying the wine trails. But aside from that, other things to do in Porto include sightseeing, visiting the museums and enjoying the local cuisine.

Lisbon is another wonderful visit to visit. Don’t miss visiting Belem , a historically important district in the capital. Some other things to do in Lisbon include visiting the museums, checking out the monuments, taking a ride on Tram 28 – the iconic tourist tram – and seeing the city from above. Of course the food and drink in Lisbon are to die for.

Plan a day trip to the town of Sintra with its Moorish castle , located a short drive from the capital of Lisbon. And while you are here, visit the Palacio da Pena as well, built on the site of an old monastery.

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Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

Portugal in April

April in Portugal is mild and offers lovely days for sightseeing and exploring the outdoors. Pack a waterproof coat because it might get a bit rainy. Explore the cities but also enjoy some day trips.

Weather

The weather is one of the reasons Portugal is very popular among travelers. It’s always sunny here and, as a result, traveling is a lovely experience year round. April falls in spring and it’s a mild month. It can be quite rainy in the north and central regions, though. If you are looking to explore the outdoors and visit the sites, April is a lovely choice.

Sample temperatures:
Faro avg 19C / avg low 11C
Lisbon avg high 18C / avg low 10C
Porto avg high 16C / avg low 8C

>>read more about Weather in Portugal

Flights and accommodation

Unless you plan to visit Portugal during Easter (which falls on April 8 in 2012), you shouldn’t worry about booking the airfare and accommodation too far in advance. Hostels can be excellent choices if you are on a low budget.

With so many lost cost carriers serving Portugal, it’s a matter of finding the best offer for the time you plan to fly. Remember that typically, 4 to 8 weeks before departure the airfare tends to be cheaper.

What to do

IndieLisboa takes place in April and it’s an independent Portuguese film festival becoming more famous each year. But, of course, you need to speak Portuguese to be able to enjoy it.

Lisboa International Triathlon takes place in late April and you can definitely sit by the side and cheer the competitor. Or be inspired to take up sports yourself.

Lisbon Golf Coast Festival stars in early April and many golf clubs join in the fun and games. Maybe you’ve just discovered another passion.

Also, Liberty Day (April 25) is one of the holidays to keep in mind when planning the vacation in Portugal.

You should plan to do some Port tasting while you are here. Some other things to do in Porto include visiting the museums, sightseeing and enjoying the local cuisine.

While in Lisbon, plan to visit Belem , a historically important district in the capital. Other things to do in Lisbon include the museums, the monuments, a ride on Tram 28 – the iconic tourist tram – and see the city from above. And let’s not forget about the food and drinks in Lisbon either.

Put on the list the beautiful town of Sintra with its Moorish castle , located a short drive from Lisbon. And while you are here, you might want to check out the Palacio da Pena as well. It was built on the site of an old monastery and can be visited.

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Planning a Trip Portugal

Getting from Lisbon to Seville (and return)

Lisbon , the capital of Portugal , has started to gain even more popularity among travelers. It is one of the rare Western European capitals which faces the water and surely knows how to use this for its own advantage. The hidden alleys, the superb views and the contemporary culture make it a desired travel destination year round.

Seville is the cultural capital of Andalucia, Spain. It lies on the bank of Guadalquivir River, which creates a romantic background. There are many places to visit in Seville and a lot of things to do.

Quick summary

Flights between the two cities are on the pricey side, so your best bet is taking the bus. Or you can rent a car and drive between Lisbon and Seville.

Flights from Lisbon (airport code: LIS) to Seville

Seville Airport is hub for both Ryanair and Vueling but neither offer flights between Lisbon and Porto. TAP Portugal and Spainair offer direct flights between the two cities. A single adult ticket starts at €217 while a return adult ticket starts at €279. The flight time is 1 h.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Lisbon

Trains from Lisbon to Seville

Traveling by train from Lisbon to Seville is not exactly an option, as you have to connect in Madrid. Plus, you’ll be spending a lot of time traveling as you need to stay overnight in Madrid.

Buses from Lisbon to Seville

There is one bus company which offers direct connections between Lisbon and Porto: ALSA . There are two departures a day (9:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.). The travel time is 7 h 15 min. An adult single ticket is €37 while a return ticket is €63.

Driving from Lisbon

Probably the easiest way to get between the two cities is by rental car . Ask the company whether you can take the car to Spain and enjoy the drive. The driving distance is 462 km and you should be able to get between the two cities in 4 hours.

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Planning a Trip Portugal Transportation travel guide

Getting from Lisbon to Porto (and return)

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and has recently started to gain more and more popularity among travelers. It is one of the rare Western European cities which faces the water and knows how to use this for its own advantage. The intimate alleys, the superb views and the contemporary culture make it a travel destination year round.

Porto is the second largest city in the country. It is a busy industrial and commercial central. Its historical city has been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1996. The historical sites, along with the lovely scenery enchant any traveler.

Those planning a vacation in Portugal most often plan to visit both cities. So knowing how to get between them cheap and easy is a must.

Quick summary

Flying takes less than one hour, but for whatever reason, it’s cheaper to book a return flight between the two cities, rather than a one way flight. Still, for €132 per person you can travel between the Lisbon and Porto. A much better option is the train, which takes 3 hours and is also cheap (from €24 per person, one way).

Flights from Lisbon (airport code: LIS) to Porto

Aeroporto da Portela (airport code: LIS) serves Lisbon and is the largest international airport in Portugal. It is the main hub for TAP Portugal. Sá Carneiro Airport (airport code: OPO) serves Porto and is the 3rd largest airport in the country. The only airline running flights between Lisbon and Porto is TAP Portugal. The flight time is 55 min and the one way adult fare is €148. Return fares start at €132 per person.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Lisbon

Trains from Lisbon to Porto

The national rail company (CP) offers direct trains from Lisbon to Porto. There are 18 departures daily and the travel time is 3 hours. The trains depart either from Lisboa – Entrecampos or Oriente. The 2nd class (turistica) fares start at €24 for an adult, one way. There are two types of trains to choose from: InterCity and Alfa-Pendular. Tickets can be bought here

>>read more about Train Travel in Portugal

Buses from Lisbon to Porto

Rede Expressos runs buses between Lisbon and Porto. Unfortunately, at the time this article was written neither versions (English or Portuguese) of the website allow us to check the timetable or the prices.
Other website which lists buses from various companies gave the price for the Rede bus: €16.50 for an adult, one way. The trail time is 3 h 30 min.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Portugal

Driving from Lisbon to Porto

Driving from Lisbon to Porto is a real pleasure and you’ll be rewarded with superb views. So, rent a car , get a map and plan your trip. The shortest route is 317 km and you should be able to cover it in 3 hours. Please note that you’ll have to pay tolls.

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