Overview
Portugal is one of the easiest and best-value escapes from the UK, which is why "cheap flights to Portugal" is such a popular search. In under three hours you can swap a grey afternoon for Lisbon's tiled streets, Porto's riverside cellars, the golden beaches of the Algarve or the year-round green of Madeira. Flights from London to Portugal run all day, every day, and most UK regional airports offer at least seasonal service, so getting there is rarely the hard part. Use the price charts on this page to see how live fares are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Portugal
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the sweet spot: warm, comfortable weather, lighter crowds and softer fares. July and August bring the hottest, busiest and priciest conditions, especially in the Algarve and inland Alentejo. Winters are mild on the mainland and reliably pleasant in Madeira, making it a genuine sun option when the rest of Europe is cold. The When to book chart above shows how prices typically shift through the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
The four airports UK travellers use most are Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), Faro (FAO) for the Algarve, and Funchal (FNC) on Madeira. Ponta Delgada (PDL) in the Azores is served seasonally. Lisbon and Porto are well connected by metro and rail; Faro is a short drive from the main Algarve resorts.
Airlines and routes
TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 all fly direct from the UK, with TAP and BA operating the most from London and Jet2 and easyJet strong from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other regional bases. Direct flights cover Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal; the Azores and smaller routes may involve a connection in Lisbon. Typical flight time is around 2 hours 40 minutes from London and roughly 3 hours from Manchester.
Popular places to visit in Portugal
- Lisbon: hilltop viewpoints, historic trams and superb seafood in a walkable capital.
- Porto & the Douro Valley: port wine lodges, a photogenic riverfront and terraced vineyard cruises.
- The Algarve: dramatic sea cliffs, sheltered coves and family-friendly resorts near Faro.
- Sintra: fairy-tale palaces and wooded hills, an easy day trip from Lisbon.
- Madeira: levada walks, mountain scenery and mild weather all year.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Portugal
- Travel in the shoulder seasons and midweek, when both fares and airports are quieter.
- Compare nearby airports: flying into Faro rather than Lisbon can be cheaper for an Algarve trip, and vice versa.
- Book roughly six to eight weeks ahead for summer and check the price charts on this page for the current trend.
- Stay flexible by a day or two either side of your ideal dates to catch the lowest fare.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism in Portugal and can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Your passport should be less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave. The currency is the euro; cards are widely accepted but carry some cash for smaller cafes and markets. For the best value, book a few weeks in advance and let the price charts above guide your timing.
