Flights to Porto

Even if you haven't specifically heard the name Porto, you are probably familiar with the famous Port dessert wine, which originates from the region of this Portuguese city. However, the wine is only the icing (or the grape) on the city's cake, as the range of attractions, tourist sites, and covetousness it offers stun the senses. The alleys that connect it day and night, the impressive medieval buildings, the rich history flowing in every corner and much more. Even the more modern architecture, which naturally surrounds the old city center, seems to have a different flavor and style compared to other areas. 

When looking for flights to Porto, there are several parameters to consider. First, remember that there are no direct flights between Israel and Porto (at least at the moment). Therefore, you will have to move in Spain or in Lisbon The capital is on your way to it. Secondly, due to the relative distance and the paucity of lines, getting to Portugal in general and Porto in particular is relatively expensive.

Airports and flights

In terms of getting to the city, it is divided between those who want to spend as little time as possible in land travel and are willing to make sacrifices for that, and those who prefer to use as few flights and layovers as possible, and probably also pay less.

If you are the first type, you will surely be happy to know that Porto boasts an international airport, the second largest in Portugal both in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft traffic. The field is located about 11 kilometers northwest of the city center, and many airlines from all over the world operate there. You will find in it commercial and low-cost companies, regular flights and charter flights, and lines to almost all continents in the world. Although you will not find direct flights to and from Israel here, you can reach the field from a variety of other destinations in Europe and other continents. Common destinations for connections on the way to Porto are the major cities in Spain, Swiss cities and other major cities on the continent.

If you prefer not to make intermediate stops, either because you are Traveling with children Or in another extended group, and whether flights simply don't do it for you, you can arrive by direct flight to Lisbon or one of the cities of Spain, and proceed from there by land. Landing in Lisbon is the most convenient, since from there you can take a relatively short train (about two and forty hours) that will bring you to Porto. Of course you can also drive the road, or find a bus line that does it. The downside is that the direct flights to Lisbon are relatively expensive. These flights are operated by both El Al and TAP (the national carrier of Portugal).

The field in Lisbon (Humberto Delgado Airport - LIS) is the largest in the country, and is on the list of the twenty busiest fields in Europe (with passenger traffic of more than 31 million people in 2019). You can be sure that you will be able to find everything you need and more. This is one of the few fields in Europe that you can reach by bike, as it is connected to two main bike routes of the city. 

In terms of prices, getting to Lisbon is relatively expensive compared to other destinations in Europe, mainly because there are no direct flights to it from Israel by low-cost companies. The price fluctuates significantly between the peak of the season and outside, but it can be safely said that it hovers around 150 US dollars in the off-season, and up to several hundred dollars at the peak. The price of course depends on the date, the demand and the choice whether to fly through an intermediate destination or continue to Portugal directly.

When is it recommended to arrive?

The ideal tourist season for arriving in Porto is spring (mid-March to the end of May), followed by autumn (mid-September to the end of October). These are the months when there is an almost perfect balance between the number of tourists in the city, the weather, the length of the days and the prices of the tourist services, which makes them the most recommended. Due to the fact that most tourists come in the summer. In these months, the prices of hotels and flights are not at their peak, and it is certainly possible to find worthwhile deals both on flights and on places to stay and attractions.

The summer months (mid-May to mid-September) are the busiest months in Porto, with an emphasis on July and August. The many Europeans on vacation, as well as tourists from North America and elsewhere, flood the city and fill the planes, accommodations and points of interest. It will be very difficult for you to find cheap prices during this period, and if you don't manage to book most of the vacation well in advance, you may find yourself paying double or more compared to a similar vacation in another month.