Free resource
Portugal Travel Checklist
Everything you need to prepare for your trip — in one printable checklist. 11 sections, 80+ items.
Coelingo — Portugal Travel Checklist
coelingo.com/guide · Free resource
Print and pack. Check off as you go.
11 sections · 80+ checklist items
Print this page and check off items as you prepare
1
Planning & Documents
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond return date
- Two photocopies of passport photo page (leave one at home)
- Passport photographed and saved to cloud storage
- Schengen visa confirmed (if required for your nationality)
- US citizens: registered at travel.state.gov (STEP)
- Second photo ID (driver licence) packed
- Return ticket and accommodation address ready for immigration
2
Health & Travel Insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance purchased (incl. medical evacuation)
- EHIC card packed (EU/UK citizens)
- Travel insurance emergency number saved to phone
- 90-day supply of prescription medications packed
- Doctor's letter for controlled medications
- Basic first-aid kit: plasters, antiseptic, pain relief, antihistamines
- Insurance policy number and card photographed
3
Flights & Accommodation
- Flights booked — Lisbon (LIS) or Porto (OPO)
- All accommodation booked with confirmation numbers saved
- Hotel addresses saved in Portuguese for taxi drivers
- Online check-in completed (opens 24–48 hours before flight)
- All booking confirmations printed or saved offline
4
Money & Cards
- Bank and credit cards notified of travel dates
- At least 2 cards packed (Visa + Mastercard)
- €100–150 cash for markets, small cafés, rural areas
- No-foreign-transaction-fee card activated (Wise, Revolut, Schwab)
- Cards and cash split between two separate locations
- Emergency fund of €200–300 set aside
- Dynamic currency conversion: always decline — pay in Euros
5
Getting Around
- Car rental booked (if needed) — Via Verde transponder confirmed
- Full driving licence packed
- Rental car CDW/insurance confirmed (credit card or purchased)
- CP train app downloaded for Lisbon–Porto Alfa Pendular
- Viva Viagem card planned for Lisbon metro/trams
- Offline maps downloaded: Lisbon, Porto, your region
6
What to Pack
- Comfortable rubber-soled walking shoes (cobblestones are slippery)
- Light layers for evenings — even summer evenings can be cool
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Light rain jacket (spring and autumn)
- Modest clothing for churches (covered shoulders and knees)
- Universal Type F (Schuko) plug adapter — 230V
- Portable power bank charged
- Reusable water bottle (tap water is safe throughout Portugal)
- Small day backpack for sightseeing
7
Safety & Valuables
- Money belt or hidden pouch for passport and large cash amounts
- Hotel safe used for passport, extra cash, spare cards
- Phone kept in front pocket or zipped bag in tourist areas
- Serial numbers of electronics photographed
- VPN installed for public Wi-Fi use
- Two-factor authentication enabled on banking apps
- Daily cloud backup of phone photos enabled
8
Mobile & Connectivity
- International phone plan confirmed with carrier
- Phone unlocked for local SIM (if using NOS, MEO, or Vodafone PT)
- eSIM installed before departure (Airalo, Holafly) — or
- Local Portuguese SIM purchased on arrival (bring passport)
- Data roaming turned off until plan is confirmed
- Google Translate Portuguese offline pack downloaded
- WhatsApp installed — dominant messaging app in Portugal
- Wi-Fi calling enabled on phone
9
Emergency Numbers
- 112 — Universal emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 213 421 634 — Lisbon Tourist Police (Palácio Foz)
- 222 081 997 — Porto Tourist Police
- US Embassy Lisbon: +351 21 727 3300
- UK Embassy Lisbon: +351 21 392 4000
- Travel insurance emergency line saved to phone
- Hotel direct number saved to phone
- Nearest hospital to accommodation noted
10
Rental Car Insurance
- Personal auto insurance checked — most US policies do NOT cover international rentals
- Credit card CDW benefit confirmed (Visa Signature, Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum)
- If using credit card CDW: decline rental company CDW and pay full rental on that card
- Third-party liability insurance confirmed as included
- Via Verde toll transponder confirmed with rental company
- Car photographed thoroughly before driving away — email photos with timestamp
11
Essential Portuguese Phrases
- Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite — Good morning / afternoon / evening
- Por favor — Please
- Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f) — Thank you
- A conta, por favor — The bill, please
- Onde fica…? — Where is…?
- Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?
- Não percebo — I don't understand
- Fala inglês? — Do you speak English?
- Preciso de ajuda — I need help
- Chame a polícia / uma ambulância — Call the police / an ambulance
coelingo.com — Continental Portuguese learning platformFree resource — print and share freelyEmergency: 112 · US Embassy Lisbon: +351 21 727 3300