Preparing for a Solo Trip to the Algarve: What I Need to Know?
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I need some help. I’ve not booked to go away until May but I want to make sure I have both enough space and essentials for my holiday. Being it my first solo holiday. I’m off to the Algarve for 8 days. I need help with the essentials
- What I MUST take (passport, insurance, health card, euros etc
- Hand to have; power bank to charge my phone, how many bikinis, euro plug adapter
- Who I need to contact to let them know I’m going away I.E bank, phone provider
- All euros or 70/30 or use an FX card which has no charge withdrawing cash from their atms….
Thanks so much…..
Boots has holiday checklist leaflets next to various leaflets in most larger stores. Good luck on your solo travelling.
Think you have it all covered . Well done for thinking it through (too many folks don't 
) . I'm sure folks these days rely on their phones , call me old fashioned but I feel more comfortable with my tickets , transfers and hotel bookings printed out beforehand , can't hurt . Check with your phone provider (no free "roaming" these days ) so could cost if you are a heavy data user .
Money ,no hard and fast rule -but don't carry too much cash . You have worked out the cheapest card , best use that . Obviously always elect to pay in Euros when using your card (cheaper than paying in sterling and using their exchange rate ) .
The Algarve is a lovely area with lots to do and Albufeira is magic of an evening with entertainment in the square surrounded by restaurants and bars .
Just a thought , don't know your board basis but if room only you might want to check if a kettle is provided ? If not a travel kettle and supply of coffee , tea etc might be wise . Always nice to have a slow cuppa in the morning to greet the new day .
Don't worry , just enjoy , you have it all sussed - one question ? Can I come ?
Golfforall Just a thought, don't know your board basis but if room only you might want to check if a kettle is provided? If not a travel kettle and supply of coffee, tea etc might be wise. Always nice to have a slow cuppa in the morning to greet the new day.
A kettle is about €15 (£13.20) for a plastic one, and €20 (£17.60) for a metal one. If she doesn't intend on taking too much with her, a kettle won't take up too much space, otherwise, she could buy one if the apartment doesn't have one.
Coffee from a kettle is fine, but it just doesn't compare to the real thing. Go to a coffee shop and buy a coffee + pastel de nata instead (about €1 or €1.20) and you'll be more than satisfied.
The Algarve is a lovely area with lots to do and Albufeira is magic of an evening with entertainment in the square surrounded by restaurants and bars.
"The Algarve" never heard anyone describe it like that (and it just doesn't sound right). lol
It is known as "All-garve" as a lot of Brits love going there and they have a Tesco store there, I think.
Portuguese live off coffee do plenty coffee shops around. We've a massive Portuguese community where I am.
so so much x
I’ve been travelling solo for 10 years now and after your first time, I’m sure you’ll be hooked. I’m off in May myself.
Depending on your bank, I know mine has a online form you fill in to tell them the dates, if not send them secure message instead. Always best to take cards from different banks just in case. I photocopy them so I have note of number and phone numbers to call if anything happens to them, I also photocopy my passport. (Nothing bad ever happened but better to be prepared)
It’s always useful to have some cash especially if you like going to markets, most shops all have the contactless technology.
In your hand luggage pack your underwear for the week & couple of day clothing items just in case luggage was to go astray.
Take your own suncream and aftersun oddly this is much more expensive abroad.
I pack my clothes in ziplock plastic bags in case of any spillages as if you have a fabric case etc
I’m not sure if you wear dresses but if you do I now find it easier to just do dresses they are usually light too
I pack a dress for each day and one for each evening makes it easy
Please put shoes in carrier bags in your luggage
I still always take to many pairs for the evening, you’ll probably really only need dressy pair and I need to follow my own advice this year
You’re amazing thanks so much. They’re all things I didn’t know. Zip lock bags. Underwear and dresses in hand luggage. Im big into my dresses I’ve one for days and one for night so 16 dresses and if zip locked I’ll get away with the weight. Now when it comes to sandals I’ve a dressy pair but I’ve been locking elsewhere for a pair of flats that goes with dresses and beachwear. On like Shein but cannot decide as not sure if I need extra support for excursions etc. but I think im going to love going solo at 35 it’s my bday pressie to myself lol - where you off too if you don’t mind me asking Gromit22
Gromit22 Thanks for this helpful comment. Some bonus points have been added to your account to say thank you 
If you where some more supported shoes on your flight out (I wear lightweight trainers, you know the type that are like trainers but haven’t got the laces) so they can be worn for trips out and be worn with a dress.
Nice to find a fellow dresses fan 
it certainly makes choosing what to wear easier and also don’t need loads to take loads of tops and shorts/skirts so saves on weight
Bikinis I find will be a personal choice in how many, if your on a sun lounger you don’t always have to be in a bikini. I’ve often just worn a short dress if I didn’t feel like wearing a bikini that day.
If you’re in to reading books, ask ahead at the hotel if they have a library, lots of hotels do so people either do a swap or can just read and put back. Again saves a bit on the packing weight.
If you’re in habit of buying breakable souvenirs whilst on holiday (I always come back with something 
) (China Portuguese cockerel are nice) take some bubble wrap with you, most shops will wrap in newspaper but handy to bubble wrap aswell.
I’m off to Gran Canaria, can’t wait, 5 1/2 weeks to go 
I went to the Algarve quite some time ago and have a painting of the square in Old Albufeira on my wall. Lovely place, must go back.
I remember Silves was worth a visit to look around the castle. Lagos and Portimao are also worth visiting.
I was staying in Albufeira and got buses to the various places, when I was there they did 3/5 day passes you could buy so could just hop on and off. All the buses seem to go to the bus station in old Albufeira so if you are staying in the new part you will end up there before going on out of town
Take photo copies of passport and bank cards, you need to know who to contact if you lose one.
If you have a monzo or revolut card, there's no foreign transaction fees at all. So, you can make card payments or withdraw from ATM's without currency conversion fees. If you don't, they're very easy to get. All done on your phone, no physical branches. I would also put your payment cards on either Google Wallet or Apple Pay. That way, if you lose your wallet, you can pay using your phone and vice versa. I tend to just take my phone out and leave my cards and paper cash at the hotel, that way you always have a backup.
Do you have a vaccine passport with three jabs on it? (). If not, you need a clear test on the day I think. But that might have changed now, I don't know, they keep changing covid regulations so frequently, I've given up trying to stay current with it
FearLoathing Do you have a vaccine passport with three jabs on it? (). If not, you need a clear test on the day I think. But that might have changed now, I don't know, they keep changing covid regulations so frequently, I've given up trying to stay current with it
Whaaaat? They got rid of that nonsense and you can see it on the U.K. Government's page.
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements
The U.S. is the one who still maintains requiring two shots (minimum) to enter the country. Nah, I'm not putting that in me.
FearLoathing If you have a monzo or revolut card, there's no foreign transaction fees at all. So, you can make card payments or withdraw from ATM's without currency conversion fees.
I prefer Chase for card purchases as they're fee-free and get cashback/round-up while cash, I transfer to my Portuguese card and then withdraw the cash.
Never cared nor liked Google/Apple/Samsung Wallet app payments. It's either card or cash for me.
To each their own. I don't think I've drawn out cash in one or more years. The card apps are a decent backup, even if you don't intend to use them. It's also nice having less in your pockets and not having to worry about a backpack or anything. Having all three as potential options can't hurt, and it only takes a few minutes to set up.
I'm glad the covid regulations are done with. I resented having to buy a test because I didn't get the jabs. All a revenue game.
I will do exactly that. I happen to have a revoult already in my wallet so so I just transfer my Sterling money into it and it transfers auto to euros? I’ve checked I’ve a safe in my room so I’ll keep my paperwork and passport there. During the day. But for market how much would you recommend I take for them? Or how much would a regular day cost I’m half board just so I know roughly how much to budget.
P.s. I haven’t had any vaccines. I do have insurance for this reason and have t hourly looked into the T&cs. So all good there. Can I ask. Do they have tests or do I have to bring them?
Just beware with Revoult, they haven’t got a uk banking licence and are rubbish if there are fraudulent transactions on your account. They were named and shamed on Radio 4’s consumer show You and Yours. I would be inclined to take an alternative or just take it as a backup
1 - Passport and cash (Euros in EU-Europe so you can use a card or cash rather than just a card and not everyone accepts cards probably to avoid card fees).
2 - It's decently hot in where you're going so I'd say yeah and yes, take a Euro adapter (I'm now in the country you're going and switched all plugs to the U.K. ones as they're safer and better).
3 - It's just 8 days so not a big deal.
4 - Same as number one, cash and card. If you have a Revolut card you can withdraw €200 per month without fees, IIRC. Not a whole lot, but it helps.
Note: Revolut is not a bank, it's EMI which means an Electronic Money Institution so it's not covered by FSCS. Still, it's good enough for money transfers and withdraws internationally if you have nothing better.
I've a throw as you sim card for travel mainly for the tinternet so I can contact family and banks etc. Maybe worth getting one
We geocache so wanted a sim we can use for that. Its handy as we've got WhatsApp on it
You know, I've been thinking and I'll be buying land somewhere in Algarve not just because of tourism and how great beaches are, but also because it's very close to Spain which I love going to (and I speak/know the language).
A caravan or a trailer park isn't obviously the same as a "normal" apartment or house, although it'll be be more than suitable once I get used to it.
By the way, there's a grocery store similar to Iceland and Tesco called "Food Co." in Algarve, AL (Albufeira). I unfortunately wasn't able to check it out as I didn't have time. If baked beans were cheaper than Lidl (89 cents or something) I'd have bought.
tartanrosr No prob.
It's kind of annoying how baked beans are so much more expensive than they are in the U.K. (30 cents less).
LIDL is still surprising the cheapest store, with Aldi the second one (at 99 cents -- Too much, imo) and then the others charge a premium price (because it's Heinz than store brand).
Don't rely on storing everything on your phone, take a paper copy of your booking confirmations, travel insurance and any other important documents , with you also just in case you lose your phone or can't access the information you need .
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