Getting to Portugal

International flights are never totally stress-free. Whether you’re flying economy, business or first, it seems there is always a kernel of uncertainty waiting just below the surface. Transcontinental travel, then, feels all the more intense.

Portugal is filled with things for the entire family to enjoy. From family-focused hotels to entire cities packed with activities, Portugal should be your family’s next destination, and luckily, there are plenty of ways to get to one of the best-kept secrets in Europe.

Flights are going to be your No. 1 means of transportation for getting into Portugal. First, consider which major East Coast airport your family is closest to. The big cities on the northern part of the East Coast are where you are probably going to find the best deals and options, so if you don’t live near New York or Boston, there is a good chance you’re going to need to catch a connecting flight.

The major American airlines like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines all offer some kind of transportation between the East Coast and Portugal. Flights to Porto, Lisbon, Funchal and Faro are all common from the bigger airlines. Some airlines most might not immediately consider, like Air Canada and Azores Airlines, also span the countries.

Porto, Portugal: Monastery of Serra do Pilar. Photo: Iuliia Lavrinenko | Dreamstime.com

If you want to give your family a truly authentic Portugal experience from the moment the plane takes off, book your family’s airfare with TAP Air Portugal. TAP offers great options for families looking to fly into Portugal from other places in Europe. TAP also offers traveling families great options for seeing more of Europe while they are on that side of the Atlantic.

There are more ways to get to Portugal than being limited to flying. If the family is more laid-back and worried about enjoying their leisure time, cruising might be the way to go. Certain cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line

, offer cruises to Portugal from other European destinations. If you are looking for a trans-Atlantic journey on the waves, Cunard offers trans-Atlantic sailings with stops in Portugal.

There are plenty of ways to get to Portugal, but the country is packed with excellent ways to spend time as a family. Once you are in the country, make use of the robust public transportation systems, including buses and trains, to see as much of the country with the family as possible.