Driving in Portugal...
OUR ENCOUNTERS:
It is quite a lengthy drive to Portugal but if you take your time and stop off to visit places along the way, it can be a very enlightening and enjoyable road trip. You can either cross the English Channel by ferry or via the Eurotunnel to Calais or alternatively travel by ferry to other ports in France or Spain, reducing your drive time.
We have made this journey on many occasions and on average it takes us 12 hours from Calais to Spain (San Sebastian). We then usually travel via Madrid, this takes us another 6 hours and from there to the Portuguese border just after Badajoz, it takes another 3 hours. From the border to Lisbon another 2 hours. We do, however, stop off for breaks as we try to capture new places we haven't already visited along the way as well as take time out for some sleep. There is a shorter route to Portugal if you drive across the north of Spain into the north of Portugal, this route will reduce your journey by a few hours. For those of you reading this who are Portuguese, yes we know you can do it in much less time!..
It is quite a lengthy drive to Portugal but if you take your time and stop off to visit places along the way, it can be a very enlightening and enjoyable road trip. You can either cross the English Channel by ferry or via the Eurotunnel to Calais or alternatively travel by ferry to other ports in France or Spain, reducing your drive time.
We have made this journey on many occasions and on average it takes us 12 hours from Calais to Spain (San Sebastian). We then usually travel via Madrid, this takes us another 6 hours and from there to the Portuguese border just after Badajoz, it takes another 3 hours. From the border to Lisbon another 2 hours. We do, however, stop off for breaks as we try to capture new places we haven't already visited along the way as well as take time out for some sleep. There is a shorter route to Portugal if you drive across the north of Spain into the north of Portugal, this route will reduce your journey by a few hours. For those of you reading this who are Portuguese, yes we know you can do it in much less time!..
You will also find that speeds seem to increase as you get closer to Portugal and when you drive through it. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, it can be very terrifying if you are not used it so please stay safe. You will most likely come across aggressive drivers who will tailgate you at high speeds and will flash you from behind to force you to move out of their way. You just need to remain calm and move over when you feel it is safe to do so.
If you are flashed by oncoming drivers on open/country roads it is usually to warn you about Police being up ahead or that an accident has taken place, so you should slow down just in case.
There are reckless drivers who seem to have a death wish, dangerously overtaking when there's oncoming traffic, taking risks with not only their lives but also everyone else travelling on the road. Due to lack of speed cameras, there seems to be a sense of invincibility in Portuguese drivers with their need for speed.
It's no wonder Portugal has one of the highest rates of casualties in Europe and is considered one of the most dangerous countries in Europe to drive in.
ROAD LAWS:
1. The Portuguese are enforcing on-the-spot fines in unmarked Police vehicles using speed cameras. You can also be issued on-the-spot fines if you are caught drink driving with an alcohol limit of 50mg per 100ml of blood (less than the UK). Plus, if you are caught using a handheld mobile phone you can be fined up to 600 euros. If you refuse to pay, they can confiscate your car.
2. Please note that Portuguese road law gives priority to traffic coming from the right at crossroads and T-junctions. Also, be cautious on roundabouts as these can be tricky too. The regulations recently changed to allow cars which are already on the roundabout the right of way rather than the ones entering from the right (which is why they were so confusing!).
3. Also, you must stop (actually come to a halt) at Stop signs even if there is nothing approaching.
4. Please be aware that it is against the law to run out of petrol crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon as well as on motorways.
5. Please also note it is illegal to strap bicycles to the back of vehicles - they must be placed on top of the roof.
6. Plus, in cities which have trams you must give way and allow passengers to get off and safely cross onto the pavement.
1. The Portuguese are enforcing on-the-spot fines in unmarked Police vehicles using speed cameras. You can also be issued on-the-spot fines if you are caught drink driving with an alcohol limit of 50mg per 100ml of blood (less than the UK). Plus, if you are caught using a handheld mobile phone you can be fined up to 600 euros. If you refuse to pay, they can confiscate your car.
2. Please note that Portuguese road law gives priority to traffic coming from the right at crossroads and T-junctions. Also, be cautious on roundabouts as these can be tricky too. The regulations recently changed to allow cars which are already on the roundabout the right of way rather than the ones entering from the right (which is why they were so confusing!).
3. Also, you must stop (actually come to a halt) at Stop signs even if there is nothing approaching.
4. Please be aware that it is against the law to run out of petrol crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon as well as on motorways.
5. Please also note it is illegal to strap bicycles to the back of vehicles - they must be placed on top of the roof.
6. Plus, in cities which have trams you must give way and allow passengers to get off and safely cross onto the pavement.
MOTORWAYS:
Portugal has invested and improved their motorways drastically over recent years. New motorways have been built and are recognised by a symbol displaying 'a car, a euro mark and radar beams'. These motorways are more free of traffic as the locals tend to find the tolls expensive. This newly introduced Electronic Toll system has caused major conflict with foreign drivers. Not only was it extremely confusing, it was completely incomprehensible from the start and has caused mayhem ever since being installed. Whoever came up with this brainwave idea should have been fired as no thought was put into on how to charge travellers with foreign licenced plates in a clear and sensible manner.
Basically these new motorways have no toll barriers/booths in place where you can pay the toll there and then. Instead, electronic camera sensors were installed to enforce car registration identification. Local drivers can either register and pay for their journeys online, via direct debit or pay the tolls at their local post office within 5 working days but unfortunately this system could not be implemented for tourists as it failed to recognise foreign licenced plates.
It has been stipulated that Post Office staff are fully informed and aware of payment methods but believe me this is not the case! Back in 2013 we visited four separate CTT Post Offices in Portugal and not one could tell us how to pay - in fact we were told not to worry about it as the system would never be able to trace our licence plate as it didn't recognise foreign ones. We have therefore tried our utmost to avoid these roads over the past few years.
As this has been a major problem right from the start other payment methods have been trialled and tested but these too were very confusing. Therefore, they have now finalised these four payment methods:
Portugal has invested and improved their motorways drastically over recent years. New motorways have been built and are recognised by a symbol displaying 'a car, a euro mark and radar beams'. These motorways are more free of traffic as the locals tend to find the tolls expensive. This newly introduced Electronic Toll system has caused major conflict with foreign drivers. Not only was it extremely confusing, it was completely incomprehensible from the start and has caused mayhem ever since being installed. Whoever came up with this brainwave idea should have been fired as no thought was put into on how to charge travellers with foreign licenced plates in a clear and sensible manner.
Basically these new motorways have no toll barriers/booths in place where you can pay the toll there and then. Instead, electronic camera sensors were installed to enforce car registration identification. Local drivers can either register and pay for their journeys online, via direct debit or pay the tolls at their local post office within 5 working days but unfortunately this system could not be implemented for tourists as it failed to recognise foreign licenced plates.
It has been stipulated that Post Office staff are fully informed and aware of payment methods but believe me this is not the case! Back in 2013 we visited four separate CTT Post Offices in Portugal and not one could tell us how to pay - in fact we were told not to worry about it as the system would never be able to trace our licence plate as it didn't recognise foreign ones. We have therefore tried our utmost to avoid these roads over the past few years.
As this has been a major problem right from the start other payment methods have been trialled and tested but these too were very confusing. Therefore, they have now finalised these four payment methods:
**Important Information**
1. EasyToll: Is a system which matches your licence plate to your specified bankcard. You can find this system at the 'Welcome Points' terminals - unfortunately these are only located at four locations: A28 - Viana do Castelo, A24 - Chaves, A25 – Vilar Formoso and A22 – Vila Real de Santo António. When you sign up you will have to input your debit/credit card details and your specified licence plate. Your licence plate will be scanned as you use these motorways and the toll charges issued will be matched and deducted automatically from your bankcard. When you sign up a ticket is issued as proof of purchase and is valid for 30 days.
2. Tollcard: Is a pay-as-you-go system. You can purchase these tollcards with values of 5, 10, 20 and 40 euros (+ service fees) with cash or a bankcard at CTT Post Offices, Highway Service areas or online at www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home or www.tollcard.pt. The cards include instructions on how to activate them by using SMS (mobile activation) - you will need to enter your card code and your licence plate. Your licence plate will be scanned as and when you use these motorways and the toll charges issued will be matched and deducted automatically from your card (+admin fees). You can check the card balance online. Once the balance reaches zero you will be notified via SMS to top up. The cards are valid for 1 year once activated. Damaged and unactivated cards can be returned to CTT Post Offices for a refund. If you initially used a credit card to pay for your tollcard you can ask for a refund on any unused credit, within 6 months of purchase. This does not apply to debit cards or cash.
3. Tollservice: Is a pre-paid 3 day card with unlimited use. You can purchase these cards at www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home and at the A24 Highway Service areas, Porto and Faro Airports and IKEA in Matosinhos. The card costs 20 euros (+ service/admin fees). You can also purchase the following pre-paid roundtrips (you do unfortunately have to specify dates of travel):
Journey from Spain to Porto Airport return (via A28 or A41) - Unsure of price as it wasn't specified.
Journey from Spain to Faro Airport return (via A22) - Again unsure of price as it wasn't specified.
1. EasyToll: Is a system which matches your licence plate to your specified bankcard. You can find this system at the 'Welcome Points' terminals - unfortunately these are only located at four locations: A28 - Viana do Castelo, A24 - Chaves, A25 – Vilar Formoso and A22 – Vila Real de Santo António. When you sign up you will have to input your debit/credit card details and your specified licence plate. Your licence plate will be scanned as you use these motorways and the toll charges issued will be matched and deducted automatically from your bankcard. When you sign up a ticket is issued as proof of purchase and is valid for 30 days.
2. Tollcard: Is a pay-as-you-go system. You can purchase these tollcards with values of 5, 10, 20 and 40 euros (+ service fees) with cash or a bankcard at CTT Post Offices, Highway Service areas or online at www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home or www.tollcard.pt. The cards include instructions on how to activate them by using SMS (mobile activation) - you will need to enter your card code and your licence plate. Your licence plate will be scanned as and when you use these motorways and the toll charges issued will be matched and deducted automatically from your card (+admin fees). You can check the card balance online. Once the balance reaches zero you will be notified via SMS to top up. The cards are valid for 1 year once activated. Damaged and unactivated cards can be returned to CTT Post Offices for a refund. If you initially used a credit card to pay for your tollcard you can ask for a refund on any unused credit, within 6 months of purchase. This does not apply to debit cards or cash.
3. Tollservice: Is a pre-paid 3 day card with unlimited use. You can purchase these cards at www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home and at the A24 Highway Service areas, Porto and Faro Airports and IKEA in Matosinhos. The card costs 20 euros (+ service/admin fees). You can also purchase the following pre-paid roundtrips (you do unfortunately have to specify dates of travel):
Journey from Spain to Porto Airport return (via A28 or A41) - Unsure of price as it wasn't specified.
Journey from Spain to Faro Airport return (via A22) - Again unsure of price as it wasn't specified.
4. Temporary Via Verde Device: Is a system whereby you can rent a temporary visitor device if you frequently visit Portugal. You can rent it from Via Verde stores or Service areas in cash or online at www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home. The rental cost is 6 euros for the first week and 1.5 euros thereafter. You will have to pay an initial deposit of 27.50 euros which is refundable on its return. The device is scanned as and when you use the motorways - costs will be charged accordingly. The device is valid for 90 days but can be extended.
I have briefly tried to explain the new systems available above but you can find these points explained in more detail at:
www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home
**Please note**: You are unable to pay for the tolls on exit or at a later stage so we highly recommend you use one of the above systems. It is now an offence to travel on these motorways without a valid receipt/card/device (transponder). You may be fined up to 25 times the original amount.
With regards to motorways in general, you should not use the 'via-verde' green lanes which are reserved for drivers who pay via the automatic system on any motorway.
There are also a few dual-carriageways dotted around Portugal which have three lanes. The middle lane is shared by both directions - please follow the signs which will indicate when you can use the middle lane.
I have briefly tried to explain the new systems available above but you can find these points explained in more detail at:
www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home
**Please note**: You are unable to pay for the tolls on exit or at a later stage so we highly recommend you use one of the above systems. It is now an offence to travel on these motorways without a valid receipt/card/device (transponder). You may be fined up to 25 times the original amount.
With regards to motorways in general, you should not use the 'via-verde' green lanes which are reserved for drivers who pay via the automatic system on any motorway.
There are also a few dual-carriageways dotted around Portugal which have three lanes. The middle lane is shared by both directions - please follow the signs which will indicate when you can use the middle lane.
PARKING:
1. With regards to parking, it is free to park in most towns and villages but you may have to pay meters in the bigger cities. Make sure you check the Parking Restrictions when you park up. Parking in Portugal is fairly inexpensive (both meters and car parks) in comparison to the UK, so it pays to park up in a Car Park if you're unsure, it's also safer.
2. The thing that bugs us the most is all the 'unofficial parking attendants' in Lisbon who are waiting to usher you into free spaces which are clearly visible so that you are forced to give them some money. You always feel obliged of course, hoping that your car will be safe and not damaged on your return. We hand out money to the vulnerable often but we're really against this type of bullying tactic and nothing seems to have really been done to put a stop to this over the years. Please also note that these people may not be ushering you into a 'free' parking space - do check the restrictions or your car may even be clamped/towed away.
3. We should also mention you can be fined if you are parked facing the opposite direction so we advise you to park correctly on the right hand side. Do not park on pavements either, again you may be fined, clamped or towed away and impounded.
1. With regards to parking, it is free to park in most towns and villages but you may have to pay meters in the bigger cities. Make sure you check the Parking Restrictions when you park up. Parking in Portugal is fairly inexpensive (both meters and car parks) in comparison to the UK, so it pays to park up in a Car Park if you're unsure, it's also safer.
2. The thing that bugs us the most is all the 'unofficial parking attendants' in Lisbon who are waiting to usher you into free spaces which are clearly visible so that you are forced to give them some money. You always feel obliged of course, hoping that your car will be safe and not damaged on your return. We hand out money to the vulnerable often but we're really against this type of bullying tactic and nothing seems to have really been done to put a stop to this over the years. Please also note that these people may not be ushering you into a 'free' parking space - do check the restrictions or your car may even be clamped/towed away.
3. We should also mention you can be fined if you are parked facing the opposite direction so we advise you to park correctly on the right hand side. Do not park on pavements either, again you may be fined, clamped or towed away and impounded.
HANDY INFO:
Emergency services: 112 (Police/Ambulance/Fire)
Dialling code: 00 351
Currency: Euro
Time difference: Portuguese time is the same as the UK (GMT)
Speed limits:
Urban/built-up areas: 50 kmh (31 mph)
Open/country roads: 90 kmh (56 mph)
Dual carriageways: 100 kmh (62 mph)
Motorways: 120 kmh (74 mph)
Fuel (Unleaded) = Gasolina (95 or 98 Octane - Sem chumbo)
Diesel = Gasoleo
Motorway fees: There are two types of motorways, ones with toll booths which can be paid for by cash/bankcards, the others are Electronic tolls (Portagem Electronica) explained above. The most expensive route is probably the A2 Lisboa/Algarve costing just less than 20 euros.
Emergency services: 112 (Police/Ambulance/Fire)
Dialling code: 00 351
Currency: Euro
Time difference: Portuguese time is the same as the UK (GMT)
Speed limits:
Urban/built-up areas: 50 kmh (31 mph)
Open/country roads: 90 kmh (56 mph)
Dual carriageways: 100 kmh (62 mph)
Motorways: 120 kmh (74 mph)
Fuel (Unleaded) = Gasolina (95 or 98 Octane - Sem chumbo)
Diesel = Gasoleo
Motorway fees: There are two types of motorways, ones with toll booths which can be paid for by cash/bankcards, the others are Electronic tolls (Portagem Electronica) explained above. The most expensive route is probably the A2 Lisboa/Algarve costing just less than 20 euros.
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