PORTUGAL | Travel | General information
The Portuguese Republic is situated in the southwest of Europe. The country’s territory is composed of mainland Portugal located in the Iberian Peninsula and the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira in the Atlantic. It is the most westerly country of the European Continent. It is bordered by Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west.
Travelling to Portugal
Depending on where you are coming from and on your choice of transportation, you can travel to Portugal by plane, train, boat, bus or car.
There are over 15 low-cost airlines operating in Portugal making it fairly accessible to fly from most major European cities to Portugal.
Travelling within Portugal
Plane
Flying within the country is also an option. On mainland Portugal there are daily regular flights between Lisbon, Oporto and Faro. The national airline companies are SATA (www.sata.pt), TAP Portugal and Portugália Airlines, a regional airliner belonging to TAP (www.flytap.com). To travel to the Azores and Madeira flying is the best option. Both TAP Portugal and SATA Internacional operate daily regular flights to both the Azores and to Madeira.
Train
The railway system in Portugal was modernised a few years ago and connections between various cities and towns across the country have greatly improved. The various services available are Alfa Pendular (fast train), Intercity, Regional and Suburban trains. For more information you can check out www.cp.pt, which contains information on routes, schedules, prices, services and on-line reservations and tickets.
Bus
Rede Nacional de Expressos is the major bus network in the country providing services from north to south. For more information you can check out www.rede-expressos.pt, which contains information on routes, schedules, prices, services and on-line reservations and tickets.
Car
Portugal has an extensive network of motorways expanding from north to south and east to west making it easy to travel by car. Motorways are subject to toll payments.
Attention: At the tolls there is a fast passage lane called Via Verde so that drivers don’t have to stop in order to pay. Payment is made automatically through bank transfer. However, this fast lane can only be used by drivers who have adhered to this service. If you pass through Via Verde without the appropriate automatic scanning device you will have to pay the maximum amount of the toll applicable to that specific motorway route. The Via Verde fast lane is visibly identified by the colours green and white. For more information you can check out www.viaverde.pt
Car rental
There are many international car rental agencies across the country.
To rent a car you must be at least 21 years old and have a driver’s licence for at least 1 year.
If you’re an EU-citizen your national driver’s licence is valid in Portugal. If you’re a citizen from outside the EU it’s recommended that you apply for an international driver’s licence, which is valid for 1 year..
Taxi
In every city, town and village there are taxi services available.
Speed limits
- 30 km/h in residential areas and near schools
- 50 km/h within town and city limits
- 70-90 km/h on highways
- 120 km/h on motorways
International road signs are used in Portugal.
Driving is on the right-side of the road and overtaking on the left. On roundabouts priority must be given to drivers coming from the left-hand side.
Seatbelts are obligatory at all times and for all passengers. In case of violation of its use, the driver and/or the passengers will be subject to a fine.
It’s prohibited to use mobile phones while driving. In case of violation, the driver will be subject to a fine and may get his/her driver’s licence apprehended.
It’s obligatory that each car has a triangle and reflective vest in accordance to the European norm. In case of a breakdown or accident the driver is obliged to place the triangle at least 30 metres in front of the immobilised vehicle in order to alert other drivers that they should drive with caution, as well as put on the reflective vest until the vehicle is removed from the location.
Cycling
Cycling as a means of travel is not very common in Portugal. Some cities have cycling paths but in restricted areas, thus it’s not very safe to cycle just anywhere. Caution is required when cycling.
Walking
In city centres there are walking zones, exclusively for pedestrians with the exception of cargo vehicles for loading and unloading within a restricted time period. Pedestrian crossings without traffic lights are frequent in urban areas, thus caution is required when crossing the street. You should wait for cars to stop before crossing the street safely.