This is another example of wanting information but saying nothing. What are the scary things you've heard? Why are you frightened? How can anyone reassure you if we have no idea why you're frightened. Do you drive in your home country?

It's a piece of cake to drive in Portugal. There's no traffic. Follow the signs. I drove by myself so I also had to navigate.

This is like saying I'm from NJ and have no experience driving in Delaware and I'm terrified to drive in Delaware. I've heard such scary things about Delaware.

Just ask what you want to know and leave the hysteria out of this. It's not helpful.

You do have another option. You can spend the night in Lisbon and set off for Obidos by bus or train the next day.

I'm sorry to be vague.I do feel your reply was somewhat harsh. Are you sure there's no traffic around Lisbon airport? Everything I've read on the internet about driving in Portugal says its dangerous e.g people tailgating, pulling out in front of you, traffic merging with no signs to say so and then there's the fact that you're getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road whilst trying to navigate flyovers, three lane motorways and faster speed limits than you're used to.I was asking if anyone had experience of driving around Lisbon airport and whether the things I had read were true or exaggerated.
We may well consider staying the night in Lisbon but money's tight and for that reason we would prefer to go straight to Obidos.

This is where it's helpful to give some information. What you have heard about Portugal is an every day experience where I live. Perhaps you live in a rural area and are not used to driving 90kph. You definitely are from a British Commonwealth country since you describe "getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road and you use the word "whilst."

You should have said that you're used to driving on the left and have to get used to driving on the right in Portugal. Who would know.

There is no reason that you have to drive the speed limit. I drove about 80 to 90 kph and had no problems. I kept in the right lane and other people could pass me if they wanted to. There was little traffic - I would call it sparse. No one cut me off any time during the 10 days I drove in Portugal and no one tailgated. I drove at my own pace and sometimes people passed me but honestly most of the time I was the only car on the road until I was near towns.

If you're thinking leaving Lisbon airport is like leaving Gatwick or Heathrow it's not at all like that.

What you read about Lisbon airport is completely exaggerated.

I wish I could be more helpful but we haven't driven to or from Lisbon airport. However, we recently drove for two weeks in Portugal and had no problems at all other than the difficult-to-pay electronic toll roads. (Try to avoid these). There is fairly light traffic on the motorways and moderate traffic on the secondary roads. We saw nothing scary. We managed to drive in and out of central Lisbon more than once and it was no different from driving in any other city of similar size -- nothing out of the ordinary. We had traffic congestion one day due to a metro strike, but nothing scary -- just congested. From your comment about driving on the other side of the road, I take it you're from UK or other left-side driving country. This is a whole other consideration. Have you ever driven on the other side? This might be the only "scary" part of driving in Portugal. If you haven't, I don't think beginning late in the evening/night is the best idea. Better to start fresh in the morning from an airport hotel.

It really depends on the time of day whether there is traffic. If you are arriving late at night, excessive traffic should not be an issue. The only tricky part of getting out of the airport is a huge roundabout, but stay on the right(ish) and follow the flow and you will be fine. There are lights in the roundabout as well so just be aware and drive defensively. After the roundabout, the road will split but it is very well marked and just follow the appropriate signs. If you aren't bringing a gps, print out maps and directions from googlemaps.com (and buy a map once you are in PT), you will be fine. Once out of Lisbon, the driving is easy. PT drivers are aggressive, but they are generally good.

Thank you for your helpful replies - we have driven on the right before in France so I guess it will be similar? thanks too for the reassurance that Lisbon airport isn't like gatwick or Heathrow.

Driving on the right is the same everywhere one drives on the right, so yes, it would be similar to driving in France.
We have the opposite situation -- being from a right-driving country and trying to adjust to left-side. Just concentrate and if possible have a passenger navigate and help watch. Again, I would recommend waiting until morning before setting out, but you know what your schedule is.

My driving experiences in Portugal were much like Adrienne's. It was certainly one of the easier countries in all of Europe to drive in. Outside of Lisbon and Porto, most of the towns are smaller with easy access in an out. The signage is also quite good (better than having to read Cyrillic!).

Lisbon Airport is on the north side of town, and driving out of and into it was no particular problem. Once on the divided road to Obidos (oo-bee-doosh)(Hwy N-8..signs everywhere), you'll breeze along and like most of us who at one time or another had to drive the "wrong way", after a few dozen kms. you'll be fine. The horror stories don't register with me. (Now, the 405** at rush hour, that's something else again). Enjoy wonderful Portugal.

**SoCal folks relate to this, and how!

Not to further "terrify" you but there is a tricky round about just at the entrance to the airport that gets a lot of cars trying to pass through and get into the lane they need to be in to turn off. That will be a bit unnerving if early in the day during rush hour when it is very busy there.

Use Via Michelin (or GPS) to plan and then clearly write out what roads you need to be on... and look for. Carry a map or copy one off the internet if you get off course so you can find your way back on track and you will be fine.

Do not be concerned! We rented a car at the airport for 3+ weeks and drove throughout the country. Obidos is well marked from the airport - it is a popular destination. Here are some tips to consider: (1) get and study some maps and your route - familiarize yourself with the names of towns along the way .... (2) get acquainted with your car before you start out - rear view mirror, side mirror, turn signals - not a good idea to figure these things out on the freeway.... (3) drive at speed you are comfortable with regardless of how fast others are driving. In the smaller towns, street signs were hard to find and sometimes non-existant. We generally pulled over to a safe place and asked directions. We found the Portuguese to be reserved but helpful when asked for assistance. Obidos is a charming town and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Do try the wine from the Dao region...every bit as good as wine from the more famous Douro and Alentejo. Enjoy your visit!

Without a doubt, some of the easiest driving you will come across. I have no experience of Lisbon traffic, but outside, it is a snip,

Hi,

Well, very nice comments above and I thought I could add my 50 cents...

1) If you've driven in France, you'll do just fine around here and you'll find it easier.

2) Arriving late is good because the traffic jams are already gone. I don't know when are you coming, but if it's during the next few weeks (until end of august), the traffic is very light during all day.

3) The roundabout near the airport exit is nothing special if you respect signs and keep your eyes open for what others are doing. anyway, if you want to avoid it just leave the airport from the arrivals gates side, and you don't need to go through this roundabout. A bit down from arrivals there's a small roundabout with a BP gast station, closeby. Just go around and follow the sign "2ª Circular" around 200mts ahead you'll join "2ª Circular" without going through the dreaded roundabout.

I would advise you to get a GPS and you'll see that getting to Obidos is pretty easy.

if you have any doubts just let me know, and I'll do my best to help.

and...welcome to Lisbon!

cheers,
miguel

Thank you all so much. All the replies are really helpful and I am actually starting to look forward to the holiday. Miguel - Thank you for telling me about the other route - i am going now to look it up on Google maps. we will be arriving about 6.00 pm so not too late.

I was interested in hearing replies about driving in Portugal, not another poster reprimanding another one for asking a questions.
What I've learned from being a doctor for 31 years is that if I made fun of all the "stupid questions" that people have asked me, I wouldn't be in business. So lighten up, you know who!

Well said doctor! I don't think tijoal's question was "stupid" at all. The fear was based on others' experiences. This is not "hysteria". However, lots of information and hints later, the fear has abated to be replaced by anticipation. We travelled for 2 weeks in Portugal with no worries and loved the country and her people. I'm sure you will enjoy travelling around. Obidos is fantastic.

Yes, dpkmd, I did feel a bit put out, especially as it was my first ever post on this forum. However, thanks to many kind posters I have had my faith in human nature restored and yes the fear , which was very real has abated.Can't wait for some sunshine now and Obidos looks a lovely town - has anyone been to Sintra - that also looks beautiful.

tij:
(A hearty Welcome to he best travel forum on the internet!)

You're in for a fine travel experience..Portugal is colorful, people are kind, scenery is marvelous and you'll do fine. That's a promise!!

Here are some Portugal pics of mine from a few years back...they will give you a good feel for the terrain and the sights in general. Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Obdios (oo-bi-doosh), Nazare', Evora, Marvao, Belmonte, etc. Go for it!

Pics are below.

Stu Tower

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Portugal2008#

tijoal:

Adrienne is a well-traveled Fodorite and a major contributor to this forum. What she says may have seemed harsh to you, but read it again and you'll see she was doing everything possible to understand just what your perceived trepidations were all about. That's the only way we can address them and clear them up in your mind. Your in the very good hands of all the respondents to your questions. Enjoy your travel to a wonderful destination. We're here to serve. Keep the questions coming.

stu

Fab photos, Stu. Looks an amazingly colourful place. Thanks for sharing them

Tower - thank you for posting those photos! What time of year were you there?

We are also arriving late in the day at Lisbon airport and plan to drive to Setubal. Will it be necessary to drive through the city or is their a ring road which skirts the city. Thanks for any suggestion on best route to take.

Montagnac, you have only to find your way to Vasco da Gama bridge (displayed "Pte V. Gama"). Some 15 minutes later you are in Setubal. If you fail the exit you may end in the Algarve, but it is a nice destination too)

The right and wrong are relative concepts. If you start driving in the other side of the road one week before coming, acquaintance to Portugal will be much easier.

Tijoal - I went to Sintra with my husband and we loved it. A small town but with great restaurants, shopping and historical sites. We spent 3 nights there and wasn't able to see everything. highly recommend Sintra.

With regard to our renting a car..... because of all the difficulty we had driving in Portugal we dread the idea of renting a car again. But having said that, our sense of direction is non-existent and my husband refuses to even look at a map, relying on me. When we were heading in the right direction however, driving was fine. No one was trying to cut us off or driving at outrageous speeds.

Bazonia: when those particular pics were taken it was early May,2008. Just warm enough, but the hordes of tourists hadn't yet arrived. I suggest springtime for Portugal.


tijaol: Thnks for your kind words regarding pix.

Lobo!!! Funniest post from you ever. And here I always thought of you as a more stoic guy. Hope no one takes you up on that suggestion.

stu

Hi Tower, I'm not stoic at all, in fact I'm pretty much epicurean

"Mom, you said the F word 27 times" That is what my children told me after I drove through Lisbon, looking for my hotel during a dark winter rush hour. We were flying out early the next morning.

It is now a family joke (as I am not a big fan of swearing).

That proves how easy it is to drive in Lisbon...

Someone, with no local experience, is able to find its hotel somewhere in Lisbon, stressed by kids on the back seat, with dark winter time and during rush hour!
The cost? Just 27 F's.!

Try that in Rome...
It would cost you, at least, 270 F's.

cheers,
Miguel

Miguel, You're funny!

...and you're brave! a lot more useful.

Alas, I am not funny or brave just grateful that I won't have small children on the back seat.I am not at all worried about getting lost just so long as I get there. Looking forward to Sintra, Sashie - thanks for the recommendation.we are off on saturday so thanks for all the advice. We have booked the car from the airport and are leaving by arrivals as recommended by Miguel!

Have fun, Tij! It is hot, hot, hot here.

Well- I'm back. We had the most amazing time. The roads were quiet (sorry Adrienne!), no-one tailgated, the sat nav was spot on and the weather glorious. We visited Sintra. Caldas da Rainha and Obidos as well as the little villages of Po and Olho marinho (where we stayed). we thoroughly enjoyed eating at little Portuguese restaurants where no-one spoke any English and feel we have seen the 'real Portugal'. I would really recommend this lovely part of the world and can't wait to go back.

I was curious...

I'm really, really happy you've enjoyed it!

cheers,
miguel

We are very excited from all that have read about Portugal in the forum.Just a few suggestions from out there who loves Portugal!
As we will be docking in Lisbon and wishing to get to Porto,we thought jumping on the train and straight to Porto. Is it a good idea to hire a car in Porto or should our shoes do the walking to sight see. We will be driving back down to Lisbon and do the touristic things. We fly out to the UK from Lisbon. Any good hotels to stay from Porto to Lisbon airport.

You should rent the car after you let your feet do the walking in Porto.
On your way to Lisbon, decide if you want to stay along the coast or more inland.
There are lovely places in both areas.
Portugal has a beartiful coastline.
Look at a map and pick out places that appeal to you. Or choose from some of the top ten sights and pick your route depending on how long you have between Porto and Lisbon.
There really is no need to stay at a hotel near the Lisbon Airport. It is very close to town(less than 39 minutes).

Have fun planning.

Driving in & out of any airport can be scarry-haha Stu-I hate the 405.
Once you get away you can breath a sigh of releif. Portugal is not like leaving Gatwick & driving to Bath-that was the drive from hell. My husband & I drove to the Alentage area before heading to the Algarve in Portugal with no problems.
The only broblem was when we returned our car coming from south we filled up before bridge-the rental return guy with booze on his breath said our tank wasn't full-he said for 20$ my guy can top it for you. Scam!!!!! We were at his mercy.
We have been to POrtugaltwice & enjoyed both times.