Driving in Portugal
Jul 17th, 2012, 03:15 PM
#22
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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.
Jul 17th, 2012, 03:48 PM
#23
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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)
Jul 18th, 2012, 05:48 AM
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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.
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.
Jul 18th, 2012, 06:39 AM
#26
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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
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
Jul 19th, 2012, 02:40 AM
#28
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"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 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).
Jul 19th, 2012, 03:35 AM
#29
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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
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
Jul 19th, 2012, 02:42 PM
#32
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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!
Jul 29th, 2012, 06:36 AM
#34
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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.
Aug 2nd, 2012, 05:16 PM
#36
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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.
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.
Aug 3rd, 2012, 03:21 AM
#37
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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.
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.
Aug 4th, 2012, 02:31 PM
#38
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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.
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.
Aug 7th, 2013, 08:46 AM
#40
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The only problem I had with driving in Portugal (which I did from Salamanca to Porto and then back to Spain in Galicia in one day) was the road toll structure. The most confusing and expensive tolls I have ever experienced. The whole experience is on my blog:
http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...pain-2013.html
I am doing a home exchange in Salamanca which is why the blog is labeled "Salamanca".
Anyone doing a driving trip in Portugal should research the road tolls before going. I wish I had. They are enormously expensive and American credit cards without chips will not work for those that are collectible only through an electronic system. I racked up probably almost $70 in tolls for one day. I have no idea if Portuguese nationals pay these tolls (putting aside the difficulties some foreigners have with the system), but certainly a major expense for anyone thinking of just driving thru. Had I known, I would have bagged the entire Portuguese excursion, but you do learn by making mistakes.
http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...pain-2013.html
I am doing a home exchange in Salamanca which is why the blog is labeled "Salamanca".
Anyone doing a driving trip in Portugal should research the road tolls before going. I wish I had. They are enormously expensive and American credit cards without chips will not work for those that are collectible only through an electronic system. I racked up probably almost $70 in tolls for one day. I have no idea if Portuguese nationals pay these tolls (putting aside the difficulties some foreigners have with the system), but certainly a major expense for anyone thinking of just driving thru. Had I known, I would have bagged the entire Portuguese excursion, but you do learn by making mistakes.
