Driving in Portugal Questions
 

We're going to Portugal and will be driving around the country north of Lisbon. We've never been to Portugal and are wondering...

- Are roads adequately signed? We're used to Italy where we feel roads are well signed as to direction to area towns and are wondering if Portugal is comparable?

- Are roads policed by camera? Is fast driving on major roads typical?

Any other driving tips would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance.

I drove from Seville, Spain to Lagos, up to Lisbon, Sintra, Navares and up to Porto.

Piece of cake! There is the occasional speed camera but it is preceded by a sign telling there is a speed camera.

Driving in Portugal is very easy, you will not have any difficulty.

Enjoy.

q1) depends on the road class and if the location you are heading too is large enough.
q2) Yes and one can find locations via GPS (fixed cameras) and for mobile cameras you will have to just be on the look out! Police often undertake paperwork checks so have your, rental agreement, passport and DL with you at all times.
What do you mean by fast driving?
If you have a portages registered car then usually a toll counter is included with the total of the tolls will be paid for at the end of the hire. If you do not have a Portuguese car then you have to prepay some tolls. Are you driving a Portuguese registered car?

By fast driving I mean exceeding the speed limit.

I do not know any country where the speed limit is not broken.

Germany, on highways whihc have no speedlimit...

If you do break the speed limit don't come back here complaining when you get a fine, and admin fees from the car hire company a few months down the line.

I just returned from 5 days in PT, and rented a car 3 days from OPO airport. 1) the rental process and the quality of the car was fine, but that doesn't answer your question. Do get the toll counter. 2) On MAIN highways the signage was good, once into the interior, however, you are completely on your own. Backup GPS navigator is not a bad idea. 3) I sped and plenty of cars on the road blew my doors off. Agree with "preceded by a sign telling there is a speed camera." PT drivers seemed to not be too aggressive and did not see any unsafe behaviors. 4) Look twice at gas pumps - they have 5 different types of "gas" one of which is diesel. Gas station personnel, I thought, were very courteous and patient with gringos.

Thanks very much!

Following along. We are thinking of renting a car in Porto and driving to Lisbon instead of taking the train as we usually do. We would like to be able to stop along the way. Any suggestions for this drive?

Coimbra, Batalha, Tomar are places to see.