Travelling to Portugal in October. Will rent a car at the airport and would like directions/map to get out of the airport, heading south for the Algarve. Made a similar trip several years ago, heading west to Cascais and remember some difficulty. Would like to avoid it this time. <BR>

This may sound too easy, but when we picked up a car in Lisbon and drove to the Algarve a few years ago, the car rental place offered me a decent map and good directions and I had no problems. Are you aware that the Portugese are the worst drivers in Europe? Many people do not realize how difficult the driving is in Portugal, so you must be prepared to be aggressive and alert at all times. The main bridge out of Lisbon (I forget the name) is where we encountered the worst traffic jams. It was a windy and long ride to the south, but worth it once we arrived, and as always, offered the full flavor of the countryside as opposed to flying to Faro. Good luck!

Wallis, <BR> <BR>I have driven throughout most of Portugal and can't figure out how all these horror stories of Portugese drivers get started. Yes, they drive fast, so stay in the right lane on the highway. On smaller roads, pull over when you can to let them pass. Enjoy!

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I was in Portugal in april. There is a new bridge and toll road leading to the Algarve close to the airport, you do not have to go into central Lisbon as before. We have been to Potugal 7 times and love the country, people and the prices. ENJOY

When you pick up your car ask for directions out of Lisbon. The new Vasco da Gama bridge is easy to find and once you are across it you will be fine it is a good road down to Algarve. Don't worry about the speeders, just move over if you have to and let them pass you. Keep to the speed limits when you get there, the G.N.R. can spot tourists a mile off and pull you over. We spend the winters in Portugal, love it there, hope you do too.

Hi Wallis! <BR> <BR>After driving around Portugal for three weeks last April/May I agree with Betty Ann that the Portuguese drivers have an undeserved reputation for bad and aggressive driving, and I say this coming from a right-hand drive country. The biggest problem for the novice is the inordinate difficulty of navigating within the smaller towns and villages, where the signposting requires a good degree of clairvoyancy to make sense of. <BR> <BR>Carole is right with her reference to the Vasco da Gama bridge as the way to avoid the city when heading south. <BR> <BR>Harzer