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Renting a Car in Portugal. Driving in Portugal
If you want to explore Portugal from north to south beyond Lisbon and Porto, it may be worth your time to rent a car in Portugal. Renting a car will allow you to create your own itinerary and schedule.
You need a driver's license and knowledge of Portuguese street signs. Most signs are obvious but some might surprise you. Learn, be familiar with, and know the basic road signs to prevent a problem while you are in Portugal.
Renting a Car in Portugal. Driving in Portugal
Booking a Rental Car Do it ahead of the trip!!!
There are car rental offices in all major Portuguese airports and cities but don’t wait until you get here to find a car to rent. Book ahead of time to save money and be assured of a car available for your trip.
Renting a Car in Portugal. Driving in Portugal
Tips for getting the best deals
If you find a deal that meets your needs book it. With most companies offering free cancellation, you can always get your money back if you locate a better deal or change your itinerary. Don't wait to book the car, the longer you wait, the higher the price will be for the vehicle.
Hire a car as soon as possible – it is cheaper and it’s almost certain that you’ll have the desired size
Hire your car according to your needs, don’t reserve a small compact car if you’re traveling with too much luggage.
Paying for the rental online will be cheaper than at the car rental counter
Choosing a 'Car hire service in Portugal, you’ll need a credit card (Visa, Mastercard) with your name on it. It is how the companies block the deposit.
Always check the terms and conditions, the mileage, the deposit value and, if you choose insurance, make sure you know what it will cover. We deny the extra insurance because our car insurance carrier will cover us if we have an accident.
Reserve a diesel vehicle only if you’re going to drive many kilometers. If you drive for long distances, the money you’ll save won’t make up for the price of the other cars.
Reserve a car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank of gas – always choose the option Full to Full.
Examine your car before leaving the rent-a-car company (interior, exterior, and spare tire) in front of the attendant and when you drop it off. Take photos of scratches, marks, dirty spots, or any issues you see. Always ask for a copy of the contract so you can defend yourself in case of litigation.
Check the times you can pick up your car and the times you can return it.
Fill the tank near the rent-a-car company just before you drop the car off.
Don’t drop off the car dirty because they’ll charge extra for cleaning it.
Drop off the car as scheduled so they won’t charge you another day.
March 2023
Renting a Car in Portugal. Driving in Portugal
NEW TRAFFIC CONTROL SCAN TO REGULATE SPEED WHILE YOU DRIVE
Average Speed Control Highways
Unlike fixed and mobile speed cameras, average speed cameras do not identify the instantaneous speed of vehicles, but calculate whether vehicles have traveled faster than permitted between two points on a given route.
According to ANSR, a network of speed control sites (SINCRO) currently monitors the speed of drivers by “measuring the instantaneous speed of the vehicle, that is, its speed at the moment it passes the speed control point”. The new radars will allow “supervision of the speed practiced by drivers by measuring the average speed of the vehicle between two predefined points on the road”. If you enter the roadway, a sign with a code will be scanned by your car's license plate. It will monitor the distance you travel as you get off the roadway and calculate the speed you should travel versus the speed you traveled. If you were speeding, you will receive a ticket in the mail.
According to ANSR, contracts for the supply and installation of new speed control radars will cost around €5.6 million.
The SINCRO network is currently made up of 62 instantaneous speed control locations installed on various roads in the national road network, equipped with 58 radars. Some of the radar boxes are empty but drivers do not which ones are not working. This is a speed trap.
Renting a Car in Portugal. Driving in Portugal
Renting a Car in Portugal. Driving in Portugal
Street Signs Portugal
Know the street signs. They are a bit different. It's very important
Wear your seat belt. GNR and the local police are serious about seatbelt-wearing.
Follow a blue sign with a white arrow.
Use your turn signal when passing on the left.
Stay right when not passing.
Gas is expensive so I recommend renting a diesel car.
If a pedestrian is in the crosswalk
Stop immediately
Renting a Car in Portugal. Driving in Portugal
Know the Street Signs
Trainline
Awesome train experience
270 lines throughout Europe
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