Portugal Car Hire Destination Guide

Car hire in Portugal is widely available from all the major car rental companies. Portugal is a popular tourist destination, particularly to its southern coast in the region of the Algarve which attracts millions of visitors each year.

Portugal has a long maritime history and boasts one of the best coastlines in Europe along its breathtaking Algarve coast. Meanwhile, the capital, Lisbon is an intriguing mix of cobbled streets, open and airy piazzas and hilly suburbs sitting on the river Tejo.

Driving in Portugal
If you’re planning to rent a car while in Portugal there’s some basic information you’re going to need to get you on your way. Firstly, and quite importantly if you’re British, get ready to drive on the right hand side of the road. That’s the wrong side if you’re British! This means you should always overtake on the left.

All occupants of a vehicle are required to wear seatbelts whilst travelling, both in the front and the back. Also, it is required that children under 12 years do not travel in the front seat of a vehicle.

There are toll (portagem ) roads in Portugal. At road tolls you may notice green lanes, these are for drivers who have subscribe to an automated paying system, and you must not use them unless you have subscribed. Make sure you have currency to hand to pay for tolls, because if you are unable to, you will be fined. Visitors to Portugal are required to pay traffic fines on the spot, and they can be expensive.

Parking
When parking, your car must be facing the same direction as the traffic, the exception being if a road only allows parking on one side of it. If you park illegally the car can be immobilised. Do not park in close range of a bus or tram stop or of a road junction (18 metres distance is required from a road junction).

Fuel
Petrol Stations are generally open from 7am until 10pm or midnight, although some are 24hours. You can pay with any major credit card, but be aware that this may incur a surcharge. The fuel octane rating is 98 for leaded petrol and 95 or 98 for Super Unleaded.

Speed Limits
The common speed limits are 50km/h (31mph) in built up areas and 90km/h (56 to 62mph) everywhere else, except motorways where it’s 120km/h (74mph).

Cars towing are restricted to 70km/h (43mph) on open roads and 100km/h (62mph) on Motorways. Drivers who have held a licence for less than one year must not exceed 90km/h (55mph). There is also a minimum speed of 40km/h (24mph) enforced on motorways.

Related Links
• Rental Locations : A guide to destinations throughout the world
• Portugal : Official tourism web site for Portugal