Transport in Portugal
Transport in Portugal is a fairly developed system. Since transport services in the country are provided mainly by private companies, the quality of services is at a good level (they compete with each other).
The main modes of transport in Portugal
- City transport: it is represented by buses (day and night flights), metro (Lisbon, Porto), trams, funiculars. To travel on buses and trams, you need to purchase tickets from the drivers or get a transport card, which can be replenished if necessary. Or you can buy passes that are valid for several days and give discounts on visits to museums. To pay for the metro ride, you need to use a special card. And, for example, in Porto you can take a funicular: it connects two districts - Ribeiro and Batalha (payment is made in cash or with an Andante card).
- Air links: Domestic air links are rather weak, but those who wish to get from Lisbon to Madeira or the Azores can easily do this thanks to frequent regular flights here.
- Rail: all major Portuguese cities can be reached by high-speed train. If you wish, you can cross the entire country from north to south in about 6 hours, while admiring the views of the mountains and the ocean. Tickets (for children 4-12 years old there is a 50% discount) for the train are sold at ticket offices, vending machines, on the official website.
Taxi
Taxis can be taken at a special parking lot or ordered by phone (additional charges apply) from special companies. You can tell by the green light that the taxi is busy. It is worth noting that travel at night and on weekends is charged at higher rates (you will pay about 20% more), and at the end of the trip, it is customary for drivers to leave a little tip.
Car rent
By renting a car in Portugal, you can get to the coast, visit the mountains, monasteries and palaces. You can rent a car at the airport upon arrival or at one of the rental companies (Sixt, Interrent, Airauto). To do this, you (minimum age - 21 years old) must have an IDP and a bank card.
When traveling around cities, you should follow the parking rules - violating them is punishable by a fine of 35-155 euros. It is worth considering that for parking in residential areas, you need to obtain permission from local residents. Keep in mind that you will have to pay for travel on many Portuguese highways: you need to pay at the machines in cash or credit cards, but if you see the sign: Electronic toll only, then you can only pay electronically.
Thanks to the well-established transport links between all corners of Portugal, traveling around the country is easy and pleasant.
