Hello all will be renting a car while we are in The Algarve. Can someone explain the highway toll system, is it electronic and if so how are the tolls paid. Is it worthwhile to purchase the added option through the car rental company of their transponder? Any advice/information is appreciated
Wayne
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
The easiest option is to avoid all toll roads, which is possible, but takes longer.
Failing that, I would take the transponder from the hire company, as they then sort out toll payments.
The toll booths around the Algarve are not manned and therefore, you would need to take the car's details to a Post Office to pay. It takes 2 days for the data to feed its way through to the PO and they are closed on Sunday.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1665 posts
It’s very worthwhile IMO to get the transponder. The tolls are charged to your credit card and having it will make your driving much less complicated.
Posted by
Bend, OR
50 posts
Two years ago we rented a car in Spain and drove into Portugal. It did not have a transponder. We were told by the rental company to stop at the booth on the way into Portugal. There was no one at the booth. We watched other cars for a few moments, then spoke with one local drivers about what to do. He said you are supposed to insert your credit card and the overhead camera takes a picture of your car license plate and links it to the credit card. He also said the system never works which is why we noticed people backing up from one booth and going to another. Finally people just gave up and drove on. The same thing happened to us, including the give up and drive on part! About six weeks after we got home we got a bill on our credit card. It was probably less than $30 - $40 total. We were there for a week. No big deal.