Thinking of Renting car in Lisbon for 5-6 days for a trip to Portugal in September.
Staying in Lisbon for 4 nights and then travel around Portugal for 5-6 days..
First of all, do I need an international driver license if I am from US?
Secondly, is driving in Portugal best way to travel?? Thinking of going to Algarve, Salema etc.. from Lisbon.. Are train better??
Thirdly, do Portugal have ZTL like they have it in Italy?
Any recommendations from where I should rent the car from??
Any other advise would be appreciate it..
thank you in advance..
Posted by
2798 posts
My son and his fiancé are renting a car from Faro to drive around the Algarve. That would make the most sense for you if you aren’t going to stop anywhere in your way to the Algarve. It is good to have a car there.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8084 posts
We rented at the Lisbon Airport, all the big names are there, we have used Europcar and Avis.
Car is good for most areas outside of Lisbon and Porto, we spent a couple nights in Lisbon, then drove around, returned the car at the Porto airport, then spent time in Porto, took the train to Lisbon, and finished with a couple more nights.
As another poster said, get the toll transponder, worth it.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA
187 posts
I read that the transponder is supposed to be included with all rentals at no extra charge. I am renting hertz next week. Hope it goes well.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA
187 posts
this is what I saw. for what its worth.
The Decree-law
On January 8, 2023, Decree-law No. 84-C/2022 of December 9, 2022, came into effect. It stipulates that all car rental companies must equip their vehicles with an automatic toll payment system (Via Verde device).
Article 27, paragraph 3 of this Decree-law determines that this service, which was previously optional, becomes mandatory and automatically added to your rental. Therefore, whenever you rent a vehicle, you are immediately subscribed to this toll service.
Posted by
OP
Pennsylvania
260 posts
That's a great idea Gail..
High speed train to Faro and rent a car in Faro and drive around southern Portugal..
If we decide to goto Spain, do most car rental company allow cross treking to Spain?? or is there penalty for that??
Do transponders work in Spain?
Not that I am tempting fate.. but, what would happen if I drive across to Spain with my US driver's license?? - is it a serious offense if I get caught?? or do they allow that since I originate from Portugal (where US driver license is legal)...
and lastly, do spain have ZTL??
thanks again...
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15794 posts
The IDP doesn't cost a lot, so it's usually worth it for the "insurance." Spain doesn't care where you came from. It cares that you are observing the Spanish laws. I've never heard of restrictions on driving between the 2 countries. The Portuguese transponder won't work in Spain, but there are fewer toll roads and it's easy to pay in cash.