Page 45 - WDT MAGAZINE PORTUGAL
P. 45

GETTING AROUND



                                  AIR
                Both Porto and Lisbon have International
                airports. Lisbon has more flights directly to
                other countries than Porto. Algarve also has an
                airport but has limited flights, especially during
                the off-season.
                   We used Portugal’s major carrier TAP for
                our flights to the US and from England to Lisbon.
                We found them to be an excellent airline. They
                have service to San Francisco, Boston, New
                York, and Florida.
                          RENTAL CAR

                We picked up our rental car in downtown Porto
                and dropped it off in downtown Cascais. We
                found the best rates by far though Auto Europe.
                The only disadvantage was that we had to pay in
                advance.

                              ROADS
                The major highways in Portugal are outstanding.
                Most have tolls, so be sure and rent a
                transponder when you pick up a rental car. Our
                toll fee after two weeks was less than $20.00. If
                you can do not drive in the narrow streets of old
                walled cities – it is a nightmarish experience.
                Google Maps is essential and worked
                everywhere we traveled in the country.
                   Like most big cities Lisbon and Porto have
                nasty rush-hour traffic problems. Try not to
                drive during these times and if you have a flight
                to catch make sure you leave a couple of hours
                before you have to be at the airport. It took us
                nearly two hours to get to the airport from
                Cascais during morning rush hour.
                   There are manyPortuguese drivers who
                tend to drive very fast or very slow. Many of the
                ones that drive fast cannot stand to have any car
                in front of them and will try to pass regardless of
                how fast you are going. Relax and get used to it.

                   PUBLIC TRANSPORT

                We didn’t use buses, but we heard that Portugal
                has an excellent bus network. Trains connect
                most cities a varying levels. Local trains tend to
                fill up and have limited baggage space. Tip: If you
                want to save a lot of time use cash when buying
                train tickets. If you use a credit card, the clerk
                will need the passports of all ticket holders and
                fill out a form by hand.
                   Be sure and ride the cable cars in Lisbon and
                Porto. It’s a cheap and fun way to see the city.
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