 Airports
The international airport is at Faro. Throughout the country
there are a number of small airports with limited facilities.
It is possible to travel from the international airports to
many of these smaller ones but it is important to first check,
as these services are variable.
At Faro Airport a bus can be boarded outside the Terminal that
will take you to the centre of the city. The local buses, numbers
17 and 18 will also take you to and from the airport, a distance
f 11 kms. Taxis are also usually recommended.
Coaches
There is the national network of Rodoviária Nacional (RN), and
competing private operators who run quick non-stop services on
the more popular routes and often to destinations not covered by
trains. The RN tends to be slower but its prices are cheaper.
Many private operators offer more facilities on longer runs such
as toilet, video, air-conditioning and snacks. Prior to a long
trip it is best to check what the coach facilities are before
boarding. You will find that in major tourist areas or cities
there are excellent local excursions by coach. In almost all
cases tickets are purchased in advance.
Disabled Facilities
The needs of the disabled are visibly evident with reserved
parking spaces in public areas, special toilets at airports,
stations, and centres of entertainment.
Driving
Portugal drives on the right side of the road
Except when otherwise indicated all vehicles approaching from the
right have priority. The driver already on a roundabout normally
has the right of way
Safety-belts are compulsory in all circumstances
Drinking and driving is severely controlled and limited to a
restriction of 0.3 g/l
Unless otherwise indicated urban limit is 50 km/h
Rural roads other than those zones indicated are limited to 90 km/h
Motorways are limited to 120 km/h
Rent a Car
In all major towns there are a number of companies providing rent a
car service. Proof of identity and a valid current Driving Licence
is required. The minimum age to hire a car is 21 years old but some
companies' place the age higher. Make sure that all needed documents
relating to the hired vehicle and the driver are always available in
the vehicle as Traffic Police often check these legalities on roads.
Trains
The Portuguese railway system is State owned and the name is “Caminhos
de Ferro Portuguese (CP)”. The system provides a very reasonably priced
transport within the country. Major lines are fast, efficient and
comfortable.
There are daily international connections as shown below.
Lisbon - Porto - Paris (Twice daily)
Lisbon - Madrid
Porto - Vigo (Spain)
Lisbon - Badajoz (Spain)
There are new express trains “Alfa” between Lisbon and Braga to the
north of Porto. To make this journey it is necessary to change trains
both in Porto and Lisbon. From Braga it leaves at 13.30 hrs. and the
traveller arrives in Faro at 20.20 hours. There is an Alfa leaving
Braga at 16.30 hrs. arriving in Lisbon at 22.15 hrs, but with no
further connection at this time to Faro.
From Faro the Alfa leaves at 6.45 and arrives in Lisbon 09.30 hrs. For
more accurate details of times and cost we suggest you visit www.cp.pt.
A regional train system operates throughout the country joining up the
main towns. This system (IC) is less comfortable than (Alfa) and is
slower. There are two classes, 1st and 2nd with the exception for local
trains where there is only one class. Special tourist tickets may be
purchased valid for 7, 14 or 21 days. There is also the "Cartão de
Familia" that gives special terms for families on journeys over 150 kms.
Outside most provincial stations there is a normally a coach waiting to
take you to the centre as the stations can be distant from the town.
(Alfa) and (IC) tickets can be purchased up to 20 days in advance. Other
train tickets are bought on the day of travel.
Urban
In the towns of the Algarve there is limited means of transport. Taxis
are mainly used and they are painted in a cream colour. In urban areas
they charge according to the taximeter. Outside these areas the charge
is per kilometre and this includes the cost of the drivers return trip.
Luggage over 30 kilos is charged at a fixed rate. All taxis drivers have
in their possession their printed rates in two languages.
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