Portugal

Hertz (& 800/654-3001 in the U.S.;
www.hertz.com) has about two dozen
locations in Portugal and requires a 3-day
advance booking for its lowest rates.
Hertz’s main office is at Rua Castilho 72,
Lisbon (& 21/381-24-30).
Kemwel Drive Group (& 877/820-
0668; www.kemwel.com), sometimes
offers a viable alternative to more traditional
car-rental companies. Kemwel leases
entire blocks of cars a year in advance at
locations throughout Portugal and then
rents them back out to qualified customers
who pay the entire price in advance. In
Portugal, cars can be retrieved in Lisbon.
Auto Europe (& 800/223-5555; www.
autoeurope.com) leases cars on an asneeded
basis from larger car-rental companies
throughout Europe. Its rates sometimes
are less than those at Hertz and Avis.
PACKAGE DEALS Many packages are
available that include airfare, accommodations,
and a rental car with unlimited
mileage. Compare these prices with the
cost of booking airline tickets and renting
a car separately to see if these offers are
good deals.
WEB RENTALS Internet resources can
make comparison shopping easier. Microsoft
Expedia (www.expedia.com) and
Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) help
you compare prices and locate car-rental
bargains from various companies nationwide.
They will even make your reservation
for you once you’ve found the best
deal.
GASOLINE Gasoline (petrol, to the
British) stations are now plentiful throughout
Portugal. However, if you wander far
off the beaten track, it’s always wise to
have a full tank and to get a refill whenever
it’s available, even if your tank is still more
than half full. The government clamps
price controls on gas, and it should cost
the same everywhere. Credit cards are frequently
accepted at gas stations, at least
along the principal express routes. You
should note that ever-changing gas prices
are much higher than you’re probably used
to paying, and gas is measured in liters.
DRIVER’S LICENSES U.S. and Canadian
driver’s licenses are valid in Portugal.
But if you’re at least 18 and touring other
destinations in Europe by car, you should
probably invest in an international driver’s
permit. In the United States, apply
through any local branch of the American
Automobile Association (AAA); for a list
of local branches, contact the national
headquarters, 1000 AAA Dr., Heathrow,
FL 32746-5063 (& 800/222-1134; www.
aaa.com). Include two 2×2-inch photographs,
a $10 fee, and a photocopy of your
state driver’s license. In Canada, you pay
C$10 and apply to the Canadian Automobile
Association (CAA), 2525 Carling
Ave., Ottawa, ON K2B 7Z2 (& 613/820-
1890; www.caa.ca).
Note that your international driver’s
license is valid only if it’s accompanied by
an authorized license from your home
state or province.
In Portugal, as elsewhere in Europe, to
drive a car legally you must have in your
possession an international insurance certificate,
known as a Green Card (Carte
Verte or Carte Verde). The car-rental
agency will provide you with one as part of
your rental contract.
DRIVING RULES Continental driving
rules apply in Portugal, and international
road symbols and signs are used. Wearing
safety belts is compulsory. Speed limits are
90kmph (56 mph) on main roads, and
60kmph (37 mph) in heavily populated or
built-up sections. On the limited number
of express highways, the speed limit is
120kmph (74 mph).
Road Maps
Michelin publishes the best Portugal road
maps, and they’re available at many stores
and map shops throughout Europe and in
the U.S. and Canada. Or you can order
them from Michelin, P.O. Box 19008,
43
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO PORTUGAL 3
GETTING THERE & GETTING AROUND