Travelling through Portugal - roads, airports, railway, bus transportation

The transport infrastructure of Portugal is at a decent level. Most of the transport companies in the country are private owned. Due to constant competition among one another, there are increasingly comfortable and convenient conditions for the transportation of passengers. The most popular type of public transport is the bus. Vehicle fleet of transport operators contains only technically serviceable and clean buses. The bus network passes through the entire country. They make trips every 10 minutes within the city, while in remote regions, transport runs from the central stations, usually every 40-60 minutes.

Trams and lifts are equally popular in Lisbon. There is a metro in the capital. At the moment, there are only four subways that connect the city center with the most significant areas. The country’s air transportation is also developed at a high level. There are several major international airports which operate in the country, but the internal displacement is poorly developed. The most popular flights are the ones which connects the mainland of Portugal with the island part of the country.

The total length of railway tracks is more than 2,500 kilometers. As for other European countries, this is rather small. As a result, the railway does not cover all regions of the country. All trains are divided into first and second class. The quality of service in long distance trains is at an average level. The main point of the railway interchange is considered to be Lisbon. There are four separate railway stations on its territory which cover all directions. You can purchase tickets at the ticket office of the station or book in advance via the internet.

Water transport is very popular. This is not surprising, owing to the country’s geographical state. The most common form of sea transport is ferries. Also, in the height of the tourist season there is an increasing number of excursion liners, pleasure yachts and large catamarans. You can use a taxi and car rental service if you have an international driving license. Nearly every highway is a paid one. The quality of coverage of free roads is not at a high level. Often there is no marking on the road and in the dark, there is no light.

Today, three international air harbors are operational in Portugal. The central airport in Portugal is Portela’s airport in Lisbon. It is located near the capital, so tourists will not have any problems with a trip to the city. There buses run different routes, and there are taxis on standby at the exit from the terminal. The airport has well developed infrastructure. On its territory you will find one of the largest duty-free shops in all of Portugal, souvenir shops and food stores. There are also several free children’s rooms, in which families with children can occupy their kids before their flight. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the waiting room, free internet is available to everyone. There are various kiosks where you have the opportunity to purchase books and other printed publications, and get acquainted with the tours in travel agencies. In addition, on the territory of the terminal you can have a snack in restaurants and cafes, use an ATM or post office. For VIP passengers there are corresponding private lounges, as well as a business center. The next important airport is Ponta Delgada Joao Paul II. It is located near the town Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel. This place is also a popular tourist destination, since the most respectable hotels and resorts are located in the Azores. The airport’s infrastructure is highly developed, although the size of the terminal is relatively small. You can have drinks and snacks here, relax in comfortable rooms, and use ATMs, bank branches, currency exchangers and other services.

One of the most modern airports in Portugal is the Faro air harbor, which is located near the resort area of Algarve. The terminal here was modernized only a few years ago. It is here that the largest charter flights from around the world land. In the height of the tourist season, additional flights from Europe and Scandinavia are launched here. Travelers can comfortably relax and refresh themselves here, as well as take advantage of various profile services, for example, rent a car and use the A22 route for a road trip. There is a small hotel on the territory of the airport. Public transport for just 3-8 Euros will take tourists to the nearest cities.

Due to the fact that the transport infrastructure in Portugal is quite well developed, travelers would not have any problems with traveling through its territory. The quality of roads here is at a fairly good level, although free roads are much worse than toll roads. You can rent a car in order to be able to travel by yourself. The permitted speed in residential areas is 50 km/h, on major roads not more than 90 km/h. On the other hand, on highways, it is possible to accelerate up to 120 km/h. The railway network does not cover all regions of the country, but it will be possible to get to the most visited cities from the capital. The cost of traveling by train depends on the class of the wagon (first or second class), the direction of travel and the time of the year.

The most popular form of public transport is the bus. They make trips within the same city as well as neighboring regions, and far-away places of the country. Absolutely all buses are technically sound, their passenger compartments are clean and neat, and the most comfortable conditions for traveling are created. Bus tickets are sold at roadside newspaper kiosks. On average, a trip around the city costs 1 euro. If you buy a ticket in advance, you can save a little. There is an opportunity to purchase a multi-day pass. The price for a 3-day ticket is about 4 Euros. In the capital, in addition to buses, trams and funicular are used as public transport. There are metros in Lisbon. If you plan to travel frequently around the city, it is best to purchase a universal travel card that gives you the right to ride on the metro, trams, buses and lifts. The fare for a week costs only 12 Euros.

You can book a taxi in the cities. When traveling out of town, you will have to pay not only for the kilometers it takes to get there, but also for the trip back to the place of departure of the taxi. At night, the tariff increases by at least 20 percent. In Portugal, it is customary to leave tips for taxi drivers, at least 10 percent of the cost of the trip. You will also have to pay for the overall cargo. Lovers of sea transport can enjoy themselves by traveling by ferry to coastal regions and towards the islands of Portugal. There are also cruise liners, yachts and boats. If there is a need to quickly reach the islands, it is better to use air transport.