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When it comes to care
hire, Portugal has many options, and visitors that want to explore
will likely want to have a vehicle. Although Portugal is not a large
country compared to others in the world, it is still rather rural in
many areas. There are public forms of transportation, but to see as
much as possible, a car hire Portugal is recommended.
Car hire in
Portugal - need to know
There are some
things to know if you want to rent a car in Portugal, beginning
with the fact that you must be 18 years of age to rent a car and
a valid driver’s license.
In addition, like other European countries, Portugal requires drivers
to have a Green Card. This is not an immigration document, but an
international certificate of insurance. You receive one when you
rent your vehicle. Be sure to keep it with you when you are in the
car.
Rules of the
road
Unless otherwise
posted, speed limit on main roads is 90 kmph, which is about 56
mph. In busy populated areas, the speed limit is typically 60 kmph.
There are expressways in the country that allow drivers to travel
at speeds of 120 kmph. Seat belts are required at all times.
Many rental companies allow you to take their vehicles to Spain
for additional sightseeing. However, if you plan to do this, be sure
to ask about any special paperwork or considerations that might be
needed.
For the most part, roadways along the coast are well maintained,
but can become clogged with other travellers. Driving on the country
roads further inland can be a slow-paced pleasant experience, although
there are hills and mountains in some parts of the country.
Driving in Lisbon and some of the other larger cities can be very
confusing with one-way streets and heavy traffic. It is best to have
a detailed street map. You can download them off the Internet, purchase
a map of your own or ask for one when you rent a car in Portugal.
Many of the top
U.S. car rental companies such as Avis and Hertz offer care hire
Portugal services. There are also literally hundreds of local rental
agencies. When going with a budget rental company, be sure to check
out their vehicles and read the fine print on the contract. It
is best to avoid renting a car from someone on the street. At least
ask to go to the office to fill out the paperwork. There
are many things to see in Portugal, from the historic northern
areas to the sandy beaches of Algarve in the south. Consider a
car hire. Portugal has much to offer.
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