Andrew P. Says:
Hello
My wife and I are considering going to Portugal in January or February 2023, likely focusing on Lisbon but hoping to visit other parts of the country as well.
We are weighing the pros and cons of renting a car or trying to find a reliable driver.
Any recommendations?
IL Portugal Correspondent Terry Coles Says:
Thanks so much for contacting IL and for your interest in Portugal, my adopted country. As for your questions:
Lisbon is a large city with plenty of public transport so I would suggest not having a car while in Lisbon. However, the rest of Portugal is beautiful with plenty to explore and having a car makes it that much easier. Driving on the highway here is easy to navigate with plenty of places to stop along the way for gas or a snack. We love to use Google Maps to get around but Waze also works and is preferred by some people.
Every town offers parking lots and paid side of the street parking, but not to worry because these areas will have signs indicating this. You will see machines nearby to buy tickets for several hours of parking that you will display in your window. Portuguese drivers also park on sidewalks, a common practice that is legal here. I would suggest parking outside of the historic city centers since lanes can be narrow and scary, if you are not used to them.
Do keep in mind that most cars in Portugal and the rest of Europe come with a standard transmission, so if you need an automatic do specify this in advance, but the cost will be more. We have rented cars around Europe and have had no issues. One of the big car companies here is Europcar that we like but there are many others as well. I see many comments on Facebook groups about the need to have an International Drivers Permit, which we have never had or needed, but you may feel more comfortable having one and they are simple to get from the Automobile Club in the U.S., I believe.
Gasoline prices in Portugal are high averaging around €7.40 ($7.68) per gallon, but cars here are more fuel efficient than U.S. cars, so that helps. And the highways do have tolls that can add up too.
But if you are coming to Portugal as a place to someday live then I would think that you would want to see as much as possible and having a car is the best way to do that. Hiring a driver is possible but would surely cost even more. I hope that helps and if you have further questions you can reach me at Portugal@internationalliving.com.
Editor’s Note: We sent three of our veteran editors to Portugal this year on a mission to explore the best retirement spots there are in Western Europe’s most affordable destination. I’d call it essential reading if you’re planning a scouting trip next year. Read the full, in-depth article in your International Living archives here.