Is it hard to drive in Portugal as an American?


Is it hard to drive in Portugal as an American? The laws are different, the road signs are different, streets are not always named or numbered and then there are those dreaded circles or ?roundabouts?. The Portuguese drive on the same side of the road as Americans? sometimes.


What is the legal drinking age in Portugal?

Is there a minimum drinking age? Is there a minimum serving age? Yes. In Portugal, hosts are not allowed to serve or sell any kind of alcohol (including beer and wine) to anyone under the age of 18.


How do you pay for gas in Portugal?

In Portugal pumping gas is a self-service affair. It is important to pay in cash, as some gas stations may not accept the magnetic swipe cards common in the U.S. (The ones that do accept these cards will encounter a surcharge of 50 Euro cents.)


Is it better to drive or train in Portugal?

Portugal is not a large country and you can get almost everywhere easily and efficiently by train or bus. Regional trains are often cheaper and some lines very scenic, but it's almost always quicker to go by bus – especially on shorter or less obvious routes.


What does a US citizen need to rent a car in Portugal?

Portugal Car Rental Guide. Requirements for renting a car in Portugal include: Renters must have had a valid driver's license for at least one year. During pickup, you must present two valid credit cards as well as a return ticket to the country of origin.


Can you turn right on red in Portugal?

Portuguese traffic lights follow the conventions of the Vienna agreement and so should be familiar to most drivers. You cannot turn right on a red light unless indicated and you should also be aware that many local drivers run red lights.


Is it safe to travel to Portugal 2023?

Yes, Portugal is very safe for American tourists, with many US citizens visiting and even moving to Portugal each year.


How do I pay tolls on a rental car in Portugal?

You can pay tolls by going in person to a CTT post office, a post office with NaVe or a Payshop agent. You can also pay by Multibanco reference, through the CTT website or app. Don't forget that you can only pay tolls 48 hours after you have passed through the electronic toll and up to a maximum of five working days.


Is it cheap to rent car in Portugal?

The average cost to rent a car in Portugal is $211 per day.