Page 361 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

POR TUGAL  359

Communications Rail Travel Traveling by Car
The Portuguese postal Direct trains to Portugal go Portugal’s highway network
service is known as Correios. from Paris and Madrid. Once in is expanding, but many older
First-class mail (correio azul) Portugal, you can reach many roads are in need of repair
and overseas letters are posted places by rail, but services vary and minor roads can be
in blue mailboxes; second-class enormously. The high-speed Alfa treacherous. Driving can be
mail (normal) is posted in service from Lisbon to Oporto a hair-raising experience –
red mailboxes. via Coimbra and to the Algarve the country has one of the
Public payphones take is good, but local trains can be highest accident rates in
either coins or cards (including slow and infrequent. Fares are Europe and traffic jams are a
credit cards), although there cheap compared to other parts problem in and near cities.
are fewer payphones now due of Europe and tourist tickets are Beware of reckless drivers and
to widespread use of cell available, including the InterRail/ do not drive in the rush hour
phones. It is also possible to Eurail One Country Pass, valid if you can possibly avoid it.
make calls from post offices. for three, four, six, or eight days. If renting a car, check its
It is best to book in advance. condition and insurance very
Lisbon can be confusing for carefully. Always carry your
Flying to Portugal
visitors as there are five main passport, car insurance, license,
Direct flights from New York stations. Santa Apolónia and and rental contract with you
(Newark) to Lisbon are operated Oriente (on the same line) serve (or you may incur a fine).
by United Airlines and TAP Air international routes and the Traffic drives on the right
Portugal. Once in Lisbon, north; for the Alentejo, you hand side and Continental
passengers can change for must take a ferry to Barreiro on European regulations apply.
Faro or Oporto. Internal flights the south bank of the Tagus. Seat belts must be worn. Speed
to Madeira and the Azores are Trains to the Algarve depart limits are 50 kph (31 mph) in
operated by SATA and easyJet. from Oriente. Trains from towns, 90 kph (55 mph) on
Many US airlines operate Rossio go to Sintra on the coast; other roads, and 120 kph
flights from the United States trains from Cais do Sodré serve (74 mph) on highways. Tolls are
to several European hubs, Estoril and Cascais. payable on highways and some
such as London, Paris, or bridges. Do not use the Via
Madrid, where passengers Verde (green lane) at tolls; this is
can change for Lisbon. Long-distance Buses for drivers who have paid
There are no direct flights Some long-distance bus automatically. If you are
to Portugal from Australia or services – Lisbon to Évora for involved in a car accident on a
New Zealand; visitors from example – are quicker and highway or a main road,
these countries should fly more comfortable than going use one of the orange SOS
via London or Madrid. Regular by train. Lisbon’s coach station telephones to call for help.
flights go from many European is located at Sete Rios. Tourist Gas stations can be scarce in
cities direct to Lisbon, Faro, offices and travel agencies remote areas, so always fill up
and Oporto in Portugal. offer information. your car before leaving a town.
DIRECTORY
Tourist Offices Embassies US United Airlines
Avenida das Forças ∑ united.com
Lisbon Australia Armadas, 1600-081
Lisboa Welcome Center, Av. da Liberdade 198–200, Lisbon. Tel 217-273 300. Train Information
Praça do Comércio. 2nd floor, 1250-147 Tel 707-210 220.
Tel 210-312 810. Lisbon. Emergencies ∑ cp.pt
Tel 213-101 500.
Oporto Ambulance, Police,
Rua Clube dos Fenianos Canada and Fire services Car Rental
25. Tel 223-393 472. Av. da Liberdade 198–200, Tel 112. Auto Jardim, Faro
∑ visitporto.travel 3rd floor, 1269-121 Tel 289-818 491.
Lisbon.
UK Tel 213-164 600. Airlines ∑ auto-jardim.com
11 Belgrave Square, Ireland Budget, Oporto
London SW1X 8PP. Av. da Liberdade 200, 4th easyJet Tel 808-25 26 27.
Tel 020-7201 6666. Floor, 1250-147 Lisbon. ∑ easyjet.com ∑ budget.com.pt
US Tel 213-308 200. SATA Europcar, Faro
866 Second Ave, 8th floor, UK Tel 707-227 282. Tel 289-818 726.
New York, NY 10017. Rua de São Bernardo 33, TAP Air Portugal Hertz, Lisbon
Tel 646-723 0200. 1249-082 Lisbon. Tel 707-205 700. Tel 219-426 300.
∑ visitportugal.com Tel 213-924 000. ∑ flytap.com ∑ hertz.pt

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