Page 164 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

162  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Driving Around Lisbon have held their licence for
at least one year.
Using a car to get around the busy city centre of Lisbon It is usually more expensive
can be daunting. Finding your way around the complex to hire a car in summer. Most
street plan isn’t easy, and traffic jams don’t make it any companies offer special off-
easier. Parking can be very difficult to find. Lisbon’s larger peak and weekend deals.
The price depends on
roundabouts have traffic lights; on those that don’t, cars whether unlimited mileage
travelling around the roundabout have priority over is included and if you want
cars waiting to enter it. At all other intersections, unless there comprehensive insurance
are signs or lights to the contrary, traffic from the right has (todos-os-riscos). Normally, the
priority. If it is absolutely necessary for you to drive in Lisbon, car is provided with a full tank
of petrol; it is best to return
try to avoid the rush hours (roughly 8–10am and 5:30–8pm). it with the tank full, since
Also, be aware that driving at weekends is much easier than the agency will charge to
during the week. Always look out for pedestrians; crossings fill it themselves.
are badly marked.
Petrol (Gasoline)
Petrol, called gasolina,
is relatively expensive in
Portugal. Diesel (gasóleo) costs
considerably less and is the
cheapest vehicle fuel. Unleaded
fuel (gasolina sem chumbo)
comes in two types: 95-octane
normal and 98-octane super.
The latter is more expensive.
There are a number of petrol
stations in central Lisbon, some
of which are open 24 hours a
day. They accept most major
credit cards.
Complexo das Amoreiras, which has an underground car park DIRECTORY
Parking not by means of a red full Car-Hire Agencies at
On-street parking spaces are (completo) or green free (livre) Lisbon Airport
relatively few in central Lisbon light. Tickets are taken from
and must mostly be paid for at a machine on entering and Auto Jardim
parking meters. Pay-and-display paid for before leaving. Car Tel 218 463 187.
parking spaces are marked parks are more expensive than Avis
by a P sign with a hand and parking in the street. Some of Tel 218 435 550.
a coin. Tickets are bought from the larger ones in Lisbon are Budget
machines along the pavement; beneath Praça Marquês de
the charge is quite low and only Pombal, Praça da Figueira, Tel 808 252 627.
applies between 8am and 8pm Praça dos Restauradores, Guérin
on weekdays (and on Saturday Praça Luís de Camões and Tel 707 272 007.
mornings in some areas). the Complexo das Amoreiras.
However, there is a limit to the Hertz
number of hours you can buy, Tel 219 426 300.
and the machines don’t give Car Hire 24-Hour Petrol Pumps
change, so come equipped Most of the major car-hire
with small coins. Illegally parked companies have offices at BP
cars may be clamped or towed the airport inside the arrivals Avenida Almirante Gago
away, and will be released only hall (see Directory). To rent Coutinho, Areeiro. Map 6 E1.
upon payment of a fine. a car in Portugal you must
Safer and longer-term have a driving licence Galp
parking is available in Lisbon’s (carta da condução). If you Avenida Engenheiro Duarte
many underground car parks. do not hold a driving licence Pacheco, Amoreiras.
Map 5 A5.
These are marked by signs from an EU member state you Avenida António Serpa 22,
with a white P on a blue will need an international Campo Pequeno. Map 5 C1.
background and usually display driving licence. Drivers must
whether there are spaces or be over the age of 21 and

162-163_EW_Lisbon.indd 162 17/10/16 11:35 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm