Many scenic parts of Portugal are isolated from train or train stations, so it is necessary to have a private car to do serious tours. This way, youre alone, free from shifting train and bus schedules, which often limit your excursions to places near the traditional path.

Portugal has few motorways and is often interrupted by long stretches of single traffic lanes. Roads, however, provide access to hard-to-reach gems and undiscovered villages.

Rentals  - Three of North Americas largest car rental companies maintain dozens of agencies in each of Portugals most popular tourist and shopping centers, at normally competitive prices.

Budget  (tel.  800 / 472-3325  in the US; www.budget.com) has offices in over a dozen locations in Portugal. The most central and most used are in Lisbon, Faro (the heart of the Algarve), Porto, Praia da Rocha (also a popular destination in the Algarve) and Madeira. Because Portugal has one of the highest accident rates in Europe, you should seriously consider buying optional CDW (collision damage waiver) insurance.

Please note that some US credit card issuers, especially American Express, sometimes agree to pay any financial obligations incurred after an accident involving a customers rental car, but only if the card is printed on the original rental agreement. . Due to this agreement, some customers choose to decline the extra insurance coverage offered by the car rental company. To make sure you qualify for this free insurance, check with your card issuer in advance. Please note that while the card issuer may eventually reimburse you, you will still have to fill in some complicated documents and usually advance cash or a credit or charge card deposit to cover repair costs.

Avis www.avis.com maintains offices in central Lisbon and at the airport and 17 other locations throughout the country. An office is located on Avenida Praia da Victoria in Lisbon (tel.  21 / 351-45-60  ). 

Hertz www.hertz.com ) has about two dozen locations in Portugal and requires a 3 day advance booking for the lowest fares. Hertz headquarters is located at Rua Castilho 72, Lisbon (tel.  21 / 381-24-30  ).  

The Kemwel Drive Group ( www.kemwel.com ) sometimes offers a viable alternative to more traditional car rental companies. Kemwel leases entire blocks of cars a year in advance at locations across the country and then rents them back to qualified customers who pay the full price upfront. In Portugal, cars can be recovered in Lisbon.  

Auto Europe www.autoeurope.com ) rents cars as needed by major car rental companies across Europe. Their rates are sometimes lower than those of Hertz and Avis.  

 Package Deals - Many packages are available that include airfare, accommodations and a rental car with unlimited mileage. Compare these prices with the cost of booking airline tickets and renting a car separately to see if these deals are good deals.

Web Rentals  - Internet resources can make it easy to compare purchases. Microsoft Expedia (www.expedia.com) and Travelocity ( www.travelocity.com ) help compare prices and find car rental deals from various companies across the country. They will even make your reservation for after finding the best deal.

Gasoline  - Gas stations are now abundant throughout the national territory. However, if you wander too far, it is always wise to have a full tank and get a refueling whenever it is available, even if your tank is still half full. The government tightens gas price controls and should cost the same everywhere. Credit cards are often accepted at gas stations, at least along major express routes.  You should note that ever-changing gas prices are much higher than you are likely to pay, and the gas is measured in liters.

Drivers License  - US and Canadian drivers licenses are valid in Portugal or Brazil. But if you are at least 18 years old and traveling to other destinations in Europe by car

Please note that your international drivers license is valid only if accompanied by an authorized license from your state or province of origin.

In Portugal, as throughout Europe, to drive a car legally, you must have an international insurance certificate, known as  Green Card (Carte Verte or Carte Verde). The car rental agency will provide you with one as part of your rental agreement.

Driving Rules  - Continentals driving rules apply in Portugal and international road signs and symbols are used. Wearing seat belts is mandatory. Speed limits are 90km / h on main roads and 60km / h in densely populated or built sections. On the limited number of expressways, the speed limit is 120 km / h (74 mph).

Road Maps  - Michelin publishes the best road maps of Portugal, and they are available in many stores and map stores across Europe and the US and Canada. Or you can order them from Michelin, PO Box 19008, Greenville, SC 29602-9008 (tel.  866 / 866-6605  in the US). Maps are updated every year; Always try to get the latest copy, because Portugals roads are undergoing tremendous changes. One of the best Michelin maps for Portugal is no. 440 (on a scale of 1: 400,000 or 1 inch = 9.8 km / 6 miles).

Breakdowns  - If you rent your car from one of the major companies, such as Avis or Hertz, 24 hour breakdown service will be available in Portugal. If you are a member of a large car club, such as AA, CAA or AAA, you can get help from  Automobile Club de Portugal   www.acp.pt

Hitchhiking  - No hitchhiking law exists here, but it is not commonly practiced. If you decide to ride, do so with discretion. Normally, Portuguese auto insurance does not cover car drivers. Considering the potential danger to both passenger and driver, hitchhiking is not recommended.

By airplane

Portugal is a small country and flying from one place to another is relatively easy. Although most people still carry trains to get around,  TAP Air Portugal  flies four times a day to Faro, the Algarve, and Porto, the northernmost city. Service to Faro will probably be more frequent in July and August. Four flights a day depart for Funchal, the capital of Madeira, and limited service to the Azores.

For more information, contact TAP Air Portugal, Gare Do Oriente, 1200 Lisboa www.tap-airportugal.pt

By train

The Portuguese rail system is underdeveloped compared to those of the more industrialized nations of Western Europe. Still, there are connections between the capital and over 20 major cities. Express trains depart from Lisbon, Coimbra (university city) and Porto. Electric trains departing from Lisbons seafront, running along the Costa do Sol (Estoril and Cascais) to Queluz and Sintra.

At Santa Apolónia station in Lisbon you can make connections to the international service and the north and east lines. Rossio Station serves Sintra and the western line; Cais do Sodré Station is responsible for servicing the Costa do Sol Estoril and Cascais resorts. Finally, trains leave from South and Southeast Station to Alentejo and the Algarve.

In summer, express trains depart from Lisbon to the Algarve from Monday to Saturday. Leave Barreiro station (on the other side of the Tagus - catch one of the frequently departing ferries). Off-season service is performed four times a week. For information on train travel in Portugal, phone tel. 808 / 208-208  , Lisbon, or verify the site of Portuguese Railways in  www.cp.pt  .

Railway information and tickets for travel between almost two stations in Europe, including stations across the country, are available from National Railway representatives  ,  Rail Europe, Inc. www.raileurope .com . Telephone representatives sell round-trip tickets into or out of Portugal, tickets for travel within Portugal and rail passes for travel within Portugal and the rest of Europe. Couchettes (sleeping cars) can be arranged. 

Senior Discounts  - The 50% discount policy for Portuguese railways applies to people aged 65 and over. These tickets are good all year round.

By bus Bus

This is a cheap means of transport in Portugal. A bus network connects almost all major cities. Many routes originate from Lisbon. The former national bus company,  Rodoviária Nacional  www.rede-expressos.p t has been privatized but essentially offers the same service as before. In addition there are regional and private bus lines.

Express coaches between major cities are called  express. Once in most cities and towns, you can make cheap bus trips to nearby villages or sights. Of course, in many cities and in all cities, you can take buses to get around the city.

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