Traveling in the country

Modes of transportation within Portugal include air travel, a comprehensive rail system, buses linking all cities and villages, rental cars and a comprehensive public transit system in Lisbon and Porto that comprises buses, streetcars, public elevators, taxis and subway.

TAP Air Portugal offers daily flights linking Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores. Tel: 1 800 221-7370 http://www.flytap.com/ http://www.tapagents.us/ :

SATA flies among eight of the Azores’ nine islands.: Phone: 800-762-9995, http://www.sata.pt/

Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses – CP provides a network of express trains serving the whole of the Portuguese mainland. For more info on trains visit: http://www.cp.pt/

Bus - Portugal’s bus routes are extensive, linking cities, villages and hamlets. Principal companies are:

Rede Nacional de Expressos (All country) - http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

Rodoviária Estremadura (North of Lisbon including Fatima) - http://www.barraqueirotransportes.pt/

Eva Transportes (South of Portugal and Spain) - http://www.eva-bus.com/

Scott Urbe (Cascais, Sintra and Estoril) - http://www.scotturb.com/

Rodonorte (North of Portugal) - http://www.rodonorte.pt/

Tickets can be bought at travel agencies or directly at the coach stations.

Car rental offices can be found throughout Portugal’s major cities and airports. The minimum age for renting a car is 21. A U.S. driver’s license is valid in Portugal. In general, speed limits are 75 mph (120 kph) on highways, 55 mph (90 kph) outside towns and 30 mph (50 kph) in built-up areas. Your clients will feel comfortable driving here, knowing the Portuguese drive on the right-hand side of the road.

All major American Car Rental Companies have offices in Portugal and you may book a car through their websites. There are also well established Portuguese Car Rental Agencies which offer competitive prices.