Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taxi
Taxis offer fair value over short distances, and are plentiful in large towns and cities. Ordinary taxis are usually marked
with an 'A' (which stands for
aluguer,
for hire) on the door, number plate or elsewhere. They use meters and are avail-
able on the street and at taxi ranks, or by telephone for a surcharge of €0.75.
The fare on weekdays during daylight hours is about €2.50
bandeirada
(flag fall) plus around €0.80 per kilometre,
and a bit more for periods spent idling in traffic. A fare of €6 will usually get you across bigger towns. It's best to insist
on the meter, although it's possible to negotiate a flat fare. If you have a sizeable load of luggage you'll pay a further
€1.50.
Rates are about 20% higher at night (9pm to 6am), and on weekends and holidays. Once a taxi leaves the city limits
you also pay a surcharge or higher rate.
In larger cities, including Lisbon and Porto, meterless taxis marked with a T (for
turismo
) can be hired from private
companies for excursions. Rates for these are higher but standardised; drivers are honest and polite, and speak foreign
languages.
Tram
Tram lovers shouldn't miss the charming relics rattling through the narrow streets of Lisbon and Porto.
Tours
Bus
Cityrama
(
213 191 090;
www.cityrama.pt
;
hop-on hop-off tour €12-25) , and the following companies offer bus
tours:
AVIC
(
www.avic.pt
) Runs tours in Porto, the Douro and the Minho.
Diana Tours
(
www.dianatours.pt
) Specialises in Lisbon and Sintra.
Megatur
(
www.megatur.pt
) Offers a variety of Algarve tours.
Train
Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses
(CP;
www.cp.pt
)
, the state railway company, organises Saturday day trips up the
Douro valley on an old steam engine during the summer months.
