Just how bad is the driving in Portugal?
Discussion
Off on a little road trip in a couple of weeks.
Flying into Faro then will be taking a slow and leisurely drive west and then north to Lisbon.
Been to Lisbon many a time and the driving there is shocking, but just how bad is it elsewhere in the country?
Surely can't be as bad as Madeira which I've also experienced!
Eta: Have driven in most other European countries so comparables would also be good.
Flying into Faro then will be taking a slow and leisurely drive west and then north to Lisbon.
Been to Lisbon many a time and the driving there is shocking, but just how bad is it elsewhere in the country?
Surely can't be as bad as Madeira which I've also experienced!
Eta: Have driven in most other European countries so comparables would also be good.
The driving around Sorrento area / cliff side roads was my worst experience ever. I parked up at the hotel on arrival and only drove the hire car again for the flight home! I count myself a pretty confident driver, but enduring 2 near accidents on route to the hotel was enough for me. 
Driven to west Algarve twice staying at Alvor, and the driving standard I encountered was impeccable compared to the Italians!
Driven to west Algarve twice staying at Alvor, and the driving standard I encountered was impeccable compared to the Italians!
Comparable to any other southern European driving*. No worse, no better. The roads are quiet enough out of town, and in town you just have to drive like a local and keep your wits about you. If you can drive in London you can drive in Portugal.
- Except Naples, that is a whole other level of bad.
The drive from Faro around the coast will be very chilled, roads are generally pretty good, traffic levels mostly low and driving is just fine.
The only exciting bit on my last trip there was driving from Lagos to Faro in a massive storm with trees being uprooted which was a little nerve wracking.
I've not driven into Lisbon but have driven in other Portuguese cities and didn't notice them being particularly different from Spanish or Italian cities in terms of driving.
The only exciting bit on my last trip there was driving from Lagos to Faro in a massive storm with trees being uprooted which was a little nerve wracking.
I've not driven into Lisbon but have driven in other Portuguese cities and didn't notice them being particularly different from Spanish or Italian cities in terms of driving.
I've driven at least 10000kms in Portugal and never noticed any major difference in driving standards compared to home. The big differences are the amount of tolls everywhere in Portugal ( except the Algarve ) and the absolutely terrible slip roads on/off the motorways. A lot of them are extremely short and sometimes they are combined on and off slip roads.
Jasandjules said:
Far better than the UK. Lane discipline is better, people move if you are going faster, people appear to see a UK plated car and give it more leeway.... Tthe downside is tolls on the "wrong side" of the car so hopefully you have a passenger.
In a rental so no issue there. I drove the length of Portugal a couple of years ago, including Lisbon and Porto, and had a very good experience with no problems at all.
One thing to be aware of is that you really do need an electronic toll/auto-pay device. On some roads and motorways there are no toll booths or pay gates, and there may be little or no obvious indication that you have incurred a charge.
So it’s essential to arrange a toll device before you leave, or make sure your hire car comes with one.
One thing to be aware of is that you really do need an electronic toll/auto-pay device. On some roads and motorways there are no toll booths or pay gates, and there may be little or no obvious indication that you have incurred a charge.
So it’s essential to arrange a toll device before you leave, or make sure your hire car comes with one.
Agree with most of this. I ve driven all over Portugal and generally driving standards are OK.
As mentioned above - beware the slip roads on & off the motorways - they tend to be short and often share on & off .
Finally beware the elderly gentlemen who finish their night on the Sagres with a drive home in their battered Aixam/Ligier microcars - adequate lighting & lane discipline are optional extras .
Oh, incidentally the A22 motorway across the Algarve is now toll-free.
As mentioned above - beware the slip roads on & off the motorways - they tend to be short and often share on & off .
Finally beware the elderly gentlemen who finish their night on the Sagres with a drive home in their battered Aixam/Ligier microcars - adequate lighting & lane discipline are optional extras .
Oh, incidentally the A22 motorway across the Algarve is now toll-free.
Edited by moffspeed on Saturday 12th September 18:57
Every day a journey said:
Love the remarks about Italy. So so true. Especially Naples. That s quite something.
We're on our way back from Italy, and although I have bad memories of Italian drivers from 10 years ago, this time they were fine.The biggest problem we had was with German drivers. If somebody was blocking a lane - which happened much more than I expected - 80% of the time, it was a German car. And that was true across multiple countries.
nyt said:
I drove the length of Portugal a couple of years ago, including Lisbon and Porto, and had a very good experience with no problems at all.
One thing to be aware of is that you really do need an electronic toll/auto-pay device. On some roads and motorways there are no toll booths or pay gates, and there may be little or no obvious indication that you have incurred a charge.
So it s essential to arrange a toll device before you leave, or make sure your hire car comes with one.
Yep. Checked that option when booking.One thing to be aware of is that you really do need an electronic toll/auto-pay device. On some roads and motorways there are no toll booths or pay gates, and there may be little or no obvious indication that you have incurred a charge.
So it s essential to arrange a toll device before you leave, or make sure your hire car comes with one.
It s fine. A22 dual carriageway across Algarve is pretty chilled except around Albufeira - watch for last minute exit strategies around the busier bits.
Smaller and older N125 isn t great and can be very slow but does give you a better view of Portugal in places at least. Roundabouts are utilised at close quarters, other than that I much prefer it to the UK.
A2 up to Lisbon is usually deserted until you re very close to the capital - and there can be a few cars at well over 100 on there. No point in trying to travel up closer to the west coast itself as there aren t any useful or scenic roads to the west of the A2 in most parts, unless you ve got plenty of time to kill.
Disclaimer : I’ve never been to Lisbon.
Smaller and older N125 isn t great and can be very slow but does give you a better view of Portugal in places at least. Roundabouts are utilised at close quarters, other than that I much prefer it to the UK.
A2 up to Lisbon is usually deserted until you re very close to the capital - and there can be a few cars at well over 100 on there. No point in trying to travel up closer to the west coast itself as there aren t any useful or scenic roads to the west of the A2 in most parts, unless you ve got plenty of time to kill.
Disclaimer : I’ve never been to Lisbon.
Never had a problem in Portugal.
Italy is a completely different animal (even worse in Sicily) where its brains out.
TBH the UK is getting worse with constant running red lights and zero lane discipline.
Currently in Northern Spain and apart from a lunatic women tooting her horn with left hand indicator permanently on trying to overtake through a village, driving standards here are fine too.
Italy is a completely different animal (even worse in Sicily) where its brains out.
TBH the UK is getting worse with constant running red lights and zero lane discipline.
Currently in Northern Spain and apart from a lunatic women tooting her horn with left hand indicator permanently on trying to overtake through a village, driving standards here are fine too.
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