Portugal Tolls etc

I have not been to Portugal for a long time so have no recent experience, but does >this site< help.

Here is what the site says about short term visits:

If there are only motorways with Manual Payment on your route, tolls can be paid in cash, by credit card or by Via Verde on-board unit. On motorways with Automatic Payment is the easiest way the EasyToll system, i.e. assigning a credit card to the vehicle license plate. Another option is the Via Verde on-board unit, or a prepaid card that, like EasyToll, is tied to the vehicle's license plate.

peedee

We are presently at TC on our seventh annual visit. In those years we have also travelled extensively around Portugal.  Not once have we used the toll roads.  To me it's pointless.  The normal main roads are excellent, certainly much better than those in the UK and with very few potholes. 

Of course the motorways in Spain are free and worth using on the long journey south.

I can offer a lot more info / advice but not on this forum.  

PS.  Wall to wall sun at present 👍😄.

The normal main roads are excellent, certainly much better than those in the UK and with very few potholes.

It must have changed quite a bit since I was last there then, the N125 Algarve coast road was ok but my notes regarding using the N2 say:

"We decided to head for a site near Obidos, about a 240 mile drive north. I didn't want to cover old ground so I decided to take the scenic route up the N2 to Almodovar and join the IP1 shortly after for a toll free drive to Villa Franca on the outskirts of Lisbon and beyond. The drive to Almodovar along a good road was tortuous and slow. It passed through some interesting little villages and offered one or two fine views thereafter the journey was without any interest along roads that sadly lacked maintenance and made the journey very tiring."

I think the IP1 must now be the A2?

peedee

We travelled the bulk of the N125 yesterday and on previous days when visiting.  It's not fast as it goes through many towns. But for the most part it has over the last few years been improved, rebuilt and resurfaced suitable for international cycle racing some of which took place last week. The choice is tear from one end of the A22 to the other, see little of the Algarve and pay for the privilege, or meander along the N125 and get a feel for the country.  I prefer the latter.

Hello Allan.

A few years ago we were in Portugal and found registering our car/card straight forward.  We were on the N 521 Salamanca - Marvao  motorway.  A few ks in there are large signs directing you off the motorway to  register your card/number plate; you will get a receipt suggest you keep it!.  I understand all the motorway entrances to Portugal have a similar system. All very straight forward.  

Regards

David

Allan

Have just looked at info on this subject.  I described the Easytoll method and you can do it entering Portugal on the A22.  You can use this method on 4 motorway entry points into Portugal.  As I said quite straight forward.

David

 Hi All, Thanks to all who have responded. 

We have decided to leave the final route choice, to Turiscamo, till we were at our overnight, Camping Alentejo in Evora Monte.

But as we will be using the A22 when we leave TC and head for Spain, due to the distance we will be travelling in one day, will opt for the Easy Toll method when the opportunity arises so we are set up for the automatic tolls.

Hi LLM, My experience has been that, whilst the roads may be OK, its all the hold ups you get travelling on 'main roads' that pass through towns that pushes me toward the motorways.

I bow to your 'outfit size', but for me towing a van through set after set of traffic lights, roundabouts and traffic calming road humps is not a lot of fun!

On the advice front, I would welcome anything you can pass on however, as there is no PM function on here I admit to being at a loss as to how to communicate, other than posting my email?

If you use caravantalk.co.uk let me know, and thanks for the offer.

How long are you at TC??

Hi David, Thanks for the response and have decided we will use the Easy Toll method.

We will possibly use the A6/A2/A22 and looking at the route in more detail today looks like we would only need to stop once to get a ticket and then pay just before we hit the A22 and its automatic toll system.

Hope you are both well-what are your plans for 2024?

We will probably return to Italy in 2025, but at our usual earlier time of May/June, possibly as a stop enroute to or from Croatia-the two places that I have wanted to go with the van are Portugal and Croatia so probably best not to leave it any longer

Allan

Allan,  If you really want to stick to motorways you could do worse than going Santander - Palencia - Valladolid - Salamanca - Plasencia - Saville - TC.  That way you will be on the excellent Spanish M-ways all the way except for the last 80 or so miles on the Portuguese A22 toll.  Overall the distance is only about 30 miles longer.  Of course it depends where you are planning to overnight.  In that regard have you planned any stops?