Portugal - Update

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ I would rent a car -it’s a simple straight drive to Lagos.

The train would take you all the way East to Faro.

With a car you can get around between the towns > Albufeira > Lagos> Sagres etc. Most hotels have free parking. You could also day trip to Seville if time permits.

Love the Algarve- enjoy!

fogo wrote: ↑ Like I posted above, the train from Lisbon doesn't take you all the way East to Faro.

If taking any train from Lisbon to Lagos you would get off at Tunes and then take another train to from Tunes to Lagos.

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ Regardless I would still recommend a car to explore the smaller towns along the coastline.

Pensioner wrote: ↑ How much did this trip run you for 8 days? Can you post your itenary please? Can anyone shed some light on going to Portugal mid September. Thank you

RedLego wrote: ↑ +1, looking for some ideas but i am planning to go around November, heard its cooler at that time and more rain
What are some must see?
Also from everyone's feedback, renting a car seems best when going south

Motoss wrote: ↑ South...do you like beaches?

RedLego wrote: ↑ Sorry for the bump. Looking to finalize some details for my trip. Any feedback with regards to car rental companies such as Sixt & Europcar?

smp2010 wrote: ↑ Care to share Perkopolis code? Or any other rental codes - Thanks

RedLego wrote: ↑ Any feedback on Sixt & Europcar car rental?

13inches wrote: ↑ Waze and Google maps are perfectly fine for getting you around if you have sufficient data. I bought a 10GB sim card for 25 Euros, so that wasn't an issue. Both apps got me to and through Lisbon as well as all kinds of rural areas on the way to Spain without missing a beat. Easy to find gas stations, restaurants, and even the road tolls were properly calculated. Depending where you're going in Portugal, read up on how to pay the tolls. There are some highways that are transponder-only so you have to register your plate ahead of time. Most others you can pay with cash or credit card along the way.

As for renting a car, I don't know what the experiences of the poster above me are however I haven't rented a car in Europe, or anywhere else in the world, in the last 15 years that didn't have air conditioning as a standard feature. If some company was trying to charge extra for that I'd be happily walking over to any of their competitors.

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ I have rented from both when I was doing business travel. In my opinion, they are both reputable companies.
Not sure what kind of feedback you are looking for.
One thong to remember, most European cars are standard shift. Automatics are extra as are cars with air conditioning. It can add up real quick.
Also, if you are thinking nav system (I highly recommend it as road signage is often truncated names , missing or undecipherable), make sure it is in English. It may be cheaper to buy a Tom Tom with European maps than renting from the rental agency.

13inches wrote: ↑ Waze and Google maps are perfectly fine for getting you around if you have sufficient data. I bought a 10GB sim card for 25 Euros, so that wasn't an issue. Both apps got me to and through Lisbon as well as all kinds of rural areas on the way to Spain without missing a beat. Easy to find gas stations, restaurants, and even the road tolls were properly calculated. Depending where you're going in Portugal, read up on how to pay the tolls. There are some highways that are transponder-only so you have to register your plate ahead of time. Most others you can pay with cash or credit card along the way.

As for renting a car, I don't know what the experiences of the poster above me are however I haven't rented a car in Europe, or anywhere else in the world, in the last 15 years that didn't have air conditioning as a standard feature. If some company was trying to charge extra for that I'd be happily walking over to any of their competitors.

RedLego wrote: ↑ Any feedback on Sixt & Europcar car rental?