Essential Driving Tips for a Smooth Journey in Faro

Looking to hire a car for your upcoming trip to Faro? The capital of Portugal’s stunning Algarve region is characterised by its cobblestone streets, stretches of golden coastline, medieval monuments, and artefacts. It also has a history that dates back to around the 10th century. The roads in Faro and the Algarve are known for being easier to drive on than other cities like Lisbon or Portugal. They are well-signposted, easy to navigate, and will lead you to some of the best destinations in the region. Think: stunning beaches, scenic hiking spots, and golf courses. 

Despite Faro’s efficient transport system, the best way to see everything the city and the Algarve has to offer is to rent a car. Book your ideal vehicle today with Holiday Cars and find top deals on the vehicle of your dreams. Plus, we’ll give you the lowdown on driving in Faro, and what to expect if you’re travelling to Portugal and have no clue what to expect when driving around Faro or the Algarve.

How to Plan Your Route and Avoid Traffic in Faro

Driving Rules and Regulations in Portugal

Driving around Faro and the Algarve is many people’s favourite way to get around. After all, what better way to experience the gorgeous scenery that surrounds the city? While you may want to see everything you possibly can, there are certain rules and regulations you need to follow when driving around:

General Rules and Regulations

  • To drive in Portugal, you must be over the age of 18.
  • UK and EU driving licences are accepted but must be valid and registered with the IMT. 
  • Make sure you have all relevant documents to hand when driving, such as ID, drivers licence, and registration.
  • The general minimum age for car hire in Portugal is 19. However, certain car hire suppliers and companies may require a different age limit. Generally, 21-25 is a requirement, but make sure to confirm this when you hire your vehicle.
  • Wearing your seatbelt is compulsory– not complying with this can incur fines of up to €600.
  • In an emergency, call 112 and you will be connected to the country’s emergency services.
  • In Portugal, driving is on the right side of the road, and overtaking is on the left. 
  • Avoid the unnecessary use of car horns.
  • Portugal’s national speed limit for motorways is 120 km/h (75mph), while for built-up areas it is 50 km/h (30mph).

Speed Limits in Portugal

Portugal’s national speed limits are as follows:

Motorways: 120 km/h

Inner Built-Up Areas: 50 km/h

Outside Built-Up Areas: 90-100 km/h

Speeding in Portugal can incur fines of up to €2,500, depending on how far over the speed limit you are travelling. 

What to Know about Toll Roads in Portugal

There are numerous toll roads in Portugal, with different payment options available for drivers. These can include cash, contactless card payments, or ‘Via Verde’ which is an electronic payment option. You can either pay at booths or simply pay an amount after your journey is finished. 

Rental vehicles are generally fitted with an electronic device known as a transponder, which you can set a certain credit amount for. Make sure to double-check this before driving on toll roads. When driving down a toll road with a transponder, the toll price will be deducted from the credit amount. You’ll need to pay for this at the start when you book your vehicle. Alternatively, tolls can be paid for after your journey. 

There is no set price for tolls. It largely depends on how far you’re travelling and how much of the motorway you use, as well as which car hire supplier you rent with as they may charge alternative amounts to others. Alternatively, you’ll surely find roads without tolls around the Algarve. It may be more difficult to navigate these roads but you’ll have some pretty picturesque views!

Tips for Driving in Faro

Finding your way: Luckily, Faro and the wider Algarve region are known for their easy roads. Navigating them is simple, thanks to the widespread signage and relatively low levels of traffic. Plus, there are plenty of winding, scenic routes to take if you want a more laid-back and peaceful driving experience. The main motorway/major road in the Algarve is the A22, which stretches from West to East near the Spanish border. This road is a toll road, so if you want to avoid paying tolls, don’t drive down this road. 

Alcohol consumption: The limit is around 0.5g of alcohol per 100ml of blood to avoid being fined. It’s best to just avoid drinking altogether if you intend to drive in Portugal. If you want your trip to be boozy, maybe think about appointing a designated driver for those days or nights when you fancy a tipple or two. 

Traffic: Faro is generally known for having little traffic and when traffic does build up, it’s normally pretty easy to deal with. Bear in mind that certain times of year will see higher traffic, such as spring and summer, when tourist footfall is high. Bear in mind that rush hour in Portugal is around the same as the UK– be prepared for a build-up of traffic around 4-6pm and 7-9am on weekdays.

Parking Tips in Faro

Parking in Faro is mostly paid, with free parking spots dotted around the city. There are certain zones you need to be aware of which indicate whether parking is allowed, or if it costs. Here are some general parking rules and tips for parking in Faro and the Algarve, as well as Portugal in general:

  • Double yellow lines indicate parking is not allowed. 

  • Certain streets may have special parking reserved for permit holders or residents– this is usually signposted or categorised by coloured zones.

  • You can usually find free parking at Largo de São Francisco, or Faro train station. 

  • Most inner city areas incur paid parking at reasonable daily rates. 

  • Parking meters are usually available, where you can pay via card.

  • If you’re travelling out of Faro, parking at Faro Airport can range from 0.80€ to €15 per day, depending on which car park you park in or the type of parking you opt for. 

Car Hire Services and Prices in Faro

Faro is a popular place to hire cars from, as is its airport. The Algarve is a well-loved region and many people, both tourists and locals, enjoy road-tripping around and appreciating the scenery, beaches, golf courses, and attractions. At Faro Airport and the city centre, you’ll find many of the trusted car hire companies you likely already know, such as Avis, Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise, and Alamo, plus many more. Compare prices online and book your ideal rental car with Holiday Cars. 

As for Faro city centre, prices can range from around £16 per day on the cheaper end and can go up to around £30 per day for more expensive cars. Airports tend to be the cheaper option for car hire and tend to have more options for suppliers and car hire facilities. 

With Holiday Cars, you’ll be given clean, reliable, and secure cars in a range of makes and models. You can expect economy cars, luxury cars, convertibles, SUVs, and passenger vans to be available to you at Faro Airport or downtown Faro.

Faro Airport

Faro Airport sees a range of car makes and models available for hire, with the cheapest rates with Holiday Cars starting at around £6.40 per day, or £45 per week. But if you’re looking to cruise around the Algarve in style, a luxury car like the Mercedes E-Class has a starting daily rate of £185 per day, or around £1,300 for a week from Faro Airport with Holiday Cars. We recommend you book your rental car in advance, so you can secure your vehicle ahead of your trip and ensure it is ready and waiting for you when you need it. 

Faro Airport is around 6 miles from Faro city centre and takes around a 15-minute drive down the N125-10 road, which is toll-free but may take a little longer to navigate. It’s a good idea to hire your car from the airport as opposed to Faro city centre, as there may be fewer car vendors available or fewer pickup spots. At Faro Airport, there are around 15 car hire suppliers.

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