One of Portugal’s best loved cities, characterised by its cobblestone Old Town, colourful architecture and vibrant port, Porto is a tourist’s paradise. Because of its beauty, Porto is often the top choice for people who want to road trip, or who are looking to experience a smooth and hassle free drive. Porto’s roads are well maintained and signposted, which makes driving all the more easy, but in the busier parts the traffic can build up. Porto also has a number of toll roads. If you’re planning to drive through Porto, Holiday Cars will provide you with the best quality vehicles to ensure the best driving experience.
Our vehicles perfectly suit any need and requirement, and are of the highest quality, giving you peace of mind throughout your entire trip. Not only do we provide excellent quality vehicles, but we also offer guides and recommendations on what to look out for and consider when driving in another city or country. Keep reading for the best guide on driving in Porto, from the best parking spots to speed limits and road conditions:
Driving Rules and Regulations in Porto
Generally, driving in Porto is really no different to driving in the UK, but Portugal as a whole has certain rules and regulations that you need to be aware of before you hit the road. These include:
- Driving in Portugal can take place if you’re aged 18 and over. To be able to hire a car in Portugal, the typical minimum age is 21, however there may be exceptions and this may differ depending on the car hire company.
- In Portugal, driving occurs on the right side of the road, and you overtake on the left. This might be worth practising or familiarising yourself with before you start driving, as UK drivers may get confused.
- The maximum national speed limit on Portugal’s roads is 120 km/h, or around 75 mph. For inner city built up areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h, or 30 mph.
- UK and EU driving licences are generally accepted, however it’s still a good idea to keep any relevant documentation to hand when driving, such as vehicle registration, insurance and your licence.
- Portugal has many toll roads, which can be paid for usually with a built in transponder that your rental vehicle may have. Porto has tolls on connecting roads to larger cities and rural countryside areas.
Top Tips for Driving in Porto
When driving around Porto, stick to the speed limit, and make sure you’re aware of the local driving rules. Traffic can build up in the inner city areas, so bear this in mind when travelling during peak hours. When driving in Porto, remember to drive on the right hand side of the road– if you’re a UK driver, perhaps consider practising to drive on smaller and more secluded roads if you’re not used to driving on the right hand side.
Be aware that a lot of the main highways and connecting roads, such as the A1 highway, feature tolls. However, in countries where toll roads exist, you can either expect your vehicle to have a built in toll transponder which automatically adds the price of the tolls onto your credit card, or you can normally request one at the rental desk. Most tolls can only be paid for by card, and toll roads are indicated by an ‘A’ sign or blue road sign.
Parking in Porto: A Guide
Parking in Porto is considered to be relatively easy, with on street parking meters and different parking zones. The zones are split into Zone I, Zone II, Zone III and Zone IV, with parking usually a lot more expensive the further into the centre you go. There are several Park & Ride services available, which may be preferred for the outer parking zones. If you’re looking for large car parks that are free or cheaper than on street parking, try parking at Porto Railway Station, where you can leave your car in a convenient and safe location and head out to explore the city.
Hiring your Car from Porto Airport
Sometimes, people may choose to hire their car from Porto Airport, which usually allows for cheaper prices and is more convenient. Porto Airport is around 10 miles from Porto’s city centre, so it makes sense to hire your car from the airport and be able to immediately drive to the city and not have to spend money on transfers or public transport. It’s also more convenient to book your car hire online in advance with Holiday Cars– while there will usually be car rental desks at the airport, you can’t always guarantee that vehicles will be available if booking them on the same day.
Prices for car hire from Porto Airport start at around £3 per day, whereas if hiring from Porto city centre, starting prices are around £15 per day. The main car hire suppliers available at Porto Airport include Centauro, OK Mobility, Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Keddy, Thrifty and Dollar, plus more. When booking your vehicle from Porto airport and online, you’ll find a much larger array of car hire suppliers, whereas downtown Porto sees only a select few suppliers and higher daily prices.
Types of Vehicles for Hire in Porto and Prices
Holiday Cars offers a wide range of makes and models of vehicles from Porto Airport and downtown Porto, the main ones of which include small and large vehicles, SUVs, station wagons, passenger vans and cabriolets. From Porto Airport, the cheapest make and model of car is the Kia Picanto, which costs around £3.70 per day. The most expensive car to hire from Porto Airport is the Mercedes E-Class Estate, which is around £650 per day. The small cars are usually the cheapest to hire, with estate cars or passenger vans typically being the most expensive.
From Porto city centre, the cheapest car to hire is the Fiat 500, which costs around £15 per day, or £110 for a week-long rental. The most expensive car to hire from downtown Porto is the Volvo XC60, which has a price of around £87 per day or £613 for a week-long rental.