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Can tourist rent a car in Portugal?

Portugal Car Rental Guide. Requirements for renting a car in Portugal include: Renters must have had a valid driver's license for at least one year. During pickup, you must present two valid credit cards as well as a return ticket to the country of origin.



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The legal driving age in Portugal is 18 years old. In order to be able to rent a car, however, most rental car companies in Portugal require you to be at least 21 years of age. On top of that, some companies might also require that you have had your driving license for at least one year.

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All drivers must present a valid driver's license, an ID as proof of their identity, and a credit card to make the payment. Note: Most car rentals in Portugal do charge an extra fee if you're under 25 years old.

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Portugal is not a large country and you can get almost everywhere easily and efficiently by train or bus. Regional trains are often cheaper and some lines very scenic, but it's almost always quicker to go by bus – especially on shorter or less obvious routes.

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Driving in Portugal is generally easy. There are a lot of recent roads and they are mostly well maintained. Some villages on hills will have very narrow roads, so park outside and explore on foot. The most tension I felt was in the Algarve, because this is the place with the most tourists.

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When visiting another country as a U.S. citizen:
  • Your state driver's license is valid while driving in Canada and Mexico.
  • In other countries, you may need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) for foreign drivers.


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If you want to make the most of your time in Portugal, it is definitely worth renting a car in Algarve. Driving in the Algarve is easy and can be more affordable than using other transportation.

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Portuguese traffic lights follow the conventions of the Vienna agreement and so should be familiar to most drivers. You cannot turn right on a red light unless indicated and you should also be aware that many local drivers run red lights.

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There are some fun ways to get around Portugal, like ferries, boats, bikes, trams, funiculars, elevators (you won't get far on those-but you will get high up!:). There are also sensible and fast ways like metros, shared rides, or rental cars.

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In nine to 12 days, you can expect to see a generous chunk of all that Portugal has to offer, from its most sensational cities to sublime vineyards and beaches, on a north-to-south trip.

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