Driving and Hitching
Car rental rates in Portugal are high out of season (around ?40-60/day) and it is well worth looking into prices before you leave as they can often work out cheaper. To rent a car you must be over 21 and have held a driving licence for over a year. Beware - Portugal has the highest road fatality rate in Europe; most accidents occur on the infamous Lisbon-Oporto and Lisbon-Algarve motorways. August is especially lethal when Portuguese emigrant workers return home on holiday. If you break down you can get assistance from the Automovel Clube de Portugal, which has reciprocal arrangements with most other automobile clubs. In the north, phone their Porto service (tel 22 830 1127); in the south, phone Lisbon (tel 21 942 9103). Both operate 24 hours a day. Hitching should generally not be a good option, not only because of the country's high accident rate but it is often difficult to get a lift. It is definitely not recommended for women or solo travellers.
Your Tip for Portugal
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