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By Car

Porto is located in the lower north of Portugal. You can reach is via the A20 / A1 (E1) interstate, coming from the North, or via the A44/ A1 (E1) comming from the South (Lisbon). 

IMPORTANT: With an estimated population of 1.3 million people in the city and surrounding urban area, Porto, is the nation's second-largest city. As you might expect in a city of this size that happens to be in Portugal, driving can be a bit hectic. Like most large cities, traffic in Porto can get fairly congested. The older parts of the city feature roads that are quite narrow by North European standards. 

When driving in Porto, it's important to stay focused and to keep your wits about you. The city has many one-way roads, and they don't always alternate directions, so make sure to read the road signs before making a turn. The last thing you want to do is turn the wrong way down a one-way street. 

When leaving your vehicle, parking in a parking garage is often the best choice, as you may find yourself blocked in by other vehicles if you attempt to park on the side of the road. If you're planning on visiting the historic centre of Porto, it may be best to park your car, and then to see the local sights on foot. In general, the oldest parts of the city also have the narrowest roads, many of which are made of cobblestones, and were never intended to handle automobile traffic. 

Many hotels provide private parking places. Please consult your hotel website for availability and prices.

Routes:

A1:
Follow the A1 highway until Via Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso in Porto.
Keep to the right at the intersection to continue on the A1 and follow the directions to IC2/Porto-Arrábida/Gaia Centro/IC1/V.na Castelo.
Exit at Campo Alegre (750m)
Keep left in direction to Via Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso (260m)
Turn right in direction to R. da Rainha Dona Estefânia(280m)
Turn right in direction to R. de Dom Pedro V (600m)
Turn left in direction to Viaduto do Cais das Pedras (850m)
Continue until R. Nova da Alfândega (220m)

A3:
Follow the A3 highway until Via Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso in Porto.
Keep right and exit and exit 6 to change to A20/IC23 in direction to VCI/Porto/Boavista/Gaia/Arrábida (4,1km)
Continue until A1/IC23 (2,1km)
Exit at Campo Alegre (1,4km)
Keep left in direction toVia Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso(260m)
Turn right in direction to R. da Rainha Dona Estefânia (280m)
Turn right in direction to R. de Dom Pedro V (600m)
Turn left in direction to Viaduto do Cais das Pedras (850m)
Continue until R. Nova da Alfândega (220m)

A4:
Follow the A4 highway until Via Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso in Porto.
Keep right to change to A3 in direction to Porto/A1/Lisboa (3km)
Keep right and take exit 6 to change to A20/IC23 in direction to VCI/Porto/Boavista/Gaia/Arrábida (4,1km)
Continue until A1/IC23 (2,1km)
Exit at Campo Alegre (1,4km)
Keep left in direction toVia Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso (260m)
Turn right in direction to R. da Rainha Dona Estefânia (280m)
Turn right in direction to R. de Dom Pedro V(600m)
Turn left in direction to Viaduto do Cais das Pedras (850m)
Continue until R. Nova da Alfândega (220m)

A28:
Follow the A28 until Via Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso in Porto.
Follow directions to keep on the A28
Keep right to change to A1/IC23 in direction to Gaia/Lisboa (2km)
Exit at Campo Alegre (1,4km)
Keep left in direction toVia Panorâmica Edgar Cardoso (260m)
Turn right in direction to R. da Rainha Dona Estefânia (280m)
Turn right in direction to R. de Dom Pedro V (600m)
Turn left in direction to Viaduto do Cais das Pedras (850m)
Continue until R. Nova da Alfândega (220m) 

Tolls
Electronic Tolls: payment options for vehicles with foreign licence plates 

EASYtoll
This system associates the vehicle’s licence plate with a credit card (MasterCard of Visa). The toll amounts due are automatically debited to the card’s account. A receipt (valid for 30 days, which should be kept) is issued at the time of subscription. Licence numbers can be corrected and memberships can be cancelled via Call Centre, or at www.portugaltolls.com. 

TOLL CARD
Prepaid cards
Activation and direct association with licence number by the customer via cell phone SMS. Balances can be checked at www.portugaltolls.com. Customers will receive an alert SMS when the balance reaches zero. Available at post offices, service areas and at www.portugaltolls.com. 

TOLL SERVICE
3-day prepaid ticket at a fixed price of 20,00€, with unlimited used during its validity period. Can be purchased at www.portugaltolls.com or at “Easytoll” booths. 

VIA VERDE
Lease of temporary “Via Verde Visitors” device. “Via Verde Device” membership, with debit from bank account. Via Verde products are valid throughout the nation’s entire road network, and can be purchased at Via Verde outlets and authorized agents, post offices (CTT) and Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) outlets. 
Further information on www.viaverde.pt. 

Driving documentation:
For those driving in Portugal, the following documentation is required: 

  • Passport or ID-card
  • Driving license
  • Valid insurance policy
  • Insurance registration certificate 

Good to know: 

  • Traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road.
  • A valid insurance policy required.
  • After dark, the main headlights must be switched on.
  • Electronic tolls: 
  • Speed limits are as follows, unless marked otherwise: 
    In residential areas: 30 or 50 km/h 
    In built-up areas: 50 km/h 
    Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
    Motorway: 120 km/h

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