If you are driving from the UK to Portugal there are several routes available, via France or via Spain.

The total cost of the journey via France or via Spain are are roughly the same, the difference being the amount of driving.

Driving from France to Coimbra will take approximately 2 days, driving from Spain to Coimbra will take approximately 7 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferry crossings from the UK to France are relatively cheap depending on the time of year you choose to travel. The main ferry operators and their routes are:

 

 

 

Dover to Calais

 

 

 

Dover to Dunkirk

 

 

 

Newhaven to Dieppe

 

 

 

Plymouth to Roscoff

 

 

 

Plymouth to St Malo

 

 

 

Poole to Cherbourg

 

 

 

Poole to St Malo

 

 

 

Portsmouth to Caen

 

 

 

Portsmouth to Le Harve

 

 

 

Portsmouth to St Malo

 

 

 

Weymouth to St Malo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are 3 routes from the UK to Spain by ferry and a total of 5 crossings per week:

 

 

 

Portsmouth to Bilbao

2 Sailings per week
Crossing time: 23 hours 45 minutes

 

 

 

Portsmouth to Santander

2 Sailings per week
Crossing time: 24 hours

 

 

 

Plymouth to Santander

1 Sailing per week
Crossing time: 19 hours 30 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips on driving abroad in Portugal

Motoring rules and regulations in Portugal.

As a foreigner driving in Portugal you must hold a full driving licence. As in the UK seat belts must be worn front and rear and speeding and other offences are subject to on the spot fines.

 

 

 

Children Travelling in Cars

Child restraint is mandatory for all children aged 12 or younger and that are less than 1.5m in height.

Children are prmitted to travel in front of the car but only with the proper restraint and the airbag switched off.

Cars that do not have seat belts in the back are prohibited from carrying children under the age of 3 years.

 

 

 

Documentation

Whilst driving you must have your driving licence with you.

All vehicle documenation must be kept in the vehicle, ie MOT certificate, insurance certificate and vehicle registration document.

If the vehicle is not registered in your name you should obtain a letter of permission from the registered owner.

 

 

 

Compulsory Car Items in Portugal

Whilst driving in Portugal it is compulsaory that you carry the following items in your vehicle:

Head lamp converters
Replacement bulb set
Warning triangle
High vis vest/jacket
First aid kit (recommended but not compulsory)
Fire extinguisher (recommended but not compulsory)

Motor cycle drivers and passengers must wear a crash helmet

GB stickers are not required if you have EU number plates.

 

 

 

Fuel in Portugal

All grades of unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are available in Portugal

Unleaded Petrol - Gasolina sem chumbo (at the filling station ask for 95 or 98)
Diesel - Gasóleo
LPG - Autogas (a fill adapter may be required)

 

 

 

Drinking and Driving in Portugal

Don't do it!

0.05% is the legal limit, if you are over this limit you could face a severe fine, withdrawal of your licence, or imprisonment.

Random stops and checks are common at any time of the day.

 

 

 

Motoring Fines in Portugal

Motoring fine are paid on the spot, most police vehicles carry portable credit/debit card machines, if not you will be escorted to the nearest cashpoint (multibank machine).

Failure to pay your fine will result in your documents being taken and you will be issued with a traffic citation ticket stating that your documents have been seized and allowing you to drive without them. Make sure you understand where you must present yourself to either pay the fine and/or collect your vehicle documents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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