Travelling to Portugal from Santander
We are traveling from Santander to the Algarve in a Motorhome over 3500kg and towing a trailer which will take our unit over 12 mtrs . The information re tolls is confusing given the type and weight of unit we are in , we are looking for the easiest way to pay the tolls we will be in the Algarve for 3 months any advice on the tolls , routes and stopovers would be a great help .
Gary & Sally
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Sit down in a quiet room and try to master what Portugal calls their Easy Toll system. If you can crack that it is indeed easy to use, but be aware that from the description you give of your outfit you pay be paying tolls at the same rate as an HGV - and that's not cheap.
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Thanks I wasn’t sure the Easy Toll System catered for larger vehicles .
Gary & Sally
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Thanks for the info .
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agree with DD, not necesary to use toll toads in Portugal...
however. if you did, you just pull into a toll layby and register your credit card and away you go....the bill arrives later
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It’s not quite that straightforward unless you enter via an ‘Easy Toll’ location of which there are only 4 in the whole country. All other practical options for a foreign vehicle involve pre-payment which isn’t very convenient unless you know how much your journeys will cost.
Its quite easy to accidentally find yourself on an electronic toll road in Portugal, signage isn’t always good especially in urban areas. If that happens you’ll need to buy a prepaid toll card asap in order to avoid a hefty bill.
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Hi
An alternative i have used quite a bit when towing a trailer when we lived in the UK is, Santander A67 onto A62 too Salamanca then the A66 south too Seville this is a good road with plenty of campsites along the route that are in the ACSI book and all non toll till Seville
Just come back from touring the Algarve for three weeks and at the toll booth entering from Spain on the A49 the Police are re-directing all foreign vehicles through the toll booths to register whether using tolls or not, they are quite easy to use and if you come off next junction onto the N125 toll free from there.
Phil
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Phil, while I bow to Seaside Bills perhaps wider toll experience, but we did the same as you...entered Portugalin the eastern Algarve, pulled in to the toll laybye, registered and that was it....
in fact we then used the N125 to travel on.....
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BB, that would have been the EasyToll on the A22, one of the 4 entry points. It’s all fairly straightforward around there, but less so around Lisbon & Porto and beyond.
While we’re on the subject.... in all cases avoid the Via Verde lane.
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Thank you so much .
The information is a great help can anyone recommend any Motorhome sites , we will be in the Algarve late February for 4 weeks then will explore Portugal .
Again thanks for the info .
Gary
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You could look at Camping Ria Formosa near Tavira which is a nice town. It depends on what you like, it may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s within walking distance of a small town with plenty of shops/bars/restaurants - useful if you’re in a motorhome. There’s also a lovely wild beach just across the lagoon, short boat trip required.
The railway line that runs all along the Algarve coast is a short walk from the site, so good for exploring further field. On site there is a supermarket, restaurant, swimming pool and ATM. I suspect it’s popular with ‘snow birds’ so booking might be advisable in February?
It’s one of those sites that, when you first arrive, you’re not too sure about. It looks like a big Aire, but it grows on you and makes a comfortable and convenient base.
If you’re touring further afield I’d recommend
Lisbon, Lisboa Camping. Not cheap but easy access and easy bus ride into Lisbon. Excellent security.
Porto (my favourite place in Portugal). Campismo de Vila Chã. Requires short taxi (or cycle) ride to a big shopping outlet and then 30/40 min tram ride into the centre of Porto.
Evora. Parque de Campismo Orbitur Évora. Interesting old town, walking distance from pleasant site.
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