Portugal Tolls etc

allanandjean
allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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edited March 1 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

HI All,

Later this month we are heading Portugal for a stay at Turiscampo in Lagos-we are going via Santander and will be using the A2 and A22. 

At the moment the situation regarding tolls is, to say the least, confusing-especially as some roads, such as the A22, are exclusively charged via ANPR registering the cars details.

A general search brings up a number of options but none, such as registering a card so payments can be taken automatically, really appeal or are suitable for our trip.

CMC info takes me to a site that seems to suggest you can register your mobile and receive texts after the toll is incurred, which seems preferable to us, 

The third option seems to be using the toll roads and not worrying-not an option we would use!

So, if anyone has advice that would help, especially recent use of said roads but also general area info, that would be gratefully received!

Thanks.

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  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,382 ✭
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    edited March 1 #2

    I have not been to Portugal for a long time so have no recent experience, but does >this site< help.

    Here is what the site says about short term visits:

    If there are only motorways with Manual Payment on your route, tolls can be paid in cash, by credit card or by Via Verde on-board unit. On motorways with Automatic Payment is the easiest way the EasyToll system, i.e. assigning a credit card to the vehicle license plate. Another option is the Via Verde on-board unit, or a prepaid card that, like EasyToll, is tied to the vehicle's license plate.

    peedee

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited March 1 #3

    We are presently at TC on our seventh annual visit. In those years we have also travelled extensively around Portugal.  Not once have we used the toll roads.  To me it's pointless.  The normal main roads are excellent, certainly much better than those in the UK and with very few potholes. 

    Of course the motorways in Spain are free and worth using on the long journey south.

    I can offer a lot more info / advice but not on this forum.  

    PS.  Wall to wall sun at present 👍😄.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,382 ✭
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    edited March 1 #4

    The normal main roads are excellent, certainly much better than those in the UK and with very few potholes.

    It must have changed quite a bit since I was last there then, the N125 Algarve coast road was ok but my notes regarding using the N2 say:

    "We decided to head for a site near Obidos, about a 240 mile drive north. I didn't want to cover old ground so I decided to take the scenic route up the N2 to Almodovar and join the IP1 shortly after for a toll free drive to Villa Franca on the outskirts of Lisbon and beyond. The drive to Almodovar along a good road was tortuous and slow. It passed through some interesting little villages and offered one or two fine views thereafter the journey was without any interest along roads that sadly lacked maintenance and made the journey very tiring."

    I think the IP1 must now be the A2?

    peedee

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited March 1 #5

    We travelled the bulk of the N125 yesterday and on previous days when visiting.  It's not fast as it goes through many towns. But for the most part it has over the last few years been improved, rebuilt and resurfaced suitable for international cycle racing some of which took place last week. The choice is tear from one end of the A22 to the other, see little of the Algarve and pay for the privilege, or meander along the N125 and get a feel for the country.  I prefer the latter.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
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    edited March 1 #6

    Hello Allan.

    A few years ago we were in Portugal and found registering our car/card straight forward.  We were on the N 521 Salamanca - Marvao  motorway.  A few ks in there are large signs directing you off the motorway to  register your card/number plate; you will get a receipt suggest you keep it!.  I understand all the motorway entrances to Portugal have a similar system. All very straight forward.  

    Regards

    David

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
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    edited March 1 #7

    Allan

    Have just looked at info on this subject.  I described the Easytoll method and you can do it entering Portugal on the A22.  You can use this method on 4 motorway entry points into Portugal.  As I said quite straight forward.

    David

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 2 #8

     Hi All, Thanks to all who have responded. 

    We have decided to leave the final route choice, to Turiscamo, till we were at our overnight, Camping Alentejo in Evora Monte.

    But as we will be using the A22 when we leave TC and head for Spain, due to the distance we will be travelling in one day, will opt for the Easy Toll method when the opportunity arises so we are set up for the automatic tolls.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 2 #9

    Hi LLM, My experience has been that, whilst the roads may be OK, its all the hold ups you get travelling on 'main roads' that pass through towns that pushes me toward the motorways.

    I bow to your 'outfit size', but for me towing a van through set after set of traffic lights, roundabouts and traffic calming road humps is not a lot of fun!

    On the advice front, I would welcome anything you can pass on however, as there is no PM function on here I admit to being at a loss as to how to communicate, other than posting my email?

    If you use caravantalk.co.uk let me know, and thanks for the offer.

    How long are you at TC??

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 2 #10

    Hi David, Thanks for the response and have decided we will use the Easy Toll method.

    We will possibly use the A6/A2/A22 and looking at the route in more detail today looks like we would only need to stop once to get a ticket and then pay just before we hit the A22 and its automatic toll system.

    Hope you are both well-what are your plans for 2024?

    We will probably return to Italy in 2025, but at our usual earlier time of May/June, possibly as a stop enroute to or from Croatia-the two places that I have wanted to go with the van are Portugal and Croatia so probably best not to leave it any longer

    Allan

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited March 3 #11

    Allan,  If you really want to stick to motorways you could do worse than going Santander - Palencia - Valladolid - Salamanca - Plasencia - Saville - TC.  That way you will be on the excellent Spanish M-ways all the way except for the last 80 or so miles on the Portuguese A22 toll.  Overall the distance is only about 30 miles longer.  Of course it depends where you are planning to overnight.  In that regard have you planned any stops? 

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 7 #12

    Hi LLM, One if the problems using online mapping is you literally don’t see the bigger picture, so the route you mentioned wasn’t apparent.

    It looks a good option, but the lack of sites along the route makes our planned stop at Camping Alentejo in Evora Monte still favourite.

    Have passed details on to our travel companions and thanks for the suggestion.

    Allan

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited March 7 #13

    Camping Alentejo is a good stop.  We have used it many times.  From there you could travel many miles on a nice quiet main road that runs more or less parallel with the motorway - vice versa 😉.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 8 #14

    The route from Alentejo-E802/IP2- to pick up the A2 at Castro Verde is our likely route.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 12 #15

    Hi LLM, As the saying goes "every good plan should be adaptable", and so we are now going to take your advice!

    We discussed it at the weekend and decided that, although it will be a longer last day travelling-we now plan to stay at Camping Caceres-that its a safer bet.

    May see you if you are still there 

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
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    edited March 12 #16

    Allan.  We have stayed at Camping Caceras a number of times.  It is in ACSI.  Most of the pitches have attached private facilities which were fully acceptable.  Have a good trip.  Our plans for this year are on hold as I am awaiting hip replacement No2!  I have a date for the pre op check but not one for the actual op.  So plans depend on that date , and of course my recovery; No 1 hip recovery was very quick, 6 weeks and I was pretty well fully mobile.

    David and Jeni

  • Cartledge
    Cartledge Forum Participant Posts: 267
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    edited March 13 #17

    We have visited TC a few times via Santander, Tordesillas and Caceres. The road south from Caceres to Sevilla (then west into Portugal on A22) is dreadfull for towing. We spent much of the time with one set of wheels on the hard shoulder and the other side on the road between the HGV wheel ruts. We found it much better to go west into Portugal from Caceres then South in Portugal on A2. Motorways were largely quiet as the locals won’t pay the tolls and in much better condition. 
    We use the Bip and Drive box stuck to the windscreen for tolls, it works well. 

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited March 13 #18

    Tollbird.com

    Windscreen tag linked to your number plate. France, Spain, Portugal, Italy all on one tag. 

    Bip and Go will not supply to UK.

    Emovis does not cover Spain and Portugal.

  • Kasspa
    Kasspa Forum Participant Posts: 359
    edited March 13 #19

    Correction

    Emovis does cover Spain & Portugal via their VIA-T tag as I have that & the LIBER - T for France all set up via a DD with them & it works very well.....

    hth

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited March 14 #20

    Is your info up to date?

    The road south from Caceres to Savilla is first class M/way as is the road from Savilla to the Portuguese border.

    Of course Spanish M/ways are mostly free to use.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 16 #21

    Hi David, Sorry to hear about your op-Jean sympathises having had 13 ops over the years with a double replacement in 1992 and both needing revision surgery since then!

    After having to cancel last years trip, due to being taken into hospital the day before we were due to leave, we are excited to be going over the water again, and especially as we are on the Pont Aven to Santander. 

    All the best for the op and recovery!

    Allan & Jean

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited March 16 #22

    Hi, I can't imagine, based on the wealth of glowing praise for Spanish motorways, that ruts will be as bad as we have experienced in Belgium-they even had a specific road sign to warn of them!

    Using the route via Seville also means that all we need to do is register a payment card online-for using the A22-and that's it-no having to stop to take toll tickets, and stop to make payments, and no towns and villages to drive through and no need for any tag..

    As I mentioned in response to LLM, any decent plan is adaptable and, when we meet up at the first site in Tordesillas, it may change again!

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