Public Transport in Lisbon

In Lisbon, most taxis will be unequipped with car seats and you may feel more comfortable bringing your own from home if you do not want to carry your infant or toddler on your lap.

• In Lisbon, most taxis will be unequipped with car seats and you may feel more comfortable bringing your own from home if you do not want to carry your infant or toddler on your lap. Taxis with car seats are available free with Best Airport Transfers and this company arranges both airport transfers and sightseeing tours.
• Lisbon has its own metro service and bus service which is highly accessible with a stroller. The yellow tram service is based in the hills around the city and connects all the major sites and monuments.
• There is also a public bus service connecting the major resorts and beaches in the Algarve. You will also find local tour operators that arrange day trips and excursions from the various resorts.
• Under-5s go free on public transport while 5- to 11-year-olds travel half-price on trains but pay full fare on metros and buses.

Getting from Lisbon to the Algarve

• There are two types of trains travelling from Lisbon to Faro. The journey takes just under 3 hours if you take the fast train (Alfa Pendular) or about 3 hours 45 minutes if you take the Intercidade and costs about 25€. You can book tickets from Rail Europe. You could also take a bus between Lisbon and Faro. This takes about 3 hours 45 minutes and cost about Euro 20. You can book bus tickets from Rede Expressos or RENEX.
• Internal Flights are available with TAP Portugal, SATA and Portugalia. These airlines connect all of the main cities within the country. Flights cost about €160 one way and flying time is roughly 45 minutes.

Driving in Portugal

• If you wish to drive to Portugal, Brittany Ferries operate a ferry service between Portsmouth and Bilbao and Santander and from Plymouth to Santander in Spain. Both Bilbao and Santander are both just over a 400 km drive to the northern border of Portugal. A better option is to rent a car on arrival. You can pre book a car with a car seat from any of the major car rental agencies or you could also opt to bring your own from home.
• As a foreigner driving in Portugal you must hold a full driving licence which you must carry with you at all times. You must also carry your vehicle registration certificate. Seat belts must be worn front and rear and speeding and other offences are subject to on the spot fines.
• Child restraints are mandatory for all children aged 12 or younger and that are less than 1.5m in height. Children are permitted to travel in front of the car but only with the proper restraint and with the airbag switched off. Car safety seats must be used in the back. Cars that do not have seat belts in the back are prohibited from carrying children under the age of 3 years. For more information see EU Car Seat Laws.
• The speed limit (which may be varied by signs) for cars without trailers In built-up areas is 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas the speed limit is 55 mph (90 km/h) or 62 mph (100 km/h) and on motorways the speed limit is 74 mph (120 km/h). The minimum speed on motorways 31 mph (50 km/h).
• You must bring head lamp converters, a replacement light bulb set an emergency warning triangle and high visibility vest or jacket.