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You can get to mainland Portugal a
number of ways, probably the easiest and quickest is to fly.
Flights from the United Kingdom to Portugal take on average
about two and half hours, though this depends on your
destination airport.
The country has
three international airports: Faro in the Algarve; Lisbon in
Central Portugal and Oporto, to the north. All three airports
are operated by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, a state owned authority.
Lisbon Portela is the busiest
airport in Portugal, with both passenger and cargo levels
increasing rapidly. Although schemes are in place to increase Portela's capacity, the Portuguese government are investing in
the construction of a new airport to eventually replace it. The
government chose the site for this new airport in 1999 to be at
Ota, a district 50 kilometres north of the capital. |
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Completion of this airport is
projected to be around 2017 and it is expected it will be able
to accommodate Boeing 747s and possibly the Airbus A380. The Portuguese TGV high speed
train will have a stop at Ota with connections to the rest of
the country. Ota Airport will connect to the A1, which is the major
north/south road and has connections to other principal
highways. |
Portugal by Train
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Eurostar has made it possible to get to Portugal on a train
if you are travelling from the United Kingdom. For more
details and prices consult Rail Europe's website.
The railway system in Portugal
is quite extensive and is inexpensive to use. The Alfa
Pendular trains offer a fast rail link from Lisbon to the
Algarve and to the North - Porto, Braga and Guimarães. There
is a vast network of regional, inter-regional and suburban
trains covering the country. |
Portugal by
Car
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If you are
planning to drive to Portugal, taking a car ferry from the
UK to northern Spain is a leisurely option.
P & O Ferries sail
from Portsmouth to Bilbao in around 30-36 hours, twice a
week.
Brittany Ferries sail from
Plymouth to Santander in about 21 hours twice weekly. Once
docked in Northern Spain there are good road links to
Portugal. To reach central Portugal takes approximately
seven to eight hours by car from Bilbao.
If you are moving
to Portugal, or just coming for a visit and you are thinking of
driving there are a few things to take into consideration. When
driving in Portugal it is law to carry the following items: warning
triangle, a reflector jacket and all documents ie. registration,
tax, insurance and driving licence. If you don't you are liable to
an instant fine. More information on
Driving in Portugal. |
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