motorhomer
Free Member
- May 17, 2008
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- Funster No
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- Van Conversion
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- since 2005 (but 30 years caravanning)
We are currently touring Portugal, and have become very confused about new motorway tolls that are just being introduced..
The problem is that 2 things are being done at the same time.
First, most previously toll free motorways are now - or very soon will be - toll roads.
Second, these new toll roads are to collect the tolls only by electronic means, ie no toll booths etc.. For portugese there are cameras that will work by number plate detection. But for foreign tourists the situation is far from clear. I have read that you should rent a temporary electronic device preloaded to pay tolls. But I also read that you have to take it back to where you got it from when finished - not good for touring. I have also read that you can pre-pay on a web site, but only in portugese!
We have asked in camp sites, tourist offices, motorway services, and nobody knows which motorways are affected already - some are - or how it affects foreign tourists.
The only safe way is to avoid these now electronic only motorways ( not easy to be certain which they are!) or to avoid motorways altogether - not always easy with the terrain here.
Portugal is nice and it seems a shame that the authorities are doing all they can to persuade people not to visit! Nearby spain has none of these issues.
Be carefull! I did read about a potential substantial fine! But I also read that foreigners may be OK because the authorities may not have the infrastructure to chase them for payment.
The problem is that 2 things are being done at the same time.
First, most previously toll free motorways are now - or very soon will be - toll roads.
Second, these new toll roads are to collect the tolls only by electronic means, ie no toll booths etc.. For portugese there are cameras that will work by number plate detection. But for foreign tourists the situation is far from clear. I have read that you should rent a temporary electronic device preloaded to pay tolls. But I also read that you have to take it back to where you got it from when finished - not good for touring. I have also read that you can pre-pay on a web site, but only in portugese!
We have asked in camp sites, tourist offices, motorway services, and nobody knows which motorways are affected already - some are - or how it affects foreign tourists.
The only safe way is to avoid these now electronic only motorways ( not easy to be certain which they are!) or to avoid motorways altogether - not always easy with the terrain here.
Portugal is nice and it seems a shame that the authorities are doing all they can to persuade people not to visit! Nearby spain has none of these issues.
Be carefull! I did read about a potential substantial fine! But I also read that foreigners may be OK because the authorities may not have the infrastructure to chase them for payment.