For freedom and flexibility car hire is of tremendous benefit. If you would like to hire a car you will need a full drivers licence held for over a year and be at least 21 years of age. Most car hire companies also require a deposit for the petrol, which is refunded when the car is returned with the same amount of petrol.
Driving can be hazardous especially in the countryside where obstacles range from potholes to stray goats. The main road in the Algarve is the EN125 which runs parallel to the coast and is well maintained but not all the roads are as good.
Driving is on the right and traffic from the right has priority, this is especially important on runabouts.
The official speed limit is 90 km/h (57 m.p.h.) on the EN125 and 60 km/h (37 m.p.h.) on normal roads. Be warned that the police operate “on the spot fines”; this also applies to drunk driving and seat belts which must be worn at all times. It is important to carry the rental agreement and your driving licence at all times.
In case of emergency there are SOS telephones along the highways (usually every 3 kms) and also normal telephones (dial 115 for the police). The address and telephone number of the rental company is on the agreement, all other emergency phone numbers can be found on the last page of this booklet.
There are garages in most major resorts and along the highways but please note that they are few and far between in the countryside. Petrol is sold in liters and is available in super (4 star) and normal (2 star).

DISTANCES:

This is an indication of the distances in kilometers between Faro and the various destinations:
Albufeira 38 km; Sagres 110 km; Lagos 80 km; Silves 55 km; Lisbon 300 km; Tavira 30 km; Portimao 60 km; Vilamoura 22 km; Porto 570 km; Vila Real Santo Antonio 55 km