Any recommendations or advice about the Portuguese road tolls? :help:
Reading so many horror stories when I google it, just some simple guidelines please! :undecided:
I can handle "Auto Estradas", same as any toll elsewhere, swipe yer card and on ya go!
But what are SCUTs about? Are bikes exempt?
Really don't fancy heavy fines or bike impounded so any words of wisdom greatly appreciated!
Portugal has a system that reads your number plate (cameras look at front and back of vehicle as you pass, so bikes aren't exempt) :sad:
Last year, we happened to cross into Portugal at a major crossing and a guy with a hi-viz and excellent English stopped us, asked how long we were in Portugal for, and sold us an "unlimited" 3 day pass for toll motorways (well, his colleagues in official vehicles with card machines did the transaction).
This year, our "support car" registered online, and just whizzed through the "pre-pay" lanes. I think it was just a matter of entering a registration number and a credit card to bill. I think.
The bikes, however, kept off the motorways and enjoyed the twisties and A roads. We did jump on a motorway to avoid a jam going into a town. That cost us 30 cents each.
Cheers
Paul B.
PS. Forgot to mention that not all motorways are toll, and with the correct map, you could probably avoid the toll motorways all together.
PPS. Just visited www.portugaltolls.com - you can buy a 3 day pass or associate a card with a registration number if you're staying longer. Hope that helps!