Lisbon - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Streets in the city can be somewhat narrow so I'd advise against a huge minivan. - Apr 2021
I wouldn't know, as I did not bring a car, and was glad I didn't. It kept me from going on some pretty drives outside of Lisbon, but saved me a lot of headaches. - Sep 2016
Bring a smaller car if you want to get out to the small villages. A SUV will not make the turns. - Aug 2015
Small gas friendly cars are best. We do get the VAT back from the taxes, but still it costs about US$4 a gallon, versus US$6 a gallon. If your car does not have a scratch or dig on it now, it will before you depart. - Jul 2015
Any car will do, but if your car is too big, you'll pay higher tolls. The tolls can be very pricey! Thirty-five Euros or more for a round-trip day excursion, and that's the lowest tolls. - Jun 2012
Small and economical is best for Portugal and all of Europe. Gas is up over $8 per gallon (1.53-1.56 euros per liter, Oct 2011) and parking spaces, garages, driveways and parking garages are all very small. Parts of American made and specs cars are non-existent and finding a mechanic or service for an American vehicle is difficult and expensive. American spec cars must be converted to EU specs with the exception of diplomatic cars which will be exported at the end of an assignment. - Oct 2011
People bring all types of cars here but -- especially if you are going to live in Lisbon -- a smaller car is better. Some streets are very narrow and garages have low-hanging ceilings and narrow ramps and spaces. Larger SUVs may also have to pay higher tolls (not to mention more on gasoline, which is VERY expensive). - Aug 2011
Mid-sized or smaller. People do drive full-sized cars, but the chance of accidents, scrapes and such goes up dramatically. And some apartment parking garages will not accept the larger vehicles. - Aug 2010
The smaller the better. Streets are narrow, parking spaces are short, gas is expensive, and tolls are doubled for SUVs. - Sep 2008
