Organise your trip
This page provides useful information when it comes to planning your trip. It contains online information about the accessibility of all modes of transport and accessible services, as well as establishments where you can rent equipment / support products, wheelchair repairs, in addition to some emergency contacts / assistance services.
Travel around Portugal
The mild climate, the 3000 hours of sunshine a year and the 850 km of wonderful beaches that are bathed by the refreshing waters of the Atlantic Ocean make Portugal a perfect destination for any occasion and a calm and serene landscape far from the hustle and bustle of the major European capitals. Whether it’s a whole family, a couple or for business, Portugal has 88,889 km2 to explore, between the mainland and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean.
The country with the older borders in Europe boasts a great variety of landscapes, a wealth of leisure and recreational activities, in addition to a singular historic and cultural heritage associated with an intangible heritage full of tradition and that make Portugal an authentic and genuine country. A perfect fusion of traditional and modern work together to create a unique opportunity for cultural and religious tourism. Offering "sun and sand", "nature" and "spa therapy", the natural patrimony of Portugal is increasingly becoming a focus of interest.
From the north to the south of the country, the regional gastronomy, simple and home-made, enriched with monastic desserts and mouth-watering wines, table wines, liqueurs or digestif aperitifs, is associated with the innate good nature and hospitality of the Portuguese, adding the finishing touches to quality tourism resources and services, whether it is for a weekend getaway or for a longer holiday.
Like the landscapes, the people, the gastronomy and the customs, the climate in Portugal also varies from one region to the next, influenced as it is by the relief of the land, latitude and its proximity to the sea, resulting in mild winters and hot dry summers. In the Serra da Estrela mountain, the highest point of mainland Portugal (1991m), snowfall is a common occurrence creating the perfect conditions for winter sports.
Come and discover Portugal, we are waiting for you!
Travel by plane
All Portuguese airports are equipped for people with special needs. They have adapted bathroom and toilet facilities with transfers for PRM (People with Reduced Mobility). Whenever requested, the MyWay service, a personalised assistance service for passengers requiring personal assistance is made available. It includes mobility-enhancing mechanical equipment, such as escalators and moving walkways, lifts, suitable signposting and directions, as well as specially trained staff to ensure passengers receive all available assistance.
More information available at https://www.ana.pt
Travel by boat
Transtejo and Soflusa, the companies who provide the crossing service of the Tagus River between Lisbon and the south bank, have some boats fitted out with equipment to assist with people with special needs. For more information, please contact (+351) 210 422 411 / 808 203050.
Atlantic Ferries, the company that provides the crossing service of the Sado River (ferries and catamarans), is suitable for people with reduced mobility. For more information, please contact: (+351) 265 235 101
Travel by train
CP-Comboios de Portugal, the Portuguese railway service provides a centralised SIM – Integrated Mobility Service, over the phone - (+351) 808 100 746 *(808 100 SIM), which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for information and to provide assistance. With this service, customers with special needs will be able to access information about the accessibility of trains and stations, a service that provides assistance when boarding, traveling or disembarking, among others. More information available at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/pt/como-viajar/cne.
Fertagus, which provides serve to the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon, has carriages equipped to accommodate wheelchair passengers. Most railway stations provide access to the boarding platforms via lifts and / or ramps. Contact: Tel. (+351) 707 127 127.
Travel by bus / metro
As a rule, public transport services have seats reserved for people with special needs, although not all are accessible to wheelchair users.
In Lisbon, Carris provides a Reduced Mobility Service on their Regular Service Routes. Most buses have a lowered floor between the front and rear doors, almost half are fully accessible for Passengers with Reduced Mobility, with space for wheelchair and ramp access. More information available at: https://www.carris.pt
In Oporto, the STCP has a fleet of accessible urban buses as well as buses equipped with a ramp and an area reserved for wheelchairs. All have lowered floors with enough space for a stroller to get through. More information available at: https://www.stcp.pt
Lisbon and Oporto Metro
Lisbon Metro has stations that are fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility. Passengers who are visually impaired or similar, can travel with their assistance dog.
Contacts Tel. +351 213 500 115 / relacoes.publicas@metrolisboa.pt / https://www.metrolisboa.pt
O Metro do Porto é totalmente acessível a pessoas com mobilidade reduzida.
Contacts Tel. +351 225 081 000 / rmetro@metro-porto.pt / https://www.metrodoporto.pt
Travel by car
ADAPTED TAXIS
Taxis that have been specially adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility are available in the cities of Lisbon, Faro and Oporto, among others. The new taxis that are adapted to transport people with reduced mobility are equipped with boarding platforms, adapted seatbelts, devices to secure the wheelchair and a door with a wider opening angle. These taxis are available at airport taxi ranks and / or can be requested. See contact details at https://www.antral.pt
DRIVING YOUR OWN CAR
If a person with motor, sensorial or intellectual disability possesses a driving license that is valid in Portugal, they will be able to drive vehicles, provided that any restriction or adaptation has been complied with.
EU community-style parking permits for people with a disability issued by any of the EU member states shall be respected. Reserved spaces are clearly marked. Parking in other places is allowed if absolutely necessary, provided it is for a short period of time and does not interfere with the flow of either pedestrians or vehicles.
Adapted Tours and Transfers
Adapted Car Rental Companies
Travel agencies and tourist entertainment
Support products
Home Support Services
Emergency Contact Numbers
- Emergency Rescue - Telephone: 112
- Forest Fires - Telephone: 117
- Forestry Protection - Telephone: 117
- Information Services - Telephone: 118
- Healthcare 24 - Telephone: 808 242 424
- Intoxications - Telephone: 808 250 143
- Civil Protection (national no.) - Telephone: (+351) 214 247 100
- Public Safety Police - PSP Lisbon - Telephone: (+351) 217 654 242
- Public Safety Police - PSP Oporto - Telephone: (+351) 222 092 000
- Public Safety Police - PSP Faro - Telephone: (+351) 289 822 022
- Republican National Guard - GNR
- Fire Brigade Lisbon Telephone: (+351) 213 422 222
- Fire Brigade Oporto Telephone: (+351) 226 151 800
- Fire Brigade Faro Telephone: (+351) 289 888 000
- Fire Brigade Funchal Telephone: (+351) 291 200 930
- Fire Brigade Ponta Delgada Telephone: (+351) 296 301 301