Useful
Information
Public
Transportation
The joint fleet of the two public transportation companies Carris (buses
and trams) and Metro (underground) covers the entire city with regular
bus and tram routes as well as underground lines.
Taxis
The city is served by 3,500 taxis, and a taxi ride from the airport to
the city centre should cost between € 8 and € 15. The usual urban taxi
fares are:Day: € 2 + € 0.40/kmTelephone booking: € 0.8 Night, weekend
and holidays: € 2.5 + € 0.48/km
Taxis are widely used by the locals, and in comparison to the taxi fares
in other countries, the Lisboa taxis are still to be considered a rather
inexpensive means of transportation.
Climate
The average maximum daily temperature and average minimum temperature in
the Lisbon area in November are 16ºC / 60,8 F (high) and 10ºC / 50 F
(low). Please take in consideration that Lisboa is located by the river
and the ocean, and therefore can be windy in the late afternoon or
evening. A sweater or a ladies pashmina may be necessary.
Currency
Portugal is a member of the European Monetary System, and the previous
currency Escudo was replaced by the € Euro on 1 January 2002.
Electric Current
Portuguese standard is the European type 2 pin sockets with 220 volts AC
at 50 cycles. The phase 380 volt current is normally available in
meeting rooms and exhibition halls.
Exchange
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.
Travellers´s cheques and currency can be changed at exchange bureau or
at hotel receptions. Automatic changing and cash dispensing machines
linked to international networks are also widely available.
Health Requirements
With the exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from
areas where yellow fever is endemic, at the present there are no special
health requirements.
Hotel Check in/out Policy
Normal check in time at hotels is 15.00 hours. The established check out time
is 12.00 hours. Should you need guaranteed occupancy before 13.00 hours on the day
of your arrival, the previous night should be reserved.
Medical Care
Clinics and hospitals provide 24 hrs emergency service.The national
emergency phone number is 112. Hotels have a doctor on call through the
reception. Reciprocal E.C. cover is available at out-patient
departments, otherwise private consultation fees are charged.
Sales Tax
Sales tax (VAT) is included in prices quoted. For non E.U. residents,
tax free shopping schemes are available in many shops, which give
substantial savings to visitors.
Shopping
Fine leather goods, lead crystal ware, porcelain, vintage wines, golden
and silver filigree, pottery and textiles are considered excellent buys
in Portugal.The pedestrian streets of the city centre, "a Baixa",
bordered by the magnificent Praça do Comércio, facing the River Tejo,
and the "Chiado" area leading to Bairro Alto, are popular shopping
areas.
Shops are open from 09.00 to 13.00 hours and from 15.00 to 19.00 hours, Monday to Friday.
On Saturdays from 09.00 to 13.00 hours. Major shopping malls stay open from
10.00 to 23.00 hours, including weekends. The main shopping centres are
Colombo, Amoreiras, Vasco da Gama and the Atrium Saldanha, all within
easy access by underground network (metro).
Smoking
The Portuguese law, in accordance with Regulations in force in the
majority of European Countries and the USA, does not allow smoking in
any public transportation or in any closed public areas. (Some
restaurants, bars and discotheques may have a designated smoking area).
Tipping
Tipping is optional, but adding 10% to the amount is regular practice in
taxis, restaurants and bars.
>
Next Page
|
