Language/Portuguese/Culture/Transportation-Customs

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Portuguese Culture → Unit 8: Travel and Transportation → Transportation Customs

In this lesson, you will learn about the transportation customs and traditions in Portugal. Transportation plays an important role in Portuguese culture, especially considering the country's rich history of seafaring and exploration. From port wine to fado music, Portugal has many unique cultural offerings, and understanding the local transportation customs is key to making the most of your visit. Let's dive in!

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Brazil & Portugal.

Public Transportation

Portugal has an extensive network of public transportation options, including buses, trams, and subway systems in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto. It is common for locals and tourists alike to utilize these modes of transportation to get around the city. Keep in mind that public transportation can get crowded during peak commuting hours, so plan your day accordingly.

When using public transportation, be sure to validate your ticket at one of the validation machines before boarding. Failure to do so may result in a fine if you are caught by fare inspectors. Additionally, some bus stops and stations allow boarding from both the front and back of the bus, so pay attention to the local customs to avoid confusion.

Below is a list of common Portuguese transportation vocabulary words:

Portuguese	Pronunciation	English Translation
Autocarro	ow-toe-KAH-roo	Bus
Bilhete	beel-YET	Ticket
Estação	eh-shtuh-SOW	Station
Metro	MEH-troo	Subway
Paragem	paar-AH-shain	Bus Stop
Tarifa	tah-REE-fah	Fare

Taxis

Taxis are a convenient mode of transportation for travelers who want a more direct route to their destination. In Portugal, taxis are usually readily available in larger cities and can be hailed on the street or found at designated taxi stands. You can also book a taxi in advance through a smartphone app.

When taking a taxi, be sure to check that the meter is running to avoid being overcharged. It is also common to tip taxi drivers in Portugal by rounding up to the nearest euro or adding a small percentage to the fare.

Below is a list of common Portuguese transportation vocabulary words related to taxis:

Portuguese	Pronunciation	English Translation
Praça de Táxis	PRAH-sah dee TAH-shees	Taxi Stand
Corrida	koh-REE-dah	Fare
Taxímetro	tah-shee-MEH-troo	Taxi Meter
Gorjeta	gor-ZHET-ah	Tip

Driving in Portugal

If you plan on driving in Portugal, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the country drives on the right side of the road, and speed limits are in kilometers per hour. Additionally, Portuguese drivers tend to drive more aggressively than drivers in other European countries, so it's important to stay alert and obey the rules of the road.

Portuguese highways are called 'autoestradas', and they often have tolls. Be sure to have enough cash or a credit card on hand when entering the highway to avoid fines.

Below is a list of common Portuguese transportation vocabulary words related to driving:

Portuguese	Pronunciation	English Translation
Autoestrada	ow-toe-ehs-TRAH-dah	Highway
Carta de Condução	KAHR-tah duh kohn-doo-SOWN	Driver's License
Cinto de Segurança	SEEN-too deh seh-goor-ahn-sia	Seatbelt
Velocidade Máxima	veh-loh-SEE-dah-jee MAH-shee-mah	Speed Limit

Conclusion

Transportation customs in Portugal are an important aspect of the country's culture and heritage. By understanding how to navigate public transportation, hail a taxi, or drive on the local roads, you'll be able to experience everything that the country has to offer. Whether you're visiting museums, beaches, or historic sites, transportation is essential to getting around and enjoying your time in Portugal.

Sources

Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Música Popular Brasileira & Brazil Timeline.

Table of Contents - Portuguese Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Unit 1: Greetings and Basic Phrases

Unit 2: Verbs - Present Tense

Unit 3: Family and Descriptions

Unit 4: Verbs - Future and Conditional Tenses

Unit 5: Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Cultures

Unit 6: Food and Drink

Unit 7: Verbs - Past Tense

Unit 8: Travel and Transportation

Unit 9: Indefinite Pronouns and Prepositions

Unit 10: Health and Emergencies

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