Portugal Van Life Guide — Tolls, Camping, SIM, Costs

€1.62Diesel avg/L

€8–22Camping/night

⚠️ CheckWild camping

NOS / MEOBest SIM

Tolls

Route / type	Cost
Via Verde electronic (recommended)	Required on most motorways — get a transponder or pay via app
Lisbon → Porto A1 full length	~€20 each way
Algarve motorways (A22)	~€12 coast-to-coast
Lisbon bridges (25 de Abril / Vasco da Gama)	€1.65–€3.20 each

💡 Get a Via Verde device at any toll station or large service area. Without it you pay via CTT post offices or online — annoying if you miss a camera toll.

Fuel

Type	Avg price (2024)
Diesel	€1.58–1.68/L
Petrol (95)	€1.72–1.82/L
Cheapest option	Supermarket stations (Pingo Doce, Continente)

Wild Camping

⚠️ Wild camping is technically illegal in Portugal in most areas, especially near the coast and in national parks. Enforcement is inconsistent but fines exist. Safest: use free motorhome aires (áreas de serviço para autocaravanas) — there are hundreds, and many are excellent.

Internet & SIM

Provider	Notes
NOS	Best coverage including Alentejo and rural areas. 20GB data ~€15
MEO	Strong urban coverage. Similar pricing.
Roaming (EU SIM)	Works fine — Portuguese roaming within EU fair-use limits

Recommended Spots

Costa Vicentina (southwest coast) — most dramatic coastline in Western Europe. Stay at the free aires near Odeceixe.
Alentejo interior — slow, quiet, cheap. Marble towns and cork forests. Few tourists.
Serra da Estrela — Portugal's only mountain range. Wild and cold even in summer.
Peniche — surf town with a free aire. Atlantic views from the fortress.