Tolls on the A22

[cereza]

Mac, I think you are in the majority, and JF's friends who like to travel 100km every day along the motorway (@ 8c per km) are probably not your average tourist.
There are business folks however who may well clock up that sort of usage, and even with the concessions for local businesses may find the cost burdensome, but at least they should have their own transponders.

However, lets not lose sight of the issue raised by alanr earlier where he clearly says that its not the cost but the confusion that is putting him off.

I really do not think we're doing Algarve tourism any favours by labouring the confusion based on unknowns. Lets wait and see what actually happens on April 15th after which we may well find it a lot simpler than the speculation.... or, of course, we may not

My money is on the latter

[James Faro]

Mac, I think you are in the majority, and JF's friends who like to travel 100km every day along the motorway (@ 8c per km) are probably not your average tourist.
There are business folks however who may well clock up that sort of usage, and even with the concessions for local businesses may find the cost burdensome, but at least they should have their own transponders.

However, lets not lose sight of the issue raised by alanr earlier where he clearly says that its not the cost but the confusion that is putting him off.

I really do not think we're doing Algarve tourism any favours by labouring the confusion based on unknowns. Lets wait and see what actually happens on April 15th after which we may well find it a lot simpler than the speculation.... or, of course, we may not

So what is an average tourist? Please explain The more tourists travel up and down visiting places spending money; the better for the economy. I don't think you are doing the tourist industry any good with those banal comments. Quite a few tourists think about buying a property in the Algarve hence the high mileage looking around.

Deep down you must be deeply anxious about this as it may affect your lettings. I sincerely hope it doesn't. Let's not forget not all holidaymakers look at websites all the time seeking Portuguese road plans. If they arrive at Faro airport, hire a car and then find have to pay a toll thenl they are in a for a rude awakening.

[e-richard]

So what is an average tourist? Please explain .

I don't really know what the "average" tourist is, but he certainly does not spend all his time on the motorway. He probably uses it to get from Faro to resort and the cost of about €4.00 each way is not going to ruin tourism in the Algarve.

My point is very simply that alarmist and exaggerated speculation on this forum does more harm than the introduction of tolls - something that is commonplace in the rest of Europe.


If you find this banal, just don't bother to reply !

[Michael Crane]

.....My point is very simply that alarmist and exaggerated speculation on this forum does more harm than the introduction of tolls - something that is commonplace in the rest of Europe.

If you find this banal, just don't bother to reply !

I don't find it banal, but I do find doubtful that many tourists will be put off because they have to pay out a few euros to use one road in the Algarve. It won't put me off and I will be hiring a car as always and I will be up and down the A22 as it fits my purpose and the N125 when it doesn't. Eventually, (hopefully by Christmas) the real issue - the actual toll and its means of payment will be resolved and the authorities will come to a workable conclusion.

Until then it's all opinion, and anyone, members and guests on this forum, will see it for what it is - opinion; and if anyone is 'harmed' by our opinions, then they really should get out more . . . . . and what better place than a nice, quiet A22?

[EMM]

Visitors may grumble but just how many will make multiple trips on the motorway during their stay.
We use it to and from the airport and maybe then no more than 4-5 times in any 4 week period.
Those who do not hire a car will see their transfer costs increase but again this will be a one off payment and be a very small part of their holiday budget.

Tolls are much more important to the local population and business than the tourist ( hire car ) market.

If tolls scare away some of the campervans then that can only be good news.

[PTBUXTON]

I'm back in Carvoeiro later this year and have no problem about paying a toll to travel on the A22. I think the toll from Faro to Lagoa is only going to be about 8E anyway so it's not going to break the Bank! The only problem I have with it, is where I'm going to have to pay the damn thing. All this about green boxes and queueing up in Portuguese post offices without the relevant language is going to be a laugh a minute.

No it's not going to be a laugh a minute IT'S GOING TO BE A PAIN THE ARSE!

[laserblazer]

If tolls scare away some of the campervans then that can only be good news.

It will scare the cheapskates onto the N-125 travelling at 40mph causing huge frustration and even more dangerous overtaking.

[pickwick]

Alanr

"we were due to come out" "we had lined up a villa" "we would have spent £whatever you said" but now you are not coming because of the tolls!!!!

This is your first post. Do you really expect anyone to believe this drivel????

Crawl back under your stone.

Pickwick

[fmm]

Alanr

"we were due to come out" "we had lined up a villa" "we would have spent £whatever you said" but now you are not coming because of the tolls!!!!

This is your first post. Do you really expect anyone to believe this drivel????

Crawl back under your stone.

Pickwick

Was about to post exactly the same. What a load of rubbish.

The easiest thing to do (were this person to really exist) is to get a taxi from the airport to your resort and hire a car if you need to once you get there.

[alanr]

It may be my first my first post on the new system I have, but please look back to 2005 and look up a few posts about best coffee etc.

My first visit to Carvoeiro was in 1981 and I have been back 8 times since.

I have no objection whatsoever with the payment of tolls - it is the method of collection that bothers me. Why should anyone's holiday be disrupted in this way? With a three year old etc etc I can do without it.

If anyone does not believe me please PM and I will give you proof that I am not just making trouble.

[Michael Crane]

....If anyone does not believe me please PM and I will give you proof that I am not just making trouble.

I don't believe you.

[EMM]

I believe him , if I was spending up to £7000 on a holiday the thought of it costing MAYBE another £20 would be enough to make me cancel.
Times are tough you know, I would have to buy 1 less pool inflatable toy, buy 3 euro wines instead of 4, make lunch for our selves 1 day instead of going out.
I would not be prepared to accept such hardships why should this individual.
Some of you may think that he is a bit of an idiot but we are all entitled to our opinions.

[Michael Crane]

I believe him , if I was spending up to £7000 on a holiday the thought of it costing MAYBE another £20 would be enough to make me cancel.
Times are tough you know, I would have to buy 1 less pool inflatable toy, buy 3 euro wines instead of 4, make lunch for our selves 1 day instead of going out.
I would not be prepared to accept such hardships why should this individual.
Some of you may think that he is a bit of an idiot but we are all entitled to our opinions.

[HampshireRich]

I think it's each to their own on this. I can't see it being any worse than having to pay the congestion charge in London if you are an infrequent visitor - there are various ways I understand (never having done it) - internet, newsagents etc.

It obviously has a greater impact on residents and businesses who use the road frequently and I can understand their concerns - I would not be happy if Hampshire council suddenly decided the M27 was a toll road and cost me an extra 8 Euros a day without consultation. I assume the taxis will just pass the fare onto the passenger -hopefully the correct amount and not with a couple of extra Euros tagged on.

For those of us coming to CVO on holiday it is an insignificant issue really (unless as someone has indicated you spend your entire holiday driving up and down the A22) as in general, any travelling will be touring round the countryside and not on the A22 - and the 125 can be used if need be and you don't want to pay or have the inconvenience of figuring out how to pay. Is a few extra Euros enough concern to change plans - certainly not for me.

[sam]

I think it's each to their own on this. I can't see it being any worse than having to pay the congestion charge in London if you are an infrequent visitor - there are various ways I understand (never having done it) - internet, newsagents etc.

I assume you are talking about the congestion charge still, as as far as I am aware the A22 tolls will not be payable by internet, newsagents etc. Last time we drove down in UK reg car we travelled through Spain and then on A22 and did the journey in reverse to go home. So, if we do that again - on arrival in CVO I pay at the PO, on departure and leaving the A22 to enter Spain how do I pay? Also as far as I am aware you will not be able to pre-pay, nor post pay by internet which for most people would be the easiest. The scanners read the number plate, so it should be easy toto pre-register your number plate or enter it later to pay.