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.