Avoiding the tolls

[roy4eyes]

As an experiment today I used the A22 to the airport and the N125 return, trying to maintain a speed of 80 kph to minimise fuel consumption. Journey times were 50 minutes out and 55 minutes return to central CVO - much less difference than I expected.
Another point - where exactly are the cameras ? Is it possible that there are some portions were there are no cameras between entry/exits ? Entering from Spain and Bensafrim where are the first cameras ?
A map on this forum showing the position of cameras could be an asset.

On a different note - we use our U.K. registered car only for long distance trips back to U.K., Spain, France etc.
When we are using the A22 outbound and perhaps not returning to Portugal for several weeks, how do we pay the tolls ?

[blue]

I know that years ago when we came to Carvoeiro on holidays it could take as long as 2 hours on the N125 from Faro airport but that was when all the traffic was on the 125, it depends on weight of traffic I guess & all the Portuguese I have spoken to say they won't go on the A22 if they have to pay tolls.
Can you pay the toll in advance if you know the distance you're travelling?

[matoserrao99]

Hi,
i've never had any problems using the N125 or the A22, normally i prefer to see the landscape and towns so i use the N125, both take about the same time, just under the hour to Carvoeiro.
Regarding the 2 hour journies of years ago, the N125 has been much improved since then, town by-passes, dual carriageway in parts etc.
Just one comment on the A22, its always very quiet, so even if all of the traffic leaves i really don't see it making a huge difference to the N125 anymore (August excepted when every road in the Algarve is busy)

Anyway - as already pointed out here - the Tolls are on hold indefinitely, to be reviewed following the general election.
Hopefully common sense will prevail and the idiots in charge will recognise how vital tourism is to Portugal and drop the stupid idea once and for all.

[EMM]

The sensors.cameras are on each of the overhead gantries as you enter each junction.

If the trucks all leave the motorway to use the 125 then it will be a nightmare, you can already experience long waits at quatro estrada and just imagine what it will be like going through Alcantrahilla or odeiexe,
We will stick to the A22 tolls or no tolls.

[joeysoap]

Can you pay the toll in advance if you know the distance you're travelling?

and therein lies the problem and solution. if you travel to cvo and pay the tolls accordingly _ few days later- why can't you purchase a return for the same toll fee the day before you depart for the airport. I used to travel as far as junction 6 but now use alcantarilha exit and that little junction just as you come into lagoa as its definitely shorter. have no objection to paying for tolls for these journeys and will stick to the 125 while staying in cvo.

[Simnat]

This is all well for you all if you are on holiday and have no rush. What about us who work out here and have a time restriction to get to the airport and back.
Ok the client has to pay the toll to get to the airport but who pays for the driver to get back in a rush for his next pick up. So we put up the prices on transfers and clients say were to expensive . Good way to kill a small business like me.
The N125 is not an option when it comes to clients who need to be at the airport for a certain time.

[Bruce Wallis]

Can you pay the toll in advance if you know the distance you're travelling?

Ask the old man....he seems quite clued up!

[sunman]

I had a meeting in Almancil this morning & had to pop into Algarve Shopping on the way back so I ventured onto the N125 for the first time in a long while; the stopping , starting , slowing, queueing etc all meant that when and if the tolls arrive I shall definitely stay on the A22 when going to and from the airport

If the tolls do get introduced and traffic gets driven back on to the 125 there are a group of people who will be very happy about it; they lined the road between Bouliquieme & Albufeira and were mostly wearing short red skirts, blowing kisses at me as I drove by, being polite I waved back

all this at 11.15 am

[laserblazer]

As most of us have said, it's not the paying of the toll, it's how do we pay the toll?

[Michael Crane]

....A map on this forum showing the position of cameras could be an asset.....

If you can tell me exactly where they are located I can set up a map in minutes.

[EMM]

They are a few hundred metres past each motorway junction both east and west.

[Michael Crane]

They are a few hundred metres past each motorway junction both east and west.

So there's no need for a map then.

[papajock]

If you can tell me exactly where they are located I can set up a map in minutes.

Damn. I thought MC was referring to the people with the red shorts.

[Aldo]

ok, do we all need to wear red shorts??????

[LICY]

What's the update? Are the tolls being charged yet? We arrive Monday for the week. LICY