Accommodation
When you are staying for a long time in Tomar there are a couple of places where you can settle.
Students of the IPT can live at the residence of IPT. These rooms are always double or triple. The kitchens and bathrooms are shared spaces. A laundry service is also available. A big advantage is that the residence is part of the school, so you don’t need any kind of transportation to get to classes.
Double room: €85 p.p./ month
An alternative for staying at the university is the Santa Marta residence. This residence is a 15 minute walk from IPT. Individual and double rooms are present and laundry service and gym are available. Kitchens and bathrooms are private. This residence is a bit more expensive than the accommodation at IPT and is also more distant from the centre of Tomar.
Single room: € 250 p.p./ month
Double room: € 318 p.p./ month
http://residenciasantamarta.com.sapo.pt/
A third possibility is to rent an apartment. You can research some options in advance by using internet, but there are also real estate agencies in Tomar. If you like to be adventurous don’t arrange anything in advance, you can let the city surprise you and search for an apartment when you arrive.
When friends and family come to visit there are some options you can suggest them:
Hotels
Hotel Residencial Trovador
Average price/night: € 40 - €65
http://residencialtrovador.com.sapo.pt/
Estalagem Santa Iria
Average price/night: € 50 - €85
http://www.estalagemsantairia.com/
Hotel dos Templarios ****
Average price/night: € 65 - €110
http://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/dos-templarios.en.html
B&B’s:
Casa Das Flores
Average price/night : €30
http://www.casadasfloresportugal.com/
Prado Sonolento
Average price/night : €30
Casa Rosden
Average price/night : €40
http://www.casarosdenportugal.com/
Rio Azul
Average price/night: €35 - €50
Exclusive B&B
Casa da Avo Genoveva
Average price/night: € 75 - €145
Transportation
When visiting Portugal there are options for transportation for every budget:
Bus/ Tram
In cities you pay the driver a flat fare. In Lisbon and Oporto there are special tourist tickets at Carris (Lisbon) and the Lisbon Underground or STCP (Oporto) information kiosks, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Train
There are Express trains from Lisbon through Coimbra to Oporto (Alfa trains) and regional trains (Inter-cidades and Inter-regionais) connecting the different areas of Portugal.
First and second class are available (except for local and suburban trains). Special tickets include tourist tickets (valid for 7, 14 or 21 days). There are special rates on "Blue Days" offering return tickets with discount for trips over 100 km. Train timetables are available from information desks at stations and tourism offices.
Taxi
There are plenty taxis in Portugal. They are usually painted green and black, although these colors are being gradually changed to beige. They have an illuminated taxi-sign on top of the car. In the cities they charge a standard meter fare, outside the cities taxi-drivers may charge per kilometer and are entitled to charge for the return fare. The usual amount to tip is 10% of the fare.
Car rental
Average price of a car for one week: €144
Car rental companies can be found in all major towns and at the international airports. You must show proof of identity and a valid driver’s license. A green card is essential and it's wise to take out insurance coverage and collision insurance. Cars can’t be hired by anyone under 21 years old. www.hertz.com
Warnings and dangers
It's important to keep in mind the following warnings and dangers when visiting Portugal. These warnings are particularly useful when visiting big cities like Lisbon and Porto.
Taxis
When exiting the airport in Portugal you must be careful for dishonest taxi drivers. They might charge you in excess. It’s important to set the fare before entering the taxi.
Pickpockets
It’s a common problem in most major cities but in Lisbon pickpocketting on public transportation seems to be particularly bad. Take precautions, such as not keeping your wallet in your back pocket, to avoid theft. Also, watch out for people bumping against you.
Strong sun
During summer months the sun can be very strong. So if you are on the beach, make sure you apply frequently sunscreen. In Portugal doctors recommend that you go to the beach before 11am or after 5pm. Even if you are not at the beach but visiting a city, you may also get sun burnt. It’s advisable to always wear sunscreen and to carry some water with you.
