Travel and Accommodations

Travel Note

US Travel to Portugal

All guests traveling to Portugal should review their government's exit and entry requirements. Please note that these requirements are subject to change. All passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must have a negative COVID test in order to board the flight (one of the following is required): PCR / NAAT test within 72 hours or Antigen / TRAg test within 48 hours. Click "View" to visit the U.S. State Department website for additional information. You are also required to complete and carry a Passenger Locator Card. The form can be submitted within 4 days prior to arrival in Portugal. Once submitted, you will receive a notification that you should keep this with you, digitally or printed, during your trip. (https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card) Accommodations (Hotels, Guesthouses, Airbnb, etc.) may have different testing requirements, so it is best to check with your hotel before booking/arriving.

Rental Car

Airport Car Rentals

There are a variety of car rentals available to guests looking to explore in their own vehicle. OPO offers shuttles to the car rental area where you can select among various companies including Europcar, Avis, and Enterprise. If you rent a car, you must also request the Via Verde service. Similar to an EZpass, the Via Verde identifier automatically pays at all toll booths, bridges, and electronic-toll lanes. Whenever you pass a toll point, you must join the lane marked with the Via Verde logo. Toll costs will be charged to your Credit Card. In our experience, it is recommended to book your car rental before your trip. In addition, we find booking through AutoEurope provides flexible options and competitive pricing to various rental car companies.

Travel Note

GetBus

GetBus offers shuttles from OPO to Braga. A one-way ticket starts at €8. In the city of Braga, GetBus stops inside Braga Bus Station, in the city center.

Train

Comboios de Portugal

Braga trains leave from Porta Campanhã Station or Porto São Bento Station, both in the city of Porto, which take approximately 40 minutes to an hour. Please note in order to get to the train station, you will need to take a Metro or a bus from the airport. Fun Fact: The Comboios de Portugal have international connections to Madrid, Hendaye and Vigo so you can link up with the Spanish and French train systems if you want to explore beyond Portugal.

Travel Note

Welcome Pickups

Welcome Pickups is a travel service that includes cab reservations. This program allows you to pre-book an English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab. We understand that this may cost about €60. We have never used Welcome Pickups but it might be a useful option for those who want to pre-book transportation in OPO.

Hotel

Hotel Moon & Sun Braga

Many Braga hotels do not honor hotel "blocks," but the city boasts a variety of great hotel accommodations. Finding a great hotel or guest house is pretty easy through search sites like Hotel.com. Anything close to the Braga city center will allow you to be close to all of the shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. One of the hotels that we enjoy is Hotel Moon & Sun.

Hotel

Hotel Bracara Augusta

While we have not stayed at Hotel Bracara Augusta, we think it looks like a great, central place for first time visitors to Portugal.

Travel Note

Airbnb

Braga also offers a wide array of airbnbs. It is among some of the fantastic residence options in the city.