Most of Spain and Portugal is well covered by both bus and rail networks and for journeys between major towns there's often little to choose between them in cost or speed. On shorter or less obvious routes buses tend to be quicker and will also normally take you closer to your destination. Add to this an efficent air travel network and theres no excuse for not travelling to all parts of the countries if thats the type of holiday or visit you have in mind. 

Spanish (Spain); Portuguese (Portugal)

The following information is intended as a guide only and in no way should it be used as a substitute for professional medical advice relative to a travellers individual needs and vaccination history. No guarantee is made as to its accuracy or thoroughness. For further information, please contact The Travel Doctor.

Vaccination against Hepatitis A is recommended for travellers to Spain and Portugal.

Please consult a medical practitioner or contact The Travel Doctor for your specific risk to these preventable diseases and the appropriate avoidance measures. Australians travelling to Spain or Portugal should ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover the length of their stay. For further information please visit the Smartraveller website,  www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Spain or www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Portugal

Electrical Plug Type: European

Voltage: 220-240 volts. As both 110-120 and 220-240 volt systems can be used, always check the voltage of your socket before plugging in appliances.

Modem Type: USA 

Country Code for Spain: +34
Country Code for Portugal: +351

Visa Global Assist: 900 948 966

Emergency Services: 112. The emergency services have Spanish speaking staff in Spain and Portuguese speaking staff in Portugal. In some tourist areas service is also provided in English, French and German. 

The opening hours for most shops in Spain are from 9:30am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm, Monday to Saturday. From 2pm to 5pm shops are closed for the famous Spanish "siesta". On Saturdays many small shops are only open to 2pm. Major shopping malls, department stores and supermarkets stay open without a break from 10am to 9pm or in some cases until 10pm.

In Portugal shops traditionally open Monday to Friday between 9am and 10am and close at 7pm. Shopping centres are usually open longer - until midnight every day of the week. If you're looking for tradtitional Portuguese products, it's best to visit small towns or historical neighbourhoods.

Tipping is customary but not generally considered mandatory and depends on the quality of the service received. In restaurants the amount of the tip, if any, depends mainly on the economic status of the customer and on the kind of locale, higher percentages being expected in upscale restaurants. In bars and small restaurants, youc an leave as a tip the small change left in the plate after paying a bill. Outside the restaurant business, some service providers, such as taxi drivers  and hotel personnel may expect a tipping in an upscale setting. 

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel tool.
 

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR TRIP

Physical contact during a conversation with a Spaniard is a typical way of communicating and is not considered an invasion of personal space. When in Spain, expect to have meals later than you may do at home. Lunch is normally at 2pm with dinner at around 9pm or 10pm. Food is very important in Spain and often a topic of conversation. When greeting someone, it is customary to give one a kiss on the cheek.

In Portugal, the family is considered a person's foundation and comes before all other relationships, including business and social. It is a culture that respects hierarchy and authority. This is especially prevalent in the north of the country. Although Portugal has become less formal, polite terms of address are still used and people with education are addressed formally.