How to tell if a TVDE trip is worth it
The apps show you the fare, but hide what actually matters: how much you'll earn per kilometre and per hour once pickup time is counted. A €6.50 fare can look decent until you realize it takes 6 minutes to reach the passenger plus 14 minutes for the ride itself — suddenly that's 20 minutes for €6.50, under €20/hour before any costs.
The number that matters: € per km
€/km is the fastest way to judge a trip. Set your minimum (many drivers in Portugal use between €0.60 and €0.80/km) and the calculator gives you an instant verdict: green to accept, yellow to think twice, red to decline. €/hour completes the picture, since a short, well-paid trip can beat a long one at a low rate.
Why pickup time is a trap
The time an app shows tends to be optimistic and rarely accounts properly for pickup. Adding the real pickup and trip time together reveals your true €/hour — and explains why some "good" fares quietly destroy your hourly earnings.
Frequently asked questions
How many km a day is worth doing TVDE for?
There's no magic number — what matters is the mix of short and long trips, and how much idle time sits between them. That said, many full-time drivers land around 150 to 250 km a day. Below that, fixed costs (insurance, car payment) weigh proportionally more on what you earn; above that, wear on the car and fatigue start eating into the extra profit.
What's the most profitable time to drive TVDE in Lisbon and Porto?
The most consistent peaks are weekday early evenings (commute home, roughly 5pm–8pm) and Friday and Saturday nights. In Lisbon, the airport helps fill weaker morning hours. Weekday mornings outside the entry rush tend to be the weakest hours in both cities.
How do I calculate my real earnings per km?
Add up everything you received over a period (net of platform commission) and divide by total km driven — including the "empty" km on the way to the passenger, not just the paid trip km. That number, not any single ride's fare, shows whether you're actually turning a profit.
What's a good €/km in Portugal?
It depends on city and costs, but many drivers decline below €0.60–0.70/km. Adjust your minimum to your own reality (fuel or energy, commission, wear).
Does the calculator store my data?
No. Everything is calculated on your phone and nothing is sent or stored. History disappears when you close the page.
Is it free?
Yes — free, no signup, no limits.