Enterprise
Budget
Avis
Sixt
National
Ace
Alamo

Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals

No Booking Fees

No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars

Find Low Prices

Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals

Finding a car rental in Portugal is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of suppliers in Europe with no booking fees. Pick up at Lisbon, Porto or Faro airports, or across the Algarve, Madeira and the Azores and compare economy, SUV and automatic car rentals. Filter for one-way rentals, insurance coverage and a Via Verde toll transponder for stress-free driving.

Map of campervan rental depots near 537584
Location Pros Cons
Lisbon Airport (LIS)
  • Immediate car access upon arrival
  • Full range of vehicle options
  • Better availability of automatic cars
  • Airport surcharge (€15-30)
  • Long lines (1-2 hours) during peak season
  • Complex city driving to exit Lisbon
Lisbon City
  • No airport surcharge
  • Convenient if staying in Lisbon first
  • Avoid immediate city driving
  • Limited operating hours (often 8am-7pm)
  • Fewer automatic vehicles
  • Need transport to rental location with luggage
Porto Airport (OPO)
  • All major brands on-site
  • Direct highway access
  • Competitive rates due to competition
  • Airport surcharge (€15-30)
  • Lines during summer months
  • Less convenient if staying in Porto city first
Faro Airport (FAO)
  • Ideal for immediate Algarve access
  • All major companies represented
  • Longer operating hours for late flights
  • Notorious summer lines
  • Higher rates during peak season
  • Airport surcharge
Algarve Resort Towns
  • Convenient for mid-trip rentals
  • No airport fees
  • More personalized service
  • Limited choice of cars
  • Often closed on Sundays and for lunch
  • Fewer automatic cars
Madeira Airport (FNC)
  • Immediate access to express highways
  • Major and local companies present
  • Avoid navigating Funchal's steep streets initially
  • Limited number of cars (book early)
  • Some companies use shuttles to off-site locations
  • Potential for damage claim disputes
Azores (Ponta Delgada)
  • Essential for exploring São Miguel
  • Rental desks in airport terminal
  • Quick access to all island points
  • Very limited number of cars (book months ahead)
  • Higher rates during summer
  • Cannot take cars between islands

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Portugal?

On average, car rentals in Portugal cost around €47 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €5 per day.

Low-cost rental tips
  • Compare pickup spots: In Lisbon, a city pickup avoids the €15-30 airport surcharge if you don’t need a car on day one. Porto Airport (OPO) is often cheaper thanks to competition. In Algarve, compare Faro Airport (FAO) with nearby resort-town offices that skip airport fees but have fewer automatics.

  • Time it to the season: For July–August, Easter, Azores, Madeira, book 3–6 months ahead. In Nov–Mar, prices are low and last-minute deals are common, so keep comparing.

  • Pick the right car: Manual is typically 30–50% cheaper than automatic. Choose the smallest class that fits your bags to save on daily rate and fuel.

  • Trim add-ons: Limit extra drivers to avoid €3–7/day. If under 25, compare brands since young driver fees vary (€5–10/day).

  • Fuel strategy: Decline prepaid fuel and return the car full to dodge pump markups.

  • Check routing costs: If flexible, compare round-trip vs one-way in both directions. One-way fees run €30–100 and can flip which route is cheaper.

Parking and Driving

Location Parking Options Cost Tips
Lisbon Street parking (zones)
Underground garages
Varies Colored zones show time limits. Use parking apps (ePark). Parque Eduardo VII and Martim Moniz garages are central.
Porto Limited street parking
Public garages
Varies Historic center has very limited parking. Use Saba Ribeira or Trindade garages. Casa da Música has good park & ride.
Algarve Beaches Beach parking lots
Street parking
Often free; some paid Arrive before 10am in summer for popular beaches like Marinha or Dona Ana. Many beach lots fill by mid-morning.
Algarve Towns Municipal lots
Street parking
Varies Albufeira has multi-level parking near old town. Lagos has parking lots by marina. Vilamoura has free spaces around marina (fills in peak).
Madeira Street parking in towns
Levada walk parking
Often metered; trailhead parking free Funchal has several municipal garages. Mountain roads have small parking areas at viewpoints.

Local Driving Rules:

  • Speed limits: 50 km/h (31 mph) in towns, 90 km/h (56 mph) on rural roads, 120 km/h (75 mph) on highways
  • Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 g/L (0.05%), stricter than many countries
  • Roundabouts: If exiting first (right), stay in outer lane; otherwise use inner lane
  • Required equipment: Reflective vest and warning triangle in case of breakdown (provided by rental companies)
  • Toll roads: Some highways use electronic tolls. A transponder simplifies payment

Enforcement: Parking enforcement is strict in major cities. Yellow lines or zigzags mean no parking. Blue zones require payment at meters. City centers may have resident-only zones. Speed cameras are common, especially near cities and on A1/A2 highways.

Why rent a car in Portugal

Book a rental car so you can visit:

  • Douro Valley – N222, Peso da Régua, Pinhão, vineyards

  • Algarve Coast – Marinha Beach, Dona Ana Beach, Sagres

  • Alentejo – wineries

  • Peneda-Gerês National Park – trails

  • Madeira Island – Santana, Porto Moniz, Calheta

  • São Miguel, Azores – Sete Cidades, Furnas, Nordeste

FAQs

Is my foreign driver's license valid in Portugal? You can use your driver's license from the EU, US, UK, Canada and Australia. We recommend you get an International Driving Permit if your non-EU license isn't in the Roman alphabet.

How do I handle electronic toll roads? Ask your rental company for a Via Verde transponder, which costs about €1.50-2 a day. If you don't get one, you'll have to pay at a post office or Payshop in the next 5 days. This can be a hassle for tourists.

What's the minimum rental age? You usually need to be 21 years old, but some companies let people aged 18–19 rent a car. They will charge you extra if you're under 25. Some companies also have a maximum age limit or ask for extra paperwork from drivers over 70.

Can I take my rental car to Spain? Most rental companies will let you drive to Spain, but you have to tell them first. Many will charge a cross-border fee (€20–60) or make you get extra insurance.

What happens if I get a traffic fine? The rental company will charge your credit card for the fine and an administrative fee (€25-50). Portugal has a lot of speed cameras, so make sure you follow the speed limits.

Is it worth getting full insurance coverage? Yes, it's a good idea if you want to relax and avoid having a large security deposit held on your card. Another option is to use third-party deductible insurance, but you'll need to have enough room on your credit card for the deposit.

Can I rent a car in one Portuguese city and return it in another? Yes, but the rental company will charge a one-way fee. This is usually between €30 and €100, depending on how far apart the cities are. You'll pay much higher fees if you drop the car off in another country like Spain.