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Renting a car at Lisbon Airport + best deals
Are you travelling to Lisbon soon and looking to hire a car? I will happily advise you on how renting a car at Lisbon Airport works! I live in the city, and we don’t own a vehicle, but we often rent a car at Lisbon Portela Airport. I sure know my way around the booking, picking up, and returning the car process by now.
I love to drive on holidays, and I have rented cars in countries like Italy, France, Georgia, Japan, the US, and Canada. I love travelling to off-the-beaten-path destinations, and a car gives you exactly that freedom!
We book our cars with DiscoverCars and select Lisbon Airport rental cars from renowned car rental companies. I will walk you through the process of hiring a car and, in the end, also give you some tips on places to visit by car near Lisbon.
Overview of car hire at Lisbon Airport, Portugal
- Why rent a car at Lisbon Airport instead of Lisbon City Centre? It’s often cheaper at the airport, and the car rental companies are open at weekends and evenings.
- Should I rent a car in Lisbon? The answer is no if you plan to visit just the city centre. The answer is yes if you plan to drive to nearby cities, nature reserves, the Algarve, etc. I’ll explain more about this below.
- Is renting a car at Lisbon Airport worth it? I think yes! We love travelling to lesser-known places, and hiring a car in Portugal gives you a lot of freedom to explore.
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
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Should I hire a car at Lisbon Airport?
Let’s start by deciding whether renting a car in Lisbon is right for you! Lisbon is a busy city with small roads, few parking spaces, and many cars. If you plan to visit the city centre, I would advise against renting a car! Public transport works very well, consisting of metros, trains, buses, trams, and ferries. Renting a car would give you more stress than success! And besides, Bolt and Uber’s taxis are very affordable.
But what if you want to embark on some day trips from Lisbon? Well, then, it depends. Sintra and Cascais, for example, are very well connected to Lisbon. You should not drive to Sintra town or the palaces! But it’s well worth it if you want to explore the Sintra beaches, the Silver Coast, the Setúbal Peninsula in the south or nearby cities!
Should you rent a car in Lisbon?
| Your Plans | Rent a Car? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Exploring Lisbon city centre | ❌ No | Small streets, limited parking, and traffic. Public transport is efficient and covers most areas. Uber and Bolt taxis are cheap. |
| Visiting Sintra or Cascais | ❌ No | Both are well connected to Lisbon by train. No need to worry about parking or navigation. |
| Staying in Lisbon and taking organised tours | ❌ No | Many tours include transport. Renting a car would add cost and hassle without much benefit. |
| Visiting Sintra beaches or coastal towns | ✅ Yes | These areas are harder to reach by public transport. A car gives you more flexibility. |
| Exploring the Silver Coast (e.g. Óbidos, Nazaré, Peniche) | ✅ Yes | Public transport is limited. A car makes it easier to visit multiple places in a day. |
| Exploring the Setúbal Peninsula (e.g. Sesimbra, Serra da Arrábida) | ✅ Yes | Beautiful but less connected areas. A car helps you make the most of your time. |
| Driving to the Algarve or other regions in Portugal | ✅ Yes | A car offers flexibility and access to places that are harder to reach by train or bus. |
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When should you book your car rental in Lisbon?
It might also be the case that you explore Lisbon first and then continue your trip through Portugal. In that case, I recommend starting your car rental from the moment you really need it. For example, you can enjoy three days in Lisbon, a day trip to Sintra, and then head back to Lisbon Airport to pick up your car.
If you’re ready to start exploring, you can also start the car hire period straight upon arrival of your flight. The car rental desks are conveniently located in Terminal 1, and you can get your car and start exploring Portugal.
How do you rent a car at Lisbon Airport?
It starts with making a reservation! You can rent a car in Portugal on the spot at Lisbon Airport, but by booking in advance, you can find better prices and a wider selection of cars. Most vehicles in Portugal have a manual gearstick, so if you must drive an automatic transmission car, it’s highly recommended to make your reservation early as well.
You can make your online reservation with an individual car rental company, but I love saving some euros and always want to compare prices! Instead of checking each car hire company at Lisboa Airport individually, I prefer to check prices online. We use DiscoverCars.com, a leader in online car rental bookings. This website not only lets you compare prices, but it also has no hidden fees. The price you see is what you pay!
Simply go to DiscoverCars.com and select Lisbon Airport as your pick-up location. You can use a different drop-off location, but there is usually a fee. Then, select the dates of your desired rental period. You also need to select the country where your driver’s license is from, and you’re ready to click search.
How to find the best car rental deals in Lisbon?
Once you’ve clicked search, you will see a long list of available cars and a variety of car rental companies. In the sidebar, you can use the filters that apply to your trip. I start by selecting my favourite car rental companies, followed by the transmission type and supplier rating (8+), and specifying whether I want to make the reservation by credit or debit card. The available cars will automatically adapt to the filters, and you can filter by price, most popular or supplier rating.
In each listening, you can quickly see at a glance where there is an in-terminal pick-up or free shuttle bus service, what the average deposit is, if mileage is included, etc. If you find a deal you’re happy with, you can look at the deal more closely by clicking View deal. You can then add extras such as an extra driver, a child or booster seat, GPS systems, etc.
Once ready, you can pay in full or opt for a partial prepayment. Reservations can be cancelled up to 48 hours before booking. When you choose partial prepayment, you can pay the rest at pick-up. You can also make changes to your booking up to 48 hours before your scheduled pick-up time.
🚙 Compare prices and book with confidence!
You might be lucky and even get an upgrade when you receive your rental vehicle! You can also finalise the car insurance at the rental desk (more about this in a minute).
Car rental companies at Lisbon Airport, Portugal
There are many car hire companies that operate at Lisbon Airport, and the DiscoverCars website allows you to compare the different options easily. There are some very cheap offers available, but I always spend a little more for comfort. There are no hidden fees, and the price you see on the screen will be your final price.
I realise everyone’s experience with certain car companies is different, but my trusted options include Sixt, Avis, Centauro, Enterprise, Guerin, Alamo, Europcar, and Hertz. I have been stung before going for a cheap car, and getting hefty fines afterwards.
The Rental Conditions contain the most important information about renting. It’s a good idea to read these before booking. Each supplier has its own rules, and there might be different deposit amounts, etc. If you want to cross the border into Spain, you also have to check if the car rental company allows that!
What car to rent in Portugal?
Cars in Portugal may be smaller than you are used to, especially when travelling from the US. Although it’s important you all fit comfortably in the vehicle, compact cars are ideal for the tiny streets in the small villages around Portugal.
If you travel with luggage, ensure there is enough space. Our rule of thumb: a small car for city breaks, an SUV for long-distance and nature trips.
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Then, you can choose between a manual or automatic transmission car in Lisbon. As mentioned, automatic transmission cars are selling out faster, and you might not be able to get one at the last minute.
Should I add insurance to my car rental at Lisbon Airport?
You do not want to have unnecessary surprises during your holiday, so I usually take out full cover when hiring a car at Lisbon Airport. I arrange the insurance directly at the counter when picking up the vehicle. The staff can explain in detail what is included and what is not.
Third-party liability (TPL) is mandatory in Portugal, but you can take out some optional extra insurance. If you don’t take out any additional insurance, I highly recommend taking images and videos of the car during pick-up and drop-off, when the drop-off station is unmanned.
If you take out full insurance, you are covered for all damage, theft, accidents, etc. Check the policy at the car rental desk to ensure what is included! Your credit card or travel insurance may also cover parts of the insurance, but it’s best to check all the details again.
Additional charges and extra costs
You are responsible for parking your vehicle in the correct spaces. Parking is often paid for in most parts of the city. When you stay overnight, ensure your hotel has a dedicated parking space.
Portugal also has many toll roads, and your rental car will come with a small Via Verde card reader. With this electronic device, you don’t have to stop at the toll gates, and the machine will automatically track the fees. There are also toll roads without toll gates, and for those, it’s extra handy to have the Via Verde system. You will receive the final bill from the rental company a few weeks after the trip.
Where can I pick up my rental car at Lisbon Airport?
Lisbon Airport has two terminals, and depending on where you arrive from, you will land at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Broadly speaking, Terminal 1 is the terminal for international flights, including from outside Europe, and Terminal 2 is for low-cost European airlines. Even when you land at Terminal 2, a shuttle will drop you off at Terminal 1.
The car rental desks are also located at Terminal 1. They are on the same floors as the Arrivals area, and when you exit, you can turn right. There will be plenty of signs to guide you to the right place. All the rental counters are located in the same area.
The customer service is usually very good, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They also speak English, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers. Once check-in is completed, you can take a free shuttle to the car park or pick up the car at the car park between the two terminals, within walking distance.
Documents needed for renting a car at Lisbon Airport
When you reserve your Lisbon Airport car rental, you receive a voucher. This voucher is a confirmation containing all the details of your booking. You can show the booking on your phone, and there is no need to print it. Bring this voucher, passport, and driver’s licence, but you might need additional paperwork!
For example, depending on your country of residence and driver’s license, you might need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is valid only if accompanied by a regular driver’s license. Check with your local traffic authorities or offices in your destination country to determine whether you need an IDP. If you stay less than 185 days, US citizens don’t require an IDP, but some companies might still recommend it. Your European and UK driving license is valid in Portugal.
You will also need to bring the debit or credit card you used while making the booking. All major credit cards, such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard, are normally accepted, but Diners Club might be an issue. The deposit, if required, will be taken from the debit or credit card, so ensure you have enough balance.
Fun day trips from Lisbon or areas to explore
There are many places to explore around Lisbon, and some are very close! For example, head over to the Sintra beaches and explore the coast and villages such as Azenhas do Mar, Ericeira, and Nazaré!
You can also travel south and cross the famous Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. The beaches along Costa Caparica are stunning (Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira-Mar is my favourite), and you can visit Cabo Espichel, which is less busy than Cabo da Roca. Other highlights are Sesimbra, Setúbal, the Sado Estuary, and Parque Natural da Arrábida.
If you want to explore places further away, I can highly recommend cities like Tomar, Óbidos, Caldas da Rainha, and Batalha. If you want to drive to Porto, you can stop in Fátima, Coimbra or Aveiro. And if you drive to the Algarve? Évora and Beja are amazing, but if you have time, you can even drive along the coast going south!
🚘 Book your car in minutes with DiscoverCars.com and explore Portugal!
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
FAQ
Is it easy to rent a car at Lisbon Airport?
Yes, it is. You can make a reservation online and pick up the rental car at Lisbon Airport Terminal 1. You can reach the departure hall on foot or by the free shuttle bus from Terminal 2.
Where to return the rental car at Lisbon Airport?
Before your return flight, you can drop the car off at Lisbon Airport. The drop-off location is usually in the same area as where you picked up your vehicle. The staff will explain where to go, and it is also often mentioned in your paperwork. Most car rental companies require a full tank when returning the car.
What car rental companies are in the Lisbon Airport terminal?
You can find many reputable Lisbon Airport car rental companies such as Sixt, Hertz, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Goldcar, Guerin, Enterprise, Dollar, Thrifty, and many more.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Lisbon?
The minimum age to rent a car in Portugal is 18. Some car companies might have a higher minimum age and charge higher fees for young drivers. It’s best to check the requirements with the car rental company of your choice.
Conclusion
Living in Lisbon, we don’t need a car for our daily chores. But we love to explore places in Portugal and regularly rent a car from Lisbon Airport! They are open on weekends and evenings, so we depend less on the car rental companies’ opening times.
There are many car rental companies, and hiring a car at Lisbon Airport is simple. You can make an online reservation and pick up the car upon arrival or when you are ready to explore the country.
More Lisbon Travel Tips!
- Lisbon Airport and how to get to the city centre
- How to navigate and walk the seven hills in Lisbon without exhaustion
- 10 Things to know before booking a fun Tuk-Tuk Tour in Lisbon
- Complete Guide about the hop-on-hop-off Lisbon bus
- Is the Lisboa Card worth it? Discover how to save money!
- Lisbon Public Transport explained – 5 tips to help you get around the city
- Sintra day trips from Lisbon; discover the best excursions
- Lisbon Sintra by train Travel Guide + 8 top sights to visit
- How to book Lisbon Airport rental cars + best deals
- 33 incredible and easy day trips from Lisbon
- An adventurous journey on the Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon
- Discover Lisbon by bicycle, a fun guided bike tour with Baja Bikes
- Book your sunset cruise in Lisbon today; an unforgettable experience!
- 17 Best tours in Lisbon Portugal: The ultimate Lisbon Experience
- Renting a car in Portugal: Start your adventure by renting a (cheap) car
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