Car rental in Portugal

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Portugal

Looking for a cheap car rental in Portugal? With Economybookings, you can easily compare different companies to find affordable deals, whether you're flying into Lisbon, Porto, Faro, or heading out to the islands. A quick search lets you see prices in multiple cities and decide which option fits your route best

• Compare airports and city locations – sometimes it's cheaper to fly into Porto, pick up your car there, and drop it off in Lisbon or Faro than to do a simple round trip from the same airport.
• Choose your dates carefully – in July and August, especially in beach destinations, prices rise quite a bit. If you're flexible, travelling in May, June, or October can be noticeably cheaper.
• Go for basic categories – small or compact cars are usually the most affordable and more fuel-efficient. SUVs and automatics are more comfortable, but they do increase the daily rental cost.
• Book in advance – at Easter, in summer, and on long weekends, demand spikes and availability of cheap car rental options in Portugal drops quickly, especially in the Algarve and on islands like Madeira and the Azores.

Tips when renting a car in Portugal

• Airports in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro have the widest choice of companies, longer opening hours, and more availability, but city-center offices often offer lower prices. If you're spending a few days in the city without needing a car, it can be cheaper to pick up your rental later from a downtown office.
• Most rental cars in Portugal come with a Via Verde device, which lets you pay electronic tolls without stopping at a booth. You'll usually pay a small daily fee and a deposit for the device, and then the actual tolls are billed afterwards. Before you sign the contract, ask how much it costs and how the charges will be applied.
• Make sure you have a credit card with enough available balance in the driver's name. Most companies don't accept debit cards or cards in someone else's name for the main contract and security deposit.
• Some cheap rental car deals include unlimited mileage, but very low rates sometimes have a daily distance cap and charge extra per kilometer. Check for any additional fees (young driver surcharge, out-of-hours pick-up or drop-off, crossing the border into Spain, etc.) to avoid surprises when you return the car.

Driving tips in Portugal

• Always carry your driver's license, rental contract, and insurance documents.
• In Portugal, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Always use your indicators before changing lanes or turning.
• There are lots of roundabouts, so it's worth knowing how to use them properly: always yield when entering, use the inner lane to keep circulating or overtake, and move to the outer lane with your indicator on before your exit.
• Seat belts are compulsory for all occupants. Using a mobile phone without a hands-free system while driving is not allowed, and fines for this and other infractions can be significant.
• Common fuel station brands in Lisbon and across the country include Galp, BP, Repsol, Cepsa, Prio, and Auchan.
• Portugal has strict drink-driving laws. The general limit is 0.5 g/L of alcohol in the blood, dropping to 0.2 g/L for professional drivers and those with less than three years of driving experience. Fines are high and can include losing your license.

Speed limits

In Lisbon, typical speed limits are:

• 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways.
• 100 km/h (62 mph) on expressways reserved for cars and motorbikes.
• 90 km/h (55 mph) on secondary roads outside urban areas.
• 50 km/h (31 mph) on city streets.
• 30 km/h (19 mph) on many residential streets and in quieter areas, especially historic neighborhoods or zones with lots of pedestrians.
• 20 km/h (12 mph) in shared spaces where pedestrians and vehicles use the same area.

These values are only general guidelines. If a sign shows a different limit, always follow the posted speed limit

Road signs

Across Portugal, road signs follow the European standard: clear icons and speed limits shown in km/h. You'll see the same categories found in other EU countries: warning signs (triangles), prohibitions (red-rimmed circles), mandatory instructions (blue circles), and information signs (rectangles). On motorways and expressways, you'll see plenty of signs indicating toll roads, as well as fixed speed camera warnings. In cities, there are dedicated bus lanes marked with the word "BUS" on the road and matching vertical signs. These lanes are for public transport and must not be used by private vehicles. Overall, the Portuguese road network is well signposted, but it's still worth paying close attention to signs, especially on winding sections, in rain, or in fog, where speed limits may change for safety reasons.

Tolls and restricted zones

A large part of Portugal's motorway network is tolled. There are two main systems: traditional toll booths and electronic tolls. On traditional sections, you pay directly with cash or a card. On electronic sections, your license plate is recorded, or your car's onboard device is detected, and the charges are applied automatically.

When it comes to restricted zones, Lisbon is currently the only Portuguese city with an official Low Emission Zone (ZER). If you rent a car, it will probably be authorized to enter, but it's still best to double-check. Other cities, such as Porto and some historic centers, have limited-access areas or streets where private vehicles are not allowed.

Discover Portugal by car

Portugal is easy and rewarding to explore by car. Distances are relatively short, roads are generally in good condition, and within just a few hours, you can go from wild Atlantic beaches to mountain ranges or vineyard-covered valleys. With a rental car, you can tour the Algarve and its cliffs and coves, follow the wilder Alentejo coastline along the Costa Vicentina, or head inland through the Douro Valley. In the north, the Minho region and Portugal's only national park, Peneda-Gerês, offer lush landscapes and stone villages. In the center, the Serra da Estrela mountains provide scenic passes and viewpoints. A car gives you the freedom to stop wherever you like and piece together a route that suits your pace.

When to Visit

Portugal is pleasant to visit year-round, but some seasons work better depending on your plans.

• Spring: A great time to explore thanks to mild temperatures, longer days, and fewer crowds than in summer. Ideal for city breaks in Lisbon, Porto, or Coimbra and for road trips through the interior.
• June: A very festive month, with the Santos Populares celebrations in Lisbon (Santo António) and Porto (São João), plus plenty of local festivals across the country. The weather already feels summery but without August's peak heat.
• Summer (July-August): The best time for beach holidays in the Algarve, along the Lisbon coast, or in the north when the weather is good. Expect more people, higher prices, and hotter conditions inland.
• September – October: Sea temperatures remain warm, the heat eases, and the most touristy areas are quieter. It's an excellent window for combining beach time with sightseeing and driving routes.
• Winter: Rain is more frequent, but it's still a good season for city breaks and road trips in the south or the Algarve if you're looking for a quieter atmosphere. You'll also find cheap car rental deals more easily.

Languages & Communication

Portuguese is the official language throughout Portugal. English is widely spoken, especially in larger cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Faro, as well as in tourist regions like the Algarve, Madeira, and the north. Outside major urban areas, English may be more limited, particularly among older residents, but communication is usually manageable with a mix of simple English, a few Portuguese words, and gestures.

Currency & Payments

Portugal uses the euro (€). You can pay by card almost everywhere, and mobile payments are very common, especially in supermarkets and tourist-oriented businesses.

Even so, it's wise to carry a bit of cash for small expenses in neighborhood bakeries, cafés, or street markets. ATMs are widely available, so withdrawing money when you need it is straightforward.

Top driving routes from Portugal

If you're renting a car in Portugal, you'll have plenty of options for road trips. A few ideas:

• Algarve coast: From Lagos eastwards, you can string together beaches and cliffs like Ponta da Piedade, Praia da Marinha, and the coves around Albufeira, eventually reaching Tavira near the Spanish border. Perfect if you're chasing sun and sea.
• Costa Vicentina and the Alentejo: Between the western Algarve and the Sines area, you'll find a wilder stretch of coastline, with dramatic cliffs, open Atlantic beaches, and small towns like Vila Nova de Milfontes or Zambujeira do Mar. Ideal if you want nature, surf, and a quieter atmosphere.
• Douro Valley: From Porto, follow the Douro River inland by car, stopping at viewpoints and terraced vineyards. Towns like Peso da Régua and Pinhão are great bases for wine-tasting and river views.
• Historic cities in the center: A route linking Coimbra, Tomar, Óbidos, and possibly Batalha or Alcobaça lets you explore historic universities, Templar castles, and monumental monasteries in just a few days.
• The green north and Peneda-Gerês: In the far north, near the Galician border, Peneda-Gerês National Park offers mountain roads, reservoirs, viewpoints, and stone villages. It's perfect if you're looking for cooler temperatures and lush scenery.