Cheap Portugal car hire

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Portugal car hire at a glance

Most popular providerGoldcar
Most popular carPremium/Luxury, Sport
Pick-up points
Cheapest price found
Cheapest month to rentJanuary
Best time to book1 week before
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Portugal could cost, we've pulled prices from Lisbon.

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Find the cheapest time to hire a car in Portugal

The cheapest month to rent a car in Portugal is January, when the average cost per day is £26. If that doesn’t work for you, the second cheapest month is October, when the average cost per day is £26. Keep in mind when you’re looking to book, that the most expensive month to rent a car in Portugal is August.
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Portugal could cost, we've pulled prices from Lisbon.

Explore Portugal

All you need to know about Portugal

Side of the roadRight
CurrencyEuro
LanguagePortuguese
Motorway speed limit120kmph
Built-up area speed limit50kmph
Age to rent a car21
The information here is based on our understanding as of January 2024. For the most current and accurate information it’s recommended to check official government sources.

Getting the cheapest car rental in Portugal

Here are some tips to help you bag the best prices, and hit the road for less.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Portugal

Discovering affordable car hire in Portugal is straightforward with Skyscanner. We have 146 pickup points across the country, with Lisbon being the most popular. Explore top cities such as Coimbra, Aveiro, and Porto with ease. By utilising the same technology we use for flights, you can compare options based on price, convenience, and fuel policy. Adjust or cancel your booking if plans change. From Ponta Delgada to Lagos, find a car hire that suits your needs and enjoy travel across Portugal.

Portugal's most popular car hire companies

Explore car hire options in Portugal from a wide selection of providers including Surprice, Way 2 Azores, Klass Wagen, Goldcar, Green Motion, and Centauro. These companies offer various car types to meet diverse travel preferences. Consider choosing a small car for more economical fuel consumption and efficient city navigation, or opt for a larger vehicle to ensure ample space and versatile performance across different road environments.

What are the speed limits in Portugal?

When driving in Portugal, remember the speed limits: 120 km/h on highways, 100 km/h on expressways, and 90 km/h on country roads. In cities, it's 50 km/h. Always keep an eye on road signs, as limits may vary. Portuguese roads can be scenic, so staying alert can help you take in the views without worry.

Popular driving trips in Portugal

Portugal offers some great driving experiences for exploring its scenic landscapes. Begin your adventure along the Algarve coastline starting in Faro, heading west towards Lagos, with possible detours to Albufeira and Carvoeiro. This route is rich with beaches, cliffs, towns, and watersports opportunities.

Explore the Douro Valley by starting in Porto and following the Douro River. The N222 road here provides a particularly scenic drive. Immerse yourself in vineyards, wine estates, and Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Enjoy river towns like Pinhão and Peso da Régua.

In Lisbon, a trip to Sintra offers a gateway to coastal beaches, historic districts, and places like Óbidos and Nazaré, with a possible detour to Coimbra.

What you'll need to hire a car in Portugal

To hire a car in Portugal, you'll need a valid driving licence, as the driving age is 18. Always carry your passport for identification purposes. While there's no specific minimum age to rent a car indicated, most agencies typically require drivers to be at least 21 and have held a licence for a year or more. Portugal drives on the right side, so staying informed about local traffic laws can ensure a smooth journey.


Car hire in Portugal: FAQs

You will need insurance to rent a car in Portugal, but you wont necessarily need ‘extra’ insurance. Different car hire companies offer different insurance policies, so make sure you look at the details when you pick a deal.
To rent a car with most companies in Portugal you need to be at least 21 years old. Some companies may have extra fees to pay if you are under 25 years old, so make sure you check before you book.
Our travellers best rated car hire company in Portugal is Guerin. You can rent a car with them for £43 on average per day.

If you want to learn more about Guerin, you can dig deeper here.
The types of documents you’ll need to rent a car in Portugal depend on the car rental company you go with. But in general, you will need a valid drivers license, ID and passport. Once you’ve booked car hire in Portugal, you can easily get in touch with your chosen provider to find out.
It’s easy to hire a car in Portugal. First, you need to decide where in Portugal you want to pick up your car from.

Once you’ve decided where you want to go, simply enter your dates and search for the best deal for you. Once you’ve found your deal, you’ll be redirected to the provider to book with no extra fees.
You can rent a car for as long as you like, depending on availability. If you know what dates you’re needing wheels for, start searching with Skyscanner today.
You may need a credit card to rent a car in Portugal. It all depends on which car hire company you choose.
It depends where in Portugal you want to visit. The most popular place to go is Lisbon. On average, it costs £36 per day to rent a car there. The cheapest price we could find is £3 per day.