Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and is known for being one of the most vibrant places to visit in Europe.
Famous for its incredible architecture, delicious food, and fascinating history, this place has so much to offer.
Better yet, Lisbon is the perfect starting point when it comes to a road trip through the country.
From beautiful beaches to historic cities, Portugal has something for everyone, and the best way to explore it is by renting a car!
We spent weeks exploring this wonderful country in our camper, but if that’s not your kind of thing, then a car is certainly the next best option!
But with endless options when it comes to hiring a car in Portugal's capital, it can often feel quite overwhelming when you’re trying to make a decision.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide on the best car rentals in Lisbon.
Based on personal experience spent renting cars all round the world, plus a deep dive into other people's experiences and reviews.
This way, you can simply plan your epic trip rather than spend hours researching the best companies!
Let’s get straight into it…
If you’re looking to hire a car in Lisbon then we highly recommend checking out Discover Cars!
Although there are plenty of providers out there, it can be difficult and very time-consuming to compare the prices of each one. Luckily, Discover Cars does that for you. All you need to do is input your dates and preferred location.
Then you’ll be shown a variety of deals from reputable providers, and you can compare them side by side. Better yet, you’ll be able to save up to 70% off rental prices, as this online comparison site offers some superb deals!
Discover Cars are available across 10,000 locations in over 145 countries, so they know exactly what they’re doing.
Some other great reasons to book with Discover Cars include:
Europcar is undoubtedly one of the best car rentals in Lisbon! This company is one of Europe’s most popular rental providers so you know you’ll be in good hands.
Boasting unlimited mileage, basic insurance, and a flexible cancellation policy (48 hours before pick-up), this company has so much to offer.
They offer very affordable packages and better yet, you’ll find some great deals on long-term rentals.
For future reference, this company is also one of the best options for car rentals in the UK and Ireland!
Europcar has a huge fleet so even if you’re a bit last minute with your booking, there’s a good chance you’ll still be able to pick up a vehicle suited to you!
Here, you can pick up plenty of models including a Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo, BMW 3 Series, and Volvo V60. Europcar even offers Tesla rentals if you’re after something a bit fancier.
Alamo is a popular rental company across the world serving six of the world’s seven continents. It's known for its modern fleet, affordable rental packages, and great service.
This company also prides itself on having no hidden fees, with insurance, Collision Damage Waiver, and theft protection all included in the rental.
As you can see, there are so many reasons to book your rental with Alamo, so what are you waiting for?
There are both automatic and manual transmission vehicles available at Alamo. Like many other car rental companies in Portugal, the vehicles are categorized, so you can easily see what you’re after.
Popular options include the Fiat 500, Renault Clio, Hyundai Kauai, Toyota C-HR, and the BMW 5 Series STW, with the latter being a great luxury option!
Guerin is another great option if you’re looking for car rentals in Portugal. Not only do they offer a wide range of models, but you’ll benefit from free cancellation up to 48 hours before your rental.
Guerin also offers an online check-in so you won’t have to wait in queues at the depot which is always handy.
Also, if you’re road-tripping the country, this company is the perfect choice as they offer one-way rentals. They have 55 stations across Portugal so you’ll have plenty of flexibility.
There are tons of vehicles on offer with Guerin, and that includes both automatic and manual transmission cars.
From an affordable Fiat 500 to a luxury BMW 5 Series STW, you won’t be short of options. No matter your budget, there’s something for everyone!
Golfauto offers an extremely personalized service where you’ll have a rep meet you at the airport, rather than find the office yourself.
Not only that, but this company prides itself on having no hidden fees, and they have over 30 years of experience when it comes to rentals.
However, the best thing about Golfauto has to be the fact that they offer drop-off. Yep, you heard right, this company will drop the vehicle off right at your hotel or villa, for the ultimate convenience!
Golfauto has a fleet of 200 cars and these seat between 4-9 people. This makes them a great option for groups and families.
Popular cars available with this company include the Opel Corsa, VW Polo, Renault Megane, Peugeot 5008, and Nissan Qashqai.
WayGo offers some of the cheapest prices around when it comes to Lisbon rentals! The office is also just a 3-minute drive from the airport so it’s in a handy location.
WayGo has over 14 years of experience when it comes to rentals, so they know exactly what renters are looking for.
Included in their packages, you’ll have theft protection, a Collision Damage waiver, and insurance! What more could you ask for?
What’s great about the vehicles at WayGo is that they’re all less than two years old. So not only are the rates extremely affordable but you’ll have a relatively new vehicle!
Some of the cars on offer at WayGo include the VW Golf, Peugeot 2008, Fiat Panda, Renault Clio, and Ford Focus among others.
SIXT is a popular rental company across the world and is found in over 100 countries, including Italy and the USA. With its great reputation, quality rentals, and excellent service, this company offers some of the best rental cars in Lisbon.
What’s great about SIXT is that they offer one-way rentals, so you can easily road trip the country, and then drop your vehicle off elsewhere in Portugal.
However, it’s important to note that you’ll need a credit card to hire a car with this company!
There are tons of cars on offer at Sixt. Whether you’re after a budget-friendly run-around or a spacious family vehicle, you won’t be short of options.
As well as the standard hire vehicles, SIXT also offers luxury vehicles if you’re after something a bit more ‘out there’.
With over 30 years of experience, RENTAUTO is one of the best car rentals in Lisbon. They offer very affordable rentals and there are plenty of vehicles to choose from.
What’s great about RENTAUTO is that an additional driver is free and unlimited mileage is included in your rental.
Not only that, but a Collision Damage Waiver, theft protection, third-party liability insurance, and roadside assistance are also included.
As you can see, this amazing company has so much to offer, and are another great option if you're after cheap car rentals in Lisbon.
RENTAUTO offers an extensive fleet, so you’re sure to find something to your liking! The vehicles are categorized too, so it’s super easy to find a vehicle suited to you.
Some of the popular vehicles available include Fiat Panda, Seat Ibiza, Peugeot 308, Ford Focus, and Ford Transit, with the latter seating 9 people.
Cael has two pickup locations in Lisbon, one at the airport and one in the city.
With each rental, you’ll have civil liability insurance, a damage waiver, and 24/7 roadside assistance included, which will certainly give you peace of mind.
If you book through Discover Cars, then many of the vehicles from Cael also include unlimited mileage. Not to mention, this company offers a huge rental fleet so you won’t be short of options.
If you're after the best car rental in Lisbon Airport then make sure you check this company out!
The rental vehicles at Cael are separated by category so it’s never been easier to find something suited to your needs.
This company offers an extensive fleet so there are plenty of options to choose from, including electric, luxury, and convertible vehicles among others.
Some of the vehicles seat up to 9 people too so are perfect for families!
Global Rent-A-Car offers some of the cheapest rentals in Lisbon. Better yet, this company is very upfront with its prices so you won’t have to worry about those pesky hidden fees.
Global Rent-A-Car offers excellent value for money when it comes to rental packages, and you’ll have plenty of vehicles to choose from.
Situated in over 100 countries with over 5000 rental locations worldwide, this company knows exactly what they're doing when it comes to car hire!
When it comes to renting a car in Lisbon, this company is a fantastic choice.
Like many of the other companies in this guide, Global Rent-A-Car has an extensive fleet of vehicles so you won’t be short of options. Whether you’re traveling as a couple or as a family, there’s something for everyone.
You can go for a small car such as the Fiat 500, or this company also offers larger vehicles like the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes Benz A Class.
If you’re looking to rent a car in Lisbon then why not check out EPI Rent A Car?
Boasting a fleet of around 500 vehicles, 5-star service, and several car rental locations, this company has a lot to offer. Roadside assistance is also included in your rental.
Rather uniquely, EPI Rent A Car also allows you to take the vehicle into Spain although you will need to pay for extra insurance. This makes EPI a great option if you’re wanting to cross the border.
The vehicles at EPI Rent A Car are categorized so you can easily see the vehicles most suited to you. Some of the cars seat 7 people too so are perfect for families!
Smaller vehicles include the Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda, while larger vehicles include the Peugeot 5008 and Mercedes Class A.
The cost of car rental will differ depending on the company you choose, which vehicle you go for, and what time of year you’re heading to Lisbon.
However, expect to pay between £15-30 per day for a small car and between £40-£100 per day for a large car. For the best deals, we recommend checking out Discover Cars!
You can hire a car in Portugal as young as 18, but this will depend on the rental company. Some companies will require you to be at least 21 or even 25 in some cases.
You’ll also need to have had your license for at least a year. Just make sure you check the terms and conditions for each company as if you’re under 25, you’ll likely need to pay a young driver’s surcharge fee.
If you’re just planning to stay in Lisbon then you won’t need to hire a car, as the public transport system here is very efficient. There’s the metro, trams, buses, commuter trains, and the funicular.
However, if you’re planning to head out of the city, then we’d highly recommend hiring a car. This way, you can plan the ultimate Portugal road trip itinerary as you’ll have more flexibility!
If you do decide to hire a car to explore Lisbon then you’re going to be in for a challenge. This city is considered to be one of Europe’s most difficult cities to drive around, so we’d recommend opting for public transport instead.
Home to narrow and steep roads, navigating the city center (especially the Old Quarter) can be extremely difficult. Traffic in Lisbon can also be a nightmare!
There are endless places to visit in Portugal, so you won’t be short of options when it comes to planning a road trip!
Of course, the capital of Lisbon has so much to offer and you could easily spend 3-4 days here, just taking in all the sights. However, make sure you head out of the city, to experience the true beauty of this country.
Some of the most popular spots in Portugal include Douro Valley which is famous for its vineyards, the Algarve, and Peneda-Geres National Park.
For those who are on a budget, it may be beneficial to hire a campervan in Portugal, as that way you won’t need to pay for accommodation. There are plenty of fantastic free camping opportunities too!
There are also lots of awesome cities in the country (aside from Lisbon) including Porto, Lagos, Sintra, and Évora. Although not on the mainland, you’ve also got the Azores and Madeira!
Another great thing about road -tripping Portugal, is that you can easily head into Spain and its fantastic capital, Barcelona (if your rental company allows this of course).
If you’re planning a trip to Europe, here are some other guides you may find helpful:
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