Car Hire in Lisbon – The Complete Guide to Hiring a Car at Lisbon Airport

Why Car Hire in Lisbon Is the Best Way to Explore Portugal

Lisbon is one of Europe’s most rewarding cities on foot. The seven hills, the trams, the miradouros and the neighbourhood restaurants of Alfama and Bairro Alto are all best explored without a car. But Lisbon is also the perfect base for exploring a country that rewards independent travel more than almost any other in Europe, and cheap car hire in Lisbon collected at the airport is the key that unlocks all of it.

The Atlantic beaches of Cascais and Estoril, the fairytale palaces of Sintra, the wild limestone coastline of the Serra da Arrabida, the medieval city of Obidos, the giant waves of Nazare and the ancient pilgrim routes of the Alentejo plains: none of these are properly accessible by public transport. All of them are within two hours of Lisbon Airport by hire car.

This guide covers everything you need to know about car hire in Lisbon: where to collect, which operators to use, what the roads are like, what to avoid in the city itself and the routes that make a Lisbon hire car genuinely worth having.

Comparing Lisbon Airport car hire in advance ensures availability, avoids inflated desk pricing and gives you full visibility on excess and fuel policy before you land.

Collecting Your Hire Car at Lisbon Airport

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (IATA: LIS) is located approximately seven kilometres north of the city centre, with excellent Metro connections to central Lisbon on the Red Line. The airport handles scheduled and low-cost traffic from across Europe and is a focus airport for easyJet and Ryanair, making it one of the busiest hire car collection points in Portugal.

Major hire companies with desks directly inside the terminal include Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise and Sixt. Off-site operators including Goldcar, OK Mobility and several local companies operate from locations near Prior Velho a short shuttle bus ride from the terminal.

The shuttle adds 10 to 15 minutes to collection but off-site rates are frequently 20% to 30% lower than terminal desks. Guerin (part of the Enterprise group) consistently receives the strongest customer reviews for transparent pricing and no hidden fees at Lisbon Airport and is the standout local recommendation.

Low cost car hire in Lisbon starts from €12 per day for economy cars in low season. Average car hire rates at Lisbon Airport run at approximately €48 per day across all categories.

Economy and compact cars from budget operators start from as little as €5 to €10 per day but always check the excess amount and fuel policy before booking. Automatic vehicles carry a premium of approximately 30 to 50 percent over manual equivalents.

Planning to pick up a hire car at Lisbon Airport? Compare available vehicles and prices below before you travel to avoid peak-season shortages and inflated desk rates.

Insider Tip: If your trip begins with days in Lisbon before heading into the country, collect the hire car on the day you leave the city rather than at the airport on arrival. Public transport and taxis in Lisbon are excellent and significantly cheaper than paying parking fees in the city for several days. Collect the car from the airport or a city centre location on the morning you plan to drive and save the hire cost for the days it actually adds value.

Lisbon Airport Car Hire: Getting the Best Deal

Booking your car hire in Lisbon in advance is strongly recommended for any travel from June through to September and around Easter. June and August are the busiest months at Lisbon Airport and last-minute availability for compact and automatic vehicles can be genuinely limited during peak weeks.

The key variables to compare when booking car hire in Lisbon: excess amount (CDW), fuel policy (always choose full-to-full), whether the quoted price includes theft protection, whether additional drivers carry a fee and whether your collection location is in-terminal or off-site with a shuttle.

Via Verde toll transponder: Portugal has an extensive network of electronic toll roads. Hire cars may come fitted with a Via Verde transponder which is charged per use. Clarify the daily fee and the toll charging method before accepting the car. Some operators charge a daily management fee for the transponder regardless of whether you use a toll road.

For a full breakdown of hidden charges and how to avoid them, see our guide to car hire scams in Spain, which covers the same practices used across Portugal.

Should You Drive in Lisbon City with a Hire Car?

This is the most important practical question for anyone hiring a car in Lisbon. The honest answer for most visitors is no, or at least not until you are ready to leave the city.

Lisbon is notoriously difficult to drive in. The roads are narrow and congested, signage is inconsistent, the expressway junctions are illogical and parking in the centre is genuinely challenging. Portuguese drivers are confident and fast on city roads. Added to this, the famous seven hills make reversing out of tight spots a more frequent experience than in most cities.

The good news: you do not need to drive in Lisbon to get the most from a hire car visit. The Metro, trams and Uber cover the city comprehensively. Collect your car hire in Lisbon on the day you leave for the countryside. If your hotel has parking, collect the car in the afternoon of your last city day and load it for an early start the next morning.

Insider Tip: If you do need to park in Lisbon, the underground car parks at Amoreiras, Marquis de Pombal and Campo Grande are the most straightforward options in the centre. Blue-zone street parking operates in most central areas with hourly charges. Do not park on yellow lines, in front of dropped kerbs or in areas marked ‘Zona de Cargas e Descargas’ — these restrictions are enforced and fines are issued quickly.

Essential Drives from Lisbon by Hire Car

A Lisbon hire car delivers the most value on day trips and multi-day circuits. These are the three most rewarding routes from the city.

The Serra da Arrabida Natural Park

Take the N379 south from Lisbon across the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and into the Serra da Arrabida Natural Park. The park covers 10,500 hectares of limestone mountains dropping directly to turquoise water. The beaches at Figueirinha, Galapinhos and Creiro are among the finest in mainland Portugal and are accessible only by car along the narrow coastal road. Allow a full day from Lisbon. Approximately 50 kilometres from the city centre.

This route is best accessed with your car hire in Lisbon collected at the airport.

Sintra, Cascais and the N247 Coast Road

The N247 between Cascais and Praia das Macas is one of the most scenic coastal roads in the Lisbon region, running along the rugged coastline north of Cascais through traditional villages, past Cabo da Roca (the most westerly point of mainland Europe) and up into the hills of the Serra de Sintra. Drive the N247 first before visiting Sintra itself. For Sintra, park in Cascais and take the train: parking in Sintra is extremely limited and the roads are not suited to tourist traffic volumes in summer. Allow a full day. Approximately 30 kilometres from Lisbon.

If you plan to drive this route, collect your hire car outside peak city hours to avoid congestion.

The Silver Coast and Obidos North

Drive north from Lisbon on the A8 or the slower N8 coastal road through Torres Vedras to the walled medieval city of Obidos (oh-BEE-doosh), one of the most perfectly preserved historic towns in Portugal. Continue north to Nazare on the Silver Coast for the dramatic cliff views above one of Europe’s most famous surf beaches. Allow a full day for Obidos and Nazare combined. Approximately 75 kilometres from Lisbon to Nazare.

A hire car is essential for reaching Obidos and Nazare efficiently in one day. For detailed route information, road numbers, food stops and driving tips for all five circuits, see our complete guide to the 5 best scenic drives near Lisbon.

Compare Lisbon Airport Car Hire Deals on Get Car Hire

Driving in Lisbon and Portugal with a Hire Car: What You Need to Know

Portugal drives on the right. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on motorways. The drink-drive limit is 0.5g/l. A standard UK driving licence is accepted by all major hire companies at Lisbon Airport.

Toll roads: Portugal has an extensive network of electronic toll roads, particularly on the motorways north and south of Lisbon. The A2 south toward the Algarve carries tolls outside the Algarve region. The Via Verde system handles most tolls electronically. If your hire car does not have Via Verde, some toll roads operate manual payment booths and others are electronic-only requiring either Via Verde or the EASYtoll service registered in advance online.

Cross-border driving: Standard Portuguese rental contracts do not automatically cover driving in Spain. If you plan to cross into Spain, confirm cross-border cover with your hire company before collecting the car.

For full documentation requirements and current driving regulations in Portugal refer to the official Visit Portugal guidance for drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Hire in Lisbon

Is it worth hiring a car in Lisbon?

For exploring Lisbon city itself, a hire car adds unnecessary cost and complication. For day trips to the Serra da Arrabida, the N247 coast road, Obidos, Nazare and beyond, car hire in Lisbon is the only practical option. Collect the car on the day you plan to leave the city and return it on the day you fly.

Which is the best car hire company at Lisbon Airport?

Guerin, part of the Enterprise group, consistently receives the strongest customer reviews for transparent pricing and no hidden fees at Lisbon Airport. Enterprise itself is also well rated. For budget options, Global Rent-A-Car and Thrifty offer competitive rates. Avoid signing up to desk insurance from operators known for pressure selling without comparing your own excess cover policy first.

How much does car hire in Lisbon cost?

Average car hire rates at Lisbon Airport run at approximately €48 per day across all categories. Economy and compact cars from budget operators start from €5 to €10 per day in low season. Summer rates from June to September are significantly higher and availability for automatics is limited without advance booking. Comparing across multiple suppliers via Get Car Hire before booking delivers the most competitive rate available.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for car hire in Lisbon?

No. A standard UK or EU driving licence is accepted by all major car hire companies at Lisbon Airport. An International Driving Permit is only required for licences not in the Roman alphabet. If your licence was issued outside the UK or EU, check with your chosen operator before booking.

Can I drive my Lisbon hire car to the Algarve?

Yes. A single car hire from Lisbon Airport covering both Lisbon and the Algarve is often more cost-effective than two separate rentals. The A2 motorway south from Lisbon to the Algarve takes approximately two and a half hours and carries tolls outside the Algarve region. The A22 across the Algarve itself has been toll-free since January 2025.

Book Your Lisbon Airport Car Hire Through Get Car Hire

Get Car Hire compares cheap car hire deals across leading suppliers with transparent pricing, clear excess terms and no hidden fees, so you can book with confidence before you travel.

Booking before arrival is consistently cheaper than desk pricing at Lisbon Airport, particularly during summer months. Get the best rates you can today by searching below.