How to rent a car at Lisbon Airport + best deals

For some trips, renting a car at Lisbon Airport is the easiest way to start exploring Portugal. You land, collect your bags, pick up the keys, and head straight towards the coast, the Alentejo, the Silver Coast or the Algarve. For other trips, it is completely unnecessary. If you are staying only in Lisbon for a few days, public transport, Uber and Bolt are usually more practical than dealing with traffic and parking.

In this article, you will find a clear guide to renting a car at Lisbon Airport, including where to pick it up, whether airport collection is better than city-centre pickup, what documents you need, how tolls work, and the most common mistakes to avoid before booking.

Should you rent a car at Lisbon Airport?

That depends on the kind of trip you are planning.

If your stay is focused on Lisbon itself, renting a car is usually not the best idea. The city has narrow streets, steep hills, expensive parking in many areas, and good public transport. For central neighbourhoods like Baixa, Chiado, Alfama or Belém, a car often creates more hassle than freedom.

But if Lisbon is only the starting point, renting at the airport can make a lot of sense. It is especially useful if you are planning to explore places that are harder to reach efficiently by train or bus, such as parts of the Silver Coast, Arrábida, Alentejo or a broader Portugal road trip.

A good rule is simple: if you are staying in Lisbon first, do not rent the car yet. If you are heading straight out of the city, airport pickup is often the easiest option.

Why rent a car at Lisbon Airport instead of in the city?

For most travellers, the airport is the most convenient pickup point.

Lisbon Airport’s official website states that Avis, Europcar, Goldcar, Guerin, Hertz and Sixt. are located in the airport terminal, which makes collection straightforward after landing. That is one of the main advantages over city-centre pickup, where opening hours, location and access can be less convenient.

Airport pickup is usually best if:

• you want to leave Lisbon straight away

• you are arriving with luggage

• you land late or early

• you prefer a simpler handover process

City pickup can still make sense if:

• you are spending two or three nights in Lisbon first

• you want to avoid paying for parking while in the city

• you only need the car later in the trip

For many visitors, the smartest option is to enjoy Lisbon first and only rent the car on the day the road-trip part begins.

Where do you pick up the rental car at Lisbon Airport?

Most travellers will pick up their rental car through Terminal 1.

The airport confirms that several major car rental companies are located in the terminal itself. Many airport rental guides and provider pages also note that Terminal 1 is the key reference point for car hire at Lisbon Airport, while some other companies operate by shuttle or meet-and-greet service nearby.

That matters because not every traveller arrives with the same setup:

• some providers are in-terminal

• some use a free shuttle

• some require you to meet a representative outside

This is one of the most important details to check before booking, especially if you are arriving late, travelling with children, or carrying a lot of luggage.

When should you book your car rental?

In most cases, earlier is better.

Booking in advance usually gives you:

• more choice

• better prices

• a better chance of finding an automatic car

• more time to compare deposit and insurance conditions

This matters even more in Lisbon because automatic cars are generally less available than manual cars. Hertz also advises booking ahead for better availability at Lisbon Airport.

If you are travelling in summer, on holiday periods, or need a larger vehicle, last-minute booking can leave you with fewer options and worse prices.

How to find the best car rental deal at Lisbon Airport

The best approach is to compare options before you book.

A comparison platform like Kayak can be a practical place to start because it lets you compare car types, providers and pickup conditions in one place. Kayak’s Lisbon Airport rental pages also reflect the sort of questions travellers are already asking, such as where companies are located, what driving conditions are like, and how airport pickup works.

When comparing deals, do not look only at the headline price. Check:

• whether pickup is in-terminal or by shuttle

• how much the deposit is

• whether unlimited mileage is included

• whether a credit card is required

• whether you can use a debit card

• fuel policy

• cancellation terms

• manual or automatic transmission

A cheap deal is not always the cheapest deal once the deposit, insurance and extras are factored in.

What documents do you need to rent a car at Lisbon Airport?

In most cases, you should expect to need:

• a valid driving licence

• passport or ID

• booking confirmation or voucher

• a payment card in the main driver’s name

Rental companies may also require the driver to have held the licence for a minimum period. Hertz states that, for most vehicles, drivers must present a valid national driving licence held for at least one year, with some vehicle groups requiring longer.

If your licence is from outside the EU or uses a non-Latin alphabet, check in advance whether you also need an International Driving Permit. Guerin’s Portugal rental guidance advises travellers to verify licence acceptance and requirements before booking.

Do you need a credit card?

Very often, yes.

This is one of the most common traps in airport car rental. A provider may allow you to book online with one payment method, but still require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit at pickup. The exact rules vary by supplier, which is why the rental conditions matter so much.

If you do not have a credit card, filter for suppliers that clearly allow debit card collection and read the conditions carefully before paying.

How do deposits and insurance work?

Most rental companies place a security deposit or pre-authorisation hold on your card when you collect the car. The amount varies depending on the supplier, vehicle type and insurance level.

This is why reading the rental conditions is not optional. Two deals that look similar on price can be very different once you compare:

• deposit amount

• excess

• tyre and glass cover

• underbody cover

• theft protection

• young driver fees

Some travellers prefer basic cover and rely on photos and careful inspection. Others prefer fuller protection for peace of mind. There is no single perfect answer, but there is one thing everyone should do: inspect the car properly before leaving.

Take photos and video of:

• all sides of the car

• wheels

• mirrors

• windscreen

• interior if needed

Do the same again at drop-off.

Manual or automatic: what should you choose?

In Portugal, manual cars are still much more common than automatic ones. That means automatic rentals often:

• cost more

• sell out earlier

• need earlier booking

If you only drive automatic, do not leave this until the last minute. It is one of the easiest ways to turn a simple booking into a frustrating one.

How tolls work with rental cars in Portugal

This is one of the most important things to understand before leaving the airport.

Portugal uses both traditional toll roads and electronic toll systems. Guerin explains that rental companies offer a toll service that automatically records toll use, which is usually the simplest solution for rental vehicles. Guerin also states that all their vehicles are equipped with Via Verde, which allows automatic payment of tolls in Portugal, and notes that administrative fees may apply for days on which toll crossings are made.

In practical terms, before you drive away, confirm:

• whether the toll device is active

• whether you need to opt in

• whether there is a daily fee

• how and when tolls are billed later

If you are heading outside Lisbon, especially on motorways, this matters a lot. It is better to understand it at the desk than after the trip.

What type of car makes the most sense?

For most travellers, smaller is better.

A compact car is usually the smartest choice if you plan to drive through towns, coastal villages, or older urban areas. Roads can be narrow, parking can be tight, and a large vehicle often adds stress rather than comfort.

A larger car or SUV makes more sense if:

• you are travelling as a family

• you have lots of luggage

• you are doing a longer road trip

• comfort matters more than ease of parking

Choose the car for the trip you are actually doing, not for the fantasy version of it.

Common mistakes when renting a car at Lisbon Airport

Booking only by price

The cheapest headline price can hide a higher deposit, strict card rules, more expensive extras or less convenient pickup.

Renting too early

If you are staying in Lisbon first, it often makes more sense to rent later.

Ignoring shuttle vs in-terminal pickup

This makes a real difference after a flight, especially at busy times.

Forgetting about tolls

Toll systems in Portugal are simple once explained, but confusing if ignored.

Leaving automatic booking too late

Automatic cars are less available and often disappear first.

Not checking fuel and return policy

Always confirm whether the car must be returned full, and where exactly the return point is.

Is renting a car at Lisbon Airport worth it?

Yes, for the right itinerary.

If Lisbon is just the beginning and you want to explore more of Portugal with flexibility, airport pickup is often the easiest and most practical option. If your trip is focused only on Lisbon and places that are already easy by train, then renting a car straight away is usually unnecessary.

The best choice is not “always rent” or “never rent”. It is renting at the moment your trip actually needs it.

Day trips and road trips that make more sense with a car

Some places near Lisbon are easy without a car. Others become much easier with one.

A car is often useful for:

• Arrábida and Sesimbra

• parts of the Silver Coast

• Nazaré and Óbidos on a wider loop

• Alentejo road trips

• coastal stops beyond the easiest rail routes

For places like Sintra town and central Cascais, public transport is often simpler. If that is your plan, you may not need a rental car yet. For broader trip ideas, it also helps to look at guides like best day trips from Lisbon without a car, how to get to Sintra from Lisbon, best beaches near Lisbon and how to get from Lisbon Airport to the city centre.

Final thoughts

Renting a car at Lisbon Airport can be very straightforward if you focus on the details that actually matter.

Compare more than one provider. Check whether pickup is in-terminal or by shuttle. Read the deposit and card rules properly. Confirm how tolls work. Book early if you need an automatic. And, most importantly, only rent the car when your itinerary really calls for it.

That is usually the difference between a smooth start to a Portugal trip and an unnecessarily stressful one.

FAQ

1. Is it easy to rent a car at Lisbon Airport?

Yes. Lisbon Airport has several major car rental brands located in Terminal 1, while other providers operate by shuttle or nearby collection.

2. Is it better to rent a car at Lisbon Airport or in the city?

The airport is usually easier if you want to leave Lisbon straight away. City pickup can make more sense if you are staying in Lisbon first.

3. Do I need a credit card to rent a car at Lisbon Airport?

Often yes, especially for the security deposit. Rules vary by supplier, so always read the rental conditions carefully.

4. Do I need an International Driving Permit in Portugal?

Not always. It depends on your licence and the supplier’s rules. Check before travelling.

5. Are tolls included with rental cars in Portugal?

Not automatically in every case. Many rental cars are equipped for toll tracking, but you should confirm how activation, billing and admin fees work before driving away.

6. Are automatic cars easy to find at Lisbon Airport?

They are available, but usually less common and more in demand than manual cars, so it is better to book early.