Car Rental at Lisbon Airport (LIS)

Compare trusted suppliers, book with full-price transparency, and collect your car from Terminal 1 — no surprises at the desk.

Quick Answer: Rental car desks at Lisbon Airport are on the ground floor of Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall, immediately after baggage claim. Major suppliers including Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, and Goldcar have on-site desks; some budget providers operate short shuttle services. Supplier locations may change over time — confirm your collection point in your booking confirmation. You need a valid driving licence, passport or national ID, and a physical credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit. Book in advance — particularly between July and September when demand is highest.

Who This Guide Is For

This page is for:

• First-time visitors to Portugal renting a car on arrival
• Families collecting a vehicle at Lisbon Airport
• Travellers planning road trips to Sintra, Cascais, Évora, Porto, or the Algarve
• Drivers looking for automatic transmission or one-way rentals
• Anyone comparing airport and city centre pickup options

About Lisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado Airport)

Lisbon's main international airport — officially Humberto Delgado Airport — handles the majority of arrivals into Portugal and is the most practical starting point for road trips across the country.

Airport code: LIS Address: Alameda das Comunidades Portuguesas, 1700-111 Lisboa, Portugal Terminals: Terminal 1 (international and most EU flights) and Terminal 2 (low-cost airlines including Ryanair) Distance to Lisbon city centre: approximately 7 km Drive time to city centre: typically 15–30 minutes depending on traffic Car rental location: Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall, ground floor

If you arrive into Terminal 2, allow extra time — take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 before reaching the rental desks.

Why Rent a Car at Lisbon Airport?

Lisbon's public transport is excellent within the city itself, but it does not efficiently connect to many of Portugal's most popular destinations. A rental car from the airport unlocks:

• Sintra — UNESCO World Heritage palaces, 30 km northwest; a rental car lets you combine Sintra with Cascais, Cabo da Roca, and other nearby spots in a single day at your own pace
• Cascais and Estoril — Atlantic coastal resorts along the scenic Estoril coastline
• Arrábida Natural Park — dramatic limestone cliffs and clear-water beaches south of Setúbal; public transport options are limited, making a car the most practical way to explore
• Évora and the Alentejo — vast cork forests, Roman ruins, and white-washed villages
• The Algarve — Portugal's famous southern coast, around 3 hours from Lisbon by road
• Porto and the Douro Valley — one-way rentals available if you prefer to fly home from Porto

If you are visiting Lisbon for the first time, a compact car is often the easiest choice. Historic districts such as Alfama and Bairro Alto have steep, narrow streets and limited parking, so a smaller vehicle is noticeably more practical — especially if you are spending time in the city before heading further afield.

If your trip is entirely city-based, public transport and taxis may be simpler. If you plan to leave the city at any point, a rental car is the most flexible option.

Which Suppliers Operate at Lisbon Airport?

All major international brands and several well-regarded Portuguese and Spanish operators serve Lisbon Airport. On-airport desks are located in the Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall, though layouts can change — your booking confirmation will specify your exact collection point.

On-Airport Desks (Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall — no shuttle required)

Hertz

• Type: International
• Premium and standard fleet
• Strong automatic vehicle availability

Sixt

• Type: International
• Excellent automatic and luxury car selection

Europcar

• Type: International
• Wide vehicle range
• Suitable for longer rentals

Avis

• Type: International
• Popular with business travellers

Goldcar

• Type: Budget
• Competitive rates
• Check the fuel policy carefully before booking

Guerin

• Type: Portuguese
• Long-established local brand
• Well regarded by frequent visitors to Portugal

Enterprise

• Type: International
• Good selection of standard vehicle categories

Off-Airport Suppliers (Shuttle from Terminal 1 Exit 4)

Centauro, Record Go, Drive on Holidays, and other budget-focused suppliers operate from nearby depots. Shuttles are complimentary and run regularly — factor the transfer time into your collection plans.

CarRentalChoice searches across all verified suppliers serving LIS and shows available options for your dates with full-price quotes before you commit.

How Much Does Car Rental at Lisbon Airport Cost?

Prices vary significantly by season. Based on publicly available market data, typical daily rates for economy and small cars at Lisbon Airport follow a clear seasonal pattern:

January – March

Lower demand and generally the most affordable period of the year.

April – May

Moderate prices, although Easter week can push rates up sharply.

June

Prices begin to rise, with economy cars averaging around €33 per day.

July

High demand, with average rates around €52 per day.

August

Peak season. Economy and mini cars average around €69 per day.

September

Prices begin to ease, with average rates around €48 per day.

October – November

Good value and similar pricing to spring.

December

Moderate demand, although prices typically increase around Christmas and New Year.

Seasonal averages are based on publicly available market data for economy and mini vehicles. Actual prices depend on supplier, vehicle category, booking lead time, and availability.

The airport concession surcharge — a standard fee airports charge rental companies for operating on-site — adds around 10–15% compared to city centre pickup locations. For most travellers, the convenience of collecting the car immediately on arrival outweighs this difference.

How to Book Your Car Hire at Lisbon Airport

Step 1: Enter Your Trip Details

Enter your pickup date, return date, driver age, and preferred vehicle category on CarRentalChoice. Live quotes from suppliers serving Lisbon Airport load for your exact dates.

Step 2: Filter and Choose Your Vehicle

Filter by transmission (automatic or manual), number of seats, and luggage capacity. Economy models such as the Fiat Panda, Renault Clio, and Volkswagen Polo typically offer the lowest daily rates. A smaller car is especially practical if you plan to spend time parking in Lisbon's older districts — Alfama, Mouraria, Bairro Alto.

Step 3: Add Extras Before You Reach the Counter

Optional add-ons selected at the booking stage appear on your voucher, so nothing is presented unexpectedly at the desk:

• Child seat / booster seat — legally required in Portugal for children under 135 cm or 12 years old
• Additional driver — required if anyone else will drive; usually an extra daily fee
• GPS / navigation — useful when driving into rural Portugal or along coastal roads
• Via Verde transponder — Portugal's electronic toll payment device (see the Driving in Portugal section below)

Step 4: Check the Rental Terms

Before confirming, review three things:

• Fuel policy — "Full to Full" means you collect and return with a full tank. "Full to Empty" means you prepay for fuel and return it empty. Full-to-Full is generally the fairer arrangement.
• Security deposit — a hold is placed on your credit card at pickup. The amount depends on the supplier and vehicle class and is released after return, usually within several business days.
• Mileage — confirm whether unlimited mileage is included if you plan a long-distance route to Porto or the Algarve.

Step 5: Pay and Save Your Voucher

Pay securely on CarRentalChoice. Your confirmation e-voucher arrives by email. Save it to your phone or print it — you will need it alongside your driving licence and passport at the Terminal 1 counter.

What You Need at the Rental Counter

Missing any of these can delay your pickup significantly.

Valid Driving Licence

A full, valid driving licence from your country of residence is required. EU and UK licences are accepted directly. If your licence uses a non-Latin script — Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Cyrillic — you will likely need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it. Confirm requirements with your specific supplier before travel.

International Driving Permit (IDP)

An IDP is a standardised translation of your licence recognised across most countries. Portugal recognises many foreign licences directly, including those from the US, Canada, and Australia — but individual suppliers may require an IDP as a condition of rental, particularly for non-Latin script licences. If there is any doubt, obtain one before you travel. IDPs must be issued in your home country and cannot be obtained in Portugal.

Physical Credit Card in the Driver's Name

A physical credit card — Visa, Mastercard, or American Express — in the main driver's name is required at the counter for the security deposit hold. The hold is blocked, not charged, and released after return. Virtual cards, prepaid cards, and digital wallet payments are not accepted for deposit purposes by most major suppliers.

Some suppliers may accept debit cards under specific conditions; confirm at the time of booking. Where debit cards are accepted, available vehicle categories may be limited.

Passport or National ID

A second form of photo identification alongside your driving licence is required at every counter. A passport or national identity card satisfies this requirement.

Minimum Age

Most suppliers set a minimum rental age of 18. Drivers under 25 are typically subject to a young driver surcharge; the amount varies by supplier and vehicle class. Some premium or larger vehicle categories may require a minimum age of 25. Check the supplier's policy at the time of booking.

Before You Arrive at Lisbon Airport

A few practical steps that make the counter process faster:

• Bring your physical driving licence — a photo on your phone is not accepted
• Carry the credit card used to make the booking — some desks check it matches the payment method
• Save your voucher offline — airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable; a downloaded copy or printout is safer
• Photograph the vehicle before you drive away — walk around the car and document any existing marks, scratches, or dents on your phone with timestamps, so there is no dispute on return
• Confirm the fuel policy at the desk before leaving — ask what level of fuel to return and where the nearest fuel station is
• Ask about tolls — confirm whether the car has a Via Verde transponder and how toll charges are billed if it does not

Driving in Portugal: What to Know Before You Go

Drive on the Right

Portugal drives on the right. If you are arriving from the UK, Ireland, or another left-hand-traffic country, give yourself a few minutes to settle before leaving the airport car park.

Speed Limits

• Built-up areas: 50 km/h
• Main roads outside towns: 90 km/h
• Motorways (autoestradas): 120 km/h

Toll Roads and Via Verde

Portugal has an extensive tolled motorway network. The main routes from Lisbon — the A1 (Porto), A2 (Algarve), A5 (Cascais and Sintra), and A8 (West Coast) — are tolled, as is the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

Via Verde is Portugal's electronic toll system. A transponder in the car allows you to pass through dedicated lanes without stopping. Without one, use cash or card lanes, or register with the EasyToll app before travel as an alternative. Many budget suppliers do not include a transponder by default — add it at the booking stage if available, and always confirm the supplier's toll policy before you drive away.

Driving through an electronic-only toll lane without a valid transponder can result in a payment notice and administrative fees. It is better to confirm the arrangement before you leave the car park.

Local Driving Tip

Traffic around the Segunda Circular and the Vasco da Gama Bridge can build significantly during weekday rush hours. If you are arriving in the morning or late afternoon, allow extra time when driving into central Lisbon or heading south towards the Algarve.

Parking in Lisbon

Lisbon's central districts — Alfama, Baixa, Bairro Alto, Chiado — have narrow streets and limited on-street parking. Underground car parks (parques de estacionamento) are widely available and are the most practical option for city stays. Blue kerb markings indicate paid on-street parking. Yellow markings indicate no parking.

Fuel Stations Near Lisbon Airport

If you need to refuel before returning your car, several fuel stations are located close to the airport:

• Galp — Prior Velho (north of the airport, off the IC2)
• BP — Sacavém (east of the airport)
• Repsol — near the Segunda Circular ring road

Ask your supplier's desk agent for the nearest station on your planned return route.

Returning Your Car at Lisbon Airport

Follow the "Car Rental Return" signs as you approach Terminal 1. If your booking uses a Full-to-Full fuel policy, refuel before arriving and keep the return receipt until your deposit hold has been released. Allow extra time during weekends and peak summer periods.

Seasonal Tips: When to Book and What to Expect

July and August are the busiest months at Lisbon Airport. Rental desks can be busy during peak arrival windows, particularly in the early afternoon. Having all your documents ready before you reach the counter makes the process considerably faster.

Easter week is a secondary peak period — prices rise and popular vehicle categories, particularly automatics and SUVs, book out early.

November through February generally offers the lowest rates and quietest counter queues. Lisbon's winter weather is mild by European standards, and destinations such as Sintra and Évora are far less crowded.

For Algarve road trips in summer: the A2 south is straightforward and well-signposted from the airport. Coastal towns like Albufeira and Lagos get very busy in August — book your rental before booking your accommodation.

Popular Driving Routes from Lisbon Airport

Sintra and Cascais Coastal Loop

A classic one-day circuit: drive west on the A37 to Sintra, visit the palaces, then follow the coastal road south through Cascais and Estoril before returning to Lisbon. Around 80 km total. The A5 and A37 are tolled — a Via Verde transponder or cash lanes are needed.

Évora and the Alentejo

Head east on the A6. Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage walled city with a Roman temple, a medieval cathedral, and the Chapel of Bones. Around 130 km from the airport — an easy day trip or the start of a longer Alentejo loop.

The Algarve

South on the A2 via Almada. The route is clearly signposted from the airport. Lagos, Sagres, and the western Algarve are around 280 km — roughly 3 hours on a clear run. Confirm unlimited mileage is included in your booking before you depart.

Porto and the Douro Valley

North on the A1. Around 300 km, typically just under 3 hours. One-way rentals are available — pick up at Lisbon Airport, return in Porto. A drop-off fee applies and must be agreed at the time of booking.

Page last reviewed: June 2026. Pricing data referenced from publicly available market sources. Supplier policies, requirements, and desk locations are subject to change — always confirm current terms with your supplier at the time of booking.