A holiday in Portugal can go a hundred different ways, all depending on what kind of vacation you’re looking for. Those with an eye for history will find themselves in seventh heaven, as Portugal has been home to dozens of different cultures over the centuries and most of them have left their mark in one way or another. Nature lovers will be treated to a surprisingly diverse array of scenery - towering cliffs, granite peaks, isolated villages, glorious beaches… Portugal has it all. Then there’s the food, the wine, the culture - just go and experience it for yourself!
Booking a car hire in Portugal will give you the chance to pick and choose from the nation’s various attractions according to your own taste and schedule. It’s also a really economical way to travel, especially if you’re planning to indulge in a bit of scenic road tripping.
AirportRentals.com - the perfect way to find a fantastic car rental deal in Portugal
Once you fly into the airport, picking up a Portugal car hire will be high on your list of things to do. The booking side of this can (and should) all be done well ahead of time, and to avoid having to search through dozens of different Portugal car rental sites, AirportRentals.com brings all the best car hire deals from a range of rental suppliers together in one place.
Getting hold of the ideal car hire from a Portugal airport is as straightforward as plugging a little bit of information in the AirportRentals.com search fields and hitting Search. At that point you’ll have the chance to scroll through a bunch of different deals - by default they’re listed from cheapest to most expensive but you can easily change this, and even filter your search by things like rental brand, transmission type, etc. You can even book through AirportRentals.com - the whole process will only take a bare few minutes.
Airport rentals around Portugal
There are quite a few different places you could start your Portuguese holiday but the good thing is no matter where you strike out from, renting a car in Portugal can have you zipping around to the destinations of your dreams.
● Lisbon car rental - This is one of the most intriguing cities in Europe for visitors. While it can’t boast the variety of historic architecture that many other European capitals revel in (an earthquake and firestorm one-two punch more or less leveled the city in the 18th century), Lisbon more than makes up for this with the whirling nightlife of Bairro Alto, the elegant beauty of the Pombaline Baixa and its mouth watering seafood-based cuisine.
● Faro car rental - Faro is the capital of Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, renowned for its beaches, spas and golf courses. If you’re hunting for sun and sand relaxation, you’d be hard put to find a better place to start your journey. Make sure to spend a little time in the city itself - an afternoon exploring the cities museums, churches and chapels may just turn up some unexpected surprises.
● Porto car rental - Although there are certainly historical highlights in the city of Porto, this is very much a city that feels as though it is on the cutting edge. From the transformative power of street art to the bold lines of the city’s modern arts buildings, this very much a place that lives in the now. Pair that with heart-stoppingly beautiful coastal lookouts, and you have a place that you’ll remember for years to come.
● Funchal car rental - On the island of Madeira, off the coast of Morocco, is the town of Funchal. The climate on Madeira means this is a year round getaway destination. Its New Year’s celebrations are famous worldwide, featuring the largest fireworks show on earth - a Funchal car rental will give you the freedom to explore this island to your heart’s content.
● Ponta Delgada car rental - São Miguel is the biggest island in the fabled Azores, and Ponta Delgada is where your adventure here will begin. Known as “The Green Island”, this lush subtropical wonderland has plenty of nature activities like diving, trekking and swimming with dolphins as well as more civilised pleasures like golfing, shopping and clubbing.
● Praia da Vitoria car rental - This isn’t one of the most famous destinations in the Azores, but it can make for a fantastic alternative if you’re searching for something new. You might want to explore the Terceira Island’s volcanic caves, visit the medieval castle of São João Batista or just hang out on the two gorgeous beaches.
● Horta car rental - Known as the Blue Island for its numerous hydrangeas and quaintly decorated houses, Faial Island is a place of bucolic beauty. Flying in to Horta and picking up a car rental will give you the chance to zip around the island and take in all the various vistas.
Car rental suppliers in Portugal
There are all kinds of different car rental brands available in Portugal, which is great for visitors because it means you have plenty of choice, and ample opportunities to uncover a cheap car hire in Portugal. You might want to look for a bargain with one of the smaller brands like drive4less, Guerin or Centauro, or opt for the big name recognition of suppliers like Avis, Hertz, Europcar or Budget.
Portugal road rules
The first thing to know about driving in Portugal is that traffic moves on the right hand side of the road. For many, this will be just the same as they’re used to at home, but for those who usually drive on the left of the road, remember to pay extra close attention at intersections - that’s the main place where things can get a little confusing. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% - this doesn’t allow much room for error as it could put you over the limit after a single drink, so it’s best not to risk driving even if you’ve just had one. Default speed limits in Portugal are: 50 km/h in built up urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on motorways - of course, you should always keep an eye out for speed limit signs which take precedence over these defaults. If you see green lanes on motorways, those are exclusively for drivers with an automatic toll collection device. You need to give way to any traffic already on a roundabout (traffic circle), and only use the outside lane if you’re about to exit the roundabout.
Portugal driving tips
● Portuguese drivers are not always scrupulous about using indicating lights, so it pays to drive defensively and keep to a safe following distance at all times.
● Unlike many places around the world, if a driver flashes their lights at you it’s a sign that they want you to give way, not the other way around.
● Most of the motorways in Portugal are toll roads - some of these routes will have toll booths where you can pay at the end of the toll section, while others use electronic tolls - you’ll need an electronic device to drive on these roads. Ask your rental supplier for more details if you’re planning to hit the motorways while you’re in Portugal.
