Car rental Lisbon airport or in town?

Take a look at Auto Europe. I would never want to drive in Lisbon. Lots of one way streets and chaotic drivers, not to mention trams on some streets. I would look at wherever you are spending your first night and rent there, if possible.

The airport is very close to the city center, making it convenient. This being said, most car rental outfits in Lisbon are near Marques de Pombal square which has direct access to the motorway, so it is not that bad.

We rented a car from Europcar in the city, it was very easy and closer than the airport, an easy 5EUR Uber from our VRBO near Praca Commercial. Made our reservation on Expedia.

Compare zestcarrental.com for good prices and options.

I found that picking up or dropping off at airport may incur an airport charge or a shuttle to off-site to pick up cars. Best prices usually at the various car rental offices just outside of airport with easy exit out of Lisbon e.g. to Vasco da Gama bridge. Very easy to catch a bolt from a downtown hotel to the various car rental companies if you don't want to drive in the city. If you don't mind driving in the city, some Zest rental companies will drop off car at your hotel.

Did a quick look on expedia for random 10 day rental.

a)downtown pick up and airport drop $343

b) airport pick up and drop off $243

Plug in your specific dates to see which works best for you when you are shopping around.

I will be in Portugal in December and have booked a rental car through Expedia with Record Go. Picking up the car (compact) in Faro and returning it to Lisbon airport. Ten days for a total of $95!

Empresski

That is very good. However, please check for any hidden charges in the fine print.

I test booked on Zest for Dec 1 - 11, pickup in Faro airport and dropoff in Lisbon, including CDW, and lowest base rental price is USD$83. However, there may be an additional airport surcharge, one-way drop off charge and transponder rental (very important in Portugal) which will increase the final bill. Good luck.

I will be in Portugal in December and have booked a rental car through Expedia with Record Go. Picking up the car (compact) in Faro and returning it to Lisbon airport. Ten days for a total of $95!

I hope all works out and that is the final price...but...I see a ridiculously low price, through a third party vendor, and have to wonder if it really is too good to be true. Maybe you have worked with both Expedia and Record Go before and know what you are getting into. Maybe report back afterwards and fill us in.

I will be in Portugal in December and have booked a rental car through Expedia with Record Go. Picking up the car (compact) in Faro and returning it to Lisbon airport. Ten days for a total of $95!

Looks like there will be an additional $23 transponder charge plus whatever tolls you incur. They also place a 1500 euro hold on your credit card for the deductible on the CDW/LDW coverage.

Presumably Spain is not on your itinerary, as that would incur an additional 20 euro per day charge

I suspect they will carefully inspect the car for damage when you turn it in so be very thorough in documenting existing damages when you get the car

Wow, thank you all for your warnings. I have just read a lot of reviews and am convinced and that Record Go is a scam operation. I will be shopping for another rental company!

Update - I went to Expedia and put in the same search criteria and the only rental companies that come up now are Budget, Sixt, and Europcar. Very interesting... Anyhow, I am booking through Sixt and with the one way charge, taxes, and airport surcharge clearly stated in the quote it will still be less than $200 for 10 days for a manual transmission, compact SUV.

I love this forum - you all are the BEST!

Try Zest. I did a lot of research before booking with them. Zest has stellar reviews.

They are a consolidator located in the UK. Because of their volume of business and reputation, they command very good rates and service from their local providers, usually cheaper than booking direct. Brits do A LOT of business in Portugal.

Email Zest with any questions and they will respond quickly.

Compare each Zest provider and read the details because each different provider has a slightly different fee structure. We selected CarRental4Less (aka Amiota) because they did not require a deposit/hold.