We are looking at doing a 10-14 day trip to Lisbon and Galicia but it seems that travel between the two areas is difficult: Flying is very expensive and time consuming (with no direct flights), the train is a pain, and the bus is... the bus. We were thinking that maybe the way to do it would be to rent a car for the driving portions. Is that a good idea? I've read about the automatic toll roads so we're prepared for that. Is there a preferred car rental site? The ones I'm finding are confusing, with the rate jumping up and down even if you add more days. Seems that avoiding car rental on weekends is the way to go. I wouldn't mind doing 5-6 days in Lisbon, then get a car for 2 days to explore the road to Santiago, return it there, then after 4-5 days in Santiago rent a car for the drive back. Thoughts? Our primary interest is food, by the way! Thanks!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Try this: Use kayak.com 1. Plug in renting a car for the entire time you want one, picking it up and returning it to Lisbon. Write down the number. 2. Plug in renting a car in Lisbon, driving to Spain, and dropping it there. Write down the number. 3. Plug in renting a car in Spain and dropping it in Lisbon. Write down the number. Report back.
Posted by
OP
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
7 posts
Unless I'm doing something horribly wrong (and I might be) I get the following results: 1 day rental, from Lisbon to Santiago: Per Day Total Compact - Ford Focus or similar €27.21 €27.21 Taxes, Fees and Surcharges €1884.35 €1884.35 Rental Car Total €1911.56 €1911.56 $2498.45 USD 14 day rental with pickup and drop-off both in Lisbon: Per Day Total Mini - Peugeot 107 or similar €9.96 €139.32 Taxes, Fees and Surcharges €6.82 €95.51 Rental Car Total €16.78 €234.83 $306.93 USD Does that seem crazy to anyone else?? Is dropping off in another location THAT big of an issue? Has anyone here done something similar in the region?
Posted by
OP
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
7 posts
By the way, those are both Hertz. Here's Avis for a 1 day rental return from Santiago to Lisbon: Economy - Generic Economy car or similar €70.35 €70.35 Taxes, Fees and Surcharges €280.85 €280.85 Rental Car Total €351.20 €351.20 $459.03 USD Full two week rental still seems cheaper.
Posted by
OP
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
7 posts
Sorry to reply to myself a million times but I just read this in another thread: "Take the car back to the country in which you rent it or else take five pocketbooks." So maybe that answers my question? I'm thinking maybe the thing to do is have the first half of the trip in Lisbon and then get a car for the entire second half of the trip, using it for the extra freedom to explore. FOr those familiar with the region would that be preferable to relying on trains or buses? Thanks
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
Sounds like you are seeing huge drop fees for picking up in one country and dropping of in another. That's exactly what I have seen whenever I did a search like that over the last ten years, so I am not surprised. These days getting an automatic transmission is a lot more expensive too.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
You broke the code. Drive the car anywhere you want, but return it in thecountry from which you rented it. Also, the daily cost goes down with a longer rental. Get the car when you're ready to leave Lisbon and drop it back there when you're done. It doesn't matter if you do Lisbon first or last, you just don't need the car for the couple of says you'll be there. My guess is that you'll spend a lot more time in Galicia and Austurias than you will in northern Portugal. You absolutely need a car to poke around into the neat spots.
Posted by
OP
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
7 posts
Thanks for confirming. The jump in price for Lisbon > Santiago is so insane I checked to make sure I hadn't accidentally selected Santiago, Chile! I'm excited about keeping a car for the second leg since exploring more out of the way villages sounds great and we've never been able to do that on our trips. I'm sure I'll be back for other recs but this is a great start.