Compare Faro airport car hire

With golden sands and dramatic cliffs, you may never want to leave the beaches of the Algarve. But there's much more to Portugal’s southernmost region than sunbathing. Rent a car at Faro Airport and head inland to discover traditional whitewashed villages, dramatic Moorish castles, excellent golf courses and wild mountain scenery.

Language: Portuguese | Currency: Euro (€) | Avg. Flight time: 3 hrs

There is a range of well-known car rental firms at Faro Airport (FAO), including Sixt, Hertz, Europcar and Avis-Budget. Compare and book online in advance for a cheap deal and collect your rental car just outside the terminal. You’ll be in Vilamoura in around 25 minutes, and Albufeira in 35 minutes.

Alternatively, if you plan to relax for a few days before exploring, try picking up a hire car in your resort. Hertz, Avis, Europcar and several local rental firms have sites in the centre of Albufeira and close to the marina in Lagos. However, the further west you travel, the fewer rental firms you'll find.

Most tourists leave Faro Airport and head west to the popular Algarve resorts. For Vilamoura, go north on the N125-10. After 15 minutes, join the IC4 Variante do Troto and then the N396 before continuing south to the resort. For other Algarve destinations, join the A22 toll road westbound.

At Faro Airport, the big car rental firms have desks in the arrivals hall, after baggage reclaim and customs. Smaller local firms tend to be based outside the terminal in the P4 parking area.

Car rental companies with desks at Faro Airport include:

• Sixt (Tel: +351 289 247 595)
• Hertz (Tel: +351 219 426 300)
• Goldcar-Rhodium (Tel: +351 289 800 670)
• Europcar (Tel: +351 289 889 447)
• Avis-Budget (Tel: +351 289 810 120)
• Enterprise (Tel: +351 289 800 883)

You could head straight for the Serra de Monchique mountains, where the forests provide welcome shade and village life goes on more or less as it has for hundreds of years. Or explore coastal villages for colourful markets and fish restaurants. Wherever you head, bear in mind that the Portuguese can be impatient drivers. You may find the car behind tries to overtake on corners or on a hill.

Roads in the centre of towns and villages can be narrow. It might seem that locals park anywhere, but try to find an official parking space or you’ll risk a fine. You might see parking ‘helpers’ in busy towns, who’ll direct you to a space in return for a tip. Don’t feel obliged to follow their directions.

Outside of the towns, many of Portugal’s major arteries are toll roads. To pay, rent a Via Verde transponder from your car hire company; it’s usually preloaded with a few trips to get you started. It’s linked to your credit card, so you can pay as you go.

If you prefer, pay after your journey at a Payshop or post office – but bear in mind there's a very specific payment window. You can make payment from two days after your journey, and have to pay within five days.

Alternatively, use the Easy Toll system, which can be activated at a toll machine and links your credit card to the car's registration number. It's convenient, but make sure you cancel it when you return your car.

Santa Luzia

Driving time: 45 mins

Drive east from Faro to the traditional fishing village of Saint Luzia, known for its octopus, which is caught using traditional methods. The village is close to the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Salir, Serra do Caldeirão

Driving time: 45 mins

A charming whitewashed village in the heart of the rolling Serra do Caldeirão hills. The area is known for its natural beauty, birdlife, and traditional way of life. Look out for ‘fontes’, traditional water fountains found in local villages.

Sagres

Driving time: One hour 20 mins

Head west and you’ll eventually reach Sagres, a remote and relaxed beach town whose crashing waves have made it something of a surfing hotspot. Look for daredevil local anglers perched on the cliffs.

1. Avoid the green lanes on toll roads unless you have an automatic Via Verde transponder. You could end up being overcharge.
2. Want to avoid tolls altogether? Use the N125, which mostly runs parallel to the A22. It gets busy and there can be delays, so you might need to give yourself extra time.
3. Flashing your lights doesn't mean "go ahead" or "thanks" as it does in the UK – it means "here I come." The driver wants you to give way and let them through.
   

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.