Compare Lisbon Airport car hire

Lisbon's steep lanes, historic landmarks and panoramic viewpoints make it a fascinating city to explore, but the surrounding countryside is just as engaging. Hiring a car lets you discover the rugged Atlantic coast, visit historic Tomar and embrace the great outdoors in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.

Language: Portuguese | Currency: Euros (€) | Avg. Flight time: 2.5 hrs

Several car hire companies – including Europcar, Hertz, Goldcar and Avis-Budget – operate from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). Rental desks can be found in the arrivals hall at this busy airport, located 7km (4 miles) north of downtown Baixa.

Should you wish, you can also rent a car at booking offices in the city. You'll find most vehicle hire branches north-west of Lisbon city centre, particularly in the area surrounding the Marques de Pombal statue and the Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo artery.

Depending on traffic, it's around a 15-minute drive from the airport to the centre of Lisbon. Head south along the Avenida Almirante Gago Coutinho before joining the Avenida Almirante Reis and following the road into Baixa.

Car rental companies that have desks at Lisbon Airport include:

• Avis-Budget (Tel: +351 218 435 550)
• Europcar (Tel: +351 218 401 176)
• Goldcar (Tel: +351 218 413 768)
• Guerin (Tel: +351 218 486 191)
• Hertz (Tel: +351 219 426 300)
• Sixt (Tel: +351 255 788 199)

To find a cheap deal, it's worth comparing car rental prices online before you go. If you book in advance, you can often simply collect your keys upon arrival in Lisbon.

Lisbon is extraordinarily beautiful, but it wasn't designed with drivers in mind. Lumpy, congested and poorly-signposted, the capital's narrow, winding one-way streets are confusing at the best of times. Factor in the busy roundabouts and unpredictable local drivers, and you have a somewhat daunting road network.

Parking can be another issue, particularly in busy Alfama, Baixa and Chiado, where there are few places – aside from hotel car parks – to leave your vehicle. You can use the dozen or so underground parking facilities, although these can be expensive for longer stays.

Beyond the centre of the capital, it's a different story. Take the motorway out of Lisbon and you'll find quieter, more navigable roads which soon make you appreciate the value of a hire car. Once on the road, you can explore the capital's surroundings at your own pace and discover rural Lisboa, Setubal and Santarém.

Tomar and Almourol Castle

Driving time: One hour 30 minutes

Positioned on the banks of the Nabão River, historic Tomar is one of the most scenic towns on the Iberian Peninsula. Cultural attractions nestled among its cobbled streets include a 12th century castle and a match museum (yes, really). With a hire car, you can combine a trip to this architectural treasure trove with a visit to the mighty Almourol Castle – once a stronghold of the Knights Templar – 30km (18.5 miles) to the south.

Sintra Cascais Natural Park

Driving time: 30 minutes

The attraction-laden Sintra Cascais Natural Park boasts spectacular mountains, a rugged coastline, mysterious forests and medieval towns. This dramatic protected area, just to the west of Lisbon, is home to Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors and the Cabo da Roca clifftop viewpoint. The picturesque town of Sintra has a fairytale feel, while nearby Cascais offers golden sandy beaches and a stunning marina.

Mafra and Ericeira

Driving time: 45 minutes

North-west of Lisbon lie the charming towns of Mafra and Ericeira, which can be visited on a single road trip. Mafra is notable for its vast and extravagant 18th-century castle – one of the most lavish in Portugal – which completely dominates the town. Just to the west along the A21 lies pretty Ericeira, an Atlantic fishing village turned seaside resort and surfing hub. You can reach the coast using the main road routes or take a detour via the pretty back lanes.

1. Unusually, on all roads other than motorways, vehicles joining from the right have priority over traffic already on the main road. Care and attention is needed at points where the roads merge.
2. The roads surrounding the airport are typically busy, so ensure you’re familiar with the controls of your hire vehicle before leaving the car park – you won't get much of a chance to fiddle around once you're on the road.
3. Many of the motorways have automatic toll gates. You might be able to organise pre-payment with your vehicle hire company, but check your planned driving routes first, as the value of pre-pay packages usually depends on how many toll roads you're likely to use.

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.