Car rental in Portugal, cheap & hassle-free

Why arrange your rental car in Portugal through SunnVio

Distances in Portugal are manageable and the roads are good, ideal for a road trip. We compare car rental for you and choose a reliable rental company with a fair all-in price, including all insurance.

• All-inclusive insured: all mandatory insurance is included in the price as standard.
• No excess: we have bought it off for you; any charge from your deposit we refund within 30 days.
• Free cancellation until pick-up: you are not tied to anything.
• Only reliable rental companies that we have vetted ourselves.

Popular pick-up locations in Portugal

We arrange your rental car at almost every airport and in every major city. Popular in Portugal:

Tolls in Portugal: how they work

Portugal has two kinds of tolls. On motorways such as the A1 from Lisbon to Porto and the A2 from Lisbon to the Algarve you pass a toll gate and pay by credit card or in cash. On other motorways a gantry above the road registers your number plate: electronic tolls, without booths.

Good news for the Algarve: since 1 January 2025 the A22 (Via do Infante) has been toll-free for cars. The same goes for the A23, A24 and A25 inland, among others.

On a number of motorways, mainly in the north and around Porto, you still pay electronic tolls. So ask for a Via Verde device at pick-up. The rental company usually charges a fixed amount per day for it, but all tolls are then paid automatically and you have nothing to sort out afterwards. More tips in car rental in Portugal: toll roads and the Algarve.

Driving in Portugal: the key rules

• Speed limits: 120 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on other roads outside built-up areas and 50 km/h in towns, unless signs say otherwise.
• Alcohol: the limit is 0.5 g/l, and 0.2 g/l for new drivers.
• Roundabouts: traffic on the roundabout has priority. Move to the right-hand lane in good time when you want to exit.
• Phones: hands-free only.

Parking in Lisbon and Porto

The old centres of Lisbon and Porto are steep, narrow and busy. Street parking is paid almost everywhere and spaces are scarce. Choose a hotel with parking, or leave the car in a car park on the edge of the centre and carry on by tram, metro or on foot.

From Lisbon to the Algarve

A popular road trip: pick up in Lisbon and return in Faro, or the other way round. Via the A2 it takes about three hours, but the route along the rugged west coast of the Alentejo is far more beautiful. Most rental companies let you return the car somewhere other than where you picked it up, usually for a surcharge. Tick it in the request form and we will include it in your quote.

Madeira

On Madeira you pick up the car at Funchal airport. The island is steep, with many tunnels, hairpin bends and narrow mountain roads. A car with a bit more power is much more comfortable there than the smallest category. Mention it in your request and we will take it into account.

Frequently asked questions about car rental in Portugal

Is the A22 in the Algarve still a toll road?

No. Since 1 January 2025 you can drive the A22 for free in a car. On the A2 between Lisbon and the Algarve you do pay tolls, at the toll gates.

Can I take the rental car to Spain?

Usually yes, as long as it is in your rental contract in advance. There is often a surcharge. Mention it in your request and we will include it in your quote.

Do I need a credit card?

Yes. At pick-up the rental company holds a deposit on a credit card in the main driver's name. With SunnVio you drive with zero excess: if part of your deposit is kept after damage, we pay it back within 30 days.

What if my flight is delayed?

Give us your flight number in your request. Your car then stays ready until 2 hours after your pick-up time.