Everything to Learn about Renting a Car in Lisbon

If you plan to go to Lisbon by plane, you can rent a car after landing to save your time and money. Why is it important to rent an auto in this city?

• You can see more, as there are UNESCO World Heritage sites around Lisbon, such as Sintra or Cascais. To see them and enjoy the sights of nature and architecture outside of Lisbon, you need to have your vehicle.
• Renting an auto is about the convenience of getting around. You can rent a vehicle at the Lisbon airport and return it just before you leave. It saves money and valuable travel time when you choose a cheap car rental in Lisbon.
• You can drive the auto of your dream because rental services have a wide range of vehicles for every taste. If it is too expensive for you to buy a new car model, then renting service will fulfill your dream, at least for a while.

What car do you need in Lisbon?

When you decide to rent a car in Lisbon, the next responsible step is to choose a vehicle. The best solution is to rent an auto of economy class because a unique feature of Lisbon is its narrow streets with sharp turns. Be prepared that car rental services mostly offer models with a manual gearbox. If you prefer an automatic transmission, then book an automobile early.

Peculiarities of car rental in Lisbon

Narrow roads and sharp turns are not the only auto rental surprises that await you in Lisbon. To make your trip a pleasant experience and memorable one, it is worth knowing the rules and restrictions of the automobile rental industry in Portugal's capital city. Below there are the main peculiarities of car rental in Lisbon.

Cross-border restrictions/fees

One of the biggest restrictions is the rule of crossing the border of Portugal with a rented car. If you want to go to a neighboring country without warning the Portugal car rental service, your insurance may be canceled. The border crossing procedure involves extra charges, so if you do not want to pay a fine, inform the rental service of your plans ahead of time.

Possible extra charges

In Lisbon, car rental services may require you to pay extra for some services. These usually include the four options that you can see below:

• Young driver surcharges apply to drivers who are 18 to 21 years old. Some rental services even allow drivers who are at least 21 years old to rent a car.
• Additional insurance is provided for possible damage to the auto during the rental. It is not required, but drivers often buy it for their peace of mind.
• Cross-border fees may vary depending on the service of renting a car. It is important not to neglect it in order not to pay several times more expensive fines later.
• GPS: Since the roads in Portugal are twisted and narrow, you may need a navigator.  Lisbon and Portugal car hire services will offer you their options, but you can use Google Maps for free.

Additional drivers

Another feature of renting a car in Lisbon is that only one driver is allowed to drive. If you know that more than one person will be driving in turn, you will have to pay an additional fee.

Tips for renting a car in Portugal for cheap

 Your trip in a rental car can be enjoyed thanks to a few tips:

• Take an economy vehicle. This is justified both because of the narrow roads and because of the expensive gasoline in Portugal. 
• You should return the auto with a full tank of gasoline. If you break this rule, you will pay a big fine later.  
• Know your rights before you travel: the car rental service must provide you with an automobile with a full tank of gasoline.  
• To avoid additional costs, return the vehicle to the place where you rented it, for example, the Lisbon airport car rental service or the city center.  

Thanks to these brief tips you can save your nerves, money, and time.

Best attractions around Lisbon

Tourists are advised to visit three must-see places in Lisbon. You can do it easily with a rental car:

• Lisbon Cathedral. It is a symbol of the Portuguese capital. Its interesting and long history, its combination of Baroque, Gothic, and Romanesque styles, and its special facade are what make it unique.
• Bridges. You have definitely heard about one of the most famous bridges in the world: The Vasco da Gama Bridge and the 25th of April Bridge. In Lisbon, you can see these sights with your own eyes.
• Sintra. Mörgrad, Cabo de Roca, WesternMost Point of Continental Europe, on the mountain top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean – these places turn Sintra into a fairytale on earth. You can be part of this magic.