Lisbon Car Hire

Budget Car Hire in Lisbon

You can find excellent prices on car hire across Portugal and Europe from some of the most trusted suppliers. Lisbon’s winding roads and scenic landscapes serve as the perfect backdrop for a road trip around the city.

Securing the Best Deals

As with the rest of the country, Lisbon sees a high footfall of tourists from June to August when the weather is at its hottest. So, if you’re planning to hire a car during this time of year, we recommend booking your vehicle around 2 months in advance. This can help keep costs low and increase your chances of securing your ideal vehicle.

Understanding Lisbon’s Driving Rules and Regulations

Driving in Lisbon is cited as being relatively easy, with signposting and easy-to-easy navigate roads. However, people who are new to Lisbon or tourists may find driving a little more difficult. Here are some of the main rules and regulations to take into consideration when driving in and around Lisbon:

• Driving age is 18, with a full, valid driving licence.
• In Portugal, you drive on the right and overtake on the left.
• All occupants of the vehicle must wear a seatbelt– you will be fined if caught not wearing one.
• The speed limit is around 75mph on motorways, 30mph in inner city built-up areas and around 60mph on larger roads or in outer areas of the city.
• All roads signs are in kilometres.

Rules of the Road for Renters

• UK and EU driver's licences are generally accepted. To avoid hassle, ensure you also have any relevant paperwork to hand when driving or renting your vehicle.
• Portugal has many toll roads across the country, with a few leading to Lisbon. Many rental vehicles with a built-in transponder, which usually covers the cost of tolls– this tends to be included in your booking cost or deposit.
• The age limit for car hire is 19-21 in most areas of the country– depending on the company or supplier you book with, or the area you’re in, the age may increase or decrease. For certain vehicles, the minimum age requirement is 25 for renting a vehicle.

Parking in Lisbon: A Guide

There are many parking garages/multi-storey car parks in Lisbon, due to street parking being difficult with many narrow or one-way streets. On-street parking is available, with parking meters dotted around with various fares depending on the zone. There are also many free parking spaces around the city with free parking between certain times of day– these are usually blue, yellow and red zones.

If you don’t want to park in the city centre, Lisbon’s outer suburbs and zones also host Park & Ride facilities– you can park your car and catch a bus or tram into the city. This tends to be a cheaper and more convenient option for tourists or locals.

Top Attractions in Lisbon

Lisbon is a diverse, cultural and vibrant city, with something for everyone. From its history to its beaches and stunning pastel-coloured buildings and Manueline architecture, there is much to do and see here.

Discovering the City’s Highlights

Some of the best attractions in Lisbon include:

• Castelo de S Jorge: One of the city’s best-loved attractions, this historic castle is a favourite among history lovers and sightseeing enthusiasts alike. The castle poses much intrigue and interest to visiting tourists.
• Oceanário de Lisboa: One of Europe’s largest oceanariums, this oceanarium is said to attract around one million visitors a year, giving an idea of its popularity. Enjoy viewing and learning about the various species found here, through exhibitions, guided tours and unique displays.
• Time Out Market: A large collection of food, cookery and cuisines all under one roof.

Transport Options in Lisbon

Transport in Lisbon is abundant, with trams, buses and the metro being the main transport options. The transport in Lisbon is low-cost, efficient and reliable, with various routes taking you to Lisbon’s main attractions and its airport. The main types of transport in the city include:

Trams: Scenic Routes and Historic Charm

Lisbon’s trams follow various routes throughout the city– payment options include cash or ticket machines. You can expect Lisbon trams to cost around €3 per journey, making them an inexpensive and reliable way to get around the city quickly and efficiently.

Metro Services: Quick and Extensive Coverage

Lisbon’s metro is also a great way to get around, with various payment cards available depending on how often you intend to use it. For occasional journeys, you can expect the cost to be around €1.80.

Lisbon train stations

Santa Apolónia train station
Rossio railway station
Station do Oriente
Cais do Sodré train station

Buses: An Extensive Network Across the City

Buses are the most widespread form of public transport, with services covering most of the city and surrounding areas. A single ticket for Lisbon’s buses is expected to cost around €2-€3 per passenger.

Best Day Trips from Lisbon

Almada
One of the closest cities to Lisbon, Almada is a great place to spend the day or head to on a road trip. The city hosts parks, nature reserves, a lively shopping district and entertainment venues like a concert hall and theatre.
Distance from Lisbon: 7.5 miles

Setúbal
A municipality in Portugal, this place is perfect for tourists who want a more laid-back experience. Here, you can find markets, historic monuments, national parks and beaches, among many other exciting attractions.
Distance from Lisbon: 30 miles

Trafaria
A short distance from Lisbon, Trafaria is known for its many beaches and historic monuments– if you enjoy a beach day or want to work on your tan, this is certainly the place for you.
Distance from Lisbon: 10.7 miles

Planning your Adventure

Planning beforehand is definitely recommended for Lisbon, as while there is much to see and do, it can get very busy and hard to get around. Familiarise yourself with the roads, main timings and which attractions you most want to visit, and you’ll surely find that your trip is convenient and straightforward.

Optimal Driving Times in Lisbon

Lisbon, as with the rest of Portugal, follows the same rush hour timings as the UK– that is, 8-10am and 4-6pm on weekdays. Try to avoid driving during these times as you may find the roads are very congested.

Weighing the Benefits of Car Hire in Lisbon

While driving may be difficult in some areas, it can allow you to access and reach certain areas of Lisbon and its surroundings that may not be covered by public transport.

Advantages of Personal Mobility

Having a car means you can get around the city on your own timings, and won’t need to worry about delayed or cancelled public transport, or the metro/trams being a little too busy during certain times of day.

Potential Drawbacks of Hiring a Car

As parking can be difficult to find and navigate in Lisbon, this may be a potential drawback of hiring a vehicle. Traffic and unfamiliar roads may also act as a deterrent to vehicle renters.

Variety of Rental Vehicles in Lisbon

The variety of vehicles available for rent in Lisbon includes small, medium and large economy cars, with makes/models including VW, Fiat, Peugeot and SEAT, and estate cars like Mercedes C 220 Wagon. Also available for hire are 7-9 seaters or minivans. These vehicles are available from some of Europe’s most trusted car hire suppliers and are available from both downtown Lisbon and Lisbon Airport.

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Needs

The right vehicle for you depends on your personal circumstances– those who may need more room in the car would benefit from a 7-9 seater, which is a popular choice among groups of friends or families. Business travellers may opt for estate cars, and couples or solo travellers may choose small or medium cars.

Partnering with Lisbon’s Premier Car Hire Providers

Enjoy Travel works closely with some of Europe’s most trusted suppliers, which include Avis, AutoUnion, Drive on Holidays, Europcar, Hertz, Keddy, Movyng, OK Mobility, Alamo, Budget, Carwiz, Centauro, Drivalia, ECHO Rent-A-Car, Enterprise, Goldcar, GreenMotion, Guerin, Key-n-Go, KlassWagen, National, Record Go, Right Cars, Thrifty, United Rent-A-Car and WheeGo.

Selecting a Reputable Company

To ensure absolute satisfaction when booking your vehicle, ensure that before you book you are aware of the services offered by the company/supplier, and read reviews to ensure they align with your expectations.