Car Hire in Lisbon
Compare rental cars for Lisbon day trips and onward travel. Pick up at the airport, skip the city-centre charges, and reach the places the train doesn't — all in one search through Discover Cars.
Hiring a car in Lisbon
Where to pick up
Pick up at Lisbon Airport (LIS) rather than a city-centre desk — the airport has the biggest, most competitive rental line, and it keeps you clear of the tight streets of the Baixa and Alfama.
Driving & charges
Lisbon has a Zona de Emissões Reduzidas (ZER) covering the Baixa and Avenida da Liberdade, which restricts older, higher-emission vehicles. Most rental cars meet the standard, but confirm with the supplier if you plan to drive into the centre. Portugal drives on the right.
When you actually need one
Not for the city itself — the metro, trams, and buses cover Lisbon, and its hills and scarce parking make driving more trouble than it's worth. Hire a car for day trips: Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, Óbidos, and the Arrábida coast are far more flexible by road.
Driving around Lisbon
Compare rental cars for Lisbon day trips and the coast. Pick up at the airport, skip the city-centre hills and low-emission zone, and reach the places the train doesn't.
How car hire works
Search & compare
Enter your pick-up airport and dates. Discover Cars compares suppliers side by side.
Book online
Reserve in minutes with free cancellation on most bookings. Nothing to pay at the desk beyond the deposit.
Pick up
Collect at the airport with your licence, card, and booking voucher.
Drive
Hit the road for day trips, then return the car to the same location.
Why book through Discover Cars
One search compares every Lisbon airport supplier — so you're not checking each rental site by hand.
Discover Cars
Best price comparisonCompares 500+ suppliers including Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar and local brands
Full-coverage insurance available · 365-day booking window
- Full-price comparison including insurance and fees
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours on most bookings
- Full-coverage insurance option often cheaper than the desk
- Transparent supplier ratings and pick-up reviews
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
- 365-day booking window
Best for
Comparing every Lisbon airport supplier in one search
What you need to hire a car in Lisbon
A full driving licence held for at least a year, a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit, and photo ID. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young-driver surcharge, and some suppliers set a minimum age of 21.
Non-local licences are usually accepted — if yours isn't in English, bring an International Driving Permit alongside it. Check the supplier's terms for any local restrictions before you book.
Car hire questions
Do I need a car in Lisbon?
You don't need a car for Lisbon itself - the metro, trams, and buses cover the city, and its hills, narrow streets, and scarce parking make driving more trouble than it's worth. You're better off hiring a car in Lisbon for day trips instead, where the train is slow or doesn't reach.
Where's the cheapest place to pick up a car in Lisbon?
Picking up your rental at Lisbon Airport (LIS) is usually cheaper than the city centre, and keeps you clear of the tight streets of the Baixa and Alfama. The airport has the biggest, most competitive rental line, so booking there tends to win on price and choice.
Is there a low-emission zone in Lisbon?
Lisbon has a Zona de Emissões Reduzidas (ZER) covering the Baixa and Avenida da Liberdade area, which restricts older, higher-emission vehicles. Most rental cars meet the standard, but it's worth confirming with the supplier if you plan to drive into the centre.
Do I need extra insurance to drive in Lisbon?
Basic cover is included, but the excess can run to four figures if anything goes wrong. The full-coverage option is usually cheaper than buying the same waiver at the rental desk.
Which day trips from Lisbon are best by car?
Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, Óbidos, and the Arrábida coast near Setúbal are all great day trip contenders within easy reach and far more flexible by car than by public transport. Sintra in particular gets packed in the summer, so an early start and a hire car can help beat the midday crowds - although the train is the calmer option on the busiest days.
Planning a day trip from Lisbon?
Compare car hire across every Lisbon airport in one search — free cancellation on most bookings, best price guaranteed.