Faro car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Faro
The best car rental companies in Faro are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €16/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Faro
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€17/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€18/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€16/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€18/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€15/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€16/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€14/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€14/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Faro
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €16 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €20 | Renault Clio | 5 |
| SUV | €34 | Peugeot 2008 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €52 | Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer | 7 |
| Convertible | €47 | Fiat 500C | 4 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Faro
Airport — Faro Airport (FAO)
On-site desks in the Arrivals Hall (Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Alamo); some brands shuttle to nearby lots.
Downtown — Algarve resorts
Desks in Faro town, Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos serve the coastal resorts.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | Any Faro Airport pickup |
| Via Verde toll device | €1.50–2.50/day | Electronic toll transponder (mandatory in most rentals) |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–9/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €25–70 | Different drop-off location |
| Cross-border to Spain | €35–90 | Taking the car into Spain (Seville/Ayamonte) |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Faro
- Drive on the right; most rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly.
- Since 1 January 2025 the A22 (Via do Infante), the Algarve’s main motorway, is completely toll-free for passenger cars.
- Rentals come with a Via Verde electronic toll transponder — pass green “V” lanes without stopping; charges are settled at the end.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge of €10–20/day under 25.
- Faro is the gateway to the entire Algarve coast — beaches, cliffs and resorts are all a short drive away.
- The N-125 coastal road is a free alternative if you want to skip motorways entirely; the drink-drive limit is a strict 0.05% BAC.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Faro
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Faro?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some premium categories require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €10–20/day. You must have held your licence for at least one year.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Portugal?
No. Visitors from the EU, UK, US and most countries can drive on their home licence for short stays. An IDP is only needed if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet.
What are the Via Verde tolls and how do I pay?
Portuguese rentals include a Via Verde transponder that pays motorway tolls electronically as you drive through the green “V” lanes. Charges are billed to your card at the end of the rental. Note the A22 in the Algarve has been toll-free since January 2025.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft with an excess often above €1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €200–250 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
Can I do a one-way rental or take the car to Spain?
Yes, one-way rentals within Portugal cost roughly €25–70. Taking the car across the border to Spain (Ayamonte/Seville) is usually allowed for a €35–90 cross-border fee — declare it at pickup.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or the resorts?
Both. Faro Airport (FAO) has in-terminal desks in the Arrivals Hall, and there are downtown desks in Faro town plus the resorts of Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos.
What is the cheapest car type in Faro?
Economy cars (e.g. Fiat Panda) start around €16/day — the Algarve is one of Europe’s most competitive markets. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €52/day.
