Sintra car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Sintra
The best car rental companies in Sintra are Sixt, Guerin, Avis. Prices start from €23/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Sintra
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#6
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#7
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Guerin
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€19/day
base rate
View Guerin deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Sintra
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €23 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €28 | Opel Corsa | 4 |
| SUV | €44 | Seat Arona | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €60 | Dacia Jogger | 7 |
| Luxury | €86 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Sintra
Airport — Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
Sintra has no airport of its own — nearly all visitors fly into Lisbon (LIS), then drive about 30 minutes west, though many first spend a few days in Lisbon before renting for a Sintra day trip.
Downtown — Sintra town center
Local desks near Sintra's train station serve visitors who arrive from Lisbon by train and only want a car for reaching the hilltop palaces or the coast at Cabo da Roca.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | LIS airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €12–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Historic-center parking | €1.50–3/hour | Sintra village center, very limited spaces |
| One-way fee (Lisbon ↔ Sintra) | €40–80 | Different pickup/drop-off city |
| Refundable deposit | €150–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Sintra
- Sintra has no airport of its own — virtually every visitor flies into Lisbon (LIS) and drives about 30 minutes west, or takes the train and rents locally for day trips.
- The historic village center has notoriously scarce parking — narrow cobblestone streets around the Sintra National Palace fill up by mid-morning, and many drivers end up circling or using paid lots on the outskirts.
- The hilltop Pena Palace and Moorish Castle have their own small paid car parks with limited capacity; a shuttle bus (Bus 434) is often faster than driving up in peak season.
- Cabo da Roca, continental Europe's westernmost point, is about 20 minutes from Sintra by car and has minimal public transport, making a rental the most practical way to reach it.
- Sintra is frequently combined with a rental-car day trip to the coastal town of Cascais, connected by a scenic road along the Atlantic coast.
- On weekends and in summer, Sintra's single main access road from Lisbon gets heavy tourist traffic — arriving before 9am or after 4pm avoids most of the congestion.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Sintra
Do you need a car in Sintra?
Not strictly — trains from Lisbon and local buses reach the main palaces. A car helps most for combining Sintra with Cabo da Roca and the coastal road to Cascais in a single day.
Should I rent a car in Lisbon or Sintra?
Most visitors rent in Lisbon and drive out for a day, since Sintra has no airport. If you're staying several days and only need a car for one day trip, renting locally in Sintra can be simpler.
Where do you park in Sintra village?
Street parking in the historic center is extremely limited and fills early. Most visitors use one of the paid car parks on the outskirts and either walk in or take the local shuttle bus.
Is it hard to drive up to Pena Palace?
The road is manageable but the palace car park is small and fills quickly. In peak season, many visitors park lower down and take the 434 shuttle bus instead of driving all the way up.
Can I drive from Sintra to Cabo da Roca?
Yes, it's about a 20-minute drive and one of the most popular add-ons to a Sintra day trip, since public transport to the cape is limited.
When is traffic worst driving to Sintra from Lisbon?
Weekends and summer mornings see the heaviest congestion on the main access road. Arriving before 9am or after 4pm generally avoids the worst of it.
What is the cheapest car type in Sintra?
Economy cars like a Fiat Panda start around €23/day. For a family day trip, a 7-seat minivan starts around €60/day.
Nearby trips
