Car Rental at Lisbon Airport - Exploring the Portuguese Capital

Also known as Humberto Delgado Airport (after the renowned Portuguese air force general and politician), Lisbon Airport is the main gateway to both Portugal and large swathes of south-western Europe. With two runways and a series of major expansion projects planned over the coming years, LIS currently handles more than 30 million passenger movements every year, with strong prospects of surpassing that in the future.

Aeroporto Humberto Delgado (as it is known locally) serves multiple destinations around the world, a large percentage of which consists of short-haul travel to other European countries like Germany, France and neighbouring Spain, as well as several medium- and long-haul routes to other continents, most notably Africa and the United States of America. It currently ranks twelfth in the list of the busiest airport in Europe.

Small, historic and great value for money, Lisbon is very much in vogue as a 21st-century tourist destination, and there's no better way of exploring it than by car. The city itself offers a great mix of monuments and cultural attractions, chief amongst them the imposing Castle of São Jorge overlooking the centre and the Gulbenkian Museum, which houses a vast collection of priceless paintings and other rare treasures just north of downtown.

With a car rental from Lisbon Airport you'll also be able to discover the city's two long sandy stretches of golden coastline which comprises many wonderful beaches and resort towns such as Cascais and Caparica. Another highlights for many visitors is the chance to see the lush landscape, palaces and castle of the historic village of Sintra which was once the preferred summer residence of the Portuguese royal family.

Founded over 70 years ago, Auto Europe prides itself on being able to offer its customers the best car rental rates in Lisbon and all other key destinations in Portugal due to the strong working relationships with all the world's most prestigious vehicle suppliers, both local and international.

Airport Information

Inaugurated during World War II on the 15th of October 1942, Lisbon Airport is a very modern air transportation facility with an extensive range of on-site facilities and amenities. Owned by the Vinci Group, one of its main advantages is its close proximity to Lisbon city centre (just a few kilometres away), with hotel transfers reduced to a mere 20-25 minutes outside the morning and evening rush-hours.

Lisbon Airport (LIS)
Address: Alameda das Comunidades Portuguesas, 1700-111 Lisbon, Portugal.
Telephone: +351 21 841 3500
Airlines operating at Lisbon Airport: The growing list of airlines operating at Lisbon Airport currently includes Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Air Algerie, Air Arabia Maroc, Air Baltic, Air Canada Rouge, Air Europa, Air France, Air Malta, Air Moldovia, Air Transat, American Airways, Arkia, Atlantic Airways, Azores Airlines, Azul Brazilian Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, British Airways, Cabo Verde Airlines, Croatia Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia, Tunisair, Turkish Airlines, Vueling, United Airlines and Wizz Air.

Where to pick up a car rental at Lisbon Airport

Travellers looking for a good low-cost car rental at Lisbon Airport can choose from several top international car hire providers such as Hertz, Avis, Sixt and Budget have their desks a stone's throw from the Arrivals Hall. Gaining popularity is Europcar's innvovative Premium Pick Up Car Rental service offering passengers arriving at Lisbon Airport a much speedier collection process. Before arriving to pick up your vehicle, please make sure you have all the necessary documents to, along with a credit card in the name of the main driver.

Car hire operating hours

	Avis at Lisbon Airport Arrivals Hall Lisbon, Portugal 1700-008 +351 21 8435550	Opening Hours: Daily 6am-midnight
	Budget at Lisbon Airport Arrivals Hall, Lisbon, Portugal 1700-008 +351 21 8435550	Opening Hours: Daily 6am-midnight
	Europcar at Lisbon Airport Arrivals Hall, Lisbon, Portugal 1700-008 +351 21 8401176	Opening Hours: Daily 6.30am-midnight
	Hertz at Lisbon Airport Arrivals Hall, Lisbon, Portugal 1700-111 +351 21 942 6300	Opening Hours: Daily 6am-midnight

Terminals

Lisbon Airport has two large passenger terminals, with a third one currently in the pipeline. Terminal 1 is the larger and busier of the two with more than 100 check-in desks and around 30 departure gates. Smaller and less busy, Terminal 2 has about 20 check-in desks and caters mostly for low-cost carriers like easyJet. Passengers in transit between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 can use the airport's complimentary bus shuttle running between the two buildings every day from very early in the morning until the last flights arrive and depart the following day. It's a short transfer of a few minutes and departs every ten minutes.

Airport Facilities

Set on two levels, Terminal 1 (being the much larger of the two terminals) offers passengers a comprehensive selection of on-site facilities, including a spa, post office, first-aid booth, luggage storage, a business centre and wrapping service to protect travellers' luggage. A number of lounges, namely the ANA Airport Lounge, Blue Lounge and TAP Premium Lounge, cater for travellers looking to relax before their flights. The long list of other amenities comprises several banks and bureaux de change, children's playground, free Wi-Fi Internet throughout the airport and baby-care facilities. Passengers looking to eat, drink and/or shop during their time at LIS have an enormous choice of bars, cafés restaurants and boutiques from which to choose, such as Starbucks, Calvin Klein, Burger King, FNAC, Mont Blanc, Swarovski, KFC, Women's Secret and McDonald's.

How to get to and from Lisbon Airport

With its location so close to the city centre, it couldn't be easier to pick up your vehicle when you rent a car at Lisbon Airport, particularly at weekends and outside the morning and evening rush-hours. The drop-off point is very well signposted and most of the suppliers' check-in desks are located adjacent to the Arrivals Hall. Reaching the airport using Lisbon's fast and efficient public transport system is equally convenient, with the metro underground station right next door and several bus routes stopping next to the Arrivals Hall, chief amongst them the popular Aerobus service which stops at many of central Lisbon's hotels.

Parking Tips

Once you have collected your car hire at Lisbon Airport, you'll probably want to see as many of the city's attractions as possible, which means finding a convenient place to park for the duration of your visit. The good news is that Lisbon is very well organised when it comes to street parking with an abundance of metered spaces throughout the whole of the city centre, the majority of which are operated by the local Lisbon City Council company called EMEL. The prices for parking are based on zones subject to a maximum time-limit. Parking prices vary from one area to area, with the historic zones being the most expensive with the cost of parking in the outer lying areas much cheaper. Be careful when choosing your street-parking space because a lot of them are reserved for local residents. Lisbon Airport is very well served with parking facilities, from short-term car parks attached to the airport complex to long-term car parks situated a short walk of bus ride away. Other parking options include the executive car park (designed for business travellers) and the low-cost car park with special rates for budget travellers. Spaces are also available for passengers with reduced mobility and those wanting to park and charge electric vehicles.

Useful links

Lisbon Airport