Car rental in Lisbon at the Best Prices

Lisbon is a city full of old world charm but with a modern twist. From its vibrant Bairro Alto to its historical Alfama District, the city has much to offer visitors. Cobbled streets and pavements are very much part of the Portuguese identity and Lisbon doesn’t disappoint. Extravagant pavements are around every corner with pleasant palm treed courtyards to relax in. Traditional patisseries, restaurants and endless quaint coffee shops, are all part of the city’s charm. With a car rental in Lisbon you’ll also be able to head further out to explore some amazing scenery and beaches.

With over 60 years car rental experience, Auto Europe has grown to be one of the leading car hire brokers. From our humble beginnings in 1954 we have partnered with local, national and international world renowned car rental brands and expanded our reach over 24,000 locations worldwide. Through our trusted partners we are able to provide great deals with a large selection of vehicles to choose from. Contact one of our reservation agents to discuss how we can help in your next visit to Lisbon.

How is the traffic in Lisbon?

Congestion in Lisbon can vary considerably. Like all major capital cities, rush hour is the worst time of day to drive around the city. Rush hour normally starts at 08:00 until 10:00 and again at 17:00 until 19:00. During these times many of the cities crisscrossing dual carriageways and motorways become congested. Traffic is particularly heavy on the approach to the, 25th April Bridge and the intersection EIXO N-S with the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

The A1 motorway, which heads north and the A8 heading north-east can also become extremely congested. Other routes of note that can get congested are the A5, A9 and the 2nd Circular (ring road). Breakdowns and accidents are common place, which all aid themselves to causing even greater congestion. Many roads are very narrow and hilly, with many neighbourhoods only having a couple of entry and exit points. All this being said, when the roads run smoothly and there are no incidents, then Lisbon is a pleasant city to drive around, even in the centre.

Where can I park my car rental in Lisbon?

There are numerous options for parking around Lisbon. On-street parking is available and mainly metered. Free parking spots do exist but you’ll need to get to them very early. People tend to park on abandoned patches of land, which can often be found throughout the city, especially towards the docks. Underground secure car parks exist all over the city – some however are very tight to drive in, so make sure you’re comfortable driving in them and your car isn’t too large.

All major shopping centres and some sporting venues have car parking facilities. For example, Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre, Colombo Shopping Centre, Dulce Vita Tejo and Strada Outlet. Parking is generally not very expensive, but beware that traffic wardens do issue fines and sometimes even clamp or tow vehicles. Generally parking is free on Sundays and public holidays, however, confirm before parking with the on-street signage.

Lisbon Airport

Located 7 km from the city centre, Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport and formerly Portela Airport, is Portugal’s busiest airport. In 2018 the airport successfully handled 30 million passengers and 115 tonnes of cargo. It serves as a major European hub for routes to Brazil, South America and Africa. The airport encompasses two terminals, Terminal one is the oldest and largest, dealing with arrivals and national carriers. Terminal Two is smaller and a temporary terminal which deals mainly with low cost airlines.

Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
Address: Alameda das Comunidades Portugesas, 1700-111
Website: Lisbon Airport
Telephone: +351 21 841 35 00

What to do in Lisbon

Many come to Lisbon and head straight to Caxias beach, or further out to Cascais or Sintra. Lisbon however, has much more to see and do then just beaches. From the Coach Museum to the Maritime Museum and the Oriente Museum, Lisbon has untold riches. As you wander the city, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by numerous plazas and hidden monumental gems. The city is very hilly, so make sure you have good stamina. We advise taking some time out to visit the following:

• Lisbon Oceanarium: Located at Oriente, Eastern Lisbon, the Oceanarium holds around 3.7 million litres of seawater and is a world within itself. With 8,000 sea creatures, along with its central main tank, four permanent exhibitions also exist. Each exhibit holds various birds, fish, amphibians and mammals. This indoor aquarium holds numerous large fish, a sizeable sunfish, manta rays and sharks. Including schooling fish and even penguins!


• Torre de Belém: Originally a fort that protected Lisbon in the 16th century, Torre de Belém once served as the departure point for many of Portugal’s famous explorers. Visitors can explore the inside, which once served as a prison, chapel and royal quarters. Queues to get into this monument can be extremely long, it is therefore recommended to either arrive early of instead admire its architectural design from the outside.


• Alfama District: Dating back to Moorish times, the Alfama District is set on a hill. Here you will be presented with quaint little stores, exquisite coffee houses and charming restaurants that host FADO - Portuguese folklore music. With ancient narrow cobbled streets and buildings, you could be forgiven for forgetting you’re in the 21st century! Towards the top you will have a couple of viewpoints, offering amazing views over the city of Lisbon and port.


• Tram 28: This iconic tram will take you past many of Lisbon’s national monuments and tourist attractions. The route heads from Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique, passing some of Lisbon’s best neighbourhoods, Graça, Baixa and Bairro Alto. Many of the trams have been in use since the Second World War, which adds to the experience and charm. Unfortunately, due to Tram 28’s popularity, there are often long queues as tourists and locals alike wait to board it.


• St. Georges Castle: High up overlooking Lisbon is St. Georges Castle in Alfama. With an abundance of history on display, this castle has been under Roman, Visigoth and Moorish rule, even serving as a royal palace at one stage. The first king of Portugal eventually captured this fortification in 1147 AD. With incredible views overlooking the city and the sea, within its walls you’ll also find many relics to admire

Best day trips with my car hire in Lisbon

Lisbon is a delightful city to explore by car; however, Portugal is much more than just its capital city. With a car rental from Lisbon you can plan to head further out to discover some amazing places, all of which are full of history, culture and culinary delights. So whether it’s a visit to Costa da Caparica or Óbidos, with your vehicle you can go wherever you want. Here are our recommendations:

Sintra: Located west of Lisbon you’ll find a magical fairytale place called Sintra. For centuries nobility from various countries have made their residence here. Sintra is crammed with manor houses, palaces and even a Moorish Castle. The village still contains much of its old-world charm, with lots of lush vegetation. The centre has numerous hotels, coffee houses and restaurants, with the summer months becoming extremely busy.

Tróia: An oasis south of Lisbon, Tróia actually belongs to the District of Setúbal, however it is only 40 minutes away by car, plus an extra 30 minutes by ferry. Tróia is a golden sandy peninsula with a world-class casino, hotel and golf resort. With a Roman settlement, flamingos, dolphins and a beach so large, that you can easily lose yourself in – Tróia is a true paradise on Lisbon’s doorstep.

Cascais: Traditionally a small fishing village west of Lisbon, Cascais has grown to be one of the main towns where visitors flock too. The centre is a delightful cobbled street maze of stores, coffee houses and restaurants. In addition, you’ll also find clubs, pubs and bars, with a beach bar never too far away. At night the atmosphere becomes alive, with lots of people, and whole families out on the town for dinner.

Ericeira & Mafra: As Europe’s only surf reserve, Ericeira, Mafra is around 40 minutes north of Lisbon. A quaint fishing village, and the place where the last King of Portugal set sail from, Ericeira nowadays attracts thousands of visitors per year. Its laid back lifestyle lends itself well to the surfer lifestyle, and as such numerous surf schools and themed cafés, restaurants and stores have developed from this trade. The National Palace of Mafra is also 5 minutes away from Ericeira and a must visit for any historian. This palace was where the royal family spent their last night before exile.

Geographic Information & History

Located on the mouth of the River Tagus, Lisbon is Europe’s western most capital city. The west side of Lisbon consists of a national park – Monsanto – one of the largest in Europe. Lisbon municipality covers around 100 km squared, Metropolitan Lisbon however extends as far south as the City of Setúbal and north to Mafra Municipality. Weather wise, you can expect mild and rainy winters with hot dry sunny days during the summer.

During the Neolithic period, pre-Celtic tribes populated the area and built numerous megaliths and religious monuments, which are still found today. It is known that Iron Age people occupied what is now modern day Lisbon as early as the 8th and 6th century. Phoenician trading presence is thought to have existed since 1200 BC. Olissipo, as it was known during the Roman era, became an important trading post with many of its citizens having Roman Citizenship.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Olissipo came under the rule of numerous barbarian tribes. The Sarmatians, Alans, Vandals, Germanic Suebi and Visigoths all played their part in shaping the city. In 711 the city was conquered by the Moors. In 1147 crusader knights led by the first king of Portugal captured the city. Lisbon became the capital city of the Kingdom of Portugal in 1255. During the Age of Discovery, Lisbon became the centre of a vast global trading empire that spanned South America, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australasia.

The city grew in wealth and at one point was the richest city in Europe. Since then however, with the decline of its empire, the earthquake in 1755 – which saw much of the city destroyed – and the peninsula wars, Lisbon saw the dwindling of its influence, power and wealth. Modern Lisbon is an extremely popular tourist destination. Its rich architectural history spans Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Postmodern – all of which successfully merges the old world with the new.

How to get around Lisbon

Getting around Lisbon isn’t too difficult due to its extensive public transport network. The system is well integrated and connects to locations throughout the country and the European continent. Public transport is relatively cheap, modern and well maintained. A Viva travel card can be purchased and will allow you access to the whole network. Simply touch in and out when you enter the network.

Bus

Lisbon buses are modern, well-maintained and come with air-conditioning. They will take you all over the city and into its suburbs. Along with local bus routes, coaches also provide a service to neighbouring cities such as Mafra, Setúbal, Vila Franca de Xira, etc. Express buses also connect routes further afield such as Porto and Faro, or internationally such as Madrid, Barcelona and beyond. Praça de Espanha, Oriente and Sete Rios are some of the major central bus stations.

Train

Trains are a great alternative if you are looking to head out of Lisbon. You can catch a train from Lisbon to Cascais or Sintra, likewise to Setúbal, south of the river. Intercity trains exist and will take you to Porto in the north and Faro in the South. Likewise, international trains can be caught which take you to Madrid or even Vigo in northern Spain. Trains are relatively cheap and you can also use the Viva card. Trains heading across the river are double-decker and run frequently.

Taxis

A licensed city taxi service operates in Lisbon. These taxis like throughout the country are black in colour with a green roof. A taxi sign is also on top of its roof, and when lit up, it means it’s available. European style taxis cream in colour also exist. Taxis are metered and can be either pre-booked or caught at any taxi rank. Hailing a taxi is not the norm, so don’t always expect them to stop. Make sure you discuss the costs involved with your journey with the driver before setting off.

Metro

Lisbon has four metro lines that crisscross much of the city. The red line will take you from the airport through Oriente to S. Sebastião. The green line will take you from the ferry terminal – Cais do Sodré north towards Telheiras. The yellow line will take you from Rato in the centre, via the Cidade Universitária, towards Lumiar. Whilst the blue line will take you from Santa Apolónia towards Amadora via the Jardim Zoológico and Colégio Militar. The system is very efficient and modern, although can get crowded during rush hour.

Tram

Lisbon’s tram network consists of six routes and has been operating since 1873. Covering around 76 km, the tram system is an excellent way to get around town. Although the system has some modern trams, its main stock of trams dates back to the Second World War. The sheer experience and thrill of travelling on one of these trams alone, make it a must do. Plus, Tram 28 will take you past all the major tourist attractions.

Water transport

Ferries exist and take people from Lisbon city to the other side of the river. Both passenger and vehicle ferries are in operation. Ferry routes include Cais do Sodré to Seixal, Cacilhas and Montijo. Also Terreiro do Paço to Barreiro and Belem to Trafaria and Porto Brandão.

Useful links

Tourism Information