Car rental in Porto – Discovering northern Portugal

Yes, you will most definitely need a valid credit card (in the name of the main driver) to rent a car in Porto with Auto Europe. The reason for this is that your chosen supplier - whether it's a major international company such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, etc. or a local vehicle provider like Guerin or Tangerine - will want to hold a temporary deposit on the credit card as a security deposit, which will be returned as soon as the car is returned to the supplier in the same condition as it was delivered to you. Please note that for premium brand or luxury cars, a second major credit card (ie Visa, Mastercard, etc.) may be required, both of which must also be in the name of the main driver.

It's important to note that if you cannot present a valid credit card in the name of the main driver whose name is clearly stated on the reservation, the chances are you will not be able to pick up your vehicle. It should also be noted that if this or any other kind of problem occurs with your credit card at the time of pick-up, it is not normally possible to claim refund and your reservation will probably lost as a result. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to make sure that your credit card is valid, in the name of the main driver, has sufficient funds for the security deposit (the amount of which can easily be checked by clicking on the blue and white info (i) button in the car details after making a quick search in the Auto Europe booking engine. For more information, please check out our dedicated blog page to learn the most important things about credit cards and deposits when renting a cheap car hire in Porto.

All our car hire options in Porto and vehicles booked with our local partners already come with the minimum amount of legally-required coverage, including the basic insurance for Civil Liability, Theft and CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), ie it is already included in the basic rates published on our website. However, this insurance does not cover other types of damage to the vehicle, such as some parts of the vehicle, which is why we always recommend that our customers spend a little more to protect themselves, the vehicle and their passengers with our special coverage policies such as our popular Full Damage Protection product for extra peace of mind when travelling around with your car hire in Porto. Many of the local providers will also try to offer you additional insurance, including (but not limited to) Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Roadside Assistance, amongst other policies. This type of coverage is completely optional and you are under no obligation whatsoever to buy them, especially if you have already purchased Auto Europe's coverage already mentioned in this section. Please note that Auto Europe cannot reimburse the amount of any insurance purchased from the local car hire supplier as they are their own products.

Porto is an old city, with much of its historic centre spread out mainly along the banks of the River Douro. Additionally, it is not a very large city, which means that it can sometimes be a bit difficult to drive around the more central areas, especially during the morning and evening rush-hours. In any case, although most of the main cultural attractions can be found close to the Old Town, plenty of street parking options are available, as well as large municipal car parks in and around the city centre. Please note that many of the streets in the older parts of the city are quite narrow and bumpy due to the cobblestones, so it is therefore best to park outside the city centre and visit the main monuments and tourist areas on foot.

When renting a car in Porto with Auto Europe you should bear in mind that the main municipal car parks are located in some of the city's most strategic locations, such as those on the north and east sides of the popular Parque da Cidade, which is next to the coast. Praça de Gomes Teixeira (next to the University of Porto) is another good option, as is Rua de São Filipe de Nery which is close the Torre dos Clérigos. Other large car parks to look out for if you visiting Porto's top attractions include Viela do Anjo (next to the Sé Cathedral) and the more expensive Casa da Música, which is situated close to the busy Rotunda da Boavista. Porto also has an abundance of underground car parks which although convenient, charge much higher rates than municipal car parks. They are generally safe, well managed and located in good spots around the city. Another suggestion is to park on the south bank of the River Douro, in Vila Nova de Gaia, and walk over the iconic D. Luís I Bridge.

Yes. There are tolls on all of Portugal's motorways, several of which pass through Porto either beginning or ending in the city centre or its suburbs. Standard tolls in Portugal are paid at the exit, with the final rate calculated on the total distance travelled. Electronic tolls are also in operation throughout Portugal, including the north, which means that your rental car should be equipped with an automatic reader, known locally as a Via Verde decoder. These devices are usually activated by the provider of your cheap car rental in Porto upon request, with the payment of a fee to be expected for the extra service. Please note that some electronic tolls (not all) still have a ticket machine available before you enter the paid part of the motorway.

Please bear in mind that electronic tolls only work if you have a Portuguese bank account or credit card that has been previously linked to the corresponding automatic toll decoder. That's why we advise our customers to always buy one of these devices from the supplier at the time of collecting the rental car, so that they can freely use all the tolls they need without worrying. This means you'll be able to pass through the special Via Verde lanes (those marked with a green background with the letter V in white). If you enter a motorway with a fully electronic toll without an automatic decoder (on the former SCUT motorways, for instance), you only have between two and five days to pay at a local post office, which can be logistically complicated for those visiting the city for just a few days. In the event of non-payment, a fine will certainly be imposed and your credit card will be charged later, although other legal possibilities are not out of the question for non-payment.

Yes. While visiting the city and the rest of Portugal, you can save a lot of money on hotels and restaurants by renting an affordable campervan in Porto with Auto Europe at very special rates. Furthermore, our motorhomes are fully equipped with all modern conveniences, including a fridge, oven and shower. Book your motorhome rental in Porto now and explore the city and all of northern Portugal in total comfort and at your own pace.