Car hire in Lisbon
Our Lisbon car rental desks are easily located across the Portuguese capital. Find us as soon as you land at Lisbon Portela Airport or at Gare do Oriente train station. Alternatively, collect your vehicle from one of our four offices situated around the city.
Seeped in old-world majesty, Lisbon welcomes nearly five million visitors to its sunny shores every year. Marking the centre of Portugal’s coastline, the thriving port city is an easy coastal drive to charismatic Porto in the north and sun-soaked Faro on its southernmost tip.
Heading on a one-way trip? Make use of our flexible return options—collect your hire car in Lisbon and drop it off elsewhere in Portugal or Europe at the end of your trip.
![Pastel de Nata Lisbon](https://avisassets.abgemea.com/dam/jcr:08b23385-a464-49b5-8c6e-5f50c6dcf531/Pastel_Nata_Credit_iStock_AnnaPustynn.jpg)
Your top car rental locations in Lisbon
Plan your journey in Lisbon
Neolithic souvenirs of Lisbon’s earliest inhabitants remain on the city’s periphery. More recently, the imposing bastions of Castelo de São Jorge that overshadow the city mark its time under Islamic rule in the 8th century. But it’s the scattering of obscenely decorative palaces that mark Lisbon’s historic role at the affluent core of the Portuguese Empire.
The city’s distinctive barrios -districts- form a variegated patchwork of unique flavours and cultures. One of the capital’s oldest areas is Alfama. Nudged up against the slow slide of the Tagus River, it’s where you’ll find Lisbon’s heart. Wander through its gracefully aged streets, eavesdropping on the soulful plucks of local Fado bands, for a real sense of old-world Portugal. For something more contemporary and upbeat, Barrio Alta’s lively wine bars and al-fresco restaurants march to a quicker drum.
Baixa’s broad boulevards and sweeping plazas pay tribute to Portugal’s faded glory as the largest and longest-lived empire in the world. Find a perch at the Praça do Comércio and gaze out across the harbour over a cup of dark-roasted bica and a cinnamon-dusted pastel de nata.
Beyond Lisbon
If it’s quick access to a beach you’re after, you’ll find a surfer’s paradise within a 30-minute drive west along the coast from Lisbon. Cascais is an indulgent stretch of sandy shores spooling out from a bustling marina that fronts a charming medieval Old Town.
Head a little further along the coast and you’ll discover scenic walking trails through the pristine wilderness of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The pretty historic hill top-perched town of Sintra within the park offers some respite from the sizzling temperatures on the coast.
It’s a pretty three-hour drive from Lisbon to the bustling city of Porto set demurely on the banks of the River Douro in the north, and the route takes you through some of Portugal’s finest wine country. JK Rowling lived and taught English here for a while - head to the neo-Gothic Lello Bookshop for some fascinating literary inspiration. But Porto’s unequivocal star attraction is its signature tipple - don’t leave without a snifter of port. For generous helpings of the country’s prime coastline, reach the glimmering Algarve along the south coast in under three hours from Lisbon.
Hire a car with Avis in Lisbon for the ultimate freedom to explore Portugal’s sprawling beaches, charming villages and rolling vineyards.
Driving rules in Portugal
Which side of the road?In Portugal, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
- Do not use the horn in a built up area unless in danger
- If you're caught committing a driving offence, the police can issue an on-the-spot fine
- As you approach toll booths on motorways, don't use the green lanes. These are reserved for drivers using an automatic e-toll payment system. (Please speak to an Avis representative when collecting your rental car if you would like us to register you for this service)
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Rural areas: 90 km/h (55mph)
- Motorways: 120 km/h (74 mph)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 and less than 135cm must be seated in appropriate child restraint for their size
- Children aged under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.
Why choose Avis for your Lisbon car hire?
- Fully flexible
Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.
- Fully flexible
- Savings on coverage
When you choose Avis Inclusive you can experience total peace of mind with no extras or surprises. Pay one upfront price for free Roadside Assistance Plus and 25% discount on comprehensive zero-excess cover.
- Savings on coverage
- Loyalty benefits
Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.
- Loyalty benefits
- Safety first
From our well-maintained fleet to protecting your data, we take safety seriously. That’s why we’ve partnered with Dettol® to ensure both hygienic rental locations and thoroughly cleaned vehicles.
- Safety first
- Faster collection
Save time at the counter by registering your details in advance with our simple and free QuickPass. You could be on the road sooner than you think.
- Faster collection
- VIP treatment
Get priority counter service on collection with Avis Preferred. At our larger locations you can use our Avis app to go straight to your car where the keys will be waiting for you.
- VIP treatment