Renting a Car in Porto, Portugal: The 2026 Complete Guide

2026-06-02

Here’s everything you need to know before renting a car in Porto, Portugal.

Find out if it’s worth renting a car in Porto, where and how to rent, as well as precautions to consider when making the reservation.

Additionally, I provide a complete list of documents you need to present when picking up the rental car.

And finally, I also include some suggestions of worthwhile places to visit around Porto.

These tips are valuable as they include well-known locations such as Braga, Aveiro, Guimarães, and Régua in the Douro region, as well as lesser-known gems like Mondim de Basto, Sistelo in Arcos de Valdevez, and Lamego, a lesser-known area in the Douro region.

All these amazing places are conveniently located within a two-hour drive from Porto! So, shall we embark together on this road trip through Northern Portugal?

Is it worth renting a car in Porto?

If your idea is to just explore Porto’s historic center, then I believe it’s not worth renting a car.

However, Northern Portugal is full of incredible places that are well worth visiting. The best way to do that is by renting a car in Porto.

While there are daily public transportation options such as trains and buses, they may not be convenient for visitors as schedules are often geared towards commuters and may not cover lesser-known regions.

Therefore, in my opinion, renting a car in Porto is not only highly worthwhile but essential for enjoying a more comprehensive and relaxed experience.

Where and how to rent a car in Porto?

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), Porto.

To book a car in Porto, I use and recommend Discovercars, an online platform that allows you to compare rental prices from various companies transparently, enabling you to choose the best offer including all taxes, fees, and mandatory extras.

Additionally, the online booking process is very practical and intuitive.

When making your reservation, you can choose to pick up the car at Porto Airport (OPO) or in the city center.

To help you make an informed decision about rental companies with offices at Porto Airport and in the city center, here are some relevant details:

Examples of car rental companies at Porto Airport (OPO)

Drive & Go
Turisprime
Goldcar
Drive4Move
Surprice
Budget
Avis
Alamo

Examples of car rental companies in downtown Porto

Here are the main car rental companies in downtown Porto, along with their addresses for picking up the car:

Keddy: Rua de Gonçalo Cristóvão 67, 4000-267, Porto.
ProRent: Rua Delfim Ferreira, 440 Porto or Rua Da Alegria 997, Porto.
Budget: Campanhã Train Station or R. de 5 de Outubro 378 382, 4100-172 Porto.
Europcar: Rua de Gonçalo Cristovão, 67, Porto.

This information should help you choose the most convenient option for renting a car in Porto.

What are the documents required to rent a car and drive legally in Porto, Portugal?

The rules for renting a car in Portugal, specifically in the city of Porto, may vary slightly depending on the rental company chosen; however, there are some common and overarching rules.

Generally, to rent a car, drivers need to be at least 25 years old and have held a valid driver’s license for more than 1 year. Remember that copies of documents are not accepted.

Additionally, when picking up the car, don’t forget the following:

Have your car rental voucher with you.
Present a valid identification document, such as an identity card, citizen card, or passport.
Provide a credit card in the name of the person renting the car (note that third-party cards are generally not accepted, and debit or prepaid cards are often not accepted).

It’s very important to always have the rental car documentation with you while driving. Therefore, do not leave the documents in the hotel.

When is the best time to rent a car in Porto?

From my experience, renting a car in Porto earlier offers more chances to secure a good price.

This is because, as you likely understand, the rental car industry also operates on the principles of supply and demand. In other words, the closer you are to your rental date, the fewer vehicles may be available, and consequently, prices tend to increase.

For example, during July and August, which coincide with the peak summer season, rental prices typically rise.

Conversely, in months like March or October, prices are often lower due to fewer tourists in the region.

👉 Check out how much it costs to rent a car in Porto, Portugal.

June 23rd, São João Night in Porto, the city bustling with locals and visitors.

What to keep in mind when renting cars in Porto

When renting a car in Porto, and leveraging the information available on the Discovercars website, choose only suppliers with a rating of 8.0 or higher.

This is important to ensure you are selecting a reliable car rental company with quality service.

Also, pay attention to the rental conditions, particularly regarding allowed mileage, deposit policy, and rules for crossing borders, especially if you plan to travel to Spain, the neighboring country.

In Portugal, there are tolls and scouts, which can be a bit confusing for those unfamiliar with this type of payment. Therefore, before picking up the rental car, make sure to opt for the E-Toll service, meaning you join Via Verde.

In practice, this means you don’t need to pay tolls and scouts individually at the moment of passing through; instead, you make a single payment later. Many parking facilities in Porto also operate with this system, which is very convenient.

Additionally, don’t forget to carefully read the voucher with all confirmations to ensure it aligns with your expectations. For added peace of mind, I recommend always opting for Full Coverage insurance.

And always, without fail, take photos of the rental car at the beginning of the rental period and when returning it, to document any potential damages, scratches, or dents on the vehicle.

Lastly, it’s important to be familiar with the traffic rules of your destination. To help refresh your memory, here are the main ones.

Enjoying alcoholic beverages responsibly.

Speed control radar on Highway A3, between Porto and Braga.

Main driving rules in Portugal

In Portugal, unless otherwise indicated by local signage, the maximum speed limits for passenger vehicles are 120 km/h on highways, 90-100 km/h on expressways, and 50 km/h in urban areas.

Please be aware that there are speed cameras on national roads, not all of which are marked. Regarding the legal blood alcohol concentration limit in Portugal, it is currently 0.5 g/L, and routine traffic stops for enforcement are frequent, especially on weekends.

If traveling with children, please note that children up to 12 years old and under 135 cm tall must sit in the rear seats of the car and use an appropriate child restraint system. Additionally, children under 3 years old must use a child seat.

In the Porto region, there are no specific traffic restrictions for passenger vehicles, so unless you are renting a heavy vehicle, you can drive without issues, including within the city center.