Car rental in Portimao can be arranged through local rental offices in the resort town or at Faro Airport. Alternatively, you can book online and have the car delivered to a designated location.
It's important to note that during the summer season, car rental in Portimao typically starts at around 300 EUR for a week or 350 EUR for 10 days. In the winter months, car rental is more affordable compared to peak season rates, with options like a Renault Clio diesel available for around 150 EUR for 10 days. Many rental companies may place a hold on your credit card for an amount ranging from 50% to 200% of the rental cost. For example, renting a Skoda Octavia with automatic transmission for 4 days in Eugorsag could cost around 190-200 EUR.
Keep in mind that car rental prices can vary significantly from one company to another. Sometimes, even in February, finding a budget-friendly car rental in Portimao might be challenging. This can lead to situations where renting a car for 3 days costs more than renting it for 10 days. Additionally, Portugal has higher gasoline prices, toll roads, and sometimes challenging road signage. Experienced travelers often recommend using a GPS navigator to navigate the roads effectively.
In Portimao, car rental services are available 24 hours a day. However, it's advisable to notify the rental company if you require the car to be delivered directly to the airport or your hotel. Some tourists also venture into neighboring Spain, like Seville, and it's a good practice to inform the rental company about such plans.
To facilitate the use of toll roads, a special device is typically installed on the rental car, with a daily cost of 2 EUR. Toll fees are usually deducted from your card a few weeks after you return the car.
Parking in Portimao is generally safe, and you can leave your car without worrying about theft. Portuguese locals consider taking someone else's car a great disgrace, and car theft is rare in areas where they reside. While occasional incidents may happen in the slums of major cities, these are not common, and it's best to avoid parking your car in such areas.
In the unfortunate event that your car is towed, contact the nearest police station. They will provide information on the location of the municipal police's impound lot responsible for car towing. The fine for towing can vary; for example, in Lisbon, it's around 135 EUR, with an immediate payment requirement of 30 EUR upon presenting your car documents. In such cases, get in touch with the rental company, return the car keys to them, and they will retrieve your car from the impound lot. They will also pay the remaining fine amount on your behalf and later deduct it from your card.
