Car Hire in Porto

About Porto

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal and Europe's cultural capital. In the heart of the city, you will see the wide Liberdade Square, guarded by the statue of King Peter IV on a horse. The alleys in the centre are woven with history and charm, and the restaurants and cafes make Porto a very tasty destination. Head over to Portugal's most visited museum, Contemporary Art Museum and the winding House of Music, the only concert hall in the world with two walls made entirely of glass.

The city's core is best explored on foot, but if you want to venture further afield, a rental car may prove essential. Renting a car in Porto is easy and allows the freedom to travel to other beautiful places nearby.

Basic info and car hire in Porto

• Location: Northern Portugal.
• Population: 1.316,445. (2021)       
• Official language: Portuguese and Mirandese.                 
• Currency: Euro (€).        
• Weather: Mediterranean climate. Warm summers (19°C / 66°F), mild, rainy winters (10°C / 50°F) and pleasant spring (13°C / 55 °F) and autumn (16°C / 61°F).
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions: Major roads are in good condition, while some secondary roads are worse for wear. 
• Car hire in Porto: The most common pick-up point for vehicles is the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport or simply Porto Airport. The average daily price for renting a car in Porto is £9.4 / 11€ in summer, £8.6 / 10€ in spring, £6.8 / 8€ in autumn and £6 / 7€ in winter. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find a cheap last minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Porto!

Driving in Porto

There are two toll systems in Portugal. The traditional toll road is called Via Verde (Green Lane). These toll lanes are marked with green V signs. To use a Via Verde lane, you must buy or rent an electronic transponder or vignette at all CTT Post Office and Via Verde shops. This way you can pay with cash, credit cards or prepaid cards while driving. Do not use the Via Verde lanes if you do not have a Via Verde transponder. Other roads only use electronic tolling, which means there are no toll booths and you can not pay as you drive. Instead, devices placed at the start of these highways detect passing vehicles. These toll roads are marked with a black car and three expanding bars. Most car rental companies in Portugal have Via Verde transponders installed in their vehicles, but if you want to rent a car in Portugal, it is a good idea to ask the company how their system works with both toll systems.

Driving in Porto can be challenging and drivers can be impatient. Remember that the maximum BAC value for drivers is 0.05%. There is a zero-tolerance law for novice drivers who have held a licence for less than two years and for young drivers under the age of 21.

The best time to visit Porto (weather-wise) is in October after the summer heat has died down, or if you do not mind the heat and hordes of tourists, visit in the summer. 

• Age limits: 21 (Minimum age may vary according to car hire companies. A Young Driver fee will apply to drivers under 25 years of age. In order to hire a car, it is required that a driver has held a licence for more than one year).          
• International Driving Permit: Yes, if you are a non-EU licence holder.   
• Additional papers: Identification(passport), a valid driving licence and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in Portugal).          
• Additional requirements: Warning triangles, reflective vests, spare wheel, spare light bulbs are required as well as hands-free equipment with hearing aids are required when talking on the phone while driving.
• Children in the car: All car occupants must wear a seat belt. Children under the age of twelve, or shorter than 4ft 11in / 1.50 meters, may travel in the front passenger seat if they are in a secured, rear-facing children’s seat.            
• Driving side of the road: Right.                
• Lights: Headlights are turned on while in a tunnel or during conditions of poor visibility.    
• General speed limits: 75 mph / 120 kph on motorways, 55 mph / 90 kph outside cities and 30 mph / 50 kph in residential areas.
• Parking suggestions: Although there are many parking garages and on-street parking lots, finding a free spot can be time-consuming. We recommend parking in Avenida dos Aliados (10 minutes walk to the centre) or near Metro Station Carolina Michaelis (15 minutes walk to the centre).

What to see in Porto

There is much to see and do in Porto! Witness how Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles perfectly intertwined in the design of the magnificent Porto Cathedral. Join the hustle and bustle on the Avenue of the Allies - a street full of cafés and shops! Walk along the banks of the Douro River and stroll through the Ribeira District, lined with old buildings. The view of Vila Nova de Gaia over the Douro River is absolutely breathtaking. If you want to see this city up close, walk or drive over the iconic double-decker Dom Luis I bridge.