There’s no better way to discover the historic, coastal capital of Portugal than with your Avis hire car. Lisbon is notorious for its hilly terrain: built on seven hills, the city is best navigated in a smooth, compact car to zip through the busy streets and discover all the city has to offer.

Our range of small cars, including chic, city-ready vehicles like the Fiat 500 are perfect for tight corners and tricky parking spaces. Economically-friendly vehicles like the Volkswagen Polo are ideal for practicality and offer a bit more space than a mini. If you’re bringing the whole family, you might opt for a mid-size hatchback like the Vauxhall Crossland or a large car like the Peugeot 3008.

Whatever your needs, the car rental Lisbon Airport team will be happy to assist. View the Avis car hire fleet for more information.

The main international gateway to Portugal, Lisbon Airport is a bustling hub of travellers and holiday-makers alike. Once you’ve arrived, head to the car rental Lisbon Airport service desk, located in the Arrivals area of the airport before collecting your vehicle.

Lisbon Airport is located about 6 miles north-east of Lisbon’s city centre and driving between the two takes roughly 25 minutes via Av. da República.

Whether you’re intending to drive in the city or tour the country (or both), remember to drive on the right!

Wearing headphones while driving is illegal and mobile phones can only be used with a hands-free system.

Luggage carried on vehicles must not exceed the vehicle’s length by more than 45 cm at the back and 55 cm at the front.

Dipped headlights must be used in tunnels and when visibility is poor during the day.

Speed Limits

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:

• Urban areas: 31 mph (50 km/h)
• Motorways: 74 mph (120 km/h)

• Rural areas: 55 mph (90 km/h)

Unless indicated by road signs.

Child Safety / Seatbelt Laws

It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt

• Children under 12 and less than 150 cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size.

Please note - It is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

Portuguese Currency

In Lisbon (and throughout all of Portugal) the currency is the euro (€).

Portugal driving guide

Want a quick guide to the Portuguese road rules? We’ve got you covered.

And to help you plan your trip, we've created Great Drive guides to some of the best driving locations in Europe.

There is so much to explore beyond Lisbon in your Avis hire car. Whether you’re on the hunt for an epic food-filled adventure jam-packed with ocean-fresh seafood, sizzling steaks and sparkling sangria, or in the mood for a cultural adventure steeped in Portuguese history and dotted with iconic landmarks, you can do it all in your Lisbon car rental.

A day trip to visit the Quinta da Regaleira near Sintra is more than worth your while. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Quinta da Regaleira was built at the turn of the 20th century and is comprised of a Palace, a Chapel and beautiful gardens with grottos – all in romantic architecture.

Travelling there: an easy 35-minute drive via the A37 from Lisbon to Sintra.

A little further out, the charming city of Tomar is filled to the brim with captivating art, cultural wealth and inspiring architecture. Originally founded by the Knights Templar, Tomar is situated on the banks of the Nabao River and boasts a history dating back to the 12th century.

Travelling there: a 1.5 hour drive north of Lisbon via the A1.

A day trip spent exploring the lovely beach towns of the southern Portuguese coast awaits on your road trip to Cascais from Lisbon. You’ll pass through picturesque towns like Paço de Arcos and Estoril – the perfect opportunity to soak in the sun while delighting in the cuisine of southern Portugal (including its local seafood). Once you’ve arrived in Cascais, make the most of the charming fishing village by wandering along its flower-filled, cobblestone streets lined with beautiful white houses and strolling along its pristine beaches.

Travelling there: head west from Lisbon via the A37. If you drive directly from Lisbon to Cascais without stopping, the journey will take about 45 minutes.

For more info and road trip ideas in and around Lisbon, see our car rental Portugal page.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. If you are using our car rental Lisbon Airport service (or rent a car via any of our Avis rental locations), your refund will be processed in full immediately and should reach your account within 5 working days – should you need to a cancel a booking. See our flexible cancellation policy for more information.

What are the age requirements for a car rental at Lisbon Airport?

To drive our vehicles, you – and all your drivers – must be at least 21 years old and have held a full valid driver's licence for at least ½ year at the start of your rental. If you – or one of your drivers – are under the age of 25 when the vehicle is collected, a young driver surcharge will apply to each of you. There are no age restrictions as long as you have held a full valid driver's licence for at least ½ year.

Can I pick up my rental car at Lisbon Airport and return it at another location?

Yes, with the Avis one-way rental that's not a problem. Pick up your one-way rental car from our car rental Lisbon Airport location (or any of our locations throughout Europe) and return it at another rental location at the end of your trip.

What measures does Avis take to ensure my safety?

We take the utmost care to provide the highest levels of safety at our service locations and in our vehicles. This includes using counter screens to observe social distancing protocols at our car rental Lisbon Airport location, providing hand sanitisers, and carefully cleaning every vehicle before each rental – with special attention paid to steering wheels, indicators, dashboards, hand grips, in-car entertainment controls, cup holders, centre consoles, and all door handles both inside and out. Read the Avis Safety Pledge for more info.