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Car hire in Porto – Uncover Northern Portugal
A glorious blend of the old and the new, Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, is a bustling place that energises visitors with its rich history, interesting architecture and splendid Atlantic location. As conventional as it is contemporary, it was originally named by the Romans who called it Portus (or port) from which the country partly derives its name. With its impressive location at the mouth of the mighty River Douro, Porto’s far-reaching historical backdrop and immensely atmospheric charm has put the city firmly on the tourist map in recent years. Famous for its narrow, cobbled streets and old trams, it’s a city of impressive Baroque churches and delightful neoclassical buildings funded by centuries of commerce, most notably the thriving port wine trade. For wine lovers, don't miss our Wine Tour Road Trip or Dão Road Trip pages for more travel ideas during your visit to northern Portugal. You can also explore cities in other parts of Portugal, such as Figueira da Foz and Lisbon.
As one of the world's leading car hire companies with over 28,000 locations in 190 countries, Auto Europe has all the right solutions for your road trip in Porto and elsewhere in northern Portugal, offering you the flexibility of picking up your car hire in Porto at many city locations, including the railway stations and Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. Should you wish to return your rented vehicle to another location than the the pick up location, this is also possible thanks to our one-way car hire option. Simply tick the "Drop-off at a different location"-box when doing a search on our booking engine and we will display all available suppliers for you.
Auto Europe also guarantees the cheapest rates and widest choice of vehicles in the market, so start planning your holiday in Porto with us today. Have a read of our Porto car hire reviews page to find out what previous visitors to Porto have thought, and then contact our reservation agents for assistance or to make a booking.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Porto, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs | Travel Guide |
Where to pick up a car hire in Porto
We have partnered with trusted car hire suppliers to be able to offer you multiple locations within Porto from which you can pick-up your vehicle. Along with branches at Porto Airport, customers may also collect their car rental in Porto at São Bento and Campanhã Train Stations. Car hire offices are also available in central Porto - namely around the Botanical Gardens area and Santo Ildefonso. Opting for a central location to pick-up your vehicle, means that you'll also be able to enjoy some of the city's main attractions - from the Ponte Luis I to Sé do Porto.
When picking the right location for you, our online booking engine is very helpful. As your search for a vehicle, simply select all locations from the drop-down. You will then be presented with an interactive map that displays all available branches across Porto. For ease, an additional option to filter the results based by supplier is available.
If you are a so called Young Driver, please remember to untick the box that specifies your age as 26-69 years of age and we will display all the suppliers in Porto that are available for drivers between the ages of 19-26.
Porto Airport
Porto and the rest of northern Portugal is well served by Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport located just 7 miles north of the city. Operated by the Vinci Group, it first opened in 1945 and today handles around 10 million passengers a year. Its terminal building is modern and spacious with a tourist information booth, banks, bureaux de change and some food and retail outlets. Many major international airlines operate at the airport, including Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, easyJet, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, Ryanair, Swiss, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, United and Vueling. Reaching the airport from the city centre of Porto is easy, either by metro, high-speed train, bus and the Get Bus airport shuttle, which also serves the cities of Guimarães and Braga. Parking, likewise, is equally accessible with low-cost car parks and premium services available, both indoor and outdoor with prices to match.
When you arrive at Porto airport, you'll find all the car hire desks before security in the main terminal building. Simply follow the airport signs to the car rental supplier noted on your rental voucher.
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO)
Website: aeroportoporto.pt
Address: Pedras Rubras, 4475-558 Porto, Portugal
Telephone: +351 229 432 400
Porto Campanhã Train Station
Campanhã Train Station is located in the eastern central part of the city. The station have access to the Metro system and offer local and regional train services as far afield as Braga, Aveiro and Guimarães. Companhã Train Station is a stop on a line linking Lisbon to the north of Portugal. Avis and Europcar have rental offices directly within the Campanhã Train Station terminal.
Campanhã Train Station
Website: cp.pt
Address: Largo da Estação, 4300-173 Porto, Portugal
Telephone: +351 707 210 220
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Porto
Having been a major player in the car hire industry for more than 60 years, Auto Europe has built strong long-lasting partnerships with many local, national and international car hire suppliers. Through these trusted partnerships, Auto Europe provides its customers great quotations, a large fleet of vehicles to choose from, regular promotations and upgrades, such as a free additional drivers, and an award winning customer service for when you rent a car in Porto.
Within Porto we have partnered with a large array of car rental suppliers in order to provide you with exceptional choice. Some of our trusted partners include Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Drive & Go, Rent a Star, Guerin and Centauro, to name but a few. Through our booking engine you’ll be able to view all the available suppliers for your dates. Therefore, if you have a specific supplier in mind, you’re sure to find them available with the best car rental deals in Porto.
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If you need more information about what car hire companies are available in Porto or what their policies are, please contact one of our reservation agents via email or phone.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Porto
Following are some answers to the most asked questions customers have when hiring a car in Porto. These have been compiled for your convenience and cover a variety of topics pertaining to your car rental. If you do not find an answer to your question, please contact us and one of our agents will be more than happy to assist.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Porto?
Yes, a valid credit card under the main drivers name is required when renting a car in Porto. The supplier will place a hold for a deposit on the credit card which will be returned to you once the car is brought back in the same condition as when it left. Luxury cars may require two valid credit cards under the driver’s name. All major credit cards are accepted. Please note, that if you fail to provide a valid credit card under the main driver’s name, you will not be able to pick-up your car.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Porto?
All cars booked in Porto come with Liability Insurance and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) included within the base rate. This also includes Theft Protection (TP). CDW does not cover certain damage to the vehicle. We therefore recommend taking out our Full Damage & Theft Protection Cover which will cover these parts, by providing protection from damage to mirrors, glass, roof, undercarriage, key damage and loss and towing costs. It will also cover administration costs and misfuelling.
Local suppliers may also offer additional insurances. These can include but are not limited to Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Personal Effects Insurance (PEC), Super CDW, Roadside Assistance, etc. These insurances are optional and you do not need to take them out. Auto Europe cannot refund any locally purchased insurance. Please consult our car hire coverage for further clarification.
How is the traffic in Porto?
Porto is an ancient city with much of the historic centre mostly spread along the north bank of the River Douro. It's not an overly large city but it can be a bit tricky to navigate although the majority of the main cultural attractions are found in close proximity to the hilly old quarter near to which some street parking spaces and municipal car parks exist. Like most cities, traffic in Porto can get quite congested, particularly during the rush-hour, so try to avoid driving around the inner city from 7-10am and 5-8pm. Roads in and around the older parts of the city are quite narrow and bumpy, so sometimes it's best to park away from the downtown areas and visit the main sights on foot. For more information on driving in the city, and to get the most out of your car rental in Porto and other Portuguese towns and cities, please consult our Portugal driving guide.
Where can I park my car hire in Porto?
The main municipal car parks are located in the some of the city's most strategic locations, such as the north and east sides of the popular Parque da Cidade close to the coast, Praça de Gomes Teixeira adjacent to the university, Rua de São Filipe de Nery next to the Torre dos Clérigos, Viela do Anjo near Sé Cathedral and the more expensive Casa da Música located on the Boavista roundabout. Porto has an abundance of underground car parks that charge substantially more than the municipal car parks but are generally safe, well organised and conveniently situated in and around the inner city. Another suggestion is to park on the south side of the River Douro at Vila Nova de Gaia and walk over the iconic two-tiered Dom Luís I bridge.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Porto?
Yes, tolls can be found on all of Portugal’s motorways – many of which pass through Porto linking the city to the surrounding region. Standard tolls are charged upon exiting them, with the fee based on distance travelled. E-tolls are also in operation and your vehicle will need a transponders. These are normally activated by the car hire supplier upon request. A fee may be applicable. Some e-tolls have ticket machines available before entering them on a lay-by. These e-tolls are linked to a Portuguese bank account or credit card. If you enter an e-toll without a ticket or transponder, you can pay the fee at an authorised post office between two to five days. Apart from e-tolls, all other tolls can be paid for by cash, card and using a Via Verde transponder.
Can I hire a motorhome in Porto?
Whilst visiting Porto, you can save money on hotels by hiring an Auto Europe campervan, which are fully equipped with all modern conveniences, including a fridge, oven and shower. Book your campervan hire in Porto and explore the city and the rest of northern Portugal in total comfort and at your own pace.
Porto Travel Guide
Porto is one of the most travelled to cities in Europe. Its historical centre is not only full of wonderful architecture and history, but it offers up plenty of tourist attractions too – many at walking distance from each other. Along with the beautiful Douro River, its surrounding countryside isn’t to be missed. Home to the legendary Port Wine, this region is waiting for you to explore it. These are a few things we’d highly recommend during your visit.
Best day trips with my car rental in Porto
For those trying to get the most out of their car hire in Porto, there's much to explore not far from the city, particularly heading east along the banks of the River Douro in the lush green agricultural region affectionately known as 'port wine country';
Douro Valley
East of Porto lies one of the most enchanting regions in the whole of Europe, the spectacular Douro Valley. With its steeply terraced hills covered by row after row of craggy vines, the area has been producing wine for centuries and some of the producers such as Taylor's and Sandeman have been involved in the local port wine trade for many, many years.
Braga
A short drive north-east of Porto, the ancient city of Braga is a place noted for its fine food and abundance of religious buildings, including a gorgeous 12th-century cathedral and many other historic churches dating right back to the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. At Easter time the city comes alive for the atmospheric Holy Week celebrations when candle-lit processions move slowly and silently at night through the city's streets.
Barcelos
North of Porto, the charming town of Barcelos is famous for its weekly market that has been a regular feature since the 15th century. Originally a Roman settlement, the town abounds in ancient legends, including the famous story of the cockerel that crowed just in time to save a pilgrim from the gallows!
Viana do Castelo
Following the coast road towards the Spanish border brings you to Viana do Castelo, one of the loveliest places in the north of Portugal. Besides its long sandy beach, the town has a beautiful old quarter featuring pedestrianised squares lined with wonderfully-preserved Manueline manor-houses and rococo palaces.
Peneda-Gerês National Park
The mountainous wilderness of the Peneda-Gerês National Park is a rare treat awaiting road trippers visiting the north of Portugal. Quickly and easily accessible from the centre of Porto, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, wolves and golden eagles, as well as many old stone villages and medieval castles.
What to do in Porto
Porto has much to interest the tourist, particularly those visiting the city for the first time. Known for its exceptional art and architecture, Porto is a large cosmopolitan city and the hub of northern Portugal, one of the country's most picturesque regions. Here follows a selection of some of the city's must-see attractions;
- Ribeira: Arguably the number one tourist spot in the whole of Porto, the delightful Ribeira riverside district is as old as the city itself. It's a place to sit and slowly sip an expresso coffee and soak up the sensational Douro scenery, which encompasses a series of splendid bridges and alluring buildings stretching as far as the eye can see. Stay longer and you might see old rabelo sailing boats of the sort that winemakers once used to ferry the precious port wine from the vineyards to the wine cellars many years ago.
- Sé Cathedral: Set in the heart of the historic centre, and very much the main hub for tourists visiting the city, Porto's fortress-like Sé Cathedral is one of Portugal's landmark attractions. Besides being Porto's oldest building, the city's 950-year-old cathedral has witnessed many important moments in the country’s long and chequered history, including the baptism of Prince Henry the Navigator (the man who initiated Portugal's golden Age of Discovery) and the marriage of King João I to Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of England's John of Gaunt.
- São Francisco Church: A leading example of Gothic architecture, the Igreja de São Francisco is as impressive as any in southern Europe. Notable for its striking Baroque portal and Gothic rose window on the main façade, the church was built in the 13th century in a prime location just a stone's throw from the River Douro and several of the city's other top tourist attractions.
- Soares dos Reis Museum: Housed in the magnificent 18th-century Carrancas Palace, this excellent museum is dedicated to Portuguese art and celebrates the life and work of locally-born master sculptor António Soares dos Reis, who died at the tender age of just 41. Inaugurated in 1833, it was the first state-owned museum to open in Portugal and lies in close proximity to the city's most striking landmark, the Torre dos Clérigos.
- Serralves Foundation: This park, villa and contemporary art museum constitutes one of the most important cultural attractions in the whole of Portugal. The museum itself has over 4,300 pieces of art, as well as many rare books and special editions, while the surrounding 18-hectare park is a fine example of Portuguese 19th-century landscape gardening.
- World of Discoveries: Comprising around twenty different sections, this innovative and very interactive theme park is tailor-made for family visits, based on the intrepid journeys of Portugal's early explorers. Tours take about an hour and audio guides provide useful information, especially on-board the life-size caravel, an old wooden ship used for long voyages in the 15th and 16th centuries.