Book with Zest Car Rental in Portugal!
Zest Car Rental provides a fresh and honest approach to hiring a car in Portugal. At Zest, we know how important transparency is when booking car rental. Our four-step booking process is simple and hassle-free, with no hidden costs or extras. At Zest, we know when planning your trip, you shouldn’t have to sweat the details and focus on the small print. Instead, you can relax and look forward to your holiday, without getting lost in car rental complications!
We also know that sometimes, plans change. Therefore, we offer free cancellation and amendments up to 48 hours before your rental start as standard. Should you require it, we also offer enhanced cancellation protection for a small fee. This offers you free cancellation right up to the time your rental starts!
Zest Car Rental only works with carefully selected and trusted car rental providers in Portugal who care as much about reputation as we do, and always put the customer first. All our providers are monitored closely, and we review customer feedback frequently to ensure you receive the best rental experience possible. Our amazing customer feedback has meant we are ranked ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. Also, Zest Car Rental are Feefo Platinum Trusted! You can read our Feefo reviews here!
Stay protected with Zest! We offer breakdown assistance in Portugal as standard. Should you wish to be fully covered, we can provide you with our industry leading top-up insurance. Our top-up insurance is the top level of cover available provided by us. You’ll receive reimbursement cover against any loss or damage to the vehicle not covered by the standard car hire insurance. To find out what is covered on our top-up insurance, check out our blog! You can rest assured we’ve made things as simple as possible so you can focus on enjoying your holiday and exploring hidden gems!
If you wish to share the driving on holiday, we have negotiated a free additional driver with many of our trusted car rental providers! If your chosen provider does include a free additional driver, this will be clearly labelled on the quote page. Generate a quick and easy quote today!
All rental providers we work with operate a fair fuel policy. This means you either collect the car full of fuel then return it full or return it with the same amount provided upon collection. Hassle-free and straightforward! Learn more about fair fuel policies here!
If you ever have any queries before, during or after your car rental, our friendly customer support team is here to help you. We can even provide you with a quote or make your booking over the telephone! Our U.K. based call centre is open 7 days a week. Wherever you are, Zest are! We operate a 24/7 Customer Support Telephone line for any urgent enquiries during out of office hours.
The great inclusions Zest offers with every rental has led to us being the one and only Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker, an accolade we have earnt every year since 2017! Which? Concluded that Zest Car Rental goes ‘beyond for their customers’ and awarded Zest with a five-star rating for the clarity of the final hire cost. Fresh, Honest and Transparent!
Should I hire a car in Portugal with Zest Car Rental?
In short, yes! Hiring a car in Portugal offers you the freedom of exploring Portuguese hidden gems only accessible by car. If you crave some sunshine and swimming, make the most of Portugal’s many fantastic beaches. Start your Portuguese adventure in Lisbon, the country's capital. With a hire car, you can conveniently explore this historic city and its surrounding areas. Begin in the historic district of Alfama, where you can wander through narrow streets, visit the São Jorge Castle, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Drive along the scenic waterfront in Belém and visit iconic landmarks like the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Explore São Jorge Castle and the surrounding areas in Lisbon!
Alternatively, explore Faro, the capital of the Algarve region. Faro is a charming coastal city with a historic old town, stunning beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere. Explore the Old Town (Cidade Velha) with its cobbled streets, Arco da Vila, and Faro Cathedral. Afterward, take a short drive to the Algarve's beautiful coastline. Meander along the dramatic cliffs of Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, relax on the golden sands of Praia da Rocha in Portimão, or discover the enchanting beaches of Albufeira. The Algarve offers numerous opportunities for water sports, sunbathing, and fresh seafood dining.
Stroll through charming streets in Faro & The Algarve
Check out the vibrant city of Porto. With a hire car, you can easily navigate the city's charming neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Start in the historic Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stroll along the picturesque Douro River promenade. Explore the historic Porto Cathedral, known as Sé do Porto, and the Livraria Lello, a stunning bookshop often considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Your car gives you the freedom to venture to lesser-known neighborhoods, such as Foz do Douro, known for its elegant promenade and beautiful beaches.
Check out and relax on the beautiful coast of Porto, Portugal.
If you are still looking for inspiration, find out more travel ideas in our useful Portugal Travel Guide!
What documents do I need to hire a car in Portugal?
It is essential that you have a full valid driving license to hire a car in Portugal. It is also essential that you’ve had this license for atleast a year. The length required does vary between providers though so be sure to check the specifics with the car hire provider you choose. Along with your valid driving license (and International Driving Permit if required), you’ll also need to present a valid passport for identification when collecting your car.
Since 1st January 2021, if you have an old paper style UK driving license, you may need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in Portugal.
Are there any Toll Roads in Portugal, and how can I avoid them?
Unfortunately, if you are planning to cruise along the Algarve (A22), you are likely to encounter a toll road. Most of the car rental providers that we work with allow you to reserve a toll transponder. If you’re renting a car with Zest, most of our providers have transponders that are paid for locally. To find out more on Portugal Toll Roads, check out our blog!
Check out our blog on paying and avoiding toll roads in Portugal!
Can I cross the border and enter Spain in my hire car with Zest Car Rental?
With Zest Car Rental, you are permitted to enter Spain whilst on rental! This allows you to discover diverse landscapes and cultural treasures of both Portugal and Spain. Please be aware that each provider has different regulations on which countries you can take your rental car into. This is labelled during the booking process. Simple and hassle-free!
How do I collect my rental car in Portugal with Zest Car Rental?
Whilst many car rental companies have desks at airports across Portugal, many also allow collection from the airport car parks. Hopping on a shuttle bus and picking up your car off-site is also an option.
If you are collecting your rental car at Faro Airport, we have created a guide on how to collect your vehicle. You can check it out here!
For a handy guide of what to do when collecting your hire car, read our tips for stress-free car hire collection
What are the licence requirements for renting a car in Portugal?
Most companies that we work with in Portugal only require you to have held a full EU issued driving licence for 1 year. Some need you to have held your licence for 2 years. When making a booking, check the individual provider's licence requirements in the side bar by clicking on the (i) information icon.
Driving in Portugal.
Hiring a car in Portugal is the best way to discover this wonderful country. There are lots of hidden beaches and beautiful villages in the Portuguese countryside waiting to be discovered. In Portugal, you will be driving on the right and overtaking on the left. Vehicles coming from the right have priority at junctions. Learn more in our extensive Portugal Driving Guide!
Useful facts about Portugal before your rental!
- Currency: Euro
- Side of the road to drive on: Right
- Time difference: GMT
- Dialling code: +351
Need to contact us on rental?
We hope that your holiday and Portugal car hire collection goes smoothly, however we understand that things don’t always go to plan.
If your flight is cancelled or delayed, please let us know right away on +44 1362 852288.
If you experience an issue upon collection or you’re not happy about something, please do not hesitate to get in touch! Contact us today and we will liaise with the car rental provider to resolve any problems.
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