Car Hire in Faro Portugal

MRG77

Myself and my girlfriend are going to Faro in Portugal for a few days on friday. We were thinking of hiring a car as they are quite cheap. She is the one doing the driving. The thing is she is Brazilian, she has a full valid Brazilian driving licence and she also has a valid international driving permit issued in Brazil. Are these acceptable for car hire in Portugal or does the driver need to have a driving licence issued in an EU country? She is 25 years old. It would be great if she is the 1 who could do the driving as she is used to driving on the right whereas I am not.
Thanks in advance for your replies.

The Davestator

Cant help with your query, but avoid Gold Car rental at the airport - biggest scammers ever!

6541

Again can't answer question, but word of warning as already stated avoid Gold Car and make sure you insure your excess, some reason car companies in Faro are gangsters!

ger664

Have been to algrave a lot. Always used Auto Jardim and never had a problem with them.

Regards the licence

Visitors may drive using their national license, as long as it's in a language that uses the Roman alphabet.

As her license is Brazilian it will be Portuguese so I see no problems with it. I would suggest bring both licences.

MRG77

Thanks for the replies so far guys.;)

copper04

I have used a company called Travelrent a few times and no problems as their
prices were inclusive. ( No Excess except loss of keys and tyre damage)
They are based in car park 4 at Faro which is a short walk from the terminal.
You can but a prepay transponder from them for €20 cash and if you do not use they will refund. This is essential if you travel on the motorway that runs the length of most of the Algarve. Be careful as without the transponder it is not easy to pay and one can end up getting bill with fines when you get home.
Look for a deal with AutoEurope or Argus that has no excess.
Good Luck

Peppa Pig

copper04 wrote: »

You can but a prepay transponder from them for €20 cash and if you do not use they will refund. This is essential if you travel on the motorway that runs the length of most of the Algarve.

Sorry for going slightly OT but I think the OP needs to be made aware of this as well.
I'm hiring a car in june and they have told me about the €20 pre-pay toll thing. Exactly how does it work - are you buying €20 of toll charges?

copper04

Yes as far as I understand it the rental companies are compelled by the Portuguese authorities to supply a transponder. One is buying €20 credit for the tolls. I used one last September and I know I used more than the €20 on tolls but when I returned the car and offered to pay the extra they told me to forget it. Was a bit worried I would get a bill but never heard anything.
Its quiet expensive to drive the full length of the A22, I would guess around €15/18. As a result the motorway is very quiet as all the locals stay on the old road.
This link might give you more of an understanding of how it works and the methods of payment.
http://theportugalnews.com/a22-algarve-tolls-what-you-need-to-know
Enjoy your break.

Jocelynel

EconomyCarHire, without a doubt, best service at best prices and most convenient airport pick up and drop off.

From what i know, avoid the tolls and the car hire companies return your 20euros!

stoves1

my main advice when hiring a car from faro airport do NOT use AirAuto, i hired a car via the argus car hire website and when i got to airport they were not with the main car hire companys but in the car park, absolute stressful to dael with and when you return the car they send you to another part of the car park where there were three burly sunglassed men in a van who inspect the car for anything they can get extra money from you, you are open to widespread extortion as they are very intimidating and leave you totally stressed. use the main companies instead and my advice after this stressful scenario would be to take a car with zero excess insurance otherwise use taxi or bus.

SM746

Bump!

MRG77 just wondering how you got on with thr car hire? going next Monday myself for 2weeks and will be hiring a car
Anyone else any up to date information on what are the best companies now?

MRG77

SM746 wrote: »

Bump!

MRG77 just wondering how you got on with thr car hire? going next Monday myself for 2weeks and will be hiring a car
Anyone else any up to date information on what are the best companies now?

Ended up not hiring a car. It was working out too much as we were on a bit of a budget, and we were only staying for a couple of days so didn't really need a car.

SM746

MRG77 wrote: »

Ended up not hiring a car. It was working out too much as we were on a bit of a budget, and we were only staying for a couple of days so didn't really need a car.

Cheers im in two minds myself. Going to Alvor for one week and then moving onto Albufeira for one week. The reviews im reading of car rental companies in Faro are far from good. If it was easy enough to get buses I would as I wouldn't need the car too much I think. Will look into it more tonight

peckerhead

I found these guys pretty good. Based in Luz but no problem picking up/dropping off at Faro airport.

Golfer50

peckerhead wrote: »

I found these guys pretty good. Based in Luz but no problem picking up/dropping off at Faro airport.

I totally agree withthe above. The prices are not crazy and MOST importantly, all insurances are included so they won't try to scam you for a few scratches later. They sign you up in the terminal building (coffee shop) but don't have an official office there as such like the big multinationals. Don't worry tho, used them a few times and they are a very reputable outfit. The car may not be, probably won't be, a 13, or a 12, or even 11 but who cares. Mileage tends to be low on Algarve rentals.

hidinginthebush

peckerhead wrote: »

I found these guys pretty good. Based in Luz but no problem picking up/dropping off at Faro airport.

Their prices are almost half of what I saw on argus, glad I found the link! Nice one! And there was no bother picking up / dropping off at the airport?

Quick question, it seems strangely easy to book. I mean, you just bang in the details, get an email, then what? Do you print out the email and approach them at the airport? No mention of payment, I assume you pay them there?

Edit. They've no cars the week I'm there.

Peppa Pig

stoves1 wrote: »

my main advice when hiring a car from faro airport do NOT use AirAuto, i hired a car via the argus car hire website and when i got to airport they were not with the main car hire companys but in the car park, absolute stressful to dael with and when you return the car they send you to another part of the car park where there were three burly sunglassed men in a van who inspect the car for anything they can get extra money from you, you are open to widespread extortion as they are very intimidating and leave you totally stressed. use the main companies instead and my advice after this stressful scenario would be to take a car with zero excess insurance otherwise use taxi or bus.

I used AirAuto a few weeks ago and had no issues whatsoever. I knew they were in car park 4, which is a little bit away. I dropped the car back to exactly where I got it and the guy taking it off me was very friendly and polite. He did a quick check on the car, checked the fuel and handed back the credit card excess authorisation.
The car wasn't brand new but it was clean and did the job. I bought an excess policy in Ireland before I traveled for about €20 so all damage etc was covered.
They were also less than half the price of Avis, Hertz etc. About €170 for an automatic, Corolla sized car, for a week.