emjharts

I'm off to Portugal next month. i usually go to spain and so use the same local car hire company there so don't have a clue where to start in Portugal so i'm hoping that some people could give me the names of cheap, reliable - with no hidden surprise costs - car hire that I can get from Faro airport.
Thanks!

Ma Ma Hen

Auto Rent are very good. We have used them ourselves many times before we bought our car. You can collect at the airport or they also will deliver them to where you are staying.

EMR

Cheap is relative, many have a low lead in price then charge you for extras like full ?? fuel tanks, deposits and daily charges for transponders if using the tolls, Insurance which does NOT cover you for simple things like tyres etc.

I would look at Algarve Driver.

Ma Ma Hen

Never had anything like that with auto rent. In relations to tolls they leave it up to you to pay toll charges.

steppitoe

With Drive4fun you pay 20€ for transponder and tolls so no need to pay during your holiday.

Gold have had bad press of late.

We always used Luzcar as their standard of service is excellent and they do not try to sell you anything or inspect the car on your return. Have used them for nearly twenty years.

loonytoon

every time i have looked at renting from any company i have always found them to be dearer than through the agencies - i presume this because of block booking discounts that the agencies can get. i tend to use economycarhire as you can actually see which company you are renting from. i have used most of the small companies on P4 and found the least hassle with Lagorent & Drive4Fun. the only one i ever had any problems with was AirAuto who tried to give me a car with a buckled front wheel. travel rent were fine but very, very slow

jeff

LaineyM

We have tried a few of the local companies at the airport over the last 18 months and would always go for Auto Rent. They have been very good with us and get to recognise you so checking in for car pick up is speedy!
If you own a property in the Algarve, you also get a 10% discount on your booking.

Ma Ma Hen

I would certainly agree, we always found Auto Rent the best and most helpful.

bejaboz

You might also consider AutoSeason, who offer a reliable, efficient and competitively priced hire with no hidden extras, fair fuel policy and your own choice about A22 tolls.

We've used them for 7 years and been extremely satisfied.

pdr

I find the same.

With my experience of Avis last month, I'm going back to the small companies. I have just made a booking for 11 days in the spring, with a broker, for less than 90€ - the same deal through the rental company was 220€!

As for the OP's question, I wouldn't like to offer any advice with regard to the rental companies at Faro, because I've never had a problem with any of them. However, I would say make absolutely certain you know what you're getting in terms of the fuel policy and insurance. The full/empty fuel policy in Spain seems to have found its way across the border. Also, if using one of the small companies in Car Park 4 - be prepared! The car hire office is shared, and can be a bit confusing when it's busy.

bejaboz

If you've booked in advance, our experience has always been a company representative meets you in arrivals. If people turn up and look to book at the Hire Office, then it seems to me, a big risk in to the unknown.

pdr

I always book in advance - sometimes I'm met by the cafe, but other times I go straight to the car park. Here are the instructions for the car I've booked for the spring:

"Company information:
CLIENTS SHOULD PROCEED TO CAR PARK NUMBER P4 - SIGN POSTED FROM THE AIRPORT AS "PRE BOOKED RENT A CAR", WHERE THEY WILL BE MET BY A PAA REP." (Excuse CAPS, copied and pasted as is.)

What I have never had to do at Faro, is be bussed to the car hire office, but I know this sometimes happens. On my last visit to Lisbon I had to take a bus, and didn't really pay much attention to where the office was located - just glanced at the map when the rep pointed it out to me. Minor panic when I came off the motorway near the airport and realized I was in the wrong place, but found it in the end - but more by luck than judgement.

newintavira

1. Use Economy Car Hire

2. Create a login and log on to the site before searching for a car, then you can see which provider each quote is with.

3. Try to use Drive4Fun or Travelrent.

4. Get the top up insurance then you're liable for nothing.

Above method has worked for us for 30+ bookings in recent years, including two cars that have been taken back with damage...

bejaboz

To each their own, whatever is best for the individual based on their experience.

We've used AutoSeason for 7 years, several times each year without a problem, always met at arrivals and price always competitive reflected by discount as regular customer, so OK for us.

s5tuart

Another vote for Luzcar. Not used them much but have always been very happy with the service. www.luzcar.com
A flyer direct from the Lagos office yesterday shows Group A in Jan, Feb and Mar at 117€ per week and Group C at 170€ per week.