Contents
- Lisbon Rental Cars Summer 2025 — Cost, Demand & Secrets
- ☀️ Why Summer 2025 Is Different
- 💰 Average Car Rental Prices in Lisbon – Summer 2025
- 📆 Peak Rental Periods to Watch
- 🚗 Most Reliable Rental Companies for Summer 2025
- ✅ How to Secure the Best Car Rental Deal in Summer 2025
- ❌ What to Avoid
- 🧭 Bonus: Where to Drive from Lisbon This Summer
Lisbon Rental Cars Summer 2025 — Cost, Demand & Secrets
Planning to visit Lisbon this summer? Renting a car in Portugal’s capital can give you freedom to explore the beaches, castles, and scenic countryside — but summer 2025 is expected to be one of the busiest seasons ever.
💸 Don’t Overpay at the Airport
Compare real-time rental deals with no hidden fees or credit card needed.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about renting a car in Lisbon in July and August 2025: from average prices and availability to best booking strategies and rental companies that still have cars left.
☀️ Why Summer 2025 Is Different
- Record-breaking travel demand expected after 2024 growth
- Lisbon Airport will serve over 35 million travelers this year
- Rental fleets are limited — early bookings are essential
- Last-minute rentals = limited choice, higher prices, long wait times
💰 Average Car Rental Prices in Lisbon – Summer 2025
| Vehicle Type | July Price (€/day) | August Price (€/day) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Fiat 500) | €38–€55 | €45–€65 | Sells out first |
| Compact (Peugeot 208) | €45–€65 | €50–€70 | Most popular category |
| SUV (Dacia Duster) | €65–€90 | €75–€110 | High demand for road trips |
| Automatic | €60–€95 | €70–€115 | Scarce, book 6–8 weeks ahead |
| 7-seater | €95–€150 | €110–€180 | Limited inventory |
💡 Pro Tip: Prices can double in the last 7–10 days before pickup.
📆 Peak Rental Periods to Watch
| Date Range | Demand Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| July 12–21 | 🔥 Very High | Start of summer holidays across EU |
| August 1–15 | 🔥🔥 Extreme | Peak of Portuguese + European vacations |
| August 15–25 | 🔥 High | Ferragosto, French/Italian travel surge |
| August 31 – Sept 2 (weekend) | 🔥 Moderate | Last-minute returns & road trips |
🚗 Most Reliable Rental Companies for Summer 2025
| Company | Why Choose Them | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Centauro | Budget-friendly, good availability | Off-site (shuttle) |
| Sixt | Large premium fleet, many automatics | Inside Terminal 1 |
| Guerin | Local brand, smooth city pickups | Airport + City |
| Drive on Holidays | Good reviews, clear policies | Off-site |
| Record Go | Low prices, easy cancellation | Airport shuttle |
| OK Mobility | Accepts debit cards, competitive pricing | Airport shuttle |
✅ How to Secure the Best Car Rental Deal in Summer 2025
- Book at least 4–8 weeks in advance
→ Especially for automatics, SUVs, and 7-seaters - Choose Full-to-Full fuel policy
→ Avoids prepaid fuel markups common in high season - Compare prices on trusted platforms
→ Use Discovercars or Rentalcars with filters for free cancellation - Pick up from Lisbon Airport (LIS)
→ Larger fleets, longer hours, faster turnaround than city offices - Select providers with flexible terms
→ Prioritize free cancellation or “Pay at pickup” options
❌ What to Avoid
- Walk-in bookings – Most counters will be sold out or have long queues
- Prepaid rentals without cancellation – Not ideal if flights change
- Unverified companies with no reviews – Risky during busy periods
- Delayed pickups without notice – Risk of cancellation after 1–2 hours
🧭 Bonus: Where to Drive from Lisbon This Summer
- Cascais & Estoril – 30 minutes west, beach towns with charm
- Sintra – Palaces, castles, and cooler mountain air
- Arrábida Natural Park – Hidden beaches + wine country
- Évora – UNESCO heritage town, perfect day trip
- Algarve – South coast paradise, ~2.5h drive
