Contents
- Rent a Car with Automatic in Lisbon — 2025 Tips & Tricks
- 🚘 Is It Hard to Rent an Automatic Car in Lisbon?
- 💰 Average Prices – Manual vs Automatic Car Rental in Lisbon (2025)
- 🏆 Best Lisbon Rental Companies for Automatic Cars
- 🧭 Manual vs Automatic – What Should You Choose?
- ✅ Tips for Booking an Automatic Car in Lisbon
- 🛬 Where to Pick Up an Automatic Car in Lisbon?
Rent a Car with Automatic in Lisbon — 2025 Tips & Tricks
If you’re planning to rent a car in Lisbon and prefer an automatic transmission, you’re not alone. Travelers from the US, Canada, Australia, and parts of Asia often don’t drive manual — but in Portugal, manual cars are the norm.
In this guide, you’ll learn where to rent automatic cars in Lisbon, how much they cost, which companies offer them, and how to book before they sell out.
💸 Don’t Overpay at the Airport
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🚘 Is It Hard to Rent an Automatic Car in Lisbon?
Yes — but only if you book late.
Most fleets in Portugal are 70–80% manual, and automatic cars:
- Are limited in number
- Cost more per day
- Are in high demand in summer (May–September)
🧠 Pro Tip: Always book at least 2–3 weeks in advance for July–August travel.
💰 Average Prices – Manual vs Automatic Car Rental in Lisbon (2025)
| Car Type | Manual (€/day) | Automatic (€/day) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (e.g. Fiat 500) | €18–€28 | €30–€42 | +€12–€15/day |
| Compact (e.g. VW Polo) | €22–€35 | €38–€50 | +€15–€18/day |
| SUV (e.g. Nissan Qashqai) | €45–€60 | €60–€85 | +€20–€30/day |
| Premium (e.g. BMW 3 Series) | – | €95–€140 | Auto by default |
🏆 Best Lisbon Rental Companies for Automatic Cars
| Company | Automatic Cars Available? | Booking Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sixt | ✅ Yes (large selection) | Premium and mid-range autos available |
| Centauro | ✅ Yes | Good availability with advance booking |
| OK Mobility | ✅ Yes | Best for budget automatic deals |
| Record Go | ✅ Limited stock | Book at least 10+ days in advance |
| Drive on Holidays | ✅ Few automatics | Affordable, but sells out quickly |
| Avis/Budget | ✅ Yes | Reliable, but often priced higher |
🧭 Manual vs Automatic – What Should You Choose?
| Feature | Manual | Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel efficiency | ✅ Better (slightly) | ⚠️ Slightly lower |
| Availability | ✅ Widely available | ❌ Limited |
| Ease of use (in traffic) | ❌ Requires clutch/hill control | ✅ Easy to drive in Lisbon hills |
| Cost | ✅ Cheaper | ❌ Higher price |
| Ideal for tourists | ⚠️ Only if experienced | ✅ Recommended for foreigners |
🧠 In Lisbon’s steep hills and narrow streets, automatics offer peace of mind, especially for first-time visitors.
✅ Tips for Booking an Automatic Car in Lisbon
- Use filters: On Discovercars or Rentalcars, choose “Transmission: Automatic”
- Book early: Especially in June–September
- Check total price: Some providers charge extra at pickup
- Avoid last-minute bookings: You may only find luxury models
- Confirm insurance options: Especially if using a debit card
🛬 Where to Pick Up an Automatic Car in Lisbon?
- ✅ Lisbon Airport (LIS) – most choice, longest hours
- ✅ Gare do Oriente – train travelers from Porto, Spain
- ❌ City-center branches – fewer automatics, shorter hours
