🚘 Lisbon Day Trips Made Easy — Rent a Car and Explore
Short on time but want to escape the city for a day? Renting a car in Lisbon just for 24 hours is the perfect way to discover Portugal’s coast, castles, wine country, and charming small towns — all without overnight stays or long commitments.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best day trip routes from Lisbon, where to rent a car for just 1 day, and how to make the most of your short adventure.
✅ Can You Rent a Car in Lisbon Just for One Day?
Yes – absolutely. Most rental agencies in Lisbon allow daily rentals, and booking for a single day (24h or less) is common and affordable — especially in the low and mid-season.
💡 Book early if you’re planning a weekend trip or traveling in high season (May–September).
📍 Top Day Trip Routes from Lisbon (All Under 2 Hours)
| Destination | Drive Time | Why Go | Highway Toll? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sintra | 35–45 min | Palaces, castles, forests | ✅ Yes |
| Cascais | 30–40 min | Beaches, ocean cliffs | ❌ No (N6 road) |
| Setúbal | 45–60 min | Seafood, Arrábida park | ✅ Yes |
| Óbidos | 1h 10 min | Medieval town & walls | ✅ Yes |
| Palmela / Azeitão | 50 min | Wine tastings & castles | ✅ Yes |
📸 Bonus tip: Combine Cascais + Cabo da Roca + Sintra for a perfect round trip loop.
💸 Don’t Overpay at the Airport
Compare real-time rental deals with no hidden fees or credit card needed.
🚗 Where to Rent a Car for a Day in Lisbon
| Company | One-Day Rentals | Convenient Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Drive on Holidays | ✅ Yes | Airport & city |
| Guerin | ✅ Yes | Airport & Oriente |
| Europcar | ✅ Yes | Many city offices |
| discovercars.com | ✅ Compare | All providers |
📍 Use Discovercars and filter by Lowest daily price + Pickup time flexibility
💶 How Much Does It Cost?
| Car Type | Daily Rate (with insurance) |
|---|---|
| Manual Economy | €20–€30 |
| Automatic Compact | €30–€45 |
| SUV / Family Car | €40–€60 |
🧾 Make sure the pickup and drop-off are at the same time to avoid extra day charges.
⛽ Fuel, Tolls & Parking Tips
- ⛽ Gas stations near airport/city open 24/7 (Galp, BP, Repsol)
- 🛣️ Choose a car with Via Verde for toll roads
- 🅿️ Use apps like EasyPark or EMEL for city parking
📄 What You Need
- Valid driver’s license
- Credit or debit card
- Booking confirmation
- Optional: IDP if license is not in Latin alphabet
🚫 Avoid showing up late — 1-day bookings often have tight return windows
🧭 Final Tips for 1-Day Trips
- ✅ Pick up your car early (before 9am) to get the most out of the day
- ✅ Return it the same evening to avoid 2-day charges
- ✅ Choose city-center pickup if you’re staying downtown
- ✅ Check opening hours of rental offices, especially Sundays
