Where to Rent a Car at Lisbon Airport Terminal 1

🚗 Where to Rent a Car at Lisbon Airport Terminal 1 — The Ultimate Guide

Landing at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) and planning to rent a car immediately from Terminal 1? Whether you’re starting a Portugal road trip, heading to the Algarve, or driving to a business meeting downtown, picking the right on-site rental provider at T1 can save you time, money, and stress.

This in-depth guide covers where to go, which companies operate inside Terminal 1, how to avoid shuttle-based delays, and what to expect in terms of pricing, documents, and fleet availability.

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✈️ Why Rent a Car from Terminal 1 at Lisbon Airport?

Terminal 1 is the main international terminal at Lisbon Airport. Most arrivals from North America, the UK, EU, and beyond come through here. Renting from this terminal is ideal for:

• ✅ Avoiding shuttle buses or off-site depots
• ✅ Quick access to highways and city center
• ✅ Safe, well-lit return zones
• ✅ Availability of major international brands

By choosing a rental desk located directly inside Terminal 1, you reduce waiting times and eliminate the stress of figuring out transfers.

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📍 Where Are Rental Desks Located in Terminal 1?

After exiting baggage claim, you’ll find the car rental desks in the arrivals hall, clearly marked with illuminated signs.

You don’t need to exit the building to access:

• 🚘 Avis/Budget
• 🚘 Hertz
• 🚘 Europcar
• 🚘 Sixt
• 🚘 Guerin
• 🚘 Goldcar

All these providers offer walk-up counters where you can either present a reservation or book on the spot. Their vehicles are parked in Parking P3, a short 3–5 minute walk away via a covered path.

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🅿️ Where Do You Pick Up the Car?

The physical pickup point is Parking P3, located near Terminal 1. This parking structure is reserved for airport-based rental fleets, meaning:

• No shuttle is required
• Cars are in secure, camera-monitored areas
• You can return your car to the same location

For families, business travelers, or late-night arrivals, this setup is much smoother than waiting for a minibus to an off-site depot.

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🔎 Overview of Major Providers at Terminal 1

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each rental brand offers inside Terminal 1:

Company	Desk Hours	Car Pickup Area	Extras & Features
Avis	06:00–00:00	P3	Premium fleet, fast check-in
Europcar	07:00–23:00	P3	Wide range, toll devices available
Sixt	06:00–00:00	P3	Luxury segment, app check-in available
Hertz	07:00–22:00	P3	Gold Member benefits, business-class cars
Guerin	06:00–00:00	P3	Often cheaper, very popular with locals
Goldcar	07:00–23:00	P3	Budget option, younger driver-friendly

Note: some smaller or budget brands operate from off-site locations and require a shuttle. This includes companies like Centauro, Drive on Holidays, and Turisprime — avoid these if you want true Terminal 1 convenience.

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🛬 What If You Land Late at Night?

Many providers at Terminal 1 offer late desk hours (until midnight or later). Additionally:

• Most allow after-hours car returns at Parking P3
• You can drop keys in secured boxes even if the desk is closed
• If you book with 24h service (e.g. Sixt, Guerin), your pickup is guaranteed

If your arrival is after midnight, confirm your ETA with the provider ahead of time and choose a desk with confirmed night availability.

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💰 Pricing Insights: What to Expect

Car rental rates fluctuate based on season, car type, and lead time. As a 2025 average:

Season	Economy Daily Rate	SUV Daily Rate	Deposit Hold
Low (Nov–Mar)	€10–€20	€30–€45	€600–€900
Shoulder	€20–€30	€40–€60	€700–€1,200
Peak (Jul–Aug)	€35–€55	€70–€110	€1,000+

To get the best price:

• Book 2–3 weeks in advance
• Compare different pickup times (mid-week is cheaper)
• Select Terminal 1 providers with full-to-full fuel policy

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🧾 What Documents Do You Need?

To rent a car at Lisbon Airport Terminal 1, you’ll need:

1. 🪪 Valid driver’s license (held for 1+ years)
2. 🌐 International Driving Permit (if non-Latin alphabet)
3. 🛂 Passport or EU national ID
4. 💳 Physical credit card (or approved debit card)
5. 📱 Booking confirmation (printed or digital)

Optional: Proof of return flight, child seat reservation, or business ID (for corporate rentals).

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💳 Credit Card vs. Debit Card

Most companies require a credit card under the main driver’s name for the security deposit. However, some providers at Terminal 1 accept debit cards, but with these conditions:

• You must buy full coverage insurance
• The card must be embossed and physical
• A larger deposit might be held
• Name must match license and passport

Always clarify this at booking, especially if traveling from the UK or US, where credit cards aren’t always used.

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🚦 Departing from Terminal 1: Routes and Traffic

Terminal 1 exits directly onto the A1 highway system, offering easy access to:

• 🏖 Costa da Caparica — 30 min
• 🌲 Sintra — 40 min
• 📸 Óbidos — 1 hr 10 min
• ☀️ Algarve (Faro) — 2.5 to 3 hrs

Morning traffic (8–10 AM) and evening rush (5–7 PM) can slow departures. Consider picking up your car outside those windows for a smoother exit.

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🛣 Toll Roads and Via Verde

Most cars from Terminal 1 providers come pre-equipped with Via Verde (Portugal’s toll payment system).

• 🚧 Green lanes allow seamless driving through tolls
• 🧾 Charges are billed later or included depending on your provider
• 📦 Make sure the transponder is activated if planning to use highways

Always ask at the desk if the Via Verde device is included or optional.

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🧒 Traveling with Kids or Extra Luggage?

Choose an in-terminal provider that offers:

• 👶 Baby or child seat rentals (can pre-book)
• 🚙 Larger vehicles or 7-seaters (like Renault Grand Scenic, VW Touran)
• 🧳 Generous boot space (Peugeot 3008, Toyota Corolla Touring)

It’s much easier to manage gear or family needs on foot from T1 than with shuttle logistics.

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📋 Summary: Terminal 1 Rental Advantages

Feature	Terminal 1 Desks	Off-site Providers
In-terminal access	✅ Yes	❌ No (shuttle needed)
Short walk to parking	✅ 3–5 minutes	❌ Up to 15–20 min
Staff support onsite	✅ Available	❌ Limited
24/7 car return options	✅ Yes (P3)	❌ Sometimes limited
Suitable for night arrivals	✅ Yes	❌ Often closed

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✅ Final Thoughts

Choosing to rent a car directly from Lisbon Airport Terminal 1 gives you the most efficient, safe, and comfortable experience. With all major brands on-site, secure access to Parking P3, and quick highway connections, you’re on the road in minutes—not hours.

Whether you’re heading into Lisbon, exploring Portugal’s hidden gems, or embarking on a coastal adventure, starting your trip from Terminal 1 ensures you’ll avoid delays, shuttles, and hidden fees.