Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Faro
Looking for a cheap car rental in Faro? With Economybookings, you can easily compare different companies to find the best deals on cheap car hire in Faro. Whether you’re staying in the city or planning to explore the Algarve, a quick search can help you save both time and money. Faro is the gateway to the Algarve, a region that welcomes plenty of travellers throughout the year, especially in summer.
- Compare pick-up locations: Faro Airport has plenty of rental options, with several desks and wide opening hours.
- Adjust your dates and times: even changing your pick-up or drop-off time by just one hour can make a difference to the final rate.
- Choose a basic or small car: they’re cheaper, use less fuel, and are easier to drive on Algarve routes.
- Book early: if you’re travelling in summer, it’s worth reserving your car in advance for better prices and wider availability.
Tips when renting a car in Faro
- If your trip starts in Tavira, Albufeira, or Lagos, picking up your car at Faro airport is usually the most convenient option.
- If you’re planning to spend a few days in the city centre first, it may make more sense to collect the car later and use it only for your Algarve road trip.
- For getting around Faro and other coastal towns, a small car is usually enough and will make parking much easier.
- When you pick up the car, carefully check the fuel level, insurance cover, and any existing marks or scratches.
Driving tips in Faro
- Always carry your driver’s license, rental contract, and insurance documents.
- Drive on the right, overtake on the left, and always signal before any manoeuvre.
- Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks, so always stop for them.
- In Portugal, driving under the influence of alcohol is not allowed. The legal limit is 0.5 g/L, dropping to 0.2 g/L if you’ve held your license for less than three years.
- If you’re parking in the centre, keep in mind that regulated parking usually applies Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Sundays and public holidays are free.
- In regulated parking zones, the usual maximum stay is 3 hours, and you can normally pay at the meter, with Via Verde, or through EasyPark.
- If you’re leaving Faro via the motorway, make sure tolls are sorted with your rental company, as Portugal still has some stretches with electronic-only tolls.
Speed limits
In Faro and across the rest of Portugal, these are the most common speed limits:
- 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways.
- 100 km/h (62 mph) on some signposted dual carriageways.
- 90 km/h (55 mph) on secondary roads outside built-up areas.
- 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas.
- 30 km/h (19 mph) on many residential streets or near schools.
On the roads leading into Faro, it’s common to come across fixed speed cameras and reduced-speed sections, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on the signs.
Road signs
Road signs in Faro follow the European standard: clear, easy to understand, and with limits shown in km/h. In Portugal, bus lanes are usually marked with BUS on the road and supported by vertical signs, while urban areas commonly feature signs for parking, priority, and restrictions. In Faro’s centre, you’ll find quiet streets and low-traffic areas, so pay attention to pedestrian-priority signs and restricted access into the old town. Signage to the beaches, the airport, and public car parks is generally clear and easy to follow.
Tolls and restricted zones
There are no urban tolls in Faro, and there’s no charge for driving through the city centre. On top of that, since January 2025, the A22 - the Algarve’s main motorway - is no longer tolled, making it easier to get around southern Portugal. That said, if you drive to other parts of the country, you may still come across toll roads, such as the A2 towards Lisbon.
In the centre, some sections are clearly pedestrianised or have controlled access. If you drive into them, it’s usually only with authorisation, such as for residents, deliveries, or hotel access, and at a very low speed.
Discover Faro by car
Faro, the gateway to the Algarve, has plenty to explore. A rental car gives you complete freedom to get around the Ria Formosa and its surroundings, stopping in fishing towns like Olhão or heading to Tavira, with its lovely old quarter and more laid-back atmosphere. You can also drive west to discover the spectacular cliffs around Lagos and Sagres. In this part of Portugal, having your own car means you can move from beach to beach and from town at your own pace, without relying on timetables.
When to Visit
Faro enjoys mild, sunny weather for much of the year, so almost any time can be a good time to visit. Still, some months are usually more enjoyable than others.
- Spring (April-June): Pleasant temperatures and a great time to explore the old town, enjoy nature, and visit the beaches without big crowds.
- Summer (July-September): Longer days, a lively atmosphere, and the best time to make the most of the Algarve coast.
- September-October: The weather is still good, the sea remains inviting, and there are fewer visitors than in the height of summer.
Languages & Communication
Portuguese is spoken in Faro and is the official language you’ll hear in everyday life. Still, because Faro is right in the heart of the Algarve and the area is heavily geared towards tourism, it’s usually easy to get by in English in hotels, restaurants, rental offices, and other visitor-focused businesses. In general, you shouldn’t have any trouble even if you don’t speak Portuguese.
Currency & Payments
The euro (€) is used in Faro. Cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, shops, and tourist businesses. Still, it’s useful to carry a little cash for small cafés, markets, or occasional purchases. ATMs are easy to find across the city, and in Portugal the Multibanco network is widely available.
Top driving routes from Faro
If you rent a car in Faro, you’ll have the chance to enjoy several great outings combining beaches, nature, and charming towns.
- Tavira: one of the Algarve’s prettiest stops. Whitewashed streets, old churches, its famous Roman bridge, and a peaceful atmosphere.
- Olhão and the Ria Formosa: ideal for a walk by the sea, soaking up the fishing-town feel, and discovering one of the most special natural landscapes in southern Portugal.
- Lagos and Ponta da Piedade: one of those places that impresses you as soon as you arrive. Between the golden cliffs, hidden coves, and sea views, it’s easy to see why this is one of the Algarve’s best-known coastal areas.
- Sagres and the southwestern tip: a perfect option for wilder scenery. Open ocean, lighthouses, and the feeling of being in a freer, less touristy corner of the region.
- Loulé: an inland town with a market, traditional streets, and a more local atmosphere - ideal if you want to step away from the coast and see a different side of the Algarve.
