Budget Car Rental in Faro Airport, Cheap Car Hire Algarve

The Algarve is a superb holiday area for car hire. Cheap car rental budget deals abound, and car hire pick-up couldn't be easier from Faro Airport. Driving in the Algarve isn't taxing. The main A22 motorway running the length of the Algarve makes it easy to dip into the many cultural centres such as Silves, Lagos, and Sagres Fortress to the Far West of the Algarve. Museums, holiday attractions and towns are clearly signposted both off the A22 and the minor N125. Get better maps whilst in the West Algarve from tourist information centres. These are often very detailed, and helpful in finding obscurer beautiful West Algarve beaches and the beautiful rock formations at Algar Seco near Carvoeiro and Ponta da Piedade near Lagos.

Pre-booking cheap Algarve car hire is well advised, particularly in the peak Summer season. Check the best cheap car hire deals on the Algarve via the Car Hire weblink right through Holiday Autos, or contact the Iknow Holidays Booking line direct for assistance. When arriving at the Faro Airport car hire company you've booked, have your visa card, passport and driving license ready (you'll need both the photo card and paper part of your UK driving license for car hire bookings on the Algarve).

Check your car thoroughly on receipt - any scratches, bumps, anything amiss or not working report to your car hire company immediately and make sure they either record the damage if it's not serious, or give you another car. It's important you take time to do this, as you may well get billed for a scratch at the end of your trip.

Cheap Car Hire Faro Algarve - Driving Around Central & Eastern Algarve

Driving in Portugal, like Spain is on the right. Speed limits on motorways (in your case the fast A22 Algarve motorway) is 120 kph (74 mph), on the main roads such as the N125 it's 90 kph or sometimes 100 kph (56 or 52 mph). For general urban roads it's 60 or 40 kph (37 or 25 mph). Watch for slower speed limits though where roadworks are usually underway. Stick to speed limits, and carry your passport, Algarve car rental documents and driving licence with you when out and about.

If you're stopped by police and you don't have these you may face a big fine. Police in Portugal and the Algarve have the authority to issue on the spot high fines! Seat belts must be worn by law in Portugal, including in the rear if they're fitted. Driving around the Algarve is not difficult. The roads are excellent here, and locations are clearly marked, especially off the main A22 motorway. Drivers in the Algarve are pretty sensible overall (the talk of hair-raising Portugal driving usually pertains to driving around Lisbon which is a nightmare and best avoided).

Most Algarve car rental cars will take unleaded - lead free Sem Chumbo petrol, but check this on your car rental documents and when you pick up. As with UK petrol stations, Algarve and Portuguese petrol stations have colour coded pumps. Lead Free petrol has a green coloured pump. Other petrol types available include 4-star (super) and Diesel (gasoleo).

Petrol stations on the Algarve are plentiful so you should be caught short at all. There are numerous Petrol station stop offs along the main A22, and indeed the N125. As you push into major locations on the West Algarve such as Lagos and Portimao, you're usually greeted by petrol stations. If you're planning a day of touring the Algarve, it's always worth filling up first thing - 'Enche o deposito, por favour' - Please fill it up.

Car Hire Algarve Portugal - Parking & Driving around Lagos & West Algarve

The superb, and relatively new in the case of the main A22 motorway, roads on the Algarve make driving a fairly pleasurable and easy experience. Parking in central Lagos, in peak season particularly, is a nightmare. Park on the outskirts (if you get there early enough there's a large free parking area near the Fort, failing that park further out of the centre and walk in. Lagos parking in the very centre is metered).

Particular nightmares include a rather complicated turn off down to Carvoeiro from Lagoa - you literally have to bend round on yourself. Take your time here, and follow the signs, even if they appear to be taking you in an illogical direction! Do your research before you go and ensure you have a good Algarve map, and a comprehensive map of your Algarve location town or resort. Pick up better maps of resorts and Algarve towns at tourist information centres when you arrive - there's one at Faro Airport which is well worth calling into on arrival! Ask your car hire rental company for assistance too - they usually offer maps and accommodation location details if needed. It's easy relaxed driving in the far West Algarve following a straight route down the 125 to Sagres, then up on the pretty 268 road to stunning Carrapateira. Roads upto Monchique too are stunning drives. Driving time is short too through the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, driving from Lagos upto beautiful Aljezur.

All inclusive resorts across Europe, let alone the Algarve, weren't particularly designed for cars, although Portimao and Praia da Rocha aren't too bad for parking, mainly because the beach stretches for a great distance from Portimao Marina. (parking is available near to the marina). Many will hook into coach tours and excursions to explore the wider Algarve, and there's an ample choice of excursions from Praia da Rocha and Portimao Marina for boat trips and watersports. Parking is easier around historic centres such as smaller Silves, follow the designated parking signs - these usually plonk you near to historic sights such as the castle and Museum of Cork. Watch for pay and display parking - the closer you get to town centres and around historic sights you are more likely to have to pay. Free parking is usually on the outskirts.

On the Algarve main motorway and major roads you'll find other drivers overtake on either side, not just the outside lane as in the UK. Also other drivers tend to leave their indicator on whilst overtaking. For car rental drives to historic centres such as Lagos, Silves and indeed Portimao for its superb shops and art nouveau architecture, parking on the outskirts and walking into busy centres is well advised, although Portimao centre is well served by designated car parks. Sunday morning is usually a quiet time and a less stressful driving experience. Pretty, once quiet fishing village, Carvoeiro has trouble coping with the huge amount of holiday traffic heading here! If you're staying nearby in locations such as Portimao and Praia da Rocha, you're well advised to take a boat trip to Carvoeiro rather than driving it. Parking is limited, and on the outskirts often restricted to residents. Much less stressful to take the boat!

Budget Car Rental in the Algarve - Legal Requirements & Road Safety

You can actually take your own vehicle to the Algarve for a maximum of 180 days in a 12 month period. Most holidaymakers choose car hire in the Algarve however, as it's cheap, easy and convenient from Faro Airport.

The legal minimum age for driving in Portugal is 18 years and you'll need a UK driving licence. Once you have your car hire on the Algarve the car hire company should point out a few legal details pertaining to Portugal. As already stated if you are asked to produce your passport, driving licence and car rental details by Algarve police and you don't have them on you, you could face a steep fine. Carry passport, rental documents with proof of insurance and your driving licence with you at all times whilst out and about in the Algarve.

In all rental cars you should have a red warning triangle and illuminous reflective vest jacket - both of these must be used in the event of breakdown in Portugal. They can be a bit lapse car hire companies informing you about this fact! Ensure you have these in the vehicle before you drive off from Faro Airport.

Portuguese police have the authority to fine on the spot for traffic offiecnes such as speeding, driving under the influence of either drugs or drink, using mobile phones, parking illegally and not wearing seatbels in both the front and rear. Particular emphasis is placed on children wearing seatbelts. Fines for traffic offences are high! Check over the Portuguese Highway Code weblink right for more details, and the Foreign Office advice also linked right. The road accident rate in Portugal is higher than the UK, although efforts in recent years by Portuguese Authorities to reduce accidents have been working well. Pedestrians should also take care crossing busy roads, particularly late at night.