I – VII 09:00-13:00; 14:00-18:00
Europcar runs a downtown Albufeira branch (Av. da Liberdade 158, in the P6 car park), handy if you are staying in town rather than flying in. DiscoverCars rates the Albufeira location 7/10 (the Pine Cliffs desk 8/10), with mixed reviews: helpful, low-hassle check-in for many, but some report getting a different model than booked and trouble reaching the branch by phone. Automatics are available, and a young-driver fee of about €12/day applies to drivers aged 19–24. If you are arriving by air, Faro Airport (46 km, ~40 min on the toll-free A22) has cheaper, wider choice.
Albufeira / Faro Airport rates by season
Economy/compact, EUR/day
| Season | Economy | Compact | Automatic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Feb) | €9–20 | €14–26 | €25–40 |
| Shoulder (Mar–May, Oct) | €18–35 | €25–45 | €40–65 |
| Peak (Jun–Sep) | €35–60 | €45–75 | €65–110 |
The branch is downtown at Av. da Liberdade 158 (P6 car park, level 1), not at the airport. It suits travellers already staying in Albufeira; if you are flying in, collect at Faro Airport and drive the toll-free A22 (about 40 minutes) instead.
DiscoverCars 7/10 downtown. Good for low-hassle in-town pickup with automatics available, but confirm your exact model and the young-driver fee (~€12/day for ages 19–24), and note phone contact can be slow.
Faro Airport has far more suppliers and lower prices – Airauto (9/10), Guerin (8/10) and others – with the toll-free A22 putting Albufeira ~40 minutes away.
Trustpilot ~1.6/5 with upsell and damage complaints.
Algarve options – verified scores (2026)
DiscoverCars /10
Europcar includes CDW with an excess blocked on your card and will offer SuperCover. Pre-book stand-alone excess insurance (€4–7/day) for cheaper protection. Budget the young-driver fee (~€12/day, ages 19–24) if it applies, and decline add-ons you did not request.
The A22 along the Algarve is toll-free since January 2025, so Faro, Lagos and Tavira day trips cost nothing in tolls. Fuel in May 2026 is about €1.85–2.01/L petrol and ~€1.95/L diesel; supermarket pumps cheapest. Return the car full.
If flying in, Faro is cheaper; if already in town, the Albufeira branch saves the trip.
Check the exact car group and any age surcharge before you book.
At a downtown branch, Av. da Liberdade 158 (P6 car park, level 1) – not at the airport. It suits travellers already in Albufeira.
If you are flying in, Faro Airport (46 km, ~40 min on the toll-free A22) has cheaper, wider choice. The Albufeira branch is convenient if you are already in town.
Yes – about €12/day for drivers aged 19–24. Factor it in if it applies to your group.
Mixed – many praise the low-hassle check-in and helpful staff (DiscoverCars 7/10), but some report getting a different model than booked and slow phone contact. Confirm your car group at booking.
No on the main Algarve route – the A22 is toll-free since January 2025.
Stand-alone excess insurance bought beforehand (€4–7/day) is cheaper than counter SuperCover and refunds your excess directly.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program. Reviews are based on Trustpilot, Google Maps, traveller forums and direct experience. We only recommend companies we would use ourselves.
Last updated: May 2026. Prices and policies change – always verify directly with the rental company.
