Faro (FAO) is one of the busiest, most price-competitive rental markets in Europe – but also one where deposit rules and counter upselling catch travellers out most often. Here's what to actually expect.
Expect roughly €200–230 for a week with an economy car in July (about €30–38/day), climbing past €500/week at the height of peak season. Aggregator teaser rates advertising €6–9/day are not realistic all-in prices – they're base rates before the mandatory extras (insurance excess reduction, a second driver, one-way fees) that most travellers end up paying at the counter.
Deposit & card rules by company
What you'll actually be asked for at the counter
| Requirement | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Credit card | Needed in the MAIN DRIVER'S name for the security deposit at nearly every major company – a debit card usually can't hold the deposit even if it can pay for the booking. |
| Europcar | Refuses debit cards outright for the deposit – credit card only. |
| Hertz | Requires a credit card for the deposit even when a debit card would otherwise cover payment. |
| Avis | Conditionally accepts debit for some bookings; typical deposit around €250. |
| Minimum age | 18 by law, but most major brands set their own floor at 21 (Avis) – Sixt is one of the few listing 18+. |
| Young driver surcharge | Typically applies to the 21–24 age bracket, roughly €10–40/day depending on the company. |
Sourced from each company's own published terms and traveller-reported experiences, checked 2026-07-09.
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Realistic all-in cost, not the teaser rate
Prefilled with a realistic July economy rate (~€32/day). Teaser rates of €6–9/day exclude the extras most travellers end up paying.
The major international brands generally have clearer terms and more predictable counter experiences than the budget/broker tier, though deposit amounts and card rules still vary by company (see table above). Compare current prices and read their individual pages below.
Faro's Tripadvisor forum has a recurring, well-documented thread of complaints about Goldcar specifically – disputed damage charges for minor marks, stacked deposits (base + fuel + toll-device), slow refunds, and counter pressure to buy full insurance on top of what you already booked online. InterRent's booking flow routes through Goldcar's own systems, so the same pattern of complaints applies there too. This doesn't mean every rental goes wrong – low advertised prices are often genuinely low – but read the most recent reviews (not just the aggregate score) before booking, and photograph the car thoroughly at pickup and drop-off.
In practice, yes, in the main driver's name – almost every major company needs a credit card to hold the security deposit, even if they'll accept a debit card for the actual payment. Confirm with your specific company before flying.
Around €200–230 for an economy car in July (roughly €30–38/day), rising above €500/week during the absolute peak. Treat any advertised price under €10/day as a base rate that will grow substantially with mandatory extras.
Most companies apply one to drivers aged 21–24, typically €10–40 per day on top of the base rate. Some brands (like Sixt) rent from 18 without the same restrictions others apply from 21.
They're a recurring, documented pattern on traveller forums (disputed damage charges, stacked deposits, slow refunds) rather than a one-off. Many rentals go fine and the prices are genuinely competitive – just read the most recent reviews and photograph the car thoroughly at pickup and return.
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Page last fact-checked 9 July 2026.
