I-VII 08:00 – 20:00
Autorent is one of Faro Airport's longest-running independent rental operators, with a meet-and-greet desk right outside the FAO terminal and rates from €15 / $16 per day in low season. Google rating 4.3 / 5 (over 1,400 reviews, May 2026). They are popular with UK and German travellers for transparent pricing and same-day pickup.
The desk is opposite the FAO arrivals hall. A free shuttle takes you to the lot about 1 minute away. This is faster than the on-airport big-brand counters, where you walk through a long covered corridor.
Counter outside terminal, shuttle to lot in 60-90 seconds. Average pickup time in 2026 is 15 minutes — well below the airport average of 30-35.
Mostly compact and mid-size cars suited to the Algarve coastal roads. Fleet average age is around 14 months in 2026, slightly newer than Goldcar or Centauro.
| Class | Typical models | Off-season / day | Peak July-Aug / day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | Fiat 500, Hyundai i10 | €15 / $16 | €38 / $41 |
| Compact | Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 | €19 / $21 | €45 / $49 |
| Mid-size | VW Golf, Renault Megane | €25 / $27 | €55 / $60 |
| SUV | Dacia Duster, Hyundai Kona | €32 / $35 | €72 / $78 |
| 7-seater | Citroën Berlingo, Ford Tourneo | €48 / $52 | €95 / $103 |
Leave the terminal through arrivals, turn right, you'll see the Autorent kiosk within 30 m. Hand over passport, licence and the credit card used to book. Once the contract is signed, hop on the shuttle van (max 90 seconds to the lot). Walk-around of the car takes 2-3 minutes, then you're free to leave.
Standard CDW and theft cover come included, with €1,000-1,500 / $1,090-1,635 excess. Autorent's full-cover upgrade (“Plus”) costs €13-17 / $14-18 per day at the counter. A standalone third-party policy (RentalCover, iCarHireInsurance) is typically €4-6 / $4-7 per day.
Most renters head to Albufeira, Vilamoura or further west toward Lagos. The Algarve has a single motorway, the A22, which uses electronic tolls (Via Verde). Confirm Autorent activates the transponder for you at pickup.
| Route | Distance | Drive time | Approx. toll |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAO → Albufeira | 40 km | 30 min | €2.50 / $2.70 |
| FAO → Vilamoura | 30 km | 25 min | €2 / $2.20 |
| FAO → Lagos | 85 km | 55 min | €5 / $5.50 |
| FAO → Tavira | 40 km | 30 min | €2.50 / $2.70 |
| FAO → Seville (Spain) | 200 km | 2h15 | €11 / $12 |
July prices are 2-3× the off-season rate. Lock in early.
Autorent is competitive but not always cheapest. Drive on Holidays and Yes! Car Hire sometimes undercut by 15 %.
Avoid the dynamic currency conversion (“DCC”) — costs 4-7 % extra.
Find the cheapest deal at Faro Airport in one search. Compare Autorent against all FAO operators, with full insurance included:
Compare car rental at Faro Airport on DiscoverCarsThere's a BP and a Galp within 2 km of the airport — refuel before drop-off and you keep the change.
Standalone covers the same risk at half the price.
Less queue, fresher fleet (cars come back overnight), no afternoon kiosk wait.
Top picks: Ponta da Piedade (Lagos) for cliff hikes, Praia da Marinha for the iconic cove view, the inland village of Monchique for cooler mountain air, Tavira and the eastern Algarve for quieter beaches.
Yes. 4.3 / 5 on Google across 1,400+ reviews. Most complaints concern counter upselling, not the cars themselves.
15-20 minutes on average outside peak hours. The shuttle to the car lot is the fastest at Faro Airport, under 90 seconds.
Only on selected plans and with a higher deposit. Most renters use a credit card to avoid the higher hold (€1,500 / $1,635 instead of €1,000).
Yes — Spain is included by default in most contracts. Other EU countries may need a small cross-border fee and you must inform the desk.
21 with a young-driver surcharge of €10-13 / $11-14 per day up to age 25. Some SUV / 7-seater classes require 23+.
Only if you don't have standalone insurance. Plus reduces the excess to €0 / $0 but costs €13-17 / $14-18 per day — a standalone policy delivers the same protection for half the price.
Disclosure: we earn a commission when you book through our partner DiscoverCars — at no extra cost to you. Information verified on 19 May 2026 against Autorent's official site, FAO airport directory and recent Google Maps reviews.
