I-VII 07:00 – 00:00
Budget is the established international rental brand at Porto Airport (OPO) – a dependable, terminal-desk choice with global backing, though usually pricier than Porto's local value operators. Economy cars start around €10–18/day ($11–$20) in low season, and there's good news on tolls: the A28 to Viana and the A4 to Vila Real became toll-free in 2025. This guide covers Budget in Porto, the real prices, how it compares to the locals, and the practical tips for driving the north.
Budget operates a terminal desk at Porto Airport, with the reassurance of a global brand.
Porto Airport (OPO) is a large, competitive market, which keeps prices reasonable outside peak summer. Expect roughly the following in 2026:
Average Daily Rates at Porto Airport by Season
Booked 4–6 weeks in advance, prices in EUR
| Season | Manual Economy | Manual Compact | Automatic Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Feb) | €10–18 | €14–22 | €26–40 |
| Shoulder (Mar–May, Oct) | €18–28 | €22–36 | €36–52 |
| Peak (Jun–Sep) | €30–45 | €36–55 | €52–80 |
International brands like Budget usually sit above the best local value operators for the same car class.
Budget is part of the Avis Budget Group and operates a terminal desk at Porto Airport, often sharing premises with sister brand Avis. You get a standard, predictable rental experience and the reassurance of a global brand for one-way drops and breakdowns.
Collect at the arrivals-hall desk and pick up the car in the airport car park – quick and straightforward outside peak periods. The trade-off versus the locals is price and the usual counter upsell, so know what insurance you want before you arrive.
The subject of this guide. A dependable international choice with a Porto terminal desk and global support. Usually pricier than the locals, and watch the counter upsell, but reliable and convenient if you value a recognisable name.
A well-rated Portuguese brand that often undercuts the global chains while keeping service high – a strong value pick in Porto.
The strongest international brand at Porto for a newer fleet and a predictable process. Pricier; watch the upsell.
A dependable major with a broad fleet and good automatic availability – a safe fallback at OPO.
Aggressive upsells, fuel and damage disputes, and one of the lowest Trustpilot scores in the industry.
Cheap online but notorious for strict fuel rules and excess disputes at return.
Low headline prices but repeated complaints over deposit holds and fuel policy. Read the terms carefully.
Basic CDW with an excess of €1,000–€1,800, blocked on your card. Tyres, glass and underbody usually excluded.
Super CDW to zero the excess is €15–25/day – €105–175 a week.
Standalone excess insurance (€4–7/day) bought before you travel covers the excluded items and refunds any excess charged. Buy it and decline the counter upsell.
Insurance Cost Comparison: 7-Day Porto Rental
2026 pricing
| Option | Daily Cost | 7-Day Total | Covers Tyres/Glass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic CDW (included) | €0 | €0 | No |
| Counter Super CDW | €15–25 | €105–175 | Sometimes |
| Third-party excess cover | €4–7 | €28–49 | Yes |
The A1 (Porto–Lisbon) and the A3 (to Braga) still use cash/card booths. The A28 to Viana do Castelo and the A4 to Vila Real became toll-free in 2025; only the A41/A42 ring roads remain electronic.
| Route from Porto | Road | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Porto → Lisbon | A1 | ~€25 (booth) |
| Porto → Braga | A3 | ~€5–6 (booth) |
| Porto → Viana do Castelo | A28 | Free (since 2025) |
| Porto → Douro / Vila Real | A4 | Free (since 2025) |
Porto fills up in summer; automatics go first.
See the market, then compare Budget against sister brand Avis and local operators like Guerin.
Cheaper and more available than automatics.
Buy third-party excess cover beforehand.
A1/A3 booths; A28/A4 are free now.
Refuel before drop-off.
The UNESCO terraced vineyards, with port-wine quintas and tastings – the A4 is now toll-free.
Braga's Bom Jesus sanctuary and the birthplace of Portugal in Guimarães.
An elegant northern coastal town and the green Atlantic coast, now toll-free on the A28.
The “Portuguese Venice” and the striped beach houses of Costa Nova.
Portugal's only national park, with mountains, lagoons and granite villages.
Budget is a dependable international option with a Porto terminal desk and global backing, ideal if you value a recognisable brand. It's usually pricier than local operators like Guerin and Valpirent, so compare before booking.
At the Budget desk in the Porto Airport arrivals hall (often shared with Avis), with the car in the airport car park.
Low-season manual economy cars start at €10–18/day ($11–$20). Shoulder season is €18–28/day and peak summer €30–45/day, with automatics more.
The A1 (to Lisbon) and A3 (to Braga) still use cash/card booths. The A28 to Viana and the A4 to Vila Real became toll-free in 2025. Only the A41/A42 ring roads remain electronic.
Both are part of the Avis Budget Group and often share premises and fleet at Porto. Compare the price under each brand – the same car can cost differently.
It's cheaper to buy standalone excess insurance (€4–7/day) before you travel than the counter Super CDW (€15–25/day). Third-party cover also includes tyres, glass and underbody.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program. Our company reviews are based on Trustpilot scores, Google Maps reviews, traveler-forum feedback and direct experience. We only recommend companies we would use ourselves.
Last updated: June 2026. Prices and policies change – always verify directly with the rental company.
