I-VII 08:00 – 20:00
Drive on Holidays is one of the top-rated Algarve rental operators, with a Faro Airport (FAO) desk and free hotel delivery across the region. Daily rates start at €17 / $19 off-season and climb to €45-58 / $49-63 in peak July-August. Trustpilot rating is 4.5 / 5 across 1,200+ reviews — among the highest in Portuguese car rental. Their pricing is transparent, the fleet averages under 18 months, and counter staff don't push aggressive upsells. The closest the Algarve has to a stress-free rental.
Desk inside FAO arrivals hall (counter row on the right). Lot accessible via the underground tunnel, 2-minute walk — no shuttle needed. Open 06:30-00:00 daily, out-of-hours by request.
Free delivery to most Algarve hotels — Albufeira, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Lagos, Tavira, Carvoeiro, Praia da Rocha. The fastest, lowest-stress option if you arrive late or want to relax on day one.
| Class | Models | Low season | Peak Jul-Aug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | Fiat 500, Hyundai i10 | €17 / $19 | €42 / $46 |
| Compact | Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 | €20 / $22 | €48 / $52 |
| Mid-size | Hyundai i30, Peugeot 308 | €26 / $28 | €55 / $60 |
| SUV | Dacia Duster, Renault Captur | €34 / $37 | €72 / $78 |
| 7-seater | Citroën Berlingo, Ford Tourneo | €48 / $52 | €95 / $103 |
FAO Airport review scores
Trustpilot + Google May 2026
Land at FAO, baggage claim, follow “Rent a Car” signs to the desk row inside arrivals. Drive on Holidays is right of centre. Show passport, licence and card. Contract signing 5 minutes, walk through the underground tunnel 2 minutes, walk-around 5 minutes. Total: 12-20 minutes outside peak. Among the smoothest rentals at FAO.
Standard CDW with €1,000-1,500 / $1,090-1,635 excess. Drive on Holidays' “Premium Cover” (€0 excess) costs €11-14 / $12-15 per day — among the cheapest counter-Plus options in Portugal. Standalone third-party is €4-6 / $4-7 per day if you want maximum savings.
| Route | Distance | Drive time | Approx. toll |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAO → Albufeira | 40 km | 30 min | €2.50 / $2.70 |
| FAO → Vilamoura | 22 km | 20 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 |
Hotel delivery is free if requested at booking — no airport surcharge.
All three are top-rated Algarve locals. Compare your dates — no single one is always cheapest.
Cheaper than at Hertz or Europcar AND covers tyres + windscreen + clutch — worth it if you don't have standalone.
Refuel at the BP on Av. Aeroporto.
One of the most flexible operators for debit-card bookings.
Refuse dynamic currency conversion.
Top picks: Benagil sea caves via Carvoeiro (1h west), Cape St Vincent at Europe's south-western tip (1h30 west), the inland Serra de Monchique (45 min), eastern Algarve to Tavira and Castro Marim (45 min east), and Seville day trip (2h15).
Yes — 4.5 / 5 on Trustpilot across 1,200+ reviews. Consistently rated among the best Portuguese car rentals for transparent pricing, no aggressive upsells and fast pickup.
Yes — free delivery to most Algarve hotels if requested at booking. Includes Albufeira, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Lagos, Tavira, Carvoeiro, Praia da Rocha and Burgau.
Yes on selected plans with a higher deposit (€1,500 / $1,635 vs €700 / $763 on credit). One of the most flexible operators in Portugal for debit bookings.
Both are top Algarve locals. Drive on Holidays has the bigger fleet (~320 vs ~80) and is at FAO airport; Yor Car has slightly higher Google rating (4.6 vs 4.5) and is more focused on hotel delivery. Compare prices for your dates.
Yes — Spain is included by default. Other EU countries need written authorisation.
21 with a young-driver surcharge of €8-12 / $9-13 per day up to age 25. SUV / 7-seater classes require 23+.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program at no extra cost to you. Information verified 19 May 2026 against Drive on Holidays official site and current Trustpilot + Google Maps reviews.
