I-VII 06:00 – 00:00
Firefly is a budget brand at Lisbon Airport (LIS) – part of the Hertz family – with eye-catching low headline prices but a mixed reputation for deposit holds, fuel policy and add-on pressure (Trustpilot around 2.0/5). It can be cheap if you read the terms carefully, but Lisbon's top-rated value operators often beat it with less hassle. Economy cars at Lisbon start around €12–18/day ($13–$20). Note the Lisbon area still has tolls (A5, bridges, ring roads). This guide covers Firefly in Lisbon honestly, the real prices, the better alternatives, and the traps to avoid.
Firefly is the budget arm of the Hertz family at Lisbon – cheap headline prices, but read the terms.
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is a large, competitive market. But with budget brands like Firefly, the cheapest rate rarely survives the counter once extras are added. Expect roughly:
Average Daily Rates at Lisbon Airport by Season
Booked 4–6 weeks in advance, prices in EUR
| Season | Manual Economy | Manual Compact | Automatic Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Feb) | €12–18 | €15–24 | €26–42 |
| Shoulder (Mar–May, Oct) | €18–30 | €24–38 | €38–55 |
| Peak (Jun–Sep) | €32–48 | €38–58 | €55–85 |
Firefly's headline rate is among the lowest – but factor in deposit, insurance and fuel policy before booking.
Firefly is the budget arm of the Hertz family (with Dollar and Thrifty), so it shares the group's reservation system and is handled through the Hertz operation at Lisbon Airport.
Firefly's Trustpilot score sits around 2.0/5, with recurring complaints about large deposit holds, strict fuel policy (often prepay-a-tank), and pressure to buy extras at the counter. If you book Firefly, read the fuel and deposit terms line by line, decline cover you don't want, and document the car carefully.
Friendly service and below-average prices – far less hassle than the budget chains for a similar (or lower) price.
A well-rated Portuguese brand that often undercuts the global chains with clearer terms.
The strongest international brand at Lisbon for a newer fleet and a real terminal desk – far better reviews than the budget arms.
A dependable major with a broad fleet and clearer terms than the budget brands.
The subject of this guide. Low rates but a 2.0/5 Trustpilot average, with recurring deposit, fuel-policy and upsell complaints. Viable only if you read every term and decline extras.
Aggressive upsells, fuel and damage disputes, and one of the lowest Trustpilot scores in the industry (1.6/5).
Cheap online but notorious for strict fuel rules, toll fees and excess disputes at return.
Basic CDW with an excess of €1,000–€1,800 (budget brands often block higher deposits). Tyres, glass and underbody usually excluded.
Super CDW to zero the excess is €15–25/day – budget-brand counters push it hard.
Standalone excess insurance (€4–7/day) bought before you travel covers the excluded items and refunds any excess charged – especially worthwhile with a budget brand.
Insurance Cost Comparison: 7-Day Lisbon 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 Lisbon area has booth tolls (A1, A2), the tolled A5 to Cascais, the bridge tolls (25 de Abril, Vasco da Gama) and some electronic ring roads. Confirm how Firefly handles them – usually a Via Verde device plus a daily fee, but budget brands sometimes add a handling charge.
| Route from Lisbon | Road | Approx. Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon → Cascais / Estoril | A5 | ~€1–2 |
| Lisbon → Porto | A1 | ~€25 (booth) |
| Lisbon → Algarve | A2 | ~€20–22 (booth) |
| 25 de Abril bridge (into Lisbon) | Ponte | ~€2 |
With budget brands, add deposit, fuel and insurance before deciding.
See the market, then check value operators like Rent-a-Star and Guerin.
Avoid Firefly's prepay-a-tank policy if a full-to-full option exists.
Decline the counter upsell.
Avoid surprise handling fees.
Refuel before drop-off and document the car.
Fairytale palaces in misty hills – park on the edge and use shuttles.
An elegant seaside town and the dramatic Boca do Inferno.
A perfectly preserved walled medieval town.
White-sand coves and turquoise water across the bridge.
A UNESCO World Heritage city in the Alentejo.
It's a cheap budget brand (part of the Hertz family) but with a low ~2.0/5 Trustpilot average and recurring deposit, fuel-policy and upsell complaints. It can work if you read every term and decline extras, but Rent-a-Star and Guerin are usually less hassle for a similar price.
Firefly is handled through the Hertz family operation at Lisbon Airport, so you collect at or near the Hertz desk. Check your voucher for exact instructions.
It's a budget brand with low headline rates, but tends to make margin on deposits, fuel policy (often prepay-a-tank) and counter add-ons. Always compare the all-in price.
The A5, bridges and some ring roads are tolled (the A1 and A2 use booths). Confirm how Firefly charges tolls – usually a Via Verde device plus a daily fee, but watch for handling charges.
Choose a full-to-full fuel option, buy third-party excess insurance and decline the counter Super CDW, confirm the deposit and toll terms, and film a walk-around video at pickup and return.
Low-season manual economy cars start at €12–18/day ($13–$20). Shoulder season is €18–30/day and peak summer €32–48/day – but always check Firefly's all-in price.
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.
