I-V 09:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 18:30
Aveiro – the “Portuguese Venice” of canals and colourful boats – is one of the cheapest places in the country to rent a car, with Hertz fielding mini and compact models from roughly €8–14/day ($9–$15) and a friendly, central desk. A car unlocks the striped beach houses of Costa Nova, the salt pans, and quick hops to Porto and Coimbra. This guide covers Hertz in Aveiro specifically, the real local prices, the companies worth using, and the toll and insurance traps to avoid in central Portugal.
Hertz runs a friendly, centrally located desk in Aveiro, handy for the canals and the coast.
Aveiro is a compact city with a small but competitive rental market, which keeps prices low – among the cheapest in mainland Portugal. Here is what to expect in 2026:
Average Daily Rates in Aveiro by Season
Booked 3–5 weeks in advance, prices in EUR
| Season | Mini / Economy | Manual Compact | Automatic Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Mar) | €8–14 | €12–20 | €26–40 |
| Shoulder (Apr–Jun, Oct) | €15–25 | €20–32 | €36–52 |
| Peak (Jul–Sep) | €26–40 | €32–48 | €52–75 |
Hertz Aveiro is known for mini cars – a Smart Fortwo can be found from around €8/day, compacts from ~€11/day.
Hertz is the established international name in Aveiro and a reliable choice for a staffed desk and a well-maintained fleet.
The Hertz office is conveniently located near the city centre, easy to reach on foot from the canals and the train station. Opening hours are typically 9:00–18:00 on weekdays and 9:00–13:00 on Saturdays – plan your pickup and return around them, as the desk closes for the afternoon on Saturday and on Sunday.
Hertz Aveiro scores around 7.7/10 across hundreds of reviews, praised for clean cars, friendly staff and a quick, easy pickup and return. As with Hertz across Portugal, the occasional complaint involves disputed damage at return – a walk-around video at pickup and drop-off removes that risk.
The central desks (Hertz and a few others) are walkable from the train station and canals – the simplest option for train arrivals, with no airport surcharge.
If you're flying in, Porto Airport has the widest fleet and lowest prices, and the A1 brings you to Aveiro in under an hour. A one-way drop in Aveiro is possible but usually carries a fee – compare it against a same-location rental.
The subject of this guide. Around 7.7/10, with clean, well-maintained cars, friendly staff and quick turnaround. Strong on cheap mini and compact cars. Document the car at pickup, and mind the limited Saturday/Sunday hours.
A dependable major with a broad fleet and good automatic availability – a safe alternative if Hertz is sold out.
A well-rated Portuguese national brand that often undercuts the global chains and is more flexible on documentation. Worth a direct quote.
Usually the newest cars and a standard experience, often via Porto Airport. Slightly pricier; watch the upsell.
Aggressive upsells, fuel and damage disputes, and one of the lowest Trustpilot scores in the industry.
Low headline prices but repeated complaints over deposit holds and fuel policy. Read the terms carefully.
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 is included, blocked on your card. Tyres, glass and underbody are usually excluded.
Super CDW to zero the excess is €15–25/day – €105–175 a week, often more than the cheap car itself.
Standalone excess insurance (€4–7/day) bought before you travel covers the excluded items and refunds any excess charged. On Aveiro's cheap mini cars, this matters even more relative to the rental price.
Insurance Cost Comparison: 7-Day Aveiro 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 |
Aveiro sits on the A1 (Lisbon–Porto), a classic cash/card booth toll road. The A25 heading east toward Viseu became toll-free in 2025, so the only toll you'll pay locally is on the A1.
| Route from Aveiro | Road | Approx. Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Aveiro → Porto | A1 | ~€6–8 (booth) |
| Aveiro → Coimbra | A1 | ~€3–4 (booth) |
| Aveiro → Viseu | A25 | Free (since 2025) |
| Aveiro → Costa Nova | local roads | €0 |
The small local fleet tightens in summer.
See the market, then check Hertz, Europcar and Guerin directly.
Aveiro's cheap mini cars are a bargain; manuals beat automatics on price and availability.
Buy third-party excess cover before you travel.
Avoid Porto Airport surcharges if you're already in Aveiro.
Refuel before drop-off.
The iconic candy-striped beach houses (palheiros) and wide Atlantic beaches, just across the lagoon.
The lagoon's channels, salt pans and birdlife, best explored by car between the small villages.
The Maritime Museum and the historic Vista Alegre porcelain factory and museum.
Portugal's second city – port wine cellars, the Douro riverfront and Livraria Lello – an easy A1 day trip.
The historic university city south on the A1, with its UNESCO-listed library and old town.
Hertz Aveiro is near the city centre, walkable from the train station and canals. Opening hours are typically 9:00–18:00 on weekdays and 9:00–13:00 on Saturdays, closed Sunday – plan pickup and return accordingly.
Aveiro is among the cheapest in mainland Portugal – mini cars from around €8/day and compacts from ~€11/day in low season. Peak summer pushes compacts to €32–48/day, with automatics more.
No. The nearest airport is Porto (OPO), about 45–55 minutes north on the A1. Most visitors arrive in Aveiro by train and pick up the car in town, avoiding airport surcharges.
Yes – Hertz Aveiro scores around 7.7/10 with clean cars, friendly staff and a quick, easy process. The main caveat is the limited Saturday/Sunday hours; film a walk-around video to avoid damage disputes.
Only on the A1. The A1 to Porto and Coimbra is a cash/card booth toll road; the A25 east to Viseu became toll-free in 2025. So apart from the A1, regional driving around Aveiro is now toll-free.
Manuals are cheaper and far more available, and Aveiro's mini cars are mostly manual. Choose an automatic only if you need one, and book it early.
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.
