N/A
Quick verdict: MillionCarHire at Faro Airport is a mid-tier local Algarve operator with a DiscoverCars rating of 8/10 based on 604+ reviews. The pickup is actually at the on-airport car park 4 (a 5-minute walk from terminal) under the operational name “Local Cars Algarve” — a confusing detail that catches first-time renters. Pricing is competitive (from 14 EUR/day low season) but the company has specific quirks: a 30 EUR/day debit-card surcharge, strict drop-off time enforcement and slower-than-average deposit refunds. This 2026 guide explains exactly what MillionCarHire delivers, the operational quirks to know, and how it compares with Algarve alternatives.
MillionCarHire is a sales brand operated by Local Cars Algarve, a Faro-based rental company that has been running since the early 2010s. The pickup location is on-airport (car park 4, 5-minute walk from arrivals) — uncommon for a mid-tier operator. The brand sells through aggregators (DiscoverCars, EnjoyTravel, Zest) and direct booking; the actual rental contract is with Local Cars Algarve.
| DiscoverCars rating | 8 / 10 (604+ aggregated reviews) |
| Brand “actually called” | Local Cars Algarve (important for finding the office) |
| Pickup location | Car park 4, FAO airport (5 min walk from terminal) |
| Hours | Open 7 days a week, flexible (late arrivals accommodated) |
| Headline price (economy) | From 14 EUR/day ($15), KAYAK aggregator data |
| Realistic out-the-door | 24 to 32 EUR/day with third-party excess |
| Debit card surcharge | +30 EUR/day (major operational quirk) |
| Deposit refund speed | 30+ days reported (slower than EU average) |
Pickup is on-airport at car park 4, a 5-minute walk from FAO arrivals. Plan 30 to 50 minutes total from plane landing including baggage claim.
After baggage claim, follow signs for “Car Park 4 / Parque 4” rather than the rental counter row. The MillionCarHire / Local Cars Algarve office is in car park 4, on the ground level. 5 to 7 minute walk. The sign on the office says “Local Cars Algarve” — DO NOT walk past expecting to see “MillionCarHire”. Both names point to the same office.
Bring booking voucher, lead driver's passport or ID, physical credit card (not virtual Apple/Google Pay or debit card), and original driving licence. Paperwork is typically 10 to 20 minutes, faster than budget operators because the office is smaller and there are no shuttle-related delays.
MillionCarHire pre-authorizes 600 to 1,500 EUR on the credit card as a damage deposit (lower than Goldcar or Surprice). Debit cards are accepted but trigger a 30 EUR/day surcharge — a unique policy in the Algarve market. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not accepted at the counter for the deposit; bring a physical card.
Walk-around with the agent, joint note of pre-existing marks, photo of dashboard fuel gauge. Take your own 60-second video as standard practice. The company's policy is reasonable on legitimate pre-existing damage but the 30+ day deposit refund makes pickup documentation worth the time.
Headline rates from KAYAK, DiscoverCars, Zest and EnjoyTravel in May 2026. MillionCarHire competes with the mid-tier Algarve operators with a slightly lower headline rate.
Low season 14 to 22 EUR/day basic. With third-party excess policy 22 to 30 EUR/day total. With MillionCarHire all-inclusive 32 to 42 EUR/day. Summer peak 38 to 52 EUR/day. Pricing is competitive with Drive On Holidays and slightly below Yes Car Hire.
Low season 22 to 32 EUR/day. Summer 48 to 70 EUR/day. Inventory is good for the mid-size category; less reliable for premium and 7-seater categories where Movyng or Hertz are stronger.
Suzuki Jimny, Mitsubishi ASX 4WD: 38 to 55 EUR/day low season, 70 to 110 EUR/day summer. MillionCarHire is one of the few Algarve operators with reliable 4×4 inventory — useful for the unpaved tracks toward Sagres and the Serra de Monchique.
Debit card surcharge +30 EUR/day. Out-of-hours pickup (after 23:00 or before 07:00) typically waived if booked in advance. Young driver (under 25) 6 to 8 EUR/day. Additional driver 5 EUR/day. Cleaning fee for sand/seawater 20 to 45 EUR.
Insurance follows the standard Algarve mid-tier pattern. The basic policy excess (600 to 1,500 EUR) is lower than budget operators, which makes the third-party excess policy combination particularly attractive.
10 to 15 EUR/day. Reduces excess to zero, covers windshield, tyres, glass, undercarriage. Includes free additional driver. Comparable to Yes Car Hire All-Inclusive pricing.
RentalCover or Insurance4CarHire at 4 to 8 EUR/day paired with MillionCarHire base policy. Total cost 4 to 8 EUR/day cheaper than the All-Inclusive package. The base excess of 600 to 1,500 EUR is already low so the refund risk is manageable.
MillionCarHire is one of the few Algarve operators that occasionally offers a cash insurance payment option for travelers who prefer to avoid card pre-authorizations. Confirm at booking; not always available.
The Algarve has a strong mid-tier rental market. MillionCarHire competes against these alternatives at FAO airport.
8.7/10 aggregated rating, family business based in Albufeira. Transparent pricing, modern fleet, no debit-card surcharge. Slightly higher headline rate than MillionCarHire but lower total cost typically.
DiscoverCars 9/10 at FAO, Excellent Car Rental Service Award winner 2023 and 2024. On-airport pickup, transparent pricing, no debit-card surcharge. Full Yes Car Hire review. Best total-value local choice at FAO.
Portuguese meet-and-greet experience at FAO arrivals. DiscoverCars 8/10, fleet cleanliness 9.7/10, care pack included. Movyng Vilamoura review. Slightly more expensive than MillionCarHire.
On-airport counter at FAO arrivals, Trustpilot 3.5/5. Via Verde included, calm counter, fast paperwork. Similar pricing to MillionCarHire but no debit-card complications. See Guerin review.
All have lower Trustpilot ratings and counter-upsell patterns. Cheaper headline but typically similar or higher out-the-door cost. Goldcar Faro and Budget Faro reviews for details.
DiscoverCars lists MillionCarHire (Local Cars Algarve) alongside Drive On Holidays, Yes Car Hire, Movyng and Guerin with the same insurance options and live Trustpilot data. Sort by total cost (not headline) for the realistic comparison — Yes Car Hire and Drive On Holidays often win on total value.
Compare Faro Airport rentalsYes — with the right preparation. MillionCarHire is a solid 8/10 DiscoverCars-rated Algarve local operator with on-airport pickup (car park 4), competitive prices, and an honest mid-tier customer experience. The two specific quirks (debit-card surcharge and slow deposit refund) are entirely manageable if you bring a physical credit card and budget patience. For travelers who specifically want on-airport pickup and 4×4 options at a competitive price, MillionCarHire is a reasonable choice. For the absolute best customer experience and award-winning service, Yes Car Hire Faro Airport (9/10 DiscoverCars, two-time service award winner) is the better choice at similar money. For meet-and-greet and family care pack experience, Movyng at FAO. For corporate brand predictability, Hertz or Avis at 35+ EUR/day.
MillionCarHire is a sales and booking brand operated by Local Cars Algarve, a Faro-based rental company that has been running since the early 2010s. The aggregator listings (DiscoverCars, EnjoyTravel, Zest) and direct booking site use the MillionCarHire name; the actual office signage and contract are with Local Cars Algarve. Same company, two names. Follow signs to “Local Cars Algarve” at FAO car park 4.
Car park 4 (parque 4), ground level, 5 to 7 minute walk from the FAO arrivals terminal. After baggage claim, follow signs for “Car Park 4” rather than the rental counter row. The office is signed as “Local Cars Algarve”. Open 7 days a week with flexible hours.
Yes, but a 30 EUR/day surcharge applies. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not accepted for the deposit; a physical credit card is preferred to avoid surcharges. Cash is sometimes accepted for the rental but not for the deposit. This 30 EUR/day surcharge is unusual in the Algarve market — most competitors accept debit at face value with longer hold times.
Typically 14 to 30 days bank-side, occasionally longer in 2026 reviews. The EU norm is 7 to 14 days; MillionCarHire is at the slower end of the range. If your refund exceeds 30 days, email customer care with the booking reference and bank statement details.
Yes Car Hire Faro Airport (DiscoverCars 9/10, two-time service award winner, on-airport meet-and-greet) is the closest comparison with better customer experience at similar money. Drive On Holidays (8.7/10, Albufeira-based family business) for FAO off-airport. Movyng for the meet-and-greet experience and care pack. Guerin for on-airport calm and Via Verde included.
Yes — MillionCarHire is one of the few Algarve operators with reliable 4×4 inventory including Suzuki Jimny and Mitsubishi ASX 4WD. Prices 38 to 55 EUR/day low season, 70 to 110 EUR/day summer. Useful for the unpaved tracks toward Cabo de São Vicente, the Serra de Monchique mountain trails, and some Costa Vicentina coastal access lanes. Other Algarve operators (Goldcar, Surprice) impose off-road damage exclusions that make 4×4 rentals less attractive elsewhere.
