N/A
MillionCarHire is a budget-friendly Algarve rental option for Lagos – the western Algarve's liveliest town and the gateway to the spectacular cliffs of Ponta da Piedade. Most visitors collect at Faro Airport, about an hour east, where economy cars start around €8–15/day ($9–$16) in low season. A car is essential to reach the hidden beaches, Sagres and the western coast. This guide covers MillionCarHire and Lagos specifically, the real prices, how it compares, and the A22 toll and insurance traps to avoid.
A hire car unlocks Lagos's cliffs, hidden beaches and the wild western Algarve coast.
Lagos is in the western Algarve, with most rentals collected at Faro Airport (FAO), about an hour east – a large, competitive market. Expect roughly the following in 2026:
Average Daily Rates at Faro Airport by Season
Booked 4–6 weeks in advance, prices in EUR
| Season | Manual Economy | Manual Compact | Automatic Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Feb) | €8–15 | €12–20 | €22–38 |
| Shoulder (Mar–May, Oct) | €16–28 | €20–34 | €34–52 |
| Peak (Jun–Sep) | €30–50 | €36–58 | €55–85 |
Budget operators like MillionCarHire sit at the lower end – confirm what's included before booking.
MillionCarHire is a budget-focused Algarve rental option. The headline price is attractive – just read the fuel policy, deposit and insurance terms carefully, decline extras you don't want, and document the car at pickup.
Most Lagos visitors collect at Faro Airport and drive west on the A22 (about an hour). Confirm with MillionCarHire whether pickup is at the terminal or via a shuttle to an off-airport depot, and what deposit and card they require.
The subject of this guide – a budget option with attractive headline rates. Works well if you read the terms (fuel, deposit, insurance), decline unwanted extras and document the car. Compare against the top-rated Faro value operators.
One of the best-rated companies at Faro (~9/10), clean cars and below-average prices – the value benchmark for the Algarve.
A well-rated local operator praised for honest pricing and no surprise charges – a reliable alternative.
The strongest international brand at Faro for a newer fleet, with a terminal desk. 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, 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 – especially worth it with budget operators whose own cover can be thin.
Insurance Cost Comparison: 7-Day Algarve 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 |
Good news: the A22 (Via do Infante) across the Algarve has been toll-free since 1 January 2025 – no booths, no electronic tolls, no transponder. The parallel N125 coastal road is also free.
| Route to/from Lagos | Road | Approx. Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Faro Airport → Lagos | A22 | Free (since 2025) |
| Lagos → Sagres | N268 | €0 (no motorway) |
| Lagos → Faro | N125 | €0 (scenic, slower) |
The Algarve fills up in summer; automatics go first.
See the market, then compare MillionCarHire against Rent-a-Star.
Cheaper and more available than automatics.
Buy third-party excess cover beforehand.
The Algarve's A22 has been toll-free since 2025 – nothing to set up.
Refuel before drop-off.
Lagos's signature golden cliffs, grottoes and sea stacks – stunning from the clifftop boardwalk or by boat.
Two of the Algarve's most beautiful cove beaches, right beside town.
The wild, windswept south-western tip of Europe, with dramatic cliffs and a powerful lighthouse.
The famous Benagil sea cave and the pretty resort town of Carvoeiro, east along the coast.
The cool, green Serra de Monchique mountains inland, with spa springs and the Fóia summit views.
It's a budget option with attractive headline rates. It can work well if you read the terms (fuel, deposit, insurance), decline unwanted extras, buy your own excess cover and document the car. For top ratings, compare against Rent-a-Star and CAEL at Faro.
Most visitors collect at Faro Airport, about an hour east, then drive to Lagos on the A22. Confirm with MillionCarHire whether pickup is at the terminal or an off-airport depot.
From Faro, low-season manual economy cars start at €8–15/day ($9–$16). Shoulder season is €16–28/day and peak summer €30–50/day, with automatics more.
No – the A22 from Faro has been toll-free since January 2025, so the drive to Lagos costs nothing in tolls. The scenic N125 coastal road is free too.
Lagos town is walkable, but a car is the best way to reach Ponta da Piedade, the cove beaches, Sagres and the western coast that public transport serves poorly.
It's cheaper to buy standalone excess insurance (€4–7/day) before you travel than the counter Super CDW (€15–25/day) – and it's especially worthwhile with budget operators whose own cover can be thin.
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.
