I-VII 08:00 – 20:00
Routes Car & Truck Rentals is a Porto operator that hires out not just cars but vans and small trucks – handy for moves, big luggage or group gear – with economy cars from around €12–22/day ($13–$24) and vans from roughly €40–70/day in low season. The 2026 plus: the A28 coastal motorway north of Porto became toll-free. This guide covers Routes in Porto, the real prices, how it compares, and the practical tips for driving (and van-driving) in the north.
Porto Airport (OPO) is a large, competitive market, keeping car prices low outside peak summer; vans and trucks are a specialist niche. Expect roughly the following in 2026:
Average Daily Rates in Porto by Vehicle & Season
Booked 3–5 weeks in advance, prices in EUR
| Vehicle | Low | Shoulder | Peak (Jun–Sep) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual economy car | €12–22 | €20–32 | €34–52 |
| Compact / automatic | €28–44 | €40–56 | €58–85 |
| Small van / cargo | €40–70 | €55–90 | €75–120 |
Vans and trucks are a niche – book ahead, as fleets are smaller.
Routes is a Porto operator covering both standard car hire and the harder-to-find vans and small trucks. That makes it useful for house moves, oversized luggage, sports gear, or larger groups – alongside ordinary holiday car rental. As a smaller specialist, check recent reviews and read the agreement carefully.
Routes typically arranges pickup at or near Porto Airport or a city depot; confirm the exact arrangement, the deposit (vans often need a higher hold), and the card requirement. Read the fuel, mileage and insurance terms, decline cover you don't want, and document the vehicle thoroughly at pickup.
The subject of this guide – useful when you need a van or truck as well as a car. Worth a direct quote for larger vehicles; confirm pickup, deposit, mileage and insurance when booking.
For standard cars, a well-rated home-grown brand with transparent terms and a fair full-to-full fuel policy.
A dependable major with a broad car fleet and a commercial-vehicle range – a mainstream alternative if you need a van with a known brand.
Newer cars and a van range at Porto – pricier, watch the upsell.
Aggressive upsells, fuel and damage disputes, and one of the lowest Trustpilot scores in the industry.
The very cheapest listings can carry strict fuel rules and excess disputes. Read the fine print or stick with a trusted operator.
Basic CDW with an excess of €900–€1,600 for cars (more for vans), blocked on your card. Tyres, glass and underbody usually excluded.
Super CDW to zero the excess is €14–22/day for cars – more for vans.
Standalone excess insurance (€4–7/day) bought before you travel covers the excluded items and refunds any excess charged – check it covers vans if you're hiring one.
Insurance Cost Comparison: 7-Day Car Rental
2026 pricing (cars)
| Option | Daily Cost | 7-Day Total | Covers Tyres/Glass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic CDW (included) | €0 | €0 | No |
| Counter Super CDW | €14–22 | €98–154 | Sometimes |
| Third-party excess cover | €4–7 | €28–49 | Yes |
The A28 became toll-free in 2025, so the coastal route north of Porto now costs nothing. The A1 and A3 still use cash/card booths. Note that vans may pay a higher toll class than cars at booths.
| Route from Porto | Road | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Porto → Viana do Castelo | A28 | Free (since 2025) |
| Porto → Braga / border | A3 | ~€5–8 (booth) |
| Porto → Coimbra / Lisbon | A1 | ~€11–21 (booth) |
| Petrol / Diesel | – | ~€2.02 / €1.96 per L |
Cars fill up in summer; van fleets are small year-round.
Don't over-hire – a compact estate often beats a van for luggage.
Buy third-party excess cover beforehand (check van coverage).
Keep a card only for the A1/A3 booths.
Check car-park clearances before you drive in.
Refuel before drop-off.
Terraced vineyards, river views and port-wine quintas.
The birthplace of Portugal and the Bom Jesus sanctuary.
Green coast and the Lima valley.
The “Portuguese Venice” with its painted boats and canals.
Mountains, lagoons and granite villages.
Yes – Routes Car & Truck Rentals is useful precisely because it offers vans and small trucks alongside standard cars, handy for moves, big luggage or group gear. Book larger vehicles early, as the fleet is smaller.
The A28 coast road became toll-free in 2025. The A1 and A3 still use cash/card booths, and vans may pay a higher toll class than cars.
Vans typically carry a higher deposit hold and stricter damage checks than cars. Confirm the exact amount, the mileage limit and whether one-way drop-off is allowed when booking.
Small vans/cargo run roughly €40–70/day in low season, €55–90 in shoulder and €75–120 in peak summer. Standard cars start much lower, from €12–22/day.
It's cheaper to buy standalone excess insurance before you travel than the counter Super CDW – but check that your policy covers vans if you're hiring one, as some only cover cars.
Not for the city itself; central Porto is steep and best on foot and metro. Rent for day trips to the Douro, Guimarães, Braga or the Costa Verde – or a van for a specific moving/luggage job.
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.
