I – V 09-12:30 and 14-18:30
Sixt is the strongest international rental brand serving Portimão and the western Algarve – a newer fleet and a predictable, terminal-quality experience, usually rented at Faro Airport about 50 minutes east. Economy cars start around €8–15/day ($9–$16) in low season, and since 2025 the A22 motorway across the Algarve is completely toll-free. This guide covers Sixt for Portimão, the real prices, how it compares to the local value operators, and the practical tips for driving the region.
Sixt offers the newest fleet of the international brands for exploring Portimão and the western Algarve.
Portimão has no airport of its own, so most visitors rent at Faro (FAO), about 50 minutes east on the now-free A22, or fly into Faro and drive. Expect roughly the following in 2026:
Average Daily Rates (Faro / Portimão) 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 |
Sixt sits at the premium end – newer cars, but pricier than the best local value operators.
Estimated rental cost by trip length
from €8/day
Illustrative — daily rate × days at the lowest 2026 starting price; real prices vary by season & demand.
Portimão Rental Budget Calculator
Rate prefilled with the lowest realistic low-season economy rate near Portimão; change it for your dates.
Sixt is the leading international brand at Faro, with the newest fleet of the global names and a standard, predictable rental process. You get a real terminal desk and the reassurance of a major brand for one-way drops and breakdowns.
Collect at the Sixt desk at Faro Airport and drive west to Portimão (~50 min). Watch the counter upsell on insurance and upgrades, and decide what you want before you arrive.
The subject of this guide and the strongest international brand at Faro – newer cars and a predictable experience. Pricier than the locals; watch the counter upsell.
One of the best-rated companies at Faro (~9/10), clean cars and below-average prices. The value benchmark.
A well-rated local operator praised for honest pricing and no surprise charges.
A dependable major with a broad fleet – a safe fallback at Faro.
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.
Cheap online but notorious for strict fuel rules 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. Buy it and decline the counter upsell.
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 |
The A22 (Via do Infante) across the Algarve has been toll-free since 1 January 2025 – no booths, no electronic tolls, no transponder. The coastal N125 is free too.
| Route to/from Portimão | Road | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Faro Airport → Portimão | A22 | Free (since 2025) |
| Portimão → Lagos | A22 | Free |
| Portimão → Albufeira | A22 | Free |
Faro fills up in summer; automatics go first.
See the market, then compare Sixt against value operators like Rent-a-Star and CAEL.
Cheaper and more available than automatics.
Buy third-party excess cover beforehand.
No transponder or toll fees since 2025.
Refuel before drop-off.
Portimão's famous golden beach beneath dramatic cliffs, with a lively promenade.
The western Algarve's most photogenic cliffs and grottoes, west on the free A22.
The famous sea cave and the pretty clifftop town of Carvoeiro.
The cool, green Serra de Monchique mountains inland, with spa springs and the Fóia summit views.
The wild south-western tip of Europe.
Sixt is the strongest international brand at Faro, with the newest fleet and a real terminal desk – ideal if you want a newer or larger car. It's pricier than the top local operators (Rent-a-Star, CAEL), so compare before booking.
At the Sixt desk at Faro Airport, about 50 minutes east, then drive west on the toll-free A22. Some resort-area pickups may also be available.
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. Sixt sits at the premium end.
No longer – the A22 from Faro has been toll-free since 1 January 2025, with no booths, electronic tolls or transponder needed.
It's cheaper to buy standalone excess insurance (€4–7/day) before you travel than the counter Super CDW (€15–25/day). Third-party cover also includes tyres, glass and underbody.
Choose Sixt for a newer/larger car and a terminal desk. For the lowest price with less hassle, the top-rated locals (Rent-a-Star, CAEL) usually win – compare both.
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.
