Hi

For the last few years my husband and I have always used Travelrent for our Portugal carhire. We probably come over 8 times a year and we've never had a problem with this company. However, we noticed in the last 12 months that the queues to rent from them are becoming increasing long especially during school holidays and we seem to be waiting in this long line for ages to get the car sorted once we land. Unfortunately for us much of the time we are restricted to landing in Faro when the kids are off school (
We noticed however (you notice quite a lot in the time you are waiting!!)that other car hire companies in the p4 kiosk appear to be much quieter and don't seem to have these great big queues! It then makes you wonder - are the other companies much more expensive or even worse not very good!
Can anyone recommend any of the other companies which we could perhaps try? We are getting a bit fed up as we waited nearly an hour at Easter but we don't want to use a company where we can't return the car to the airport car park.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

I don't think I've ever had more than 3 in front at Algarvedriver (see the link at the top of this page). Steen will do his best to price match.

I've never had more than one in front with Zitautos, but I tend to come outside of school holidays.

Never more than one ahead at Airauto and I have always found them very good and reasonably priced.

I usually us Drive4fun but last week used Travelrent. Much slower to complete process than Drive4fun, first documentation at desk , then man in van double checks everything & I mean everything.

Already posted about Algarve Driver but didn't mention waiting times.
To date never been an issue, think in the 10 years, generaly no waiting, or if so, just one or at most two before me. And that's over various times of the year. But then haven't had the experience of the new car parking arrangements......I did enjoy the coffee shop office surroundings!
Booked with Algarve Driver for May/June so............?

8 times a year? Surely buying a cheap car would be both less hassle and cheaper?

Octopus wrote:8 times a year? Surely buying a cheap car would be both less hassle and cheaper?

Not if it keeps breaking down - bit of a problem with cheap cars - then you have to keep it somewhere and hope it starts after a few weeks without use.

HampshireRich wrote:

Octopus wrote:8 times a year? Surely buying a cheap car would be both less hassle and cheaper?

Not if it keeps breaking down - bit of a problem with cheap cars - then you have to keep it somewhere and hope it starts after a few weeks without use.

I'm sure it is more cost-effective to hire if you come out for 8 reasonably short periods a year. HR, didn't include transit to and from the airport if you have your own car.

I hire about 6 times a year, looked into purchasing, but cars in Portugal appear to be very expensive. Anyway you can hire out of high season for as little as €80 per week. (I paid €35 for 3 days last December, on one of those 'inspection trips' that Ryanair do in the winter for less than €60 return )