Car Hire Faro Airport - Recommendations?

[Palmela]

I'm flying to Faro, Portugal next weekend and need to hire a car for a week. Can anyone offer any recommendations for a decent hassle-free company please? I want to collect at the airport, and only need a cheap runabout for 3 people.

[Mammasaid]

We used AirAuto in August, was impressed with service, reasonable prices (£130/week peak for a Seat Arona equivalent), found via Discover Cars aggregator.

Upgraded to a Citroen C4X automatic, car was new and immaculate.

Located just off the airport, but walkable from the terminal (200m).

Would use again.

https://www.airautocarrental.com/

[lost in espace]

I use Discovercars, then take any in airport hire company without the extra insurance. But excess cover online. Refuse any extra cover when I collect. Do this often, cheapest was a Toureg or something for £30 for 8 days. Had a ding paid up and got the documents, claimed back from the excess company. I try to use Goldcar, despite their reputation never had an issue in 10 rentals.

[Palmela]

Thanks chaps. I hadn't heard of Discover Cars so will take a look.

[BlackTails]

I had a bad experience with Avis there, which took some escalation in the U.K. to get resolved.

My practice at Faro now is to do a walk round video of the car on collection (esp the windscreen) in the presence of an Avis agent and get them to acknowledge any marks including the ones the say are too small to note on their little drawing of the car. They hate that, but it’s not for their benefit.

[MrBen.911]

Went to Faro last year, I booked with Yes Car Hire via Zest, decent price and included zero excess (I have a separate annual excess policy anyway for anything not covered there).

Yes (aka Yor Car Hire) were very efficient, decent newish car (Hyundai i20), handover is from a booth in the car park which was very quick and easy.

[Every day a journey]

MrBen.911 said:

Went to Faro last year, I booked with Yes Car Hire via Zest, decent price and included zero excess (I have a separate annual excess policy anyway for anything not covered there).

Yes (aka Yor Car Hire) were very efficient, decent newish car (Hyundai i20), handover is from a booth in the car park which was very quick and easy.

We booked through Zest last month for a Faro drop off with a one way rental to Lisbon.

The car was supplied by Amoita rentals. They were brilliant. Delivered car to hotel at the agreed time did all the paperwork there. Easy.

Word of caution using Zest, I took out the additional cover (just in case). On signing for the car if any of the bits covered by the Zest policy (screen, wheels, tyres etc) YOU have to pay then claim back through Zest which seemed retarded.

The very helpful chap from Amoita said if I had booked direct through them it's ALL covered on their own policy.Thus negating any substantial outlay if anything did happen.

Well worth considering booking direct.

[GCAT]

Echo BlackTails comment. Same scenario, Avis staff refused to mark existing windscreen damage on pickup on grounds it did not meet their damage criteria. Surprisingly same damage did meet their criteria on return. Photos taken at pickup disproved their claim but still took 3 months of emails and time wasted to resolve without charge to us.
There are some useful Portugal specific templates on the web for anyone who finds themselves in the same position.
Will not use Avis again.

[Palmela]

Thanks for all the responses. I've decided to use Goldcar, having been pleased enough with them before (in different places).

[ninepoint2]

Palmela said:

Thanks for all the responses. I've decided to use Goldcar, having been pleased enough with them before (in different places).

Goldcar have the worst reputation anywhere, we used Zitauto for over 20 years with absolutely no issues. We now have a family member who works for one of the majors and we get a substantial discount with them, if that ever changes I would go back to Zit with no hesitation

[hellorent]

Might be a bit late now but avoid Goldcar like the plague, had me off at Faro a few years ago, look at their online reviews before you book.

[ecsrobin]

I’ve previously used Drive 4 Fun via Zest on a PH recommendation and would use again.

[beedj]

+1 for zitauto

Used 10+ times with no issues, all v relaxed

[Ger-lkhgm]

We email [e-mail]

Efficient and great prices

[The jiffle king]

WIth goldcar anywhere, go around the car before you leave and mark everything and check 3 x . Check the inside too and every wheel scuff. Then when you get back ensure they go around with you and sign it off..... Too many people get caught

[Hub]

ecsrobin said:

I ve previously used Drive 4 Fun via Zest on a PH recommendation and would use again.

Same here. The desk in the car park is a bit chaotic but otherwise fuss free.

[Greenie]

beedj said:

+1 for zitauto

Used 10+ times with no issues, all v relaxed

Those in the know, know. Zitauto every time.

[AnotherHamster]

I booked through EasyJet who used Firefly. Car was a bit older but was fast at check out and return and no problems.

It’s always a bit of a scrum getting out of the airport in either a taxi or hire car I have found.

There is a petrol station just off the roundabout near where the car hire sites are located for filling up before you hand the car back.

[Rob 131 Sport]

We used Centauro when hiring a car for a week from Faro Airport a couple of years ago. Whilst there office / compound is outside the airport, it’s a 5 minute minibus ride from a designated collection point.

The car was good, staff pleasant and the whole process was hassle free.