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Car hire in Porto follows the same logic as in Lisbon: the city itself does not need a car. The centre is compact, the metro, tram 1 and Uber cover almost everything, and in Ribeira or around Sé a car quickly becomes a liability on the steep cobbled streets. Porto is also the gateway to the Douro Valley, home to the N222 — officially one of the world’s finest driving roads — and the perfect base for day trips to Braga, Guimarães, Aveiro and Coimbra.
Most of our travellers hire a car for two to four days to explore the Douro and the UNESCO towns. They discover Porto itself on foot, without the hassle of driving.
Cars at TakeCars are selected in advance using real photos of the actual vehicle and reviews from previous renters, all shown on the same page.
Small cars start at €18–28 per day in low season and €35–70 in July–August. The best months are April–June and September–October: pleasant 16–22 °C weather and still-reasonable rates.
Three rules that save nerves and money
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Parking in the centre is free on Sundays and on weekdays after 19:00
The calmest time to drive into Porto, especially if you live in Foz or Vila Nova de Gaia or come in for dinner.
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Do not drive into Ribeira, near Sé or in Bombarda
Narrow steep medieval streets, tram tracks and one-way dead ends turn parking into a gamble; from São Bento station to Ribeira is ten minutes on foot.
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The A28 to Viana and Galicia uses Via Verde with no alternative
The northern stretches have only electronic gantries; without a transponder the trip becomes an automatic fine.
Driving routes from Porto
Northern Portugal’s highlights begin right from Porto: the Douro wine valley, the UNESCO towns of Braga and Guimarães, the canals of Aveiro, Coimbra’s ancient university and the mountains of Peneda-Gerês.
Douro Valley and the N222
The Douro Valley lies 100 km away via the A4 and N222. In 2015 an international motoring magazine named the N222 one of the world’s best driving roads: a winding ribbon that follows the river through terraced vineyards for 27 km between Régua and Pinhão. Parking at the quintas is free. The driver does not taste.
The Douro is where a hire car really proves its worth. The train shows you the valley from above, but only a car lets you reach individual quintas, viewpoints and Lamego itself.
Braga, Guimarães, Aveiro, Coimbra
Braga — 55 km on the A3, home to Bom Jesus do Monte (UNESCO). Guimarães — 55 km via the A3 and A7, the birthplace of Portugal in 1128 and also a UNESCO site; often visited together with Braga in a single day. Aveiro — 75 km on the A1, with traditional moliceiros on the canals. Coimbra — 120 km on the A1, home to Portugal’s oldest university (founded 1290). Peneda-Gerês, Portugal’s only national park, is 110 km via the A3 and N304.
Vigo and Santiago (Spain)
Santiago de Compostela — 220 km via the A3 and AP-9; Vigo — 150 km. Both lie within the Schengen area; a cross-border fee of €0–25 may apply.
Frequent Questions
Francisco Sá Carneiro airport is 11 km north of the centre. The purple E metro line runs from the terminal directly to Trindade for €2.55 — Porto and Lisbon are the only Portuguese airports with direct metro. Taxi and Bolt cost €20–30. By car — 20–30 minutes, up to 40 in peak traffic.
Airport prices are usually competitive thanks to the number of suppliers. City offices can be 5–10% cheaper but with a narrower selection, and you have to reach them separately. For short trips it is sensible to collect at OPO; for hires of seven to ten days a city office can sometimes work out cheaper.
Yes, with local Portuguese operators: hotel delivery in the centre, in Vila Nova de Gaia and in Foz is usually free during working hours; early-morning or late-night slots cost €20–50. International brands work only from their own offices and the OPO counter.
Technically yes, in practice no. Narrow steep medieval streets, tram tracks and tight one-way systems turn parking into a lottery and often end with a scratched alloy. The car is left at São Bento, Largo São Domingos or Trindade, and you walk in, take the tram or the Funicular dos Guindais.
Câmara Municipal zonal parking applies Monday–Friday 09:00–19:00 and Saturday 09:00–13:00. Sundays and weekday evenings after 19:00 are free. Payment via EasyPark, Telpark or street meters; tariffs €0.50–1.20 per hour.
From Porto east on the A4 (~50 minutes to Vila Real), then turn onto the N222 towards Pinhão via Régua. The N222 is named one of the world's finest driving roads: 100 km and around 1.5 hours to Pinhão with viewpoint stops. Parking at the quintas is free. The driver does not taste — that is a separate arrangement.
The N222 runs between Régua and Pinhão along the Douro and the vineyard terraces. Twenty-seven kilometres of bends, very scenic, occasionally narrow with oncoming traffic. The finest views are between Mesão Frio and Pinhão, especially in autumn colours. By car you can reach specific quintas the train cannot.
Yes, this is the most popular northern combination. From Porto on the A3 — 40 minutes to Braga; the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary (UNESCO) and the old cathedral. Then on the A7 — 25 minutes to Guimarães; castle and historic centre (UNESCO), the birthplace of Portugal. Return to Porto on the A3 — 45 minutes.
Aveiro is 75 km south on the tolled A1, about 50 minutes. Free parking near the bridge and the canals; the centre is walkable. Costa Nova with the famous striped beach houses is 12 km from Aveiro on the N109. Both fit comfortably into a full day.
With a full day or an overnight — yes. 220 km on the A3 + AP-9 (free in Spain), 2.5 hours each way. Santiago has the UNESCO cathedral and the Camino's endpoint. Most Portuguese rental firms allow Spain on a prior declaration; cross-border fee €0–25.
Yes: 150 km on the A3 + AP-9, 1 h 45 min each way. Vigo is the main Galician port with an old town and Atlantic views. The border has no checks (Schengen); a Spain declaration in the booking is needed. Often combined with Santiago over 2–3 days.
The A28 leads to Viana do Castelo and on into Galicia. On the northern stretches it is a free-flow road: no booths or barriers, only cameras on gantries. Without Via Verde the journey is a fine. Hire cars usually have the transponder fitted, but it is worth checking at pickup.
Yes, especially with an overnight. It is Portugal's only national park: mountains, waterfalls, granite villages. 110 km on the A3 + N304 from Porto, 1.5 hours. Many travellers stay in Caldas do Gerês — thermal springs and a comfortable trekking base. Trail parking is free.
The CP line to Régua is one of Europe's most scenic train rides, running along the river, €15 one way. By train — relaxed, no driving and free for tasting. By car — flexible: you reach specific quintas, Casa de Mateus and Lamego. A common hybrid is the train down and a bus or taxi back.
Available through local Portuguese operators on 28+ days. Small cars from €380–580 a month, SUVs €620–900. Porto is Portugal's second-largest digital-nomad hub after Lisbon, and the long-term hire segment is steadily growing. Residency is not required for short stays.