Last year I intended to post a tip on car rental in Lisbon. We were wanting to find a way to transport a family of five plus surf boards from Lisbon airport to the Peniche area. Checking out the usual rental companies at Lisbon airport suggested that the only option was an expensive people carrier. Our agent at Baleal Rentals told us that if we took the taxi to Santa Apolónia  we could rent two Seat Ibizas for less than a people carrier. He was right! We duly booked online. The limitation is that there is one choice - the Seat Ibiza - but at a great daily rate.

InterRent is located at the Santa Apolónia railway terminus which is close to both the river Tejo and the ancient Alfama area of Lisbon. It is a bit over 10 minutes taxi ride from the airport and the ride only cost €7. Last year we found the rental office an an obscure part of the station. There was a young and friendly man - who speaks excellent English - who seemed to run the entire operation single handed. He would deal with our booking, check our documents and ask us to sign the contract. Then he ran out of the station and drove back with the vehicle; he did everything in a helpful and friendly manner which makes a pleasant change from some surly rental staff at airports. He seemed to be the only InterRent employee although I cannot imagine he does the cleaning and servicing of the cars as well.

 

The good news is that they are still there at Santa Apolónia but have moved their office into the main station concourse near the ticket office. There is still a good 6.99€/day basic price to which you need to add insurance, extra driver fees, etc. Despite the extras it is still a great deal.

 

Furthermore the excellent, friendly internet employee with a toothy smile is still there working as hard as ever! He always has a friendly smile and speaks French as fluently as he speaks English. He now definitely has at least one colleague to help drive the cars around.