Car rental: if your flight is delayed for several hours, what happens to your booking?
If your flight has been delayed for several hours, one of the first questions that may come to mind is: “Will my car still be waiting for me?” It is one of the questions we are asked most often about car rental in Portugal, especially at Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal airports.
The short answer is: yes, in most cases, your booking will remain valid.
In this article, you will find out what grace period Drivalia allows for flight delays and how vehicle pick-up works at each of these four airports.
What happens to my car rental booking if my flight is delayed?
Flight delays are one of the most common travel disruptions, especially during the summer. The good news is that a delay does not necessarily mean your booking is at risk. Here is what you need to know.
What is Drivalia’s grace period for flight delays?
At Drivalia, your vehicle booking remains valid for 24 hours after the scheduled arrival time, even if your flight is delayed. This means that, even with an 8-hour delay, your car will still be reserved and available for collection when you arrive.
If possible, let Drivalia know as soon as you are aware of the delay, ideally before departing from your origin airport. This allows the Mobility Store team to adjust the service and shuttle schedule to your new arrival time, so you do not have to wait at the airport without knowing when you will be able to collect your vehicle.
You can check your flight’s actual arrival time before contacting Drivalia about your car rental.
“As soon as you know your flight is going to be delayed, give us a call or send us your flight number. It is the simplest way to make sure everything is ready when you arrive, regardless of the time.” — Mobility Store: Lisbon Airport
How does car rental work at Drivalia airport locations?
Drivalia offers car rental services at Portugal’s four main airports: Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal.
The process is similar at each location: once you arrive at the terminal, contact the team and a free shuttle will take you to the Mobility Store, just a few minutes away.
Car rental at Lisbon Airport: what if my flight is delayed?
No problem. Our services are prepared for late arrivals and flight delays. The shuttle and the team adjust the service to your actual arrival time, so you can still collect your car even if you arrive late at night or after a delay.
The Mobility Store is located close to the airport, giving you quick access both to central Lisbon and to the city’s main routes towards:
- the west, towards Sintra, Cascais and the Cascais coastline;
- the south, across the bridge towards Costa da Caparica, Setúbal or the Algarve;
- the north, via the A1 towards Fátima, Coimbra or Porto.
A convenient starting point, whatever your destination.
Where is the Drivalia car rental location at Faro Airport?
The Drivalia car rental location in Faro is just a short distance from the airport, with a free shuttle service included.
This location provides quick access to the Via do Infante (A22), making it easy to reach anywhere in the Algarve, from the region’s busiest central beaches to the wilder coastline around Sagres and the Southwest Alentejo.
Is it possible to collect or return the car outside normal opening hours at Faro Airport?
Yes. As with Drivalia’s other airport Mobility Stores in Portugal, you can rent a car with an out-of-hours service. This flexibility is ideal for passengers arriving in Faro on late-night or early-morning flights.
How does car rental at Porto Airport work with Drivalia?
When booking your car rental at Porto Airport online, simply provide your flight number. The Drivalia shuttle will be ready for you on arrival, even for late-night or out-of-hours flights, and will take you to the Mobility Store, around five minutes from the airport, where you can quickly collect your vehicle.
From here, it is easy to head into Porto’s historic centre, travel north to Braga, Guimarães or another city in northern Portugal, drive east towards the Douro Valley and its vineyards, or continue your journey into Galicia, just across the border.
What are the pick-up hours for rental cars at Porto Airport?
You can collect your reserved car at any time of the day or night. Drivalia’s shuttle service adapts to your flight schedule, ensuring that you can collect your vehicle even if you arrive late at night or outside normal business hours.
And in Funchal, what happens if my flight is delayed?
There is no need to worry here either. Simply provide your flight number when booking your car rental at Funchal Airport, and Drivalia’s free shuttle will take you to the Mobility Store once your flight has landed.
From here, Funchal city centre is just a few minutes away, but the island also invites you to explore further: head north towards Santana and the lush inland landscapes, or west towards Porto Moniz and its natural swimming pools.
Rent a car with peace of mind with Drivalia
A delayed flight should not spoil the start of your holiday. With Drivalia, you know from the outset that your booking is protected for 24 hours, that each Mobility Store team is prepared for out-of-hours arrivals, and that a simple phone call can resolve almost any issue before you even land.
Book in advance, save your Mobility Store contact details on your phone, and travel with the peace of mind of knowing that your car will be waiting for you, whatever time you arrive.
