Car Rental in Lisbon: 5 useful Apps to drive around the city like an expert
Share with friends
Updated on July 30, 2025
Planning to rent a car in Lisbon? Then you’ll need to keep a few things in mind to drive around the city smoothly and without setbacks: paying attention to traffic, knowing where restricted circulation zones are, and where you can park.
Fortunately, there are several apps that help you avoid traffic, find parking, and even discover restaurants and activities. Find out which ones in this article and enjoy a stress-free driving experience in Lisbon.
Planning to rent a car in Lisbon? Here’s how to drive around the city hassle-free
Lisbon has a good public transport network, but it can often be overcrowded and the schedules don’t always meet specific needs.
That’s why many people choose to rent a car in Lisbon for the comfort and flexibility it provides when getting around.
Still, whether you’re used to driving here or not, navigating the city requires practice, a good sense of direction, and a few handy tips.
Let’s take a look.
Avoid rush hours in Lisbon
Traffic in Lisbon is heaviest between 8–10 AM and 5–7 PM. Whenever possible, plan your journeys outside these hours to enjoy a smoother drive and you’ll also dodge a few honks if you happen to take a wrong turn!
Watch out for restricted traffic zones
Lisbon has several historic areas with traffic restrictions or complete bans. Before setting off, check which zones are restricted to avoid fines or unexpected detours.
Be Careful with narrow streets and one-way roads
Lisbon’s city centre is full of narrow streets and one-way roads. Use a navigation app to avoid tricky alleys or routes that are impossible to drive through.
Plan your route and avoid roadworks in the city
Roadworks and diversions are common in Lisbon. Check your route before setting off to avoid traffic surprises and ensure a quicker journey.
If you keep the Tejo River in sight, you’ll always know that the opposite side points north of the city!
5 Apps to help you drive your rental car in Lisbon with confidence
Driving a rental car comes with extra responsibility — especially in busy cities like Lisbon, where traffic can be intense and mistakes might cost you more.
To make the experience smoother, here are some apps and tools that can help take the pressure off.
1. Navigation Apps to rent a car in Lisbon and avoid traffic
When you rent a car in Lisbon, use tools like Google Maps and Waze to make driving easier. These apps help you find the best routes and avoid heavy traffic areas.
Waze, for example, is great for alerting you to roadworks or accidents, allowing you to recalculate your route in real time.
These apps also provide useful information along the way, such as speed limits and speed camera alerts.
2. Parking apps in Lisbon: find a spot easily
Parking in Lisbon’s busiest areas can feel like a real “mission impossible.”
To reduce the stress of finding a space, you can rely on apps like EasyPark and Telpark. These apps not only help you locate available parking spots but also allow you to pay for parking directly from your phone.
3. Apps to refuel your rental car in Lisbon
To ensure a smooth trip without running low on fuel, it’s important to know where to refuel and find the best prices.
Here are some useful apps to make refuelling easier:
- Fuel Flash: helps you find the cheapest petrol stations in the city.
- Prio.Go: lets you pay for fuel without leaving your car and locates the nearest Prio stations.
- Miio: if you rent an electric car in Lisbon, this app is very useful — it shows charging stations, prices, and allows you to start the charging process.
4. Apps to find places to eat in Lisbon: restaurants, cafés, and bars
Apps like TripAdvisor and The Fork help you discover restaurants, bars, and cafés, complete with reviews and useful search filters.
With The Fork, for example, you can even make reservations and enjoy exclusive discounts.
These apps are perfect for saving time when looking for a good place to eat in Lisbon.
5. Apps for activities and attractions: what to visit in Lisbon with your rental car
Finally, if your plan is to rent a car in Lisbon to explore the city, it’s a good idea to plan an itinerary with the main attractions and tourist activities.
For this, we suggest the “Lisbon Guide” app, which offers a wide range of activity suggestions and allows you to buy tickets in advance — helping you skip the queues and save time.
Where to rent a car in Lisbon hassle-free? Count on Drivalia
With these useful apps, driving a rental car in Lisbon becomes much easier and stress-free. From avoiding traffic to finding parking or planning activities, these tools simplify the entire experience in the city.
To complement this, Drivalia offers a fully online car rental service in Lisbon, so you can book your vehicle quickly and conveniently.
Choose from a wide range of models and book your car rental in Lisbon without leaving your seat.
Renting a Car in Lisbon with Drivalia: useful questions & answers
1. Where are the Drivalia stations to rent a car in Lisbon?
Drivalia offers several strategic locations to rent a car in Lisbon with total convenience: Lisbon City Centre, Benfica, and near the Airport in Prior Velho. You can also choose one of our virtual stations in Sete Rios (bus station) and Oriente (train station). This way, you can pick the most convenient location based on your arrival point or travel plans.
2. Do I need an international driving licence to rent a car in Lisbon?
If you’re a citizen of the European Union, no. For drivers from outside the EU, an International Driving Permit is required if the original licence is not in the Latin alphabet.
3. Where can I park a rental car in Lisbon?
In Lisbon, there are paid public car parks, private parking facilities, and regulated street parking areas managed by EMEL. Apps like Telpark help you find parking spots and pay directly from your phone.
4. How can I rent a car in Lisbon with Drivalia?
Simply access our website on your mobile, choose the pick-up location (airport, Benfica, or city centre), select the date and type of vehicle, and book with total convenience.
Count on Drivalia to make your driving experience simple, safe, and comfortable.
