I'm heading to Portugal, Spain, France and Italy September and October. Can anyone give me advice on renting a car in Portugal? I would like to rent a car so I can drive through out Portugal and maybe even the drive to Seville Spain then use euro rail the remainder of the trip. I'm going alone and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for me.

Sixt is pretty good. Are you renting a standard or automatic? Considerable price difference. Also gas is about $2 a liter there so adds up. Navigation too is about $10 a day. If you want to drive to Spain and drop it off there you will have to pay about $30 extra a day for the one way fee.

Check out the Renault Eurodrive program based in France. It is a leasing buyback program that is fantastic. We leased a car through them (Renault Clio diesel 5 speed standard) in 2007 for 7 weeks. Picked it up and returned it to Lyon, France but drove through France, Spain and Portugal with no problem at all. Didn't drive in Paris though. You must pick up the car in France or face heavy fees. The program is open to non-EU residents; minimum 15 days, maximum 6 months. Worked out to be about $35 CAD a day with full liability, insurance, 24 hour help etc. etc. I did all the paper work in Canada through AMA, including payment. This is a an excellent and reliable program and i would not hesitate to do it again or recommend it to anyone.

try booking your car www.autoeurope.com or www.rentalcars.com It is cheaper to bring your own gps from home.
AUTOEUROPE.COM
International Car Rental: Europe from $12/day | auto europe

Watch for veneta's (unsure of spelling). Not sure which countries all have but the police would sit on other side of border waiting for u to cross without the sticker ....

Sounds like you have a great trip planned. I leave for 3 weeks in Barcelona mid September. Not planning on renting a car, but the comment above about standard or automatic is very important when reserving a car. Found out the hard way in Florence a couple of years ago. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Have you gone before Cathy? Are you travelling alone? I'm trying to pack so much in and I'm nervous about booking. I have to be certain on my flights and I'm wondering g if a month is too long lol... Any suggestions?

This trip I am doing on my own. For Italy I pre booked my hotel and transfers. I did not want to have to worry how I was getting from A to B to C. While I Rome I just wanted to spend time there and know that the only thing I "had" to do was be packed and outside my hotel in "X" number of days I had put together a diary of things I could do and every morning over coffee planned that day. Try and give yourself some slow days just to sit and soak up the flavour of your location. For Barcelona I am planning every third day as a beach day. Other days are for day trip and explore BNC day. Pinterest has been a great source of info for things to see or do. I found after 3 weeks I was ready to come home. A month might be rather long on your own, depending on your personality. Just expect to have one melt down, and just roll with it, or get a drink. Remember you are on holiday

Thanks so much h Cathy. I am nervous because flying scares me lol.. I have travelled alone but to the Caribbean all inclusive type of trips. This is going to be so different. I think my main thing is not being able to enjoy the evenings out because I will be too nervous to go out alone and I'm also incredibly shy but outgoing once the ice is broken lol... I'm trying to book some hotels I. Advance so I'm not floating around not sure where to go. I do want some beach days and down time because I will get too overwhelmed and I think beach days will help to actually absorb what I have seen and experienced. I'm going to Barcelona as well I must see the Sangrada cathedral. Have you ever rented a car and driven from place to place ? I'm trying to do things in the most economical way also.

I haven't actually managed to rent a car. That was the "melt" down in Florence, on top of 100 degree day. They only had standards and neither of us drove a standard. But we managed to still get to Panzao the next day, and discovered the Italian version of Greyhound. I think for travelling single, booking your hotel in advance is important. If you can put together a diary/book listing info on things to do so you don't find yourself overwhelmed. I've been adding to my iPad calendar when things are open or say free, so I know that in BNC that Thursday evening after 7:30 and Sunday's that the museums are free etc. I've saved the link for the free wifi in the city. This way I have the info at my fingertips so I'm not overwhelmed. When do you leave?

That's wonderful things I haven't even considered such as the free wifi and when things are free. I have been making an itinerary for myself but not going to be rigid about keeping it and try to also go with the flow BUT being sure to see the important places. I'm hoping to leave sept 16th I'm just waiting for confirmation on a couple items. Any tips on trains from Spain to Italy? And how do you use your iPad or iPhone there? When do you leave?

I also would not drive in Rome (little crazy)but the rest of Italy is awesome!!!
Diesel is more economical if u request and if u prebook, do not let yourself be talked into extra charges or fees. They always tried but we prepaid and did not back down. U may also need an international driving permit, 15$ at AMA

Sorry for the lag time in responding. Work gets in the way of you life. I leave September 13. Sorry don't know much about train system, as I ended up not requiring it for this trip.

NO worries at all Cathy, forgiyour schedule. Mine is ve me for asking again if i already did so but re you travelling alone and if so perhaps we could meet up for a day of exploring together depending on your schedule as mine is completely open.