Everyone wants the cheapest car at Faro Airport — but the cheapest headline price and the cheapest total are rarely the same company. The €6-a-day deal that tops the search results often ends up costing more than a mid-priced rental once the fuel policy, insurance excess and deposit are factored in. This guide shows you how to find the genuinely cheapest option for your trip.

For the full company-by-company verdict, start with our ranked guide to the best car rental companies at Faro Airport.

How to Actually Find the Cheapest Rate

The single most effective thing you can do is book early through a comparison site. Faro is a highly seasonal airport: rates are set by supply and demand, and prices climb steeply as availability shrinks. Booking two to three months ahead in summer can halve what you pay versus booking the week before — and walk-up desk rates are the most expensive of all.

Compare across platforms, but always read what the price includes. A rate with a fair fuel policy and a low excess beats a cheaper rate that hides a full-to-empty fuel charge and a €2,000 deposit.

Why the Cheapest Headline Price Isn’t the Cheapest Total

Here is how a tempting budget rate compares to a slightly higher honest rate over a one-week summer rental:

The “cheapest” deal ends up costing more — and ties up €1,500 of your holiday money. The lesson: judge the total, not the headline. If you do book a budget brand, add full coverage online and never at the desk.

When to Book for the Lowest Price

Cheapest Company by Type of Traveller

For the lowest honest total, local operators like MasterKings are consistently strong value — fair fuel policies and low deposits offset the short shuttle ride. Budget brands can win on pure headline price, but only if you add online full coverage to neutralise the deposit and excess risk. For full detail, see how deposits compare and our full company ranking.