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Counterwise

No. 8 of 17 at FAO

Centauro

at Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport

Shuttle
Counterwise Score 5.4 out of 10, rated Poor.High consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Centauro at Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport is ranked No. 8 of 17 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 5.4/10 (Poor).
  • The Centauro desk is off-site, reached by shuttle from Faro Airport (ride time not confirmed yet).
  • A credit card in the main driver's name is required; the typical deposit is €100–€2,100.
  • Fuel policy: same to same. Opening hours: 07:00–23:00 daily.
  • Main red flag from travellers: Toll and fuel deposit refunds are frequently reported as delayed by weeks or months, or only partly returned, even when the car came back full and no tolls were used; many say emails and the contact form go unanswered..

Based on 289 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on 289 kept Google reviews from the last six months (about 240 with text, the rest star-only), cars are mostly new and clean and many travellers have smooth pickups. The main concerns are slow or partial refunds of toll and fuel deposits, disputed scratch and rim charges, long waits at peak times, and difficulty with late-night arrivals and returns before 7:00. Experiences are polarised, and web evidence is mostly undated or older and broadly consistent.

AI-assisted summary of 289 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 12 November 2026. How we do it

Score breakdown

Each sub-score is out of 10. Higher is always better for you. How the weights work

Deposit & damage disputes(30% of score)

Poor3.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 75 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Poor5.5/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 20 reports · medium confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 48 reports · medium confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 58 reports · high confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Great8.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 50 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 5.1 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 5.9 · counts 30%
  • 11 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, duplicates, other reasons). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 7% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (209 after weighting by age).

High consensusOur independent signals (AI review analysis, web reports and star ratings) point the same way.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

  • Toll and fuel deposit refunds are frequently reported as delayed by weeks or months, or only partly returned, even when the car came back full and no tolls were used; many say emails and the contact form go unanswered.trustpilot.comtrustpilot.com
  • Numerous recent reviews say charges of roughly 100-600 euros for scratches, rims or wheels were applied at or after return, with customers stating the marks were already there and no joint check-out inspection was done at pickup.
  • Out-of-hours problems recur: several late-evening arrivals report no shuttle and unanswered phones, the desk opens only at 7:00 so early flights are hard, and there are reports of a 40 euro out-of-hours fee.
  • Shuttle and desk waits at peak times are long in many reports, from 40 minutes up to about 2 hours, with a small shuttle bus and disorganised boarding.
  • A number of reviewers report strong encouragement to buy the desk's own cover despite broker or third-party cover, with card restrictions at the desk used as a lever.

Green flags (5)

  • Most reviewers describe new, clean, low-mileage cars in good condition, often with a free upgrade or a bigger car than booked.
  • Many travellers report deposits released the same day or within about a week, especially on the premium package or direct bookings.
  • Numerous reviews report quick check-in and return (5-20 minutes) and a short airport shuttle ride of about 5-10 minutes with a frequent service outside peak times.
  • Several reviewers on the premium or full-cover package report no deposit hassle and no sales pressure at the desk.
  • Counter staff are frequently described as friendly and professional, including help with changes or a wrong category on the spot.

Practical facts

LocationOff-site, by shuttle (ride time not confirmed yet)source
Opening hours07:00–23:00 dailysource
Credit card requiredYes, in the main driver’s namesource
Typical deposit€100–€2,100source
Fuel policySame to samesource
Shares the desk withNo other brands

“Not confirmed yet” means we have not verified that fact yet. We never guess.

Sources

Web pages behind this rating’s facts and flags, found through search APIs. The review analysis also used 289 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

Before you go

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Centauro at other airports and stations

Same brand, different counter. We rate each location on its own.

Centauro at Faro Airport: questions and answers

Is Centauro at Faro Airport any good?

Centauro at Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport has a Counterwise Score of 5.4/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 8 of 17 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Most reviewers describe new, clean, low-mileage cars in good condition, often with a free upgrade or a bigger car than booked.. Main red flag: Toll and fuel deposit refunds are frequently reported as delayed by weeks or months, or only partly returned, even when the car came back full and no tolls were used; many say emails and the contact form go unanswered..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Centauro at Faro Airport?

Yes. Centauro at Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport requires a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

How much is the deposit at Centauro at Faro Airport?

The typical deposit at Centauro at Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport is €100–€2,100. The lowest starting deposit at this airport is at Record Go (from €0).

Where is the Centauro desk at Faro Airport?

The Centauro desk is off-site, reached by shuttle from Faro Airport (ride time not confirmed yet).

What are the opening hours of Centauro at Faro Airport?

Centauro at Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport is open 07:00–23:00 daily. Fuel policy: same to same.

Other desks at Faro Airport

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