One way car rental Lisbon to Bordeaux
We can not find an affordable car rental one way this july. Every company wants to charge 1500 euro one way fee for drop off.

Does anyone have some guidance on this?

First timer on this forum

Happymccaig

What you found about the cross country drop-off is the standard industry practice. Experienced travelers play with itineraries to avoid this type of mega charges that do not usually add to the value of the trip. How you connect Lisbon to Bordeaux while avoiding a drop-off charge depends on what you plan to do in between, which you have not posted. If you have nothing in between, one way is to fly, such as Easyjet. For example July 12th one way is about 73EU with one luggage. You just drop your car in Liston, fly to Bordeaux, and rent a car in Bordeaux.

These charges usually apply, as the car will have to return to Portugal.
The fee of 1500 Euro includes all the charges involved, as someone will have to pick up the car from Bordeaux and drive it back to Lisbon.

In the US hire companies charge one way drop off fees too - also at a steep rate, so I don't understand why people are surprised at being charged for a cross border drop off.

If you give us more details of your itinerary we may be able to help you work it so you dont need to drop off your car in another country. You could rent one in Portugal, then fly to France, then rent another...?

WOW thanks all for the great fast response.

We will be leaving Jamor Portugal on the 7th of July and driving through to Portugal, Spain and than arriving France on the 10th for a 11th departure to Scotland via Ryan air. We where hoping to see the country side on the way to France.

Second choice would be train though I think we must use many connections to make it to our final destination.

Happymccaig

With only three days you don't have time to see Portugal, never mind Spain and France. And there's certainly no time to enjoy countryside - just tarmac. And you can't avoid that drop-off fee. So I suggest you start over and plan a trip that is realistic.

StCirq,
Actually we are in Portugal for more than a week as my son is playing in a football tournament, we are then leaving on the 7th to France which seems doable in 4 days driving doesn't seem that far. We are then heading to Scotland where my son will be training with St Mirren for 2 weeks. I am thinking to change my Ryanair departure to another location if I cant find car economically. Or second choice is train.

I wouldn't want to waste four days of vacation driving across Portugal and Spain for an overnight in Bordeaux...I'd use it to see something so I would fly between Portugal and Scotland. Or train somewhere like Madrid for a few days then fly from there to Scotland. That's a ling drive likely on an unscenic highway or it will take forever. Plus the cost of the drop fee will be huge as you have found out.