Renting a car in Spain means getting the opportunity to travel around the country on your own and see picturesque villages, green vineyards, visit secluded beaches and get to know the country from the inside.
Before you delve into the Internet to book a car in cities such as Barcelona, ​​Madrid or Seville, you need to spend a little time and familiarize yourself with some of the nuances of car rental and driver reviews.
Brief instructions: how to rent a car in Spain
A car is a convenient and reliable means of transportation, unlike public transport, which travels only along planned routes. Rent and gasoline, of course, will cost money, but the opportunities to see as many interesting places and attractions as possible increase. Car rental in Spain, according to drivers, is a snap.
Rights and documents
Before renting a car, you must consult with the agency to make sure that you have all the necessary documents for driving on Spanish roads.
Rental company
If renting is very cheap, then perhaps there are some pitfalls, for example, additional costs for insurance, mileage and fuel. According to user experience, it is better to pay a little more expensive and get rid of unnecessary trouble. On the EuroCheapo website you can see information on car rental and check the current prices of different Spanish companies.
Dents and scratches
Before renting a car, make sure that you are familiar with all additional fees. If you need a certain brand of car, be sure to insist that they provide you with it.
Often, especially in large cities, in order to take a car, you have to go to the parking lot or to a large garage. It would be nice if an employee of the company goes with you so that you can note the presence of minor damage, if any. All deficiencies need to be noted in a special document. These actions may seem excessive, but can save a substantial amount of money in the future. The representative of the rental company will have to sign a form with a list of all the shortcomings that the driver will find.
Toll roads
In Catalonia, many roads are paid. You can pay from 0.45 to 10 euros for a trip along them. At points of payment accept both credit cards and cash. In other regions of Spain, tolls are slightly cheaper or none at all. Toll roads can be avoided, but this most often adds to the travel time, and you may encounter a large number of intersections and busy traffic.
Valuables
Always lock the car doors and do not leave valuables in sight. Everything that can attract small thieves is best hidden in the trunk. If the car will have really valuable things, then at the stops it is better to take them with you. This is especially important if you travel to major cities such as Barcelona and Madrid.
Mechanics or automatic
Most rental cars in Spain are equipped with a manual gearbox. A car with an automatic transmission is an exception; you will have to pay a lot more for its rent. It is necessary to reserve such a car in advance, because usually there are very few of them.
Parking places
It is not easy to park in large cities due to lack of parking spaces. Even if you find a free place, you first need to make sure that it is public parking or belongs to people living in the neighboring house. In the countryside you can stay anywhere.
Road safety
Driving in Spain is not much different than driving in Europe or North America. The road signs are very similar. Roads and motorways are in good condition. It is believed that the most inaccurate drivers are in Tenerife. Strange, but with a quiet and calm island life, it is here that drivers press the gas pedal harder.
Right fuel
There are many self-service gas stations in Spain. Just insert a credit card or cash into the machine. The main thing is to choose the right type of fuel and not to refuel a diesel car with unleaded gas.
Car rental in Barcelona
When renting a car in Barcelona, ​​you may encounter some problems. Public transport is very well developed here, and with it you can get to anywhere in Barcelona. Driving alone can be dangerous due to the small curved streets that are usually filled with residents and tourists.
If, nevertheless, the decision to rent a car is made, then the driver must be over 18 years old, but some rental agencies provide a car only if the driver is 23 years old. It is recommended that you have an international driving license with you.
A three-day rental in Barcelona will cost about $ 200. Not all rental packages have unlimited mileage. Some have theft or collision insurance.
Car rental in Madrid
Driving around Madrid may not be the most enjoyable: traffic jams, high gas prices, aggressive drivers, a lot of mopeds and lack of parking. Using a bus or subway in this city is much more reliable.
If you still decide to rent a car, then there are a lot of rental options. As for the traffic rules specific to Spain, all passengers should be wearing seat belts. In Spain, it is recommended that you have an international driver’s license, but this is optional. Children under the age of 12 cannot sit in the front seat.
The price for a three-day rental in Madrid is approximately 190 euros.
Car rental companies in Spain
Centauro Car (San Javier) - Offers a wide selection of cars and minibuses. The car park is updated every year and comprises more than 16,000 cars of well-known brands. You can choose an economical small car, a medium-sized car, a family car and a seven- and nine-seater minibus. The company also offers automatic gearboxes, convertibles and luxury cars.
Car rental is offered with three different packages: Basic, Comfort and Premium, which differ in deposit rate, insurance, gas policy and registration speed.
The company offers additional services: child seats, navigation, cross-border insurance when traveling to another country.
Drivalia - car rental at the airport of Alicante and Valencia. A fleet of 2,000 cars ensures that the driver always finds the right car. Modern rental offices are located a few hundred meters from the main terminals. Ultimate offers car rental with no hidden fees or deposits. Drivalia is one of the few companies where you can rent a car in Spain without a credit card.
Helle Hollis Car rental - rental is based at the Malaga Airport in southern Spain and offers car rental services in Malaga, Andalusia and Costa del Sol.
HelleHollis provides top-quality car rental services. You can book a rental online, there is also the possibility of free cancellation.
Europcar - thanks to a simple booking system and a large selection of cars, the company is very popular. The company offers rental for various time ranges: hours, days, weeks and even months. To make a lease, you must have a valid credit card, driver’s license and an additional identification document.
Record - Car rental in Spain at the airports. Renting a car from Record means:
- lack of queues;
- mileage is not considered;
- rendering round-the-clock assistance;
- the possibility of providing a personal driver.
Users note that the company has a very good service and low rental price.
HolidayCars is a car rental company in Calpe in Spain. The company does not charge additional reservation fees, there is a free cancellation 48 hours before the start of the rental. Insurance fully covers the deductible for standard policies and guarantees a safe trip. The support service works around the clock, chatting can communicate in Russian.
What kind of driver license is needed in Spain
Car rental in Spain with Russian rights is quite possible. If the traveler has a valid visa of any type or a student card, then ordinary Russian rights allow you to freely drive a car. But if you rent a car, you may need international rights. They can be obtained at the traffic police departments, retaking exams is not necessary. International law is only valid with a national driver’s license.
Card or cash
Car rental in Spain without a credit card is almost impossible. Firms that rent cash are very few, and these are usually small offices with a small selection of cars. There should be enough money in the account to cover the amount of the lock. Some car rental companies require full insurance for a driver who rents a car without a credit card. Using someone else's card (even with the permission of the owner) to rent a car is, in most cases, impossible.