Barcelona hire car: Car Rentals in Barcelona from $5/day

You’ll need your passport (or NIE if you are a resident in Spain) and a valid driving licence (held for a minimum of 1 year). Note that the old UK paper licences are no longer accepted. If your licence is written in non-Latin script, you will need an international driving permit (IDP). Don’t forget that the main driver will need a credit card (or major debit card) to make payment. Payment in cash is never possible.

Even if you have the maximum cover, it’s always a good idea to check your vehicle, inside and out, before driving off. On the inside, check that the vehicle has been properly valeted between hires and that there is nothing obviously missing (e.g. rear luggage tray). If the contract indicates that the car is delivered to you with a full tank of fuel, check that this is indeed the case. On the outside, check that any damage more serious than minor scratches and scuffs is marked on the contract. If you do find anything amiss, it’s best to report this to the staff before leaving.

The speed limit on motorways in Spain is 120km/hour. Watch out, though, as some stretches of motorway may have a 100km/hour limit. On main roads between towns and cities, the limit is 90km/hour. In urban areas, the limit is 30km/hour on roads with a single lane in each direction and 50km/hour when there are two or more lanes in each direction.

With last minute packing and the dash to the airport, a quick clean of your hire car isn’t always top of the list of things-to-do at the end of a holiday. However, try to return the vehicle as you collected it. Avoid leaving tissues, wrappers and empty water bottles. And if you’ve been to the beach, be careful not to leave a pile of sand in the boot! Of course, our suppliers clean their vehicles between hires, but anything that requires more than their standard clean can be considered ‘special cleaning’, for which you could be charged between 50€ and 150€

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Car Hire Barcelona | Spain

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Car hire in Barcelona

Hiring a car in Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and it is safe to say it has a personality all its own. From the architectural masterpieces of its most famous son, Antoni Gaudi, to the equally world-renowned Camp Nou Stadium and the team that play there, Barcelona is a cultural and fun destination to visit. That’s before we’ve even got started on the food, which is so outstanding that people have tried to replicate it all over the world.

This destination is within Spain, but somehow separate from it, and can be reached from the airport by car in about 20 minutes. Look for the signs for C-31 and C-32, which will take you to the Gran Via, Avinguda Diagonal, Ronda de Dalt or Ronda del Litoral roads, all of which lead to Barcelona city centre.

What you need to know

Hire cars in Barcelona are available from the airport, main train station or a city centre location. The largest number of suppliers operate out of the airport and it is a good idea to compare car hire deals using our website to ensure you get the best option for you. More than a dozen car hire firms have a presence at Barcelona Airport (BCN), with many of them rated excellent and very good by our customers. All of them are covered by the Holiday Autos free cancellation policy and 24/7 support should you need it.

Where to pick up your car

There are car hire desks at both terminals one and two at Barcelona Airport. The likes of Sixt, Thrifty and Budget all have desks in Terminal one, while centauro rent-a-car and Sol Mar Rent A Car provide free shuttle buses from this terminal to their desks. Meanwhile, Firefly Car Rental, Avis and Europcar have desks in Terminal two and inter rent, centauro rent-a-car and Goldcar rental all offer shuttle bus services.

Some of the big names, such as Budget, Hertz and Sixt allow you to pick up your hire car from within metres of Barcelona Sants Station. This is particularly convenient if you are travelling to the city from elsewhere in Spain or further afield in Europe, such as Portugal.

Best Car Hire Companies Barcelona

Car Hire Reviews Barcelona

Where to go

Once you have your hire car then the whole of Barcelona opens up to you. This means you could throw all your beach stuff into the back of the car and head to Barceloneta Beach, where there is no less than 1,100 metres of sand to stretch out on. With a backdrop of the city, it is this beach that many people believe sets Barcelona apart from many other European cities.

Alternatively, why not do a tour of Gaudi sites? While some of these are quite central, such as Casa Batllo and Casa Mila (otherwise known as La Pedrera), not all of them are that convenient to visit. Park Guell, for example, lies on the outskirts of the city and a hire car will make it so much easier to get there.

If you’re travelling with kids, then they’ll definitely want you to drive them up to Tibidabo. This amusement park sits atop a 512-metre hill overlooking the city, which means you get fantastic views of Barcelona whether or not you decide to ride the big wheel.

Nearby Barcelona

Around an hour’s drive from Barcelona along the A-2 road is the holiest site in Catalonia, Montserrat. It occupies a mountain with several peaks and is home to a stunning Benedictine abbey, as well as some pretty great views. If you happen to be in Montserrat when the resident choir are doing a performance or even just rehearsing, be sure not to miss it, as the sound is truly breath-taking.

If beaches are more your thing, strike out along the C-32 toll road to Sitges. Here you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which beach to lie back and soak up the holiday spirit on. Take a stroll before making your choice and once you’ve relaxed, have your lunch at one of the top quality seafood restaurants dotted along the seafront. In the afternoon, wander the whitewashed buildings of Sitges and enjoy its cool narrow streets.

Longer drives

Slightly further afield at 99 kms away from Barcelona via the AP-7 and C-32 roads you’ll find Tarragona. This destination is Roman ruins central and you’ll be able to explore everything from the remains of an amphitheatre to a forum and the archaeological museum is highly informative. Once you are done with such relics, head to the cathedral, which has a stunning interior.

The Medieval walled town of Montblanc lies 118 kms from Barcelona and can be reached using the AP-7 and AP-2 roads, but be prepared to pay tolls in return for the speed they afford. Having a hire car will mean you can really make the most of the area around Montblanc and drive along what is known as the Cistercian Route. It will take you to beautiful monasteries at Poblet, Vallbona de les Monges and Santes Creus.

Top attractions to visit in Barcelona

When it comes to things to do in Barcelona, you’ll be completely spoilt for choice, but here are some of the best.

La Boqueria Market

Located right on the Ramblas, this market has been serving the people of Barcelona since 1217 and is a must-visit for foodies. Just wandering around and seeing all the colourful mounds of fresh produce is a feast for the eyes before you’ve even bought any ingredients to cook up and enjoy.

Camp Nou Stadium

Barcelona’s football club is among the most famous in the world and its stadium matches the team’s stature. Getting to see a game played here is a wonderful experience for any football fans, but if that’s not possible during your stay, then a tour is another great option. The highlight is bound to be visiting the trophy room, which is packed full of silverware, including five Champions League trophies.

Sagrada Familia

Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece is an amazing example of visionary architecture and is different each time you visit. Marvel at the many towers and see the light shine in through a wall of stained glass. Tickets and time slots should be secured early on in the day to avoid disappointment. You can even purchase special entry to ascend one of the towers.

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Car rental in Spain — 2023: prices and conditions We will tell you how much it costs to rent a car, where it is better to rent a car in Spain, what documents are required and what you need to know about driving in Spain.

The most common rental locations are:

• Barcelona / Barcelona Airport
• Alicante / Alicante Airport
• Salou
• Malaga
• Lloret de Mar

Where to rent a car in Spain

There are two main options: international distributors and local companies.

Both of them receive approximately the same feedback from tourists, so you can simply choose a company whose rental conditions will be most convenient for you, regardless of the level of the distributor.

International companies include the following (based on customer feedback): Dollar, Thrifty, Hertz, Europcar.

What are the best websites to book a car in Spain? It is more convenient and cheaper to rent a car through Rentalcars – the service compares prices from all international companies and finds the best options.

Local suppliers offer to rent a car inexpensively and without loss of quality. The best Spanish companies according to tourist reviews:

• Centauro →
• Goldcar →
• Record Go →

Photo: rental car in Spain © Phillip Capper / flickr.com

Car rental prices in Spain 2023

Car rental prices in local and international companies do not differ much, but if you rent a car in a large office, it is more likely that everything will go without surprises.

The cost depends on the city, car class, rental period, gearbox and additional options (child seat, co-driver, etc.).

It is convenient to compare prices from all major companies at once through Rentalcars – the service does the work for you, collecting offers from dozens of rental companies on one page.

Tip: compare prices in nearby towns. For example, car rental at Barcelona airport is cheap, but in nearby resorts the cost of car rental can be 2-3 times higher.

International companies

Below are examples of car rental prices in international companies in 2023. The minimum cost per day, if you take a car for 10 days – from 7-8 euros.

If you take a car with all the options (full insurance, deposit, deductible, unlimited kilometers), the cost will be something like this:

• small cars (Hyundai i10, Opel Adam) – from 19 euros per day;
• middle-class cars (Opel Corsa, VW Polo) – from 24 euros per day;
• large cars (Seat Toledo, Peugeot 3008) – from 33 euros per day;
• minivans (Ford Galaxy, Opel Vivaro) – from 55 euros per day.

This list contains prices of companies with a rating of 7+ out of 10 possible.

Suppliers with a rating below 7 points offer similar cars at 2-3 times cheaper, but impose certain restrictions – for example, do not provide unlimited kilometers or offer insurance .

Carefully read the terms of the lease, if you decide to apply to such distributors.

Local companies

Rent at the basic rate for 10 days, with a deposit of up to 1050 euros and compulsory insurance with a deductible of up to 1050 euros:

• compact cars (Fiat 500, Opel Corsa) – 7 euros per day;
• middle class (Ford Focus, VW Golf) – 8-12 euros per day;
• SUVs (Opel Zafira, VW Touran TDI) – from 40 euros per day;
• minivans (VW Transporter TDI, Ford Galaxy) – 40-60 euros per day.

Similar rental, but at a premium rate – no deposit, with full insurance coverage without deductible:

• small cars – from 27 euros per day;
• middle class – 30-35 euros per day;
• SUVs – from 60 euros per day;
• minivans – 60-90 euros per day.

Compare prices by region:

• Barcelona →
• Tenerife →
• Madrid →

The cost of gasoline

The average cost of gasoline in Spain as of 2023 is 1.2 euros per liter.

Since many car rental companies offer gas-powered cars, it makes sense to mention the price of gas – 0.62 euros per liter.

Photo: © jarmoluk

What documents are needed

Most car rental providers in Spain require a minimum set of documents from customers:

• passport
• driver’s license category “B”
• driving experience 1-3 years

However, many companies additionally require a credit card , not accepting debit cards and cash.

In practice, this works “once” – it is quite possible that your debit card with the amount required for the deposit will completely suit the rental company, but it’s better not to take risks and clarify this issue at the time of booking.

Please note: there are separate fees for drivers under 25 years old – each company has different fees, on average they are 10-20 euros per day in addition to the basic rental price.

Driving habits

Drivers in Spain are quite calm, most are respectful of other road users and do not honk without good reason.

However, there is something worth knowing about Spanish roads:

• In cities, the maximum speed limit is 50 km/h, unless a lower speed is indicated at the entrance.
• Beware of cyclists – many of them do not consider it necessary to learn the rules, and can create dangerous situations.
• Always keep to the right lane on country roads – the rest are for overtaking. The maximum allowed speed on these tracks is 90-120 km/h, depending on signs.
• If you suddenly stumbled upon a traffic jam while driving along a suburban highway, be sure to turn on the emergency stop signal so that you can be seen from afar. As soon as the next driver stops behind you, the signal can be turned off.

Find a car to rent in Spain →

Useful information

• Prices in Spain – 2023
• Where to rest in Spain in 2023
• Holidays in Spain with children: 9 best resorts and hotels0014
• How to get from Barcelona airport to city center

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Rent a car in Barcelona from 1 499 rubles, car rental prices in Barcelona

PS: all prices above are valid at the time of writing. Enter the travel dates and get the hottest offers from Travelask!

Hello everyone! With you again Anna. I continue to travel around different cities and countries, and also share useful tips in my reviews so that your trips are comfortable and easy. Today, together with the TravelAsk team, I would like to help you understand the features of renting a car in Barcelona, ​​tell you what you should pay attention to and how to save money.

Barcelona car rental companies: terms and conditions

Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, where people go not for a beach holiday, but for experiences and cultural activities. In Barcelona, ​​you will definitely not suffer from a lack of choice of car rental companies: more than a dozen large international companies and hundreds of small local companies offer their services here. It’s not easy to immediately navigate the choice and understand the difference between car rental companies, so I’ll tell you about the most important features.

Car rental at the airport – international companies

International car rental companies in Barcelona are represented in all their diversity. Here you can find the most famous and popular companies, the names of which are well known to everyone and are known all over the world. Among the most popular are:

• Avis;

• Hertz;

• Europcar;

• Budget;

• Sixt;

• Thrifty;

• Dollar car rental;

• Firefly;

• Keddy by Europcar;

• Alamo;

• Enterprise;

• National.

All listed companies in Barcelona and the surrounding area have at least 2-3 representative offices, some have several times more. For example, Sixt has 8, Hertz has 13, Europcar has 14, and Budget has 5. The largest number of international car rental companies have rental stations at Barcelona Airport. Also popular locations are Plaza Catalunya, Barceloneta district, Barcelona-Sants railway station, large hotels and shopping centers.

Regardless of the station, you can book a car in advance via the Internet. I advise you to use this particular method, because this way you can choose the class of the car in advance: in the high season, the most popular ones are quickly dismantled, and the prices for them when renting on the spot may be higher. By the way, you should know in advance what to choose when booking online, you can only complete the package and the category of the car, although a specific brand will be indicated in the application. In fact, the car rental company has the right to give you a similar model. In some cases, this usually applies to premium models, then the distributor guarantees the provision of the ordered car.

From experience, the best option is to pick up the car right at the airport. So you can comfortably place your luggage and get to the city, saving on a taxi: in Barcelona, ​​\u200b\u200bits cost is sometimes even higher than the daily car rental. If you book in advance, you can avoid queues at the counter, some car rental companies even meet their customers in the arrivals hall. Almost all companies make it possible to pick up a car at any time of the day. Representative offices are usually closed at night, so documents and keys can be taken through automatic boxes that are opened using a code or by scanning a voucher – do not forget to print it after online booking in any case, because it will also be needed when processing documents with an employee.

Fleet

Car rental at the airport – international companies in Barcelona offer a fairly diverse fleet of cars to suit every taste and budget. Large selection of small cars, reliable mid-size sedans and crossovers in different price categories. The most common models are Fiat 500, Fiat Panda, Nissan Micra, Fiat Tipo, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 308, Nissan Qashqai, Ford Focus, Mercedes-Benz Clase A, Opel Corsa, BMW X3, Seat Leon, Opel Mokka, Opel Insignia, Citroen C4. The choice of minivans, of course, is not so great, but still there are options for different levels of comfort: Volkswagen Touran, Volkswagen Caravelle, Opel Vivaro, Mercedes-Benz Clase V. The average cost in Europe is not low, but not the most expensive either: starts from 20 -25 euros per day.

What frankly pleased me was the choice of premium segment cars that are simply unusual for the average resident of the post-Soviet space, the latter, for example, include the inexpensive Smart Fortwo and MINI, which cost about 50 euros per day. There are a lot of convertibles, premium crossovers and cars with excellent performance in terms of quality, comfort and speed. I can highlight such models as Audi A3 Cabrio, MINI One Cabrio, Audi TT, BMW Serie 4 Gran Coupé, Mercedes-Benz SLC Cabrio, BMW Serie 4 Cabrio, Jaguar XF, Audi A5 Cabrio, BMW M240i Cabrio, Audi A7 Sportback, Mercedes -Benz Clase E Cabrio, Porsche Macan, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Panamera, Range Rover Vogue.

The technical condition and appearance almost always do not raise any questions. International rental companies carefully monitor this, carry out diagnostics, interior cleaning, deodorization and other procedures necessary to maintain the life of a car in time. The fleet is regularly updated: the age of the cars is 1-3 years.

Conditions and requirements

Driver requirements vary by company, but are generally quite similar. The minimum age to drive is 19years, the maximum is 75. Also, usually at the basic rate, the minimum age is 23 or 25 years, for premium cars, the bar can sometimes reach 27-30 years. But almost all car rental companies have a “young driver” service, which allows you to lower the age bar to 19-23 years old, depending on the rules of a particular company and the category of the selected car. Driving experience must be at least one year.

Many are concerned about the issue of a driver’s license, here the situation is twofold. According to the law, Russian rights of a new type will suffice, that is, in which your data is duplicated in Latin. In my experience, every third car rental company requires an IDP for absolutely no reason, but arguing is often useless. Therefore, if it is not particularly difficult, I advise you to draw up this document. You will also need a passport and a credit card in your name. It must contain an amount no less than the amount of the deposit. The size of the deposit is usually known already at the booking stage: it is blocked on the card and fully returned within a month, if there were no force majeure events during the rental. Make sure that in all three documents your name and surname are written in Latin in the same way.

Local car rental companies

The most popular local companies are Goldcar and Centauro. At the same time, they cannot be called local car rental companies. For example, Goldcar has more than 100 representative offices in different countries, and a fleet of 60,000 vehicles, this company just originated in Spain. She has an office at the airport, the site is adapted for Russian, and her reputation is also good: car rental companies of this kind can no doubt be classified as international. Centauro Rent a Car also appeared in Spain, and today it has expanded its representation to other European countries. This car rental company also has a website adapted for Russians, you can also book a car through aggregators.

I would like to tell you more about the small local companies that can be seen in any part of Barcelona. These are small companies, usually even without names and websites, that offer to rent a car on the spot and are often more loyal to drivers. They almost never require an IDP and a credit card, but they still take a deposit, however, in cash. With them, you can agree on lowering the age bar or admitting drivers without experience. They usually cost less than international car rental companies, and in the low season they also give good discounts or bonuses.

On the other hand, their car fleet is mostly quite old, which affects the technical condition. The language barrier also interferes, especially in difficult or controversial situations, when one has to prove one’s case in a language unfamiliar to both participants in the dialogue. There is also no Russian-speaking support, with the exception of firms focused on tourists from the CIS countries. Local car rental companies usually rent cars on the spot, because they also have problems with the sites: either they don’t have them, or there is no possibility of booking, or you have to wade through the Spanish language.

Tricks and tricks of car rental services

Car rental conditions in Barcelona are transparent: no one is trying to deceive tourists. Apparently, their flow is so powerful that even without it it turns out to make great money. The main thing is to follow the basic rules: always thoroughly study the contract and clarify all issues with the car rental company before renting. The second rule – be sure to take detailed pictures and video of the body and interior, so that when you hand over the car, you can avoid disputes regarding damage.

Popular options and additional payments

Usually, car rental companies of any kind have a fairly standard set of services: a second driver, removal of a mileage limit, a child seat, a navigator – they should be chosen based on personal needs and common sense. There are also some interesting rental conditions, which I want to talk about in more detail.

Car rental without deposit

The car rental company takes the deposit in cash or blocks it on a credit card before renting. It is needed to pay fines, improper parking, a tow truck, damage to the windshield or interior, in extreme cases – paying a deductible, so usually its cost is approximately equal to it. Franchise is the amount fixed in the insurance contract, which the driver will pay in the event of an insured event.

Car rental with full insurance (no deductible)

Car rental companies often offer to buy extended insurance without deductible. Depending on how much more expensive than usual it will cost, it is necessary to make a decision on the appropriateness of such an acquisition. You can buy it from the car rental company itself, then the whole headache falls entirely on her shoulders. You can buy it yourself from an insurance broker, but then you will deal with him after you pay the damage to the car rental company from your funds.

Car rental without driving experience

Driving experience is often not asked by local car rental companies. Even if not on the first try, but you will be able to find a compliant company.

Without mileage limit

Companies of any level can set a mileage limit, usually it is 200-250 km per day, and from one day unused mileage passes to others, that is, the total mileage for all days is taken into account. If you are sure that you will drive more, then for an additional fee this restriction can be removed.

Departure to the Schengen countries in a rented car

Most car rental companies allow you to travel from Spain to neighboring Schengen countries in a rented car, you just need to notify them in advance and pay a small commission. But almost no one allows you to take a car to the Spanish islands: yes, it’s not advisable, it’s easier to rent another car already in place.

Car rental with delivery

Car delivery can be useful if the rental station you have chosen is far from where you live. The service is paid, but convenient: travelers with children or those who are used to carrying a lot of luggage will appreciate it.

Without a credit card

In most cases, a credit card is needed when cooperating with international car rental companies. Only occasionally, and usually only low-cost cars, have special promotions when they can be rented without a deposit, and therefore without a credit card. Local car rental companies almost never ask for a credit card, and they take a deposit in 90% of cases, but in cash.

Traffic rules, roads and parking in Barcelona

The best thing I can say about the traffic in Barcelona is the quality of the roads, they are really wonderful here. This is where the advantages of moving around the city end. Firstly, as in all major tourist cities, the center has many restricted traffic areas, many narrow streets filled with pedestrians, cars and tour buses. The whole center is an endless stream of slowly crawling cars, all in a heat of almost 40°C. Local drivers are quite temperamental: they easily get involved in emotional disputes, cut off on the roads, often break the rules and change lanes when they feel like it.

Parking in the center is paid almost everywhere. The zones marked with a green line are intended for paid parking of the Spaniards themselves – in this case they cost 1 euro, tourists are allowed to stand here from 30 minutes to several hours (look at the signs), but the cost will be about 3 euros per hour.