Are you wondering if you should hire a car in Barcelona? Barcelona is a beautiful city with many attractions, but if you want to explore the surrounding areas or travel at your own pace, renting a car in Barcelona could be a great option for you. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of hiring a car in Barcelona and give you lots of tips to make the most of your rental experience. Read on to find out everything you need to know about car rental in Barcelona!
Do You Need to Hire a Car in Barcelona?
The first question you should ask yourself is whether renting a car in Barcelona is a good idea. Generally, if you’re visiting Barcelona for a short trip and will be just exploring the city, you probably don’t need to rent a car in Barcelona, as public transport and taxis can take you wherever you need to go.
However, if you have specific needs and prefer your own space, or want to travel outside of the city then hiring a car in Barcelona can be a great way to have more freedom and flexibility. Here are some things to consider that might help you decide whether to rent a car in Barcelona or not.
Pros of Hiring a Car in Barcelona
If you are travelling in a family or a group, then hiring a car in Barcelona could be more cost-effective than hiring several taxis or buying multiple public transport tickets, and you can have your own space and travel in more comfort.
Renting a car in Barcelona gives you the flexibility to explore the city and surrounding areas at your own pace and on your own schedule, with the chance to explore more places that are harder to reach using public transport.
If you are staying outside of the city, for example on the Costa Brava or on the Costa Daurada to the south of Barcelona, then having a rental car means you have a lot more freedom to get to your accommodation and travel around places where public transport might not be available or very convenient.
If you are staying in the city but have time to get out and explore, there are some fabulous day trips or weekend trips from Barcelona you can do by car. If you want to get some beach time on the Costa Brava, explore the medieval towns in the mountains of Catalonia, head up to France, or go skiing in Andorra, then hiring a car in Barcelona gives you the freedom to do more.
You could also hire a car in Barcelona to enjoy a road trip around Spain, visiting other cities like Valencia or Bilbao, or driving to Madrid for example, then dropping off your hire car there. I’ll give you some more ideas for Spanish road trip destinations below!
Looking to Hire a Car in Barcelona?
Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from trusted suppliers in Barcelona like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Centauro, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, SIXT and many more, so you know you're getting a great deal.
Cons of Barcelona Car Rental
Barcelona is known for having busy streets, especially during rush hour, so driving can be very stressful and time-consuming if you get stuck in traffic. Pay particular attention to the “motos” motorbikes and scooters which weave in and out of cars as they whizz around the streets.
Logistically, driving in Barcelona isn’t an enjoyable experience while you are in the city itself. Most of the roads are one-way, so you might not be able to access your accommodation by car, or have to go around in circles to reach it.
Finding parking in Barcelona can be difficult and expensive, especially in the city centre, and the narrow streets of the old town are difficult or impossible to navigate in a car. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of fuel and insurance in Spain, which can be pricey.
Overall, whether hiring a car in Barcelona is the right choice for you depends on your travel needs and preferences. If you’re planning to explore the city and the surrounding areas outside of Barcelona, hiring a car can be a great option. However, if you’re going to stay within the city centre and use public transportation, it may not be necessary.
Cost of Renting a Car in Barcelona
While you might see ads advertising cheap car rentals in Barcelona for under 10 euros a day, the reality is that the minimum you can expect to pay to rent a car in Barcelona is around €20 per day, and that’s during the off-season in months like January or November.
During the summer months when demand is high, prices also increase, and you can easily pay double that, up to around €50 per day for a small car. Larger models cost more.
Hiring a car for a weekend in Barcelona could also cost more than it would during the week, but this varies due to demand and if there are large events going on in the city, which could mean more people are hiring cars.
Read on for some tips on how to find cheap rental cars in Barcelona:
Finding Cheap Car Rental in Barcelona
When searching for cheap rental cars in Barcelona, I always get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars which compares car rental deals from up to 500 different companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.
You can filter the search results by location, so whether you want to hire a car from Barcelona airport or from the city centre, and other specifications like the size of the car, manual or automatic transmission, the supplier rating and amount of deposit required as well as any other variable you can think of!
Discover Cars then provide a list of available car rentals in Barcelona for your travel dates so you can choose which works best for you. You can also sort the results by price to bring up the cheap Barcelona hire cars first, or by supplier rating to have the top-rated car hire companies first.
Tips for Renting a Car in Barcelona
Now you’ve decided you will be renting a car in Barcelona, let’s make sure you have a smooth and enjoyable experience with these car rental tips.
Book in Advance
Book your car rental in advance to get a better rate and ensure availability. It is possible to hire a car in Barcelona when you arrive, but you might not get your first choice of car (or company) and the price can go up a lot during peak times when demand is high.
Make sure you are Over 18 (or 21) and have a Valid Driver’s License and ID
To rent a car in Barcelona, you’ll need a valid driver’s license and ID, usually a passport or ID card, and in most cases an International Driver’s Permit. A credit card in your own name is also usually required to hold the deposit for your car.
The minimum legal age for driving in Spain is 18 years old, but most car rental companies require you to be over 21 and to have held your license for at least 1 year. In cases where young drivers are accepted, an additional fee usually applies to drivers under the age of 25.
There may also be a maximum age limit for renting a car in Barcelona, for example, 79 as a maximum age.
When you are searching for car hire companies, make sure you select your age category to only show options for your age group, and check the driver requirements for the car rental quote carefully to avoid any nasty surprises.
Do You Need an International Driver’s Permit for Spain?
You may also need an International Driver’s permit, depending on your nationality so check the requirements of the rental company in advance to avoid any issues when you’re picking up the car, or any fines if you get stopped by police while driving in Spain.
US Citizens
Americans do need to get an International driver’s permit to legally drive in Spain. Before you travel, you can get one from the AAA or the AATA for $20 plus taxes &/or processing fees.
UK Citizens
According to the UK government website, you do not need an IDP to drive in the EU (including Spain), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.
If you plan on driving to Andorra you’ll need a 1949 IDP. It used to be really easy to get an IDP in the UK, it just took 5 minutes at a Post Office. However, unfortunately, Post Offices no longer offer this service and you can only get it in person at specific shops which have Paypoint – check here for your nearest location, and there is a small fee of £5.50 to process.
Choose a Reputable Car Rental Company
Choose a car rental company that has good reviews and a good reputation – you can see the reviewer ratings in the Discover Cars search results. Make sure to read the rental agreement carefully and understand the terms and conditions before you book anything.
Check things like mileage limits, whether you can cross country borders (if you plan on driving to France or Andorra from Barcelona), and what to do in case of an accident or damage to the car.
Be sure to check for any additional fees such as insurance, fuel, and mileage fees, admin fees for tolls or fines, and make sure you understand what is included in the rental price.
Choose the Best Car Rental Location for You
There are various car rental locations in Barcelona where you can pick up your car, so choose the one which is most convenient and the best value for your trip.
Car Rental at Barcelona Airport
Barcelona Airport is the main hub for car rental agencies, with a variety of pick-up options and rental desks waiting for you as soon as you’ve picked up your bags in Terminals 1 and 2.
Big names like Hertz and Avis are there, as well as local brands like Centauro, and budget options like Thrifty, Budget and Nizacars.
Car hire at Barcelona Airport is often cheaper than hiring a car in Barcelona city centre, as the car hire companies have a larger pool of cars available at the airport.
Car Rental in Barcelona City Centre
If you are staying in the centre of Barcelona and then hiring a car to travel outside the city it might be easier to hire a car from a city centre rental office, or you could take the train or bus to the airport and collect a car from there to avoid driving in Barcelona city centre.
Sants Train Station is a popular Barcelona car rental location, with many brands like Avis, Alamo, Centauro, Europcar and more having rental desks or offices in or near the station.
Decide on What Car You Need
Decide on the type of car you need based on the number of people travelling, what luggage space you need, and the type of driving you’ll be doing (e.g. city driving vs. highway driving or off-road adventures). Smaller cars tend to be cheaper.
If you’ve never driven a manual car before, make sure you choose an automatic transmission. Most cars will have air conditioning, but if you’re visiting Barcelona in summer double-check this to make sure!
Check the Low Emission Zone Rules
Barcelona city centre is in a low-emission zone (Zona de Baixes Emisions in Catalan) which is designed to reduce the level of pollutants in the city. This applies to older vehicles that were manufactured before 2000 for gas/petrol vehicles or 2006 for diesel vehicles.
Since rental cars in Barcelona are usually just a couple of years old, this shouldn’t affect you if you are renting a car in Barcelona. If you are driving your own car or an older vehicle, then you should check the requirements for getting a permit.
Familiarise Yourself with Driving Rules in Spain
Make sure you do some research about the local driving rules and regulations before hitting the road. In Spain, they drive on the right side of the road, with the driver seated on the left side of the vehicle like they do in the US.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants of the vehicle, and there are speed limits on all roads. These are 20 to 50 km/h in urban areas (check the signs), 120 km/h on dual carriageways and motorways and 90 km/h on conventional roads.
Learn what common road signs mean so you will be prepared – and how to use roundabouts if you haven’t come across them before. Overtaking can only be done on the left of the vehicle to be overtaken.
It is forbidden to talk on a mobile phone without a hands-free device, or to handle a phone while driving.
Don’t drink and drive. The limit is 0.5 g/l of alcohol in blood and 0.25 mg/l in exhaled air for general drivers (which is lower than the UK legal limits), and 0.3 g/l in blood and 0.15 mg/l in exhaled air for professional and novice drivers.
You must carry a photo ID with you at all times. If you are pulled over by police in Spain they will ask to see it and you could be detained or fined if you don’t have it.
Use GPS Navigation
Even for experienced drivers, I always recommend using GPS navigation to help you find your way around the city and surrounding areas. Barcelona has a lot of one-way streets and it can be confusing to drive in Barcelona!
You can often hire a GPS with your car rental or there are several GPS apps which you could download for your phone – Waze is a good one which updates as users add information about the road ahead and Google Maps also works well as long as you have data and a phone signal.
Maps.me is very useful as you can download maps in advance and it will provide you with directions without having to have a phone signal or data so it’s especially handy for driving abroad.
If you’re just going to use your phone, make sure you have a phone holder that will give you a good view of the screen without taking your eyes off the road.
GPS systems will come with a holder that sticks to the windscreen, so you could get something similar for your phone, or a simple clip that attaches to an air vent can do the trick just as well. This phone holder has both options included in the package.
Consider Parking
Parking in Barcelona can be difficult and expensive. Make sure you know where you can park your rental car and the associated fees. Car parks in Barcelona are usually underground. Check if your accommodation has parking on-site or where the nearby car parks are located.
Be Prepared for Tolls
Prepare for tolls on highways and bridges that you might come across if you are driving out of Barcelona on the highways. Make sure to have cash or a credit card with you to pay the toll fees.
Ready to hire a car in Barcelona? Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from trusted suppliers in Barcelona like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Centauro, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, SIXT and many more, so you know you're getting a great deal.
Looking to Hire a Car in Barcelona?
Picking Up Your Rental Car in Barcelona
Once you’ve booked everything and are ready to pick up your rental car, check where to go to pick it up. Some car rental companies have booths at Barcelona airport where you can go directly to pick up the keys, whereas others offer a shuttle service from the airport to their rental lot.
If you need to call for a pickup, make sure your phone has roaming to allow for international calls.
Listen carefully to the rental agent as they explain about the car, and what kind of gas/petrol you will need to put in it.
Keep the necessary documents with you, such as the rental agreement, driver’s license, and passport while driving. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the agreement so you have a copy if the original goes missing.
When you get to the car, look it over to make sure any bumps, scratches and dents are noted on the rental agreement.
Take photos of the car, making sure you zoom in on anything not noted, so you have time-stamped proof that it was already there when you arrived!
SCAM WARNING
I was chatting to a friend of mine who hired a car from Barcelona Airport and had a horrible experience.
She had just got to the car, put her luggage in and was setting up the mirrors and seat position when a man knocked on the car window, pointing to the back tyre to tell her she had a flat. She got out to look at it, but couldn’t see anything. Not wanted to risk any problems on the road, she locked the car and went back to the car rental office to ask them to check it.
When she got back, her handbag had disappeared from the front seat – with no sign of a break in, and the car was locked again.
It turns out that this is a common scam, usually targeting solo travellers so that they leave the car to go back to the rental office.
The thieves must have a master car key or some way of breaking into the vehicles quickly and without drawing attention to themselves so they can swiftly grab whatever they can and leave.
This happened with SIXT car hire, but I’m sure it isn’t the only company whose customers fall victim to this scam. After doing some more research, it also seems that the thieves often work in pairs when one distracts the person looking at the car tyre while the other swipes their belongings.
Another variation is that you find a scratch on the car (left by the thieves) and if you leave any belongings in the car they will take them while you are back in the office reporting the damage.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BELONGINGS UNATTENDED AT THE AIRPORT, EVEN IN A LOCKED CAR!
Check inside the vehicle as well, and make sure the gas tank is full, there is water and oil in the engine and that there is windscreen cleaner fluid too – I’ve made that mistake once and had to pour water from my own bottle into the windscreen cleaner so I could see properly!
Make sure you know how to operate the car, including changing gears, using the indicators and headlights, and how to open the cap for refuelling – including which side of the car to use for refuelling.
Set up your GPS system, and have everything with you in the car that you might need – things like sunglasses and sunscreen, water and snacks for the journey and phone chargers.
When you’re ready, it’s time to go!
Where to go on a Road Trip from Barcelona?
There are many amazing places you can visit on a road trip from Barcelona, but these are some of the most popular places to visit by car from Barcelona:
The Costa Brava
This stunning coastline is just a short drive north of Barcelona, where you can visit beautiful beaches and quaint seaside towns. The roads along the coastal route in the Costa Brava are winding and quite narrow but very picturesque!
Montserrat
Montserrat Mountain is just an hour’s drive from Barcelona and is famous for its monastery and breathtaking views. There are also wineries and local food producers to visit along the way, and lots of other things to do in Montserrat to make it well worth a visit.
Tarragona
This coastal city is just an hour’s drive south of Barcelona and has beautiful Roman ruins, sandy beaches, and a charming old town with some excellent restaurants.
Priorat Wine Region
Priorat is a picturesque wine region just a couple of hours’ drive from Barcelona, and is home to some of Spain’s best wines. Just be careful not to drink if you are driving!
Girona
This gorgeous medieval city is just an hour’s drive north of Barcelona and has a lovely cathedral and a historic old town, as well as a flower festival in May. It was also used as a Game of Thrones filming location. ➡️ Read more about visiting Girona on a day trip from Barcelona
Valencia
Valencia is about a 3-hour drive south of Barcelona and is where paella was invented, so it’s a great choice for foodies. It is also home to a stunning old town, wide sandy beaches, and the famous City of Arts and Sciences.
Andorra
This tiny country in the Pyrenees Mountains is just a few hours’ drive from Barcelona and offers breathtaking natural beauty, amazing hiking trails, and great skiing in the winter. If you do go to Andorra check the rental agreement to see if you can cross the border and bear in mind that driving regulations may be different. You may also find that your phone doesn’t include roaming in Andorra so watch out for high roaming charges!
Explore Catalonia
These are just a few suggestions, but if you want to explore more, the Catalonia Tourism Board has created itineraries for the “Grand Tour of Catalonia” where you can drive part or all of a 13-day circular route to discover more of Catalonia through cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and food and wine along the way.
I hope that has covered everything you need to know about hiring a car in Barcelona! If you have any more questions about Barcelona car rental, head over to our Facebook group and ask the community for tips.