Essential Tips On Car Hire In Spain and Car Rental Guide For Spain

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN - THE EIGHT USEFUL TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR CAR HIRE IN SPAIN

Before you book car hire in Spain please read this car hire guide based on our years of experience renting and hiring cars in Spain:

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 1 - WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT ISN'T!

You can come across some amazing looking prices for hiring a car in Spain but when you look at the detail you find that the Spanish car hire companies don't include unlimited mileage, local taxes or car hire insurances.

When you hire a car in Spain you may not be doing much driving in which case unlimited mileage may be unnecessary but insurances are essential and do increase the car hire cost in Spain markedly. We usually found these cheap looking car hire prices were really not so cheap after all and could be regarded as a pretty underhand and misleading tactic.

When searching for car hire in Spain make sure all of these potential extras are included in the car rental price you have been quoted:

Third party insurance.
Airport fees.
Breakdown cover.
All local surcharges.
Loss/collision damage waiver.
Unlimited mileage.

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 2 - AIR CONDITIONING.

It may sound obvious but DO check that the cheap price you have found for your car hire in Spain applies to car hire with air-conditioning. Temperatures in the summer in Spain will mostly be above 30 degrees celsuis, sometimes over 40 degrees celsuis (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit).

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 3 - BOOK AHEAD.

Don't just arrive at the airport in Spain without a car hire reservation. When you find the car hire desks they are invariably busy and chaotic with long queues and stressed staff. It is far better to already have reserved your car hire in Spain so you have a car hire reservation with a reference number so at least you know they will have a car ready and waiting.

At least if the Spanish car hire company doesn't have your requested car hire they will have to upgrade you to a better model of car hire for free. You also tend to get cheaper car hire in Spain if you have booked your car hire in advance - not if you just turn up at the last minute.

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 4 - DON'T PENNY PINCH.

Some of the models for car hire in Spain differ from those in Northern Europe. We had an experience where the boot of the car was far smaller than the same model of car we owned in England. Do consider the large amounts of luggage you will have in Spain and maybe go for the next size of car hire up and just treat yourself rather than traveling round on your holiday in Spain like a sardine. The price difference between different models of car hire in Spain is usually surprisingly small.

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 5 - CHILD SEATS.

When you hire a car in Spain you can usually hire a car seat for children for about an extra €3 a day. Not only can this add-up, it can often happen that the message doesn't reach the local car hire office in Spain. It can often be a no-hassle option to take your own car seat rather than getting angry when all after a stressful flight all you want is to get your car hire and go. You simply check-it in at the airport with your luggage so it isn't really much trouble to do this.

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 6 - CHECK EVERYTHING!

When you get to your car hire pick-up point in Spain you must check that everything matches your voucher. When you booked car hire in Spain over over the internet or at a travel agent, you may have requested certain car hire extras such as adding extra drivers and maybe the message didn't get through. Even check you are getting the right sort of car hire you asked for!

Do all of this before you sign all the car hire paperwork. Make sure you take any print-outs you have so if there are any problems in Spain at the car hire office you have it all in writing.

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 7 - DAMAGE.

When you have got your car hire in Spain you naturally just want to get going but make sure the car hire company in Spain acknowledge any bumps and scrapes already on the car. If you don't you may find that when you return your car hire the Spanish car hire company may hold you responsible (and charge) you.

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 8 - PETROL.

When booking car hire in Spain make sure your car hire is a diesel car as it will be much cheaper to run as diesel is far cheaper in Spain.

CAR HIRE IN SPAIN TIP 9 - EXCESSES.

Most Spanish car hire insurance policies have an excess which means you promise to pay a set amount (say it is €500) if you have an accident and the car hire company cover the rest of the cost of repair. Be aware of how much the car hire excess is because sometimes they can be very high in Spain.

When you are at the car hire office in Spain you may want to consider paying a small bit extra to make sure you are not liable for anything or at least lower the excess, especially as when you are driving in Spain you may not always fully understand the local Spanish road rules.

How to find cheap car hire in Spain

Essential guide to driving in Spain

Clearly it is essential to know what you are doing if you drive in Spain, otherwise as well as risking your own life, you could be endangering others. You need to know when to give way, when you are meant to go, you need to understand signs etc.

Whether you are a tourist or resident we highly recommend Brian Deller's comprehensive book that covers the lot entitled Motoring in Spain.

We have a special link to Amazon (just click on the picture to the right) which gives you the book at the cheapest price available anywhere.

Amazon will deliver to the UK, Spain or anywhere else in Europe.