It's hard to overestimate the usefulness of car rental companies when
traveling abroad, especially when your destination is such a diverse
and interesting country as Spain. With many large cities located all
across the Iberian Peninsula and countless small gems to discover in
between, Spain has so many attractions to offer that it's impossible to
fit everything into a single vacation. Nevertheless, by renting a car
you increase your chances of seeing many interesting places and visiting
more sites that make this country one of the main tourist destinations
in Europe. Moreover, considering the periodic strikes the unions
organize due to the economic recession, public transportation may serve
as an unreliable option to get around, since you may end up having your
train or bus cancelled the last moment. In this light addressing car
rental companies seems like a very good choice when traveling to Spain.
But you should learn the local peculiarities first in order to avoid unpleasant surprises during your vacation.
Car rental business in Spain
Finding a car rental in Spain won't be much of a problem both when
you arrive and when you plan your trip. There are all the major European
and international car rental companies such as Budget, Herz or Avis
present on the market as well as a variety of smaller local companies,
some of which may even serve only a particular region. The range of cars
available for rent is also quite diverse with an apparent domination of
entry and budget level cars, which tourists like so much. However,
finding an executive or even luxury class ride won't be a problem,
especially when renting in such large cities as Madrid or Barcelona. The
rates may also vary, especially during the summer season when the flow
of tourists is the highest while the supply is very limited.
Tip 1: Book you car early
Early booking should be strongly considered when traveling to Spain.
Because of the economic recession the majority of car rental companies
don't have the financial ability to renew or expand their fleet. That's
why the supply of cars is generally limited, which is becomes apparent
during the high season when it's virtually impossible to rent a car and
the rates can go twice as high as during the low season. So the first
thing to do when planning your trip if your flights are already
confirmed is booking a car in advance. There's no such thing as "too
early" when renting a car in Spain, otherwise you may end up having no
cars to choose from at all or simply paying the double price.
Tip 2: Be careful in order not to be ripped off
Unfortunately, car rental companies
in Spain are known for unpleasant practices that will rip off most
tourists. First of all, they may impose CDW and Theft Protection as
mandatory, some companies stating that it's already included in the
price, while it's not. This is the most widespread form of hidden cost
among Spanish car rentals. Be on a lookout for full/empty tank policies
both on pickup and return, since they may vary from company to company
and result in substantial extra payments. The price for a full tank can
also differ from the one you would get at the gas station, up to 50%
actually. So before you sign any contract or book a car online make sure
to read all the conditions carefully and ask the company if something
seems a bit strange to you. Being cautious is the best way to avoid
being ripped off.
