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Car rental in Barcelona - Uncover Magical Catalonia
Barcelona - Catalonia’s capital city, is one of the most popular cities in Spain and provides a landscape that's hard to match. With a mountainous north side and a warm Mediterranean south side - the city offers everything. Being so close to the Pyrenees means mountainous adventures, snow and more. Whilst located on the Mediterranean coastline means warm waters, weather and spectacular beaches. The city itself has an abundance of nightlife, tapas bars, delicious restaurants and quaint coffee houses.
A cultural city famous for Gaudi, Picasso and Barcelona FC - you’ll find it all as you walk down its narrow streets or lush avenues. Providing a magical atmosphere, with friendly locals and street entertainment. Visit the Sagrada Familia, Camp Nou and the La Rambla shopping area for a feel of the real Barcelona. Its warm humid weather, constant sunshine and iconic beaches right next to the city, make it an ideal summer trip for the whole family.
Lest we forget that Barcelona is very well connected to the rest of Spain and beyond. Ferries link it to Mallorca and Sardinia, whilst train links connect it into France and other Spanish cities. With a car rental in Barcelona you can also reach iconic places such as Valencia, Benidorm and Alicante. The Pyrenees are on the doorstep to explore - head over to Andorra, or explore the Aragon region. With a one-way car rental it's even easier to uncover more without having to circle back to where you started.
With more than 70 years of international car rental industry experience, Auto Europe via its partners is able to offer competitive car rental rates, regular promotions, convenient locations and a large fleet of vehicles to choose from. Along with car rental, we also offer luxury car rentals and a motorhome rental service. Our award-winning customer service team is always available should you need assistance. Contact our reservation team on +49 89 412 07 269. If you haven’t used our service before we would encourage you to read our car rental reviews in Spain.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Barcelona, click on the car rental related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs |
Where to pick up a car hire in Barcelona
If you have decided on renting a car in Barcelona, then using our secure online booking engine is the first step to finding the very best car rental deal for your budget. With a vehicle suited for every need, you’re sure to find exactly what you need. Utilise our website to search, compare, add options and book your next car rental. In Barcelona itself we have plenty of convenient pick-up locations that you can choose from. Along with the airport, central train station and in downtown Barcelona. You can also find counters near Barcelona beach, the university, Port Olimpic and El Maramesme. With your car rental in Barcelona you are also able to visit other Spanish cities such as Madrid, Malaga and Seville.
To view all available locations, place a search on our website and select “All Locations”. This will allow our system to show all available sites in Barcelona via our interactive map. From the map you can judge proximity to places of interest in comparison to other offices from other suppliers. Use our useful filters to help narrow down your search results to find the very best solution for your budget.
Barcelona International Airport
Barcelona El Prat International Airport is actually located in the city of El Prat de Llobregat around 3 kms from the sea port. Although not in Barcelona itself, it has easy access to Barcelona, being only 15 kms from the city centre. This airport is one of the largest in Spain, welcoming over 44 million passengers annually. The airport consists of two terminals - Terminal 1 provides 258 boarding gates and all the necessary facilities for a safe and secure journey. Terminal 2 is the older of the two terminals, and caters primarily for low-cost airlines. There are the Aerobus A1 and A2, which along with a car rental will take you in around 30 minutes to Barcelona.
Car rental counters are located within both terminals. In Terminal 1, they are located on level 1, in the arrivals area. In Terminal 2, they are located on level 0, again in the arrivals hall. Vehicle returns are located in the main multi-storey car park opposite Terminal 1. The rental car zone is in section A, level 0 and 1. Those flying out of Terminal 2, must leave their vehicle at the multi-storey car park mentioned and catch a shuttle bus to Terminal 2. There is no rental car drop-off at Terminal 2.
Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN)
Website: aena.es
Address: Carretera del Prat de Llobregat, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: (+34) 913 211 000
Barcelona Train station
Built in the 1970s, Barcelona-Sants Train Station is one of the busiest in Spain. The train station terminal provides plenty of restaurants, coffee houses and shops, along with all the necessary facilities for a pleasant onward journey. From here you can catch local, regional, national and even international trains - both high-speed and normal - Renfe, AVE and TGV service - the latter linking to Paris. If you opt for a car rental at Barcelona Central Train Station, then vehicles are located at the rear of the train station terminal next to McDonalds.
Barcelona Sants Train Station
Address: Plaça dels Països Catalans, 1, 7, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
Book with the best car rental suppliers in Barcelona
Seeking out the very best deal for your budget is simple with our secure online booking engine. Simply enter your desired dates and location, then leisurely compare your search results. Useful filters have been added to help you narrow down and select your ideal vehicle and supplier. In Barcelona we have partnered with many suppliers - local, national and international suppliers are present in the city. From Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz, to more local supplies such as Nizacars and Centauro. All our trusted suppliers are known for their exceptional customer service and reliability.
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To read about some of the suppliers you may opt for in Barcelona, simply click on the above logos of your chosen supplier. These are but a small selection of all available suppliers. If you need more information, or have questions, then do not hesitate to contact us.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Barcelona
The following is an FAQ section that we have put together of the most common questions put to our reservation team by customers who rent a car in Barcelona. We try to cover many topics, from credit card requirements to insurance needs and local parking rules. If you have any other concern or further questions then do not hesitate to contact our reservation team. They are trained in order to provide you with the very best and latest advice on everything car rental related.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Barcelona?
Yes - it is mandatory to provide a credit card during pick-up of your vehicle. The said credit card must be in the main driver's name. It cannot be in anyone else's name, not any additional driver's name. Failure to provide this could mean losing your booking. The credit card must have enough funds to cover a security deposit as stated on your rental voucher. Debit cards are not accepted. Some car categories, specifically luxury vehicles may require two or more credit cards to be provided.
The security deposit amount can be found by clicking on the blue icon next to the rental, or can be found within your car rental voucher’s terms and conditions. Under payment you can also see which credit cards are accepted. Generally, all major credit cards are accepted including Matercard and Visa. Virtual credit cards and cash deposits are not accepted. Physical credit card’s only.
The security deposit is held on your credit card and only released back once it is confirmed that the vehicle has been returned in the same condition as when it left. Upon pick-up we advise inspecting the vehicle and noting anything of concern on the pick-up form. Taking photographic and video evidence when needed. When you return the vehicle make sure it is reinspected by a member of staff. It generally takes 14-business days for a deposit to show on your bank statement.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Barcelona?
Our base rate includes the minimum legal insurance coverage for your vehicle in Spain. This is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Thrift Protection (TP) and Limited Liability with or without excess. Although mandatory to have, this base insurance does not cover every eventuality nor all parts of the vehicle. If there is an excess, this is blocked on your credit card.
If you’re interested in greater coverage, then we recommend taking out our Full Damage Protection Coverage for a little extra fee. This added cover provides all the protection the base coverage does, plus coverage for more car parts and under more eventualities. The fee is based on your car type, location and duration of your rental. For further details on car rental coverage click on the blue info icon next to your desired supplier.
Please note that local suppliers will offer insurance at location. These are optional and for the most part if you have already taken out our Full Protection Coverage, it won’t be needed. These insurance packages are Life Insurance, Super CDW, Roadside Assistance, Personal Effects Insurance (PEI), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Travel Insurance and many other types. They are all optional and Auto Europe does not recommend, profit or refund any said insurances purchased directly from the local supplier. Even if deemed unnecessary afterwards.
How is the traffic in Barcelona?
Like every major European city, Barcelona is no different in terms of traffic congestion - especially at major intersections and during rush hour. Luckily, Barcelona has a ring road that successfully guides vehicles around the city. Its central city block system layout also allows for easier traffic flow as opposed to older cities. The city has many narrow roads, pedestrianised areas and one-way streets. You will find it busier around tourist attractions and on the beachfront. Barcelona has a motorbike culture, so be careful as you drive around not to collide with them.
Where can I park my car rental in Barcelona?
The city provides street parking although this can fill-up quickly and can be costly. We therefore recommend using one of the many secure car park garages. These are normally located in key locations around the city, next to tourist attractions and shopping centres. Barrio Gotico, Eixample and Les Corts alone have around 140 car parks to choose from. Parking fees vary with parking closer to the city centre more expensive. Free car parks are available at the university metro station and the Vall d’Hebron. Paid parking bays are marked on the floor with either a green or blue line. Hours of operation vary but are generally between 08h00 to 20h00 everyday. A maximum 2-hour stay is permitted. Tickets can be purchased at ticket machine located on the actual road you parked.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Barcelona?
Tolls are common across Spain but are mainly located around coastal roads and some inland motorways. Payment is done at toll booths upon exiting a motorway. In Barcelona, the Vallvidrera Tunnel is tolled and users must pay to use it. You know you’re entering a tolled motorway as there is a sign with the letters AP. Tolls can be paid for either in cash or a valid bank card. It is possible to avoid paying tolls as the country also has well-maintained and efficient free motorways. These are known as Autovias and in theory can take you anywhere in Spain a paid motorway can.
Can I rent a motorhome in Barcelona?
Spain is one of Europe’s largest countries with a vast and varied landscape. All this makes it an ideal location for a motorhome rental in Barcelona. Our campervans are modern, well-equipped and a perfect home-from-home solution to get you around with minimum ease and comfort. From the Atlantic north to the Mediterranean Sea in the south - Spain is by far a magical and culturally rich country to explore.
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