Spain is one of the world’s best destinations to visit. Whether it is tapas bar hopping in Madrid, visiting the Sagrada Família in Barcelona or attending La Tomatina festival in Valencia, wherever you choose to visit, you’ll be in for a truly unforgettable experience.
With so many sites to see and places to visit, it is generally a good idea to get around the country as easily and cost-effectively as possible. Fortunately, if you’re not a fan of flying, buses or trains, hiring a car is one of the best and most popular methods of doing exactly that, giving you the freedom and flexibility to move around the country as you wish.
However, there are a few things you’ll need to bear in mind if you do decide to hire a car. Away from the more obvious issues, like needing a driving licence, we have listed below some of the key things you should think about.
1 – Manual vs. automatic.
If you are used to driving a manual car, you will have it made in Spain. The only thing you’ll need to get used to is having the gear stick on the right-hand side – something most British people find initially difficult to get their head around.
If you only know how to drive an automatic though, you should be prepared to pay a crazy amount of money for a car you can drive. There aren’t many cars with automatic transmission in Spain, so you could be charged an awful lot for the privilege of hiring one.
2 – Size matters.
While it’s vital to hire a car that’s big enough to accommodate all passengers and luggage, it’s also important to think about where exactly in Spain you will be going. After all, some of the country’s smaller towns and villages can have incredibly narrow roads, so choosing to hire a large SUV might not be the best idea.
In general, the smaller the car you can hire, the cheaper and easier it’ll be to get around the country.
3 – To insure, or not to insure, that is the question.
The million-dollar question when it comes to hiring a car in Spain – should you purchase car insurance on top? It can be tempting to say no immediately, since many car hire agencies charge a hefty premium for it, but it could be well worth the investment.
As we’ve just mentioned, Spain’s narrow, bumpy roads can cause all sorts of issues, so staying protected against them could be a good idea. It really comes down to you, your budget and your confidence in your own driving ability. Before you decide whether to go for it or not, make sure to look at each insurance option carefully, as the last thing you want is to get caught out after you’ve purchased it.
If you would like any further advice or assistance on how to hire a car in Spain, our friendly team are only a quick email away. Feel free to contact us and we promise to get back to you as soon as we possibly can. Alternatively, click here for our best car hire agency recommendations.