Car rental in Barcelona

Are you planning to explore the most beautiful corners of Barcelona and want more freedom of movement? Then car rental in Barcelona is an excellent option. When you have your own car during your vacation, you can easily leave the noisy tourist streets behind and discover cozy corners of Catalonia that are not always included in standard tours.

Many travelers think that renting a car in Barcelona is expensive. But in reality, this is often not the case — especially when compared to the cost of taxis and guided tours. Plus, you can decide for yourself when and where to go, without being tied to someone else’s schedule. All you need to do is choose a suitable car, make a reservation, and enjoy your trip.

Advantages of Car Rental on Localrent

If you’ve decided to rent a car through Localrent, it's useful to know why many of our clients consider this platform the best for traveling in Barcelona:

1. Transparent pricing without commissions and hidden fees. No confusion with additional taxes or unclear charges. You see the final rental cost right away.
2. Affordable deposits. Some cars require only a €300 deposit, and some rental companies even offer rentals without a deposit. Just set your deposit preferences in the filters, and the platform will show all available options.
3. Low down payment. When booking, you pay only 15–20% of the total rental cost upfront, and settle the rest when you pick up the car.
4. Convenient filters on the website. You can easily find the model you need: from economy to luxury, with manual or automatic transmission, with a specific type of insurance, etc.
5. Wide selection. You can choose a car by brand, view real photos to immediately see whether a particular car suits you or not.

Required Documents

To rent a car in Barcelona, you’ll need:

• A valid driver’s license: this can be an international license or a national one with Latin script translations.
• Passport.
• Bank card.
• Booking confirmation (voucher) from the Localrent website.

Also note that each rental company may have its own requirements regarding the driver’s age and experience. Typically, the driver must be at least 21 years old and have at least 1 year of driving experience. But there are also options for drivers as young as 18. Detailed information is provided in the descriptions of specific cars.

What You Need to Know About Local Traffic Rules

Barcelona, like all of Spain, has its own specifics when it comes to road rules:

• Main signs: Stop — full stop, Ceda el paso — yield, Velocidad limitada — speed limit.
• Markings: solid and dashed white lines, additional lanes for public transport.
• Roundabouts are quite common: you must yield to vehicles already circulating in the roundabout.

Follow local laws and always pay attention to signs — they may differ from those you’re used to in your country.

Parking and Fuel Stations: Key Points

Most parking spots in central Barcelona are paid. On the outskirts or near large shopping centers, you can find free parking lots. Pay attention to the markings and signs: parking rates may vary depending on the time of day or day of the week.

You won’t have trouble finding fuel stations: there are plenty within the city. Each station offers different fuel types. Check prices directly on-site, as they change quite frequently.

How to Book Online

If you don’t know how to book a car on Localrent, here’s a simple guide:

1. Specify the pick-up and drop-off cities. These can be different; for example, you can pick up the car in Barcelona and return it in Madrid.
2. Enter your rental dates. Specify when you want to start and end the rental.
3. Use the filters. You can set limits for price or deposit amount. If an automatic transmission or child seat is important, mark that in the filter settings.
4. Compare options. View real photos, read information about each car in its profile, check the terms, and decide which one suits you best.
5. Make the reservation. Enter your information, make the down payment, and wait for booking confirmation.
6. Receive the voucher. An electronic confirmation will be sent to your email, and you can pick up the car at the designated place and time.
   

Top 5 Interesting Places

Barcelona and its surroundings are full of attractions accessible via paved roads. Here are 5 places that are especially enjoyable to reach by rental car:

1. Sagrada Família. Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece. There are several parking areas nearby where you can leave the car for a few hours.
2. Park Güell. Easy to park here. You can stroll along mosaic paths and visit the famous terraces.
3. Tibidabo. A mountain with a fantastic view of Barcelona and an old amusement park. The road is winding, but the surface is good.
4. Camp Nou. The legendary stadium of FC Barcelona. Parking areas are marked with signs, and there are usually no issues finding a spot.
5. Gothic Quarter. Old streets, cathedrals, and fountains. It’s best to leave the car in a nearby underground parking garage.

If you're planning trips through mountain roads, choose a more powerful car, ideally with all-wheel drive. For a group of 4–6 people, a minivan or station wagon is a great fit.

Convenient Car Pick-up Locations

It’s most convenient to pick up the car where you’ll arrive. Here are some options:

• El Prat Airport is ideal if you arrive by plane and want to use the car right away.
• Sants Estació Central Station is great for those arriving by train or staying nearby.
• Rental company offices are usually located in Barcelona’s historic center.
• Hotel delivery: some companies deliver the car anywhere in the city, but this should be clarified before booking.

On Localrent, you can view all available locations in the “Pick-up” filter and choose the most convenient place to rent your car.

Useful Tips for Tourists

• Compare options. Sometimes it’s cheaper in the long run to rent a more expensive car with insurance than to choose a cheaper one without insurance and then pay for repairs in case of minor damage.
• Be aware of age restrictions. Not all rental companies offer cars to drivers under 21 or with little experience. Enter your age and driving experience in the filter settings, and we’ll show you all available options.
• Read traveler reviews about routes. Comments from real people can help with info about fuel availability, road conditions, and paid/free parking near your destination.
  

Frequently Asked Questions