Spain is a beautiful country which offers almost everything a tourist may desire. Along with the big cities, there are many small villages worth visiting. Generally, if you are just going to be roaming through major cities, you need not worry about the transport, as Spanish rails and buses will take you almost everywhere.
However, if you desire to visit some secluded beaches, mountains, and vineyards self-driving is the best option. There are many car rental companies in Spain and you are sure to find a suitable one easily. Also, driving in Spain is pretty easy and it is always worth taking a road trip.
Now, if you are all inspired to take a road trip in Spain, hold on and read the tips given here. There few important things to be consider before renting car in Spain. Once you know those, renting a car and driving in Spain will surely become easier. So, let’s start…
3 Important points to keep in mind while renting a car in Spain
- Don’t go after cheap deals: Well, it certainly sounds tempting to get something at an extremely competitive price. However, there are chances that these companies might be just tricking you in paying more. For instance, if the rent is too cheap, they might charge you extra for like everything. You might end up paying more for mileage, gas, insurance, additional driver, road side assistance, etc.
- Try to learn driving manual cars: You will certainly get an automatic car if you want, but they are far more expensive to hire than the manual ones. So, it is recommended to learn driving a manual one if you wish to save hundreds.
- Carry proper license: Usually for Americans, mandatory documentations are just the passport and driving license. Most of the rental car companies will not ask for an international driving license, but it is always recommended to get one in case a need arises.
3 Important tips about driving in Spain
- Always take toll roads: Yes, paying for tolls might increase your travelling expense, but it will definitely save your time. Also, if you want to avoid traffic and roundabouts, toll roads are the best way to go.
- Be alert while driving: Driving in Spain is quite easy, and the road signs are just usual. Most of the roads are marked well and freeways are well-maintained. However, local drivers are sometimes pretty daunting and aggressive. In fact, turn signals are not strictly followed either. Therefore, make sure you are alert all the time, and in case you are unsure, simply slow down and take your time to go further.
- Be careful while parking: Not every parking spot is available for tourist. In fact, many are reserved only for locals, especially in big cities. So, if you have parked in the wrong spot, there are good chances that your car might get towed and you end up paying a big fine. Nevertheless, this is only the case in big cities, since small villages don’t have strict parking rules.
Overall taking a road trip in Spain is fun. Just be a bit careful about from where you rent a car and how you drive, and the rest of the things will just go smooth.