Car hire in Barcelona is particularly useful for leaving the central districts, reaching the coast and exploring Catalonia. If your trip starts with a few days in the city, consider collecting the car when your road journey begins, reducing the days it spends parked.
Search for car hire in Barcelona
How to compare car hire on Rent.it
On Rent.it, enter your collection and return locations, dates and times to compare offers from different suppliers. Look at the total price alongside the car category and rental terms. Rent.it is a broker; the supplier named in the offer provides the vehicle and the rental agreement. Check the office location and collection instructions, including any shuttle arrangements, before choosing.
Where to collect your car in Barcelona
Compare Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) with collection options around Sants station, the city centre and Poblenou. The airport suits an arrival by air; Sants may be convenient after a train journey. Assess city offices against your accommodation and the actual availability for your dates.
For information about individual collection points, see the dedicated pages: Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
Driving licence, payment cards and deposits
Bring your original valid driving licence, identification and booking confirmation. Check whether an international driving permit is required for the country that issued your licence. Confirm which cards in the main driver’s name are accepted and how much available credit or balance the deposit requires. Paying online does not establish whether a card will be accepted at the counter; credit, debit and prepaid cards have different requirements.
Deposits, excess amounts, cover, minimum age, licence holding periods, surcharges and mileage allowances depend on the supplier, location, vehicle and offer. Read the vehicle details and rental terms before booking.
Choosing a suitable car category
A compact car can make parking and manoeuvring easier; for several passengers or large bags, compare categories with more space. A category booking does not guarantee a particular model unless expressly stated. If choosing an electric car, check its range, charging arrangements and required return charge.
Driving and parking in Barcelona
Before entering the ZBE Rondas de Barcelona, check the vehicle’s environmental classification and current rules. Eligibility for the low-emission zone does not give access to pedestrian streets in Ciutat Vella. Ask your accommodation how to approach its garage and include parking in your city-stay budget.
Planning your car return
Check the return address, office opening hours and fuel or charging policy. Returning out of hours or to a different office depends on the rental terms and may involve extra charges. Allow for traffic when planning your arrival and keep the handover documentation.
Where to drive from Barcelona
Sitges offers a coastal outing, while Montserrat provides an inland alternative. Girona and the Costa Brava can form further stages of a longer road trip. Choose a car around luggage and planned stops; a large vehicle is not essential for visiting Barcelona itself.
Enter your dates to compare cars, categories, prices and rental terms in Barcelona