Guide to Renting a Car in Spain: Getting the Best Deals

Do you already have your flights and accommodation booked, but want to travel more and see everything possible on your trip? Public transportation is great if you’re on a city trip and will be staying within the city. However, if you want to travel further and see more places, it will be difficult without a car. In this article, we will advise you on how to rent a car most advantageously and provide you with all the information you need to avoid any stress.

There are countries where renting a car costs exorbitant amounts because there are only a few rental companies with high prices, leaving you with no other option. Spain, however, is not one of these countries, and we will guide you on how and where to rent a car. We’ve also written a detailed guide on how to book a car online, even if you don’t speak English and have never rented a car before.

1) Arrival at the Airport and Renting a Car

Keep in mind that you’re not the only one looking to rent a car at a good price, so the Gold Car and Cicar rental counters always have a queue. Sometimes you’ll be served in 15 minutes, while other times you might wait up to 40 minutes. You don’t need to worry about missing your reservation time—they account for this, and nothing will be canceled. Similarly, if you arrive a bit early and they already have a car ready, they will give it to you without any problems.

This was the queue at the airport in Fuerteventura, where we waited for about 30 minutes. It’s not too bad, but we’re letting you know so you won’t be surprised 🙂

All that’s left is to input your accommodation’s address into your GPS, and you’re ready to hit the road! Exiting the parking lot is a breeze with automated ramps—no need to fumble with codes or tickets.

Surprise Upgrades: More Car for Your Buck

On one occasion, we were pleasantly surprised with a brand-new BMW 1 instead of the Seat Ibiza we had booked. So, don’t worry—you’ll always get the car you paid for or even a better one at no extra cost. 🚗 Another time, we were upgraded from a small Corsa to a spacious Opel Zafira!

Here’s our rental car, queued up for the ferry from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote.

2) Choosing a Reliable Car Rental Company

In the past, we rented from Goldcar, but we wouldn’t recommend them. Their insurance costs are high, and the rental and return process is often lengthy. It sometimes felt like they were scrutinizing the car for any new scratches with a magnifying glass. At the end of this article, we’ll provide a price comparison of different rental companies.

Our top pick is CICAR. You’ll find CICAR in every major Spanish city and throughout the Canary Islands.

3) Online Booking Made Simple

Renting with CICAR is straightforward. We highly recommend booking online in advance. There’s no need to pay upfront or enter your credit card details. Once you have your flight booked, go ahead and reserve your car. The closer you get to your departure date, the higher the car rental price may be.

If you only need a car for a few days, you can rent it at the airport and return it to a different location. We often used this option when staying in one place for an extended period and needed a car only occasionally for day trips. However, it’s common to rent and return the car at the airport.

Pay attention to the return time. For example, if you rent a car on Monday at 12:00 PM and set the return time for the next Monday at 3:00 PM, those extra hours will be charged as an additional day. If possible, align your rental periods to the same or earlier time to avoid extra charges.

Understanding Car Rentals in Spain: What to Expect

When you’re renting a car in Spain, you might notice the phrase “Opel Corsa or similar” next to each vehicle listing. This means that you might not get the exact make and model you selected, but you’ll receive a car from the same category.

This information is particularly useful for first-time renters who might not be familiar with how this system works. So, if you choose an Opel Corsa and end up with a different car, don’t be surprised. It’s a common practice in the car rental industry.

In fact, due to high demand, rental companies often don’t have the exact car you reserved. When this happens, they usually provide you with a free upgrade to a better category. So, you might end up driving a more luxurious car without any additional cost. This has happened to us several times, and it’s always a pleasant surprise!

So, rest assured that you’ll always get a great deal, whether it’s the car you selected or an even better one. Happy driving!

Step-by-Step Booking Process:

The CICAR website is available in English. Just click on the flag icon in the top right corner to switch languages. If you’re not fluent in English, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a guide on where to click and what information to enter.

1. Select Your Pick-Up Location: In this example, let’s virtually travel to our beloved Gran Canaria.
2. Return Location Option: The “Return in the same location” option means you’ll return the car to the pick-up spot. Uncheck this box if you want to choose a different return location.
3. Set Your Dates and Times: Enter the pick-up and return dates and times.
4. Search for Cars: Click “Search” to see the available cars. Choose based on your needs and group size. You’ll often find great deals, like an Opel Corsa for just €157 per week.

When browsing for a rental car in Spain, you’ll often see phrases like “Opel Corsa or similar.” This means that while you might book an Opel Corsa, you could receive a different make or model within the same category. This is a common practice in the car rental industry, especially for those renting a car for the first time.

Selecting Additional Services

Once you’ve chosen your car, the next step is to select additional services, all of which are free with CICAR. Here’s what you can choose from

• Child seat (0-18kg): Child seat for 0-18 kg.
• Booster seat (15-36kg): Booster seat for 15-36 kg.
• Insurance coverage: Comprehensive car insurance. This is a significant advantage of renting with CICAR and the main reason we always choose them. Insurance is included in the price, so the amount you see is the amount you pay—no hidden fees.
• Audioguide and maps: This includes a map of your location. We usually skip this since we rely on our phone’s navigation.

For first-time renters with CICAR, you’ll need to fill in your details. Click on “This is the first time that I have hired using www.cicar.com” and complete the form with the following information:

• Mr./Mrs.: Select your title.
• Name: Your first name.
• Surname: Your last name.
• Date of birth: Your date of birth.
• Address: Your permanent address as listed on your ID.
• Country: Your country.
• Language: Your preferred language.
• Passport: Your passport number.
• Notes: Additional notes (optional).
• Driver’s license number: Your driver’s license number.
• Date of 1st issue: The date your driver’s license was first issued.
• Place of issue: The city where your driver’s license was issued.
• Telephone: Your phone number (you can skip this if you have a mobile).
• Mobile: Your mobile number in international format (e.g., +421 for Slovakia).
• Email: Your email address.
• Repeat email: Confirm your email address.
• Choose password: Create a password (you’ll use this to access your account and view your reservations).
• Repeat password: Confirm your password.

Final Steps: Confirming Your Car Rental and Picking Up Your Vehicle

1. Review Your Reservation

In the final step, you’ll see a summary of your reservation. Make sure to double-check all details, especially the pick-up time and location. Once everything looks correct, confirm your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email shortly. There’s no need to print anything—just keep the reservation number on your mobile phone.

One great advantage of renting with CICAR is their free cancellation policy. Plans change, and if you need to cancel your reservation—even just two days before the rental date—you can do so easily. Just log into your account and cancel with a single click.

2. At the Counter

The staff at the counter usually speak English, Spanish, and often German. So even if your English isn’t perfect, you’ll manage just fine. Simply provide your ID, driver’s license, and reservation number.

The staff will print out your contract and show you the fuel level of the car. You’ll receive the car with either a full tank or half a tank of fuel. Make a note of this, as you’ll need to return the car with the same fuel level. While returning the car with a half tank can be tricky to gauge, keeping track of how much you refuel during your trip can help avoid any last-minute stress.

3. Signing the Contract

Sign the contract, pay with your card, and the staff will hand over the keys and the contract. Keep the contract with you at all times as it serves as your documentation for the vehicle (you won’t receive a technical certificate like you might in Slovakia).

4. Picking Up Your Car

The staff will direct you to where your car is parked. All cars are in clearly marked parking spots, and they will usually tell you the exact spot where your car is located. Simply get in and drive off—no further interactions needed. If you’ve rented child seats, note that they are typically provided at the parking lot, not pre-installed in the car.

5. Returning the Car

When it’s time to return the car, ensure it has the same amount of fuel as when you picked it up. Return it to the designated area, and you’re all set.

Inspect Your Car Thoroughly

Before you drive off, take a few moments to inspect your car from every angle. We always make a quick video of the car to document its condition. While we’ve never had to use this footage, it’s a good safeguard in case of any disputes about the car’s condition later

If you’re renting a car from CICAR in the Canary Islands, you can take advantage of a fantastic perk: you can travel to other islands with no extra fees. Just remember, you need to return the car to the island where you originally rented it. This is a unique benefit not offered by many other car rental companies.

You might notice that cars from CICAR and other rental companies sometimes have stickers from different brands. This is because rental companies often lend cars to each other. So don’t be surprised if you see a car with mixed branding—it’s quite common.

4) Returning Your Car

Returning a rental car can often be stressful, but with CICAR, there’s no need to worry. We’ve rented from them over 20 times and have never encountered any issues.

In comparison, our experiences with Goldcar were less pleasant, as they would meticulously inspect every scratch, making us anxious and causing delays at the airport. However, this thorough inspection typically happens if you haven’t purchased full insurance. With full insurance, even Goldcar returns are smooth and quick.

Steps for Returning Your Car:

1. Check Your Fuel Level: Make sure to return the car with the same amount of fuel it had when you picked it up. Whether it’s a full or half tank, matching the fuel level is crucial.
2. Follow the Signs: As you approach the airport, look for signs saying “Car rental return” or “Devolución” in Spanish. Follow these signs to find your rental company’s designated parking area.
3. Hand Over the Keys: Look for CICAR signs and staff. Park the car in the first available spot (unless directed otherwise by a staff member) and hand over the keys. The staff will check the fuel level and record the mileage. Thanks to the insurance, there’s nothing more to worry about, and you can be on your way to the terminal within minutes.

Fuel Up Away from the Airport: Avoid refueling at gas stations near the airport as they tend to be more expensive. Find a more reasonably priced station along your route.

Price Comparison of Car Rental Companies in 2024

To give you a better understanding of rental prices, we’ve compared costs for a hypothetical trip to Gran Canaria from April 1st to April 8th, 2024. We conducted this price survey on January 29th, 2024. For each rental company, we selected full insurance coverage, airport pick-up and drop-off, and options with free cancellation. The car category chosen is equivalent to an Opel Corsa (Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo).

Renting a car with CICAR, as calculated at the beginning of the article, comes to a total of €157.46. With Goldcar, renting a car will cost you €236.43.

We often saw company called Plus Car when comparing car rental companies last year, and at that time, CICAR was more advantageous. Now, Plus Car is more affordable, but we don’t have any experience with this rental company and don’t know anyone who could recommend it. So, we’ll leave this decision up to you. Feel free to give them a try, as their conditions should be the same according to the internet.

Europcar is more expensive, and for a week you will pay €458.37.

Sixt and Avis also offer more premium vehicles, making them a different type of rental company, which is reflected in the price.

Sixt will cost you €481.67, making it the most expensive rental company. Avis prices were shown only in British pounds, so we used the current exchange rate, and £385 is approximately €451.

No matter which car rental company you choose, we hope you enjoy your trip and that our guide helps you avoid any stress. Here’s to many happy miles and amazing experiences! 🙂