- You are here! :
-
- /
- Barcelona airport
Search, compare and book your rental car
Over 1 million customers trusted us to book the best car rental deal for them
Up to 48 hours before pickup
We don’t charge extra fees such as credit card or reservation fees
With miles of first-class Mediterranean beaches, the stunning architecture of Antoni Gaudí like Sagrada Familia Cathedral, lively nightlife, and superb cuisine Barcelona is rightfully considered one of the most exciting destinations not only in Spain but in the world. It's the crown jewel of Europe and an ultimate charmer of a city.
Barcelona El Prat Airport is the primary gateway of the city as well as the Catalonia region. It comprises two terminals that are interconnected by a free shuttle bus. Hiring a car in Barcelona gives you a chance not only to explore this sprawling megapolis at your own comfortable pace but also to go further by discovering the many wonders of the region. Spanish roads are great and the airport is easily accessible by car. The distance from El Prat Airport to Barcelona via the C-31 highway is just about 14km.
There is a great variety of car hire companies to choose from. Among them are the well-known names like Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Europcar, Hertz-Thrifty, Sixt and Budget. You have a wide choice of cars with different specifications that will suit any budget and need. Also, it is possible to book a car in advance and pick it up straight after arrival.
Hiring a car in Barcelona provides you with the freedom to move around so it's always an awesome idea. You can also opt for car hire agencies in the city, there are a few local brands that offer cheaper propositions. When going with this option, make sure that the hire works best for your needs, check if there is insurance included, pay attention to the additional services, and know where the pick-up and return take place.
As Barcelona is a big city with more than a million inhabitants, the roads vary and the overall driving experience depends on where you are. Make sure you're using good navigation to move around and adhere to the rules at all times. These two things will make driving in Barcelona a pleasant and hassle-free experience. Keep in mind that the tourist areas such as the Gothic Quarter and Ciutat Vella tend to have very intense street crossings and narrow roads so prepare accordingly.
As for the parking, you can leave a car only on the spots with blue markings. If it's yellow, then parking is prohibited. As the places are limited in the touristic districts, it is advised to look for alternative choices nearby to avoid the waiting and stress of continuously searching for a place. Although Spanish drivers prefer to speed a lot, Barcelona is a bit calmer in that regard and commuting is quite accessible. Just don't break the driving rules and pay attention to the road. After all, nobody wants to deal with authorities while on the holiday.
As an airport serving a big city frequented by tourists from around the world, Barcelona El Prat has a great selection of car hire companies for all tastes. Mostly, the companies have offices in both T1 and T2 of the airport. When booking beforehand check to which terminal you're arriving at and if there's an office of a company you're booking with. The distance between the terminals is substantial (5km) and taking a free shuttle bus takes some time. Firefly Car Hire and InterRent are only available in T2.
Worldwide-operating brands such as Hertz, Sixt or Avis provide all-ranging car hire services with a great choice of cars and different additional services to choose from. While it can be pricey at times, going with a well-known name can be easier and more straightforward. Also, if you have any problems throughout the hire, they have responsive support teams in place. You can as well choose local companies such as Record go and Niza Cars that might have more affordable rates.
The region of Catalunya is made for road trips. Roads here are in excellent condition and you can see a variety of landscapes within short distances. Start with what Barcelona offers by visiting the fantastic Art Nouveau Eixample neighbourhood and making a stop at scenic Barceloneta Beach. The car would be the best idea to reach the highest point of the city, a marvellous Tibidabo hill with the extraordinary vistas of Barcelona.
For some incredible seaside scenery take a trip from Barcelona to Sant Feliu de Guíxols along the sunny Costa Brava. You will pass world-class beaches, hidden coves and historic Catalan cities along the way. Lloret de Mar is an ideal Mediterranean holiday destination so make sure to spend some time there too.
Mighty mountainous panoramas await you in Montserrat, a towering mountain range just 60 kilometres from Barcelona. The magnificent Abbey of Montserrat is a must-see sight and hiring a car is the best way to reach it without hassle.
Our customers rated Barcelona airport with an average of 8.9 based on 62 ratings, and these are the most recent tips, experiences and highlights.
