Car rental in Spain is famous for offering some of the lowest headline prices in Europe. A compact car rented out of season for a week or more can look astonishingly cheap, often rivaling rates in Portugal and Croatia, which are the two other major European markets where rental prices regularly drop to similar lows. At first glance, Spain appears to be the perfect place to pick up a bargain.
However, the true cost of car rental in Spain can be quite different from the initial price shown on comparison sites. Once insurance, parking, tolls, fines and fuel are added, the total cost can rise sharply — especially for solo travellers or couples. Below are the key areas where costs can creep in, along with situations where renting a car still makes excellent sense.
Insurance Add-Ons: CDW, SCDW and “Super Cover” 🛡️
Even though most rentals include a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), the excess can be €1,000–€2,000. Rental companies then upsell:
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Super CDW / Full Protection
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Windscreen, tyre, underbody or mirror cover
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Additional roadside assistance
These can double the cost of even the cheapest rental. Independent excess insurance, bought separately, is often far better value — but car hire desks often resist acknowledging it.
Fuel Policies: Not Always as Straightforward as They Look ⛽
Some companies still use:
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Full-to-empty policies
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Mandatory fuel service fees
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Penalties if the tank is returned “not quite full”
These charges can easily eliminate the savings from a low headline rate.
Hotel Parking Charges 🏨💶
More and more Spanish hotels now charge for parking, especially in:
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Barcelona
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Madrid
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Valencia
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Málaga
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Seville
Fees of €15–€30 per night are increasingly common. Over the course of a week, this can exceed the cost of the rental itself.
Street Parking, Garages and Blue Zones 🚙🅿️
Many towns and resorts use paid “blue zone” parking, and municipal garages can be expensive. In historic towns such as Granada, Córdoba or Segovia, parking is especially tricky and often highly regulated.
Tourists can also accidentally enter restricted access zones, leading to fines sent weeks later through the rental company.
Fines and Cameras: A Real but Avoidable Cost 🚫📸
Spain uses a mix of:
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Low-mounted speed cameras (similar to France)
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Overhead gantry cameras
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Average-speed cameras
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Mobile tripod cameras
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Local police enforcement in busy tourist zones
These are completely avoidable with careful driving, but rental companies charge administration fees even for minor fines.
Tolls: Fewer Than Before, But Still Present 🛣️
Spain has removed many motorway tolls, particularly in Catalonia and the east coast. However, some remain, especially:
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On certain AP roads
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On private tunnels
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On mountain passes
Long journeys can still rack up toll costs, especially if avoiding slower national roads.
Fuel Costs on Long Drives 🚗⛽
Fuel prices in Spain are reasonable but not as low as they once were. On long drives — for example, crossing the country or touring several regions — the cost can climb quickly. For a couple or solo traveller, a long-distance AVE or bus journey is often significantly cheaper.
Where Public Transport Wins 🚆✨
Spain’s public transport offers excellent value:
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AVE and Alvia long-distance trains
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Avant medium-distance routes
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Low-cost operators (Iryo, Ouigo)
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Extensive city metros, trams and buses
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Cheap long-distance buses with liberalised competition
In many cases, public transport can be:
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Faster
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Cheaper
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Stress-free
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Better for city-centre access
This is especially true for major coastal resorts.
Examples:
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Benidorm: The tram from Alicante is long and slow — a car may be more convenient.
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Costa del Sol: Resorts such as Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola have excellent rail links to Málaga, making a car much less necessary.
Where Car Rental Still Makes Excellent Sense 🚗🌴
Despite the hidden costs, car rental in Spain can still offer excellent value, especially for:
1. Families or groups of three or four
When the cost is shared, a car often beats train or bus fares.
2. Villas, fincas and rural properties
Where parking is included and public transport is limited.
3. Resorts on the outskirts
If your hotel is far from rail or tram stops, a car can be far more efficient.
4. Island exploration
A car is often the best option for:
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Mallorca (mountains, coves, inland towns)
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Tenerife (Teide, national parks, coastal drives)
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Gran Canaria (mountains and remote beaches)
5. Multi-resort or multi-beach holidays
Some parts of Andalucía, Murcia, the Balearics and the Canary Islands are far easier to explore by car.
Conclusion: Car Rental in Spain Offers Great Value — But Know the Full Cost
Car rental in Spain can still be an excellent-value option, particularly for families, small groups, villa stays and island trips. However, the headline rental price often hides significant added costs, ranging from insurance to hotel parking, city fines, tolls and fuel.
As always, the best value depends on the kind of holiday you’re planning. Spain’s superb trains and public transport may beat driving in many situations, but car rental remains ideal for rural exploration, island adventures and multi-stop itineraries.