Hi Reader,

Are you wondering if you should hire a car in Barcelona?

Generally, if you’re visiting Barcelona for a short trip and will be just exploring the city, you probably don’t need to rent a car in Barcelona, as public transport and taxis can take you wherever you need to go.

However, if you have specific needs and prefer your own space, or want to travel outside of the city, then hiring a car in Barcelona can be a great way to have more freedom and flexibility.

Here are some things to consider that might help you decide whether to rent a car in Barcelona or not.

Pros of Hiring a Car in Barcelona

If you are travelling in a family or a group, then hiring a car in Barcelona could be more cost-effective than hiring several taxis or buying multiple public transport tickets, and you can have your own space and travel in more comfort.

Renting a car in Barcelona gives you the flexibility to explore the city and surrounding areas at your own pace and on your own schedule, with the chance to explore more places that are harder to reach using public transport.

If you are staying outside of the city, for example, on the Costa Brava or on the Costa Daurada to the south of Barcelona, then having a rental car means you have a lot more freedom to get to your accommodation and travel around places where public transport might not be available or very convenient.

If you are staying in the city but have time to get out and explore, there are some fabulous day trips or weekend trips from Barcelona you can do by car.

If you want to get some beach time on the Costa Brava, explore the medieval towns in the mountains of Catalonia, head up to France, or go skiing in Andorra, then hiring a car in Barcelona gives you the freedom to do more.

You could also hire a car in Barcelona to enjoy a road trip around Spain, visiting other cities like Valencia or Bilbao, or driving to Madrid for example, then dropping off your hire car there!

Looking to Hire a Car in Barcelona?

Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from trusted suppliers in Barcelona like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Centauro, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, SIXT and many more, so you know you're getting a great deal.

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Cons of Barcelona Car Rental

Barcelona is known for having busy streets, especially during rush hour, so driving can be very stressful and time-consuming if you get stuck in traffic. Pay particular attention to the “motos” motorbikes and scooters which weave in and out of cars as they whizz around the streets.

Logistically, driving in Barcelona isn’t an enjoyable experience while you are in the city itself. Most of the roads are one-way, so you might not be able to access your accommodation by car, or have to go around in circles to reach it.

Finding parking in Barcelona can be difficult and expensive, especially in the city centre, and the narrow streets of the old town are difficult or impossible to navigate in a car. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of fuel and insurance in Spain, which can be pricey.

Have you decided to hire a car in Barcelona? Find out exactly what you need and more tips on driving in Spain here.

I hope this is useful for you - if you've got any more tips on car hire to share or have some questions about your trip, head over to our Facebook group and join the discussion.

Happy travels!

Claire x

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