Is a car worth it in Spain?
It depends on where you are going. Spain has good rail and bus networks between major cities, so a car is often unnecessary for trips such as Madrid, Seville and Barcelona. A car is more useful for rural areas, small towns, coastlines and islands. In the south, it makes the white villages far easier to reach; our south of Spain travel guide shows where that matters. On islands like Mallorca, public transport is limited outside the main towns, so many visitors rent a car (see our Mallorca travel tips).
A common approach is to use trains between big cities and rent a car only for the rural part of the trip.
Documents and basic rules
Rules change, so check official sources before you travel. In general:
- You drive on the right and overtake on the left.
- Carry your driving licence, passport or ID and the rental documents. Visitors with licences issued outside the EU should check whether an International Driving Permit is recommended or required for their licence and rental company.
- Seat belts are required for all passengers, and children need appropriate child restraints.
- Spain has strict drink-driving limits, and enforcement includes roadside checks. The safest approach is not to drink if you are driving.
- Using a handheld phone while driving is not allowed.
- The emergency number across Spain and the EU is 112.
Road types and tolls
Spain has several kinds of road:
- Autopistas (often marked AP): motorways, many of which charge tolls.
- Autovias (marked A): free dual carriageways that are similar in feel to motorways.
- Carreteras nacionales (N) and regional roads: slower, often more scenic, and they pass through towns.
Toll roads are common in parts of the country, including along some coastal routes. Many accept cards. If you want to avoid tolls, your navigation app usually has a setting for it, though the free route can be slower.
Speed limits
Typical limits are around 120 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways, lower on conventional roads, and 50 km/h or less in towns, with 30 km/h common on narrow streets. Limits vary by road and are posted, so follow the signs rather than assuming. Speed cameras are common.
City driving and parking
City centers are where driving gets difficult. Streets in old towns are narrow, and many cities have low-emission zones or restricted-access areas where unauthorized vehicles can be fined. Check the rules for any city you plan to drive into, and ask your accommodation about parking.
Parking on the street often works by color-coded zones, commonly paid blue or green bays, with different time limits and rates. Underground car parks are usually easier and safer if you are staying overnight. Do not leave valuables visible in a parked car, particularly at beaches and trailheads.
Rental tips
- Book ahead in busy months, particularly if you need an automatic, since manual cars are the default in Spain.
- Compare insurance: understand what is included, the excess, and any deposit held on your credit card. Rental companies often require a credit card in the driver’s name.
- Check the fuel policy, and photograph the car before and after to document its condition.
- Pick the right size: a smaller car is far easier in old towns and narrow lanes.
- One-way rentals between cities or into Portugal may carry extra fees. Ask before booking.
- Cross-border use: let the rental company know if you plan to take the car to Portugal.
Distances and driving times
Spain is large. As rough figures, Madrid to Barcelona is around 600 km, and Madrid to Seville is somewhat over 500 km, each typically most of a day’s driving once you include breaks. Driving across the country, such as from the northwest to the southeast, takes more than one day for most people. Build in rest stops and avoid planning long drives after a flight. Use a mapping app for current estimates, which depend on traffic and route. Our long drive tips cover breaks and fatigue on long driving days.
Sample road-trip ideas
- Andalusia loop: Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda and back, with one or two nights in each.
- Mediterranean coast: Barcelona to Valencia and onward south, using the coastal roads in places.
- Islands: a week in Mallorca or Ibiza with a rental car for beaches and villages. See Ibiza for beginners for how Ibiza compares.
Spain and Portugal by car
Spain shares a border with Portugal, so combining both countries in one road trip is practical. Distances between Seville and Lisbon, or between northern Portugal and Galicia, are manageable in a day. Check for tolls on the Portuguese side, some of which are electronic, and for rental company cross-border rules. Porto and Lisbon are covered in our guides to top places to visit in Porto and Lisbon tips, and in both cities you may prefer to leave the car outside the center.
Practical tips
- Download offline maps in case of poor coverage in rural areas.
- Fill up before long rural stretches, since some stations are sparse and may close early.
- Expect shops, and some petrol stations, to close at midday on Sundays and holidays in small towns.
- Avoid driving at the height of midday heat when possible, and carry water.