AboutVíctor Díaz Expertise I live in Madrid,and travel frequently to Valencia. I have also travelled to many places all over spain, if haven't been there i'd try to help anyway providing my knowledge and links.
I enjoy trekking in the mountains, and know pyrinees, Picos de Europa and mountains in the center.
Question Hola Victor,
Can you give me some information about car rentals please? We want to fly in to Lisbon next summer and rent a car and then drive through Portugal and Spain for about 12 days. Can you give me an idea where I can start to find out details of cost, legalities, necessities, general information. I thank you in advance for any kind of assistance you can provide.
Thomas
Answer Hello Thomas
I'm not an expert about renting cars, but i can give you some ideas and advices i have been asked and have read in some other forums.
Cost: think about dropping the car in Portugal if you have rented there, if you pick up in Portugal and drop in Spain you will be charged a lot.
If your travel starts in Lisboa and ends in other city of Spain, you may rent a car for Portugal, travel to Spain and the rent another one in Spain.
When moving from Portugal to Spain and planning your arrival time, remember Portugal is in GMT zone and Spain GMT+1.
Gasoline or diesel: diesel is cheaper and you made more km than with a gas car.
A/A?: yes, a must in summer in spain
Manual gear?: unless you ask specifically for an automatic you will be given a manual gear car.
Parking: not easy in big cities, in summer traffic is not as bad in big cities like Madrid as many people is on holidays, specially in august. Look for hotels with parking or not right in the center but well communicated. If you plan to stay for several days in Madrid, or Lisboa or Barcelona, you could return the car, use public transport (and save paying for a parking and a car you won't be using) and then rent a car again when leaving.
Driving license: Citizens of USA (confirm this) needs an International driving licence, that's just a translation of your current driving licence and looks like it is not expensive. The rent car company won't ask for it but police may do if they stop you for some reason.
Costs: check some of the main rent cars companies (avis, hertz, etc) to get an idea of the cost
Cost of tolls and gas: use viamichelin and enter ther different travels you will do and you gill be given the cost of tolls and gas (liters). Currently in Spain a liter of diesel is about 0,90 euros/liter
If you travel with children you may need special chairs for them (at least in spain for less than 36kg or 12years old, the requirements are different according to the weight)
