The indication is that driving in Spain is relatively easy. Still, if you’ve never done it before, it will be unfamiliar and perhaps uncomfortable until you learn the road signs, how the traffic patterns work so you can fit with the flow, and how drivers handle the road. In some countries, drivers tend to be somewhat aggressive.
In any country, big city driving takes some finesse. You want to have some skill before attempting these areas. The recommendation is to avoid this as a first-time visitor to Spain who might only be staying for a short while.
That is unless you enjoy the thrill of some interesting new driving techniques that you might have never seen before but be prepared to try to fit in, so there’s no damage to your hired car.
It pays to research the rules before actually taking the opportunity to go out on your road trip and get some first-hand knowledge from your Billeie | Spania (translation: car rental Spain) agency. If nothing more, they can guide you toward sites that offer the laws and regulations to prepare you for driving on the roads.
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LeiebilSpania: What Are Some Rules To Be Aware Of
If you plan on sightseeing in Spain and taking a day road trip, you’ll likely want to find a reputable car rental agency so that you can get the most from your Spanish holiday. The best agencies will ensure that your trip is enjoyable and offers no stress.
It’s beneficial to speak to someone who has experienced road trips in Spain to get advice and learn a few tips and tricks, things you can’t know from the online informationals or standard regulations and laws.
That kind of feedback is priceless and can give your insight into ways to get around no one else can offer. Click here for helpful hints on traveling through Spain. If you’re opting to rent a car for a road trip, check out these tips.
The suggestion is that airports tend to charge premium prices for car rentals, typically adding a surcharge on top of the hire fees that can sometimes go into hundreds daily.
It’s wise to compare taking a rideshare or a taxi to an area away from the airport to look for a hiring agency and not in the big city. Search in the smaller towns, and you’ll get a better deal with no added fees or surcharges.
It’s also possible to pick up and drop off in another city but make sure, again, that you don’t deal with the airport.
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One place where you might be stuck with a premium cost is if you need an automatic transmission. Most cars in Spain (in Europe) are manual. In order to get an automatic, you need to book well ahead of the trip since there is a short supply and understand that you will be paying a premium price point for the vehicle.
You could be in a bad situation if there are no automatic options. You’ll either need to attempt to learn to drive manual on unfamiliar roadways, which can be dangerous, or forgo the road trips.
Fuel can be expensive everywhere in any country. The best way to save some costs is to make sure your take always stays full plus park in the cityscapes and villages and walk around instead of driving from one attraction to another.
Another suggestion to save money on gas is avoiding standard petrol and using diesel when requesting your car for booking. Many of the vehicles are diesel since they are fuel-efficient. Also, look for as small as is comfortable for your road trip. These are much more economical than the big gas guzzlers.
Another reason to get a small car, some of the roads are exceptionally tiny. The big SUVs and larger cars will not travel well in these towns and villages. These are area where most people want to explore to learn about history and culture.
Unless you need a super large vehicle, they’ll keep you from accessing many of your desired locations.
Making Sense Of The Spanish Roadways
You will often hear when traveling throughout Spain that the road numbers are not something you need to worry about following; instead, following signs showing your city destination.
The suggestion is this is relatively sound advice, but understanding the number signs is beneficial and can make things somewhat more manageable as you’re traveling.
The “autopistas” or expressways reference by the letters AP like AP4 and are all toll roads. The free motorways “autovias” reference by the letter “A,” and these are parallel to the “autopistas.”
When you see a white sign showing a red circle, the indication is this means “no,” or it can reference “stop,” “do not,” or prohibited. There could be a red slash with this sign as well.
When leaving the motorway or a village or town, there is typically a sign with the name of a thing or a place to let you know you’re leaving the area. There won’t be another sign explaining where you are after that.
Parking regulations and guidelines vary based on your location in a particular city. Spaces with blue lines mean parking is chargeable. That means you have to buy a ticket from a closeby machine designating a blue and white “P” sign or from a nearby attendant in order to pay for however long you intend to stay in the spot.
A “P” encircled in black means the parking is for a specific group of people, perhaps residents meaning you can’t use those parking places.
If you have trouble finding parking in the area where you’re looking, public parking garages are all around in many cities. For the most part, lodging is fitted with their own parking garages for guests personally. Still, these will likely come with relatively high charges added to the bill for the hotel stay.
Some things are required when driving a car in Spain, especially if you become stranded and need emergency equipment. These include:
- If you wear glasses, there needs to be a spare pair in the car’s glove box in case anything were to happen to your pair.
- Two hazard warningtriangles are a requirement.
- International vehicle insurance
- International driving license
Some other things to make yourself aware of:
- While the vehicle is in motion, mobilephones are strictly prohibited.
- A seatbelt should be worn by everyone in the car, not only the driver but all occupants and especially kids.
- Anyone under the ageof12 needs to ride in the back of the car.
- Spain is under the standard international three-color traffic light system.
- Despite having a foreign driving license, the holder is not entitled to drive an auto in the country until they reach age 18.
Final Thought
Hiring a car is ideal for traveling throughout Spain as long as you pay attention to the rules and regulations. It’s not difficult to catch on with driving on the right side and the traffic not being overly aggressive.
As long as you follow the guidelines the same way as everyone else, you should be fine. Being a foreigner will not excuse you from fines and penalties for noncompliance. When appropriately done, road tripping through Spain can be an enjoyable and relaxing experience.
