Car rental in Madrid

Explore Madrid with a hired car

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is literally packed with exciting sights and attractions which can be ideally explored by hired car. Its modern vibe of a large metropolis and the great atmosphere of its cultural centres lure thousands of holidaymakers on an annual basis. The city of Madrid never sleeps so get yourself a hired car and drive to your favourite destinations in Madrid. During the day, it offers an extensive selection of museums, art galleries, and stunning monuments. After dark, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and clubs to visit in the city centre. The residents of Madrid are indeed too busy to rest—you can forget about a Spanish siesta in this city. This beautiful metropolis with its long history and historical monuments can be cheaply and comfortably explored thanks to the wide variety of hired car offerings in Madrid. With DriveBoo, you can compare offers of many different car hire companies and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Spend autumn or winter in Madrid

El Escorial

Even in the fall or cool winter months, a trip to Madrid is a great way to get to know more of Spain. Especially after the hot months, the city comes to rest and you can visit a more authentic Madrid. The big tourist crowds are gone and the colors of the city take on great browns and reds. Stroll through Retiro Park or hire a bike and take a relaxing bike ride through the city center. With a hired car, you can also make a good trip to El Escorial in the fall or winter. There you will find an impressive monastery from the 16th century, as well as parks through which you can take a relaxed stroll. 

Where can I hire a car in Madrid?

In Madrid, car hire companies can be found in a number of locations all around the city. However, it is also possible to take advantage of the car hire spots at the airports. The nearest airport to the city centre - Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) - is located 14.6 km away. The car hire companies will be extremely easy to find as all of them are located at the arrivals area of terminals T1 and T4. Finding your dream vehicle - when there are so many to choose from - may initially appear to be quite challenging. Luckily for you, Driveboo can help you do it easily and successfully!

Insurance for your hired car

Suitable insurance for your hired car

Every car hire company in Spain has to offer insurance (sometimes also called Excess Reduction or Excess Waiver) for your hired car, which you should always opt for, for your own protection. The best option is the fully comprehensive insurance without non-waivable excess in case of an accident, injury, or theft. In Spain, rental cars are also required to have fire insurance and third party liability insurance coverage.

What are the traffic rules in Spain?

In Spain, there are different speed limits for every kind of road and vehicle. In the table below, we have included the limits applicable for passenger cars:

*Only if it is a one-way road, a road with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic, or a road with shoulders more than 1.5 m wide.

The legal blood alcohol content in Spain is 0.05% (breath alcohol content: 0.25 mg/l), and 0.03% (breath alcohol content: 0.15 mg/l) for drivers with less than two years of experience. Exceeding this limit may lead not only to a high fine, but also to a driver being arrested and taken to the nearest police station.

• The driver and any passengers occupying the front and rear seats of the vehicle are all required to wear seatbelts. Law enforcement officers can punish a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt with a ticket of EUR 90 per person.
• If you park in an unauthorised place, you can expect to pay a penalty of up to EUR 300.

• In Spain, it is only necessary to pay a toll on motorways. Tolls are collected at toll gates and the amount depends on the category of vehicle and the length of the journey. There is no need to buy a vignette. You can pay with cash or use your credit card. It is also possible to use a payment system, known as "Via-T", which allows you to pass through toll gates without stopping. However, it is only really suitable for those who drive in Spain frequently.
• The average price while driving a hired car is € 9.5/100 km.
• Motorways in Spain are marked as "AP-X", where "X" is the road number (e.g., AP-7).

Exploring Madrid and its surroundings with a hired car

The bustling cultural hub of Madrid holds many attractions in store for visitors who choose it as their holiday destination. However, it is also a great starting point for exciting ventures around the wider region.

Plaza Mayor

El Prado

Royal Palace

Any art fans should definitely start their exploration of Madrid with the Prado Museum. It stores more than 5,000 different paintings, and, as a result, has become the greatest rival to the Louvre over the years. The collection spans from the 12th century to the 19th century and features a plethora of masterpieces by European artists.

Not far from the Prado Museum, you will find the Royal Palace, which is constructed entirely of granite and Colmenar stone. It is characterised by its awe-inspiring architectural details that will remain in visitors’ minds long after their visit.

In Plaza Mayor, dating back to the 17th century, you will be surrounded by the ambience of the past. Over the course of the centuries, the plaza was the scene of ceremonial events, canonisations of saints, and even bull fights. Today, it is a social meeting point—not only for the citizens of Madrid but also for tourists.

With a hired car, you will have the opportunity to leave the city limits and head out into the surrounding region. Aranjuez, an elegant historic town that is also listed as a UNESCO site, boasts a variety of interesting monuments and sights, including the Royal Palace and the Railway Museum.

You can also travel to Sigüenza and enjoy the town’s interesting cultural heritage. Here, you will have the opportunity to pay a visit at the charming Castillo where you will learn more about the history of the region.

For those who would like explore the vicinity of Madrid in the winter season, there is a popular ski resort located approximately 60 km from the city centre - Puerto de Navacerrada. The resort features excellent infrastructure and more than 10,000 km of skiing trails.