Car Rental in Madrid

Why rent a car in Madrid?

Madrid is a great place to visit by car. Historic and impressive yet cozy and hospitable, it has countless sites to visit and things to try. Being in the very center of Spain, Madrid also provides easy access to its unique cultural regions.

Top ways to enter Madrid

• Madrid Barajas Airport: One of the busiest in Europe, Madrid Airport offers connections with most European countries, as well as many destinations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas (it is one of the main ports of entry on the continent for travelers arriving from Latin America). The airport is located about 22 km (13.7 miles) from the city center, the trip taking about 30 minutes in a car.
• Valladolid Airport: Although much smaller than Madrid Barajas and mainly active during the summer months, this cozy airport provides great connections with other destinations in Spain and is just two hours drive north of the capital.
• By rail: If you’re arriving in Madrid by train, you can conveniently pick up a rental car at Madrid Atocha Railway Station and Madrid Chamartin Railway Station.

City facts

• The main language of Madrid is, of course, Spanish. Many locals also speak English, especially those working in the service industry.
• Since Madrid is further away from the sea and at a higher elevation than other large Spanish cities like Barcelona or Valencia, the winters can be colder, with frost and snow sometimes occurring (although still rare, Madrid sees the most rain in the winter). The summers can be very hot, and the weather is the mildest in autumn and spring.
• Madrid is made up of 21 districts that are further divided into barrios or wards. 

Top sights and activities

• Prado. One of the symbols of Madrid, and one of the most famous art museums in all of Europe, Prado is bound to feature highly on any must-visit list of landmarks of the Spanish capital. Now more than 200 years old, it welcomes about 3.3 million visitors each year, and showcases works of such famous classical Spanish painters as Goya, Velasquez, and El Greco, as well as, of course, countless foreign creators.
• Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The second member of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art (the first, of course, being Prado), Thyssen-Bornemisza is worth a visit as much as its fabled neighbor. Often referred to simply as Thyssen, its collection is considerably smaller, but is almost exclusively made up of internationally renowned masterpieces that include works by Dürer, Rubens, van Gogh, Gauguin, and Monet.
• Puerta del Sol. Sometimes referred to as the heart of Madrid, this plaza is the most active part of the capital city and has landmarks like the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (though it’s called this in English, the tree is actually that of the arbutus berry) and the famous clock tower of the Royal Post Office.
• National Archaeological Museum. Inhabited by the Carthaginians, Celts, Romans, and Moors, Spain has a fascinatingly diverse history. One of the best places to explore it is the Archaeological Museum (also known by its Spanish acronym, MAN). Located on the central Serrano Street, it boasts plenty of fascinating artifacts such as the 2,400-year-old Lady of Elche. Visit the museum’s website to learn more about admission, exhibitions, and events during your visit.
• The Royal Palace. With its 3,400 rooms, it is the largest palace in Europe. Relatively new by local standards, the construction of the Royal Palace only started in the 18th century, although it does stand on the grounds of a much older Moorish fortress. Today, the king of Spain does not live there anymore, and it is only used for state ceremonies, making it a popular and accessible tourist attraction. The building’s stunning interior includes paintings by Caravaggio, Goya, and Velasquez.
• Almudena Cathedral. Located across the square from the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, is an even more recent, but just as impressive architectural feat – its construction took 110 years until it was finished in 1993. Consecrated by none other than Pope John Paul II, the Cathedral is named after the Virgin of Almudena, a medieval local statue depicting the Mother of Christ.
• Mercado de San Miguel. The famous indoor market is the best place to stock up on truly Spanish delicacies like dried ham and wine, as well as olives and fruits. Although undoubtedly popular with tourists, it is arguably a nice place to experience the everyday atmosphere and rhythm of Madrid. Designated as a site of Spanish National Heritage, the market celebrated its 100th birthday in 2016.

Traffic and parking

• Madrid 360: Madrid restricts access to cars in the center of the city. You should not drive in the center if you do not have an electric vehicle or are not a resident. You can only drive in the center to get to a public parking lot or to your hotel.
• Speed limits - 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car documentation and insurance always has to be inside a vehicle.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads inside the country are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Toledo. Spectacularly situated above the Tagus River, Toledo is full of history and can be experienced at a much slower pace than the capital. The steep, narrow side streets in the city are just as fun to explore as landmarks like the majestic Toledo Cathedral and Church of the Savior. The drive from Madrid takes about an hour.
• Cuenca Alta Manzanares Regional Park. Full of hiking trails, small lakes, and cliff boulders, this is one of the nicest (and also the most popular) nature areas near the capital. A place of a variety of flora and fauna, the park is a good place for spotting large birds like pilgrim hawks and griffon vultures. Located some 45 km (28 miles) northwest of Madrid, the park can be reached by car in about 40 minutes.
• Segovia. Another scenic town full of history, Segovia packs a lot of attractions for a place with a population of just over 50,000. The main highlights include the city’s spectacular Roman aqueduct that’s close to 2,000 years old, as well as Segovia Cathedral and the eclectic Alcázar (fortress). The drive from Madrid takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Spain is the Ford Fiesta, followed by the Fiat 500 and the Ford Focus. The most popular car types are economy, compact and mini.

Further destinations

• Salamanca. Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest of Madrid, Salamanca is one of the most notable renaissance cities in Europe. The city’s diverse architecture that includes masterpieces of Gothic, Baroque, Moorish, and other styles has led to it being declared a World Heritage Site. The city’s culinary riches are also most certainly not to be missed.
• Cuenca. Not to be confused with the aforementioned Cuenca Alta del Manzanares, this Cuenca is about an hour-and-40-minute drive east of Madrid. Located in the sparsely populated Castile-la-Mancha region, it is known for its spectacular location that’s best exemplified by the so-called casas colgadas, or hanging houses, built right on the edge of the cliff. Cuenca is also the location of the Spanish Museum of Abstract Art and has its own area of natural beauty, Serrania de Cuenca Nature Park. 
• Andalusia. Unique in culture, cuisine, and mentality, this nearby region in Southern Spain has everything from long beaches along the Mediterranean to vast nature areas, majestic mountains, and some of the most culturally rich cities in all of Europe. One of these, the Northern Andalusian city of Cordoba, is about a four-hour drive southwest of the capital and can serve as a great first impression of the region.

Car rental prices in Madrid

• Medium cars - from $7 per day
• SUVs - from $8 per day
• Small cars - from $7 per day
• Station wagons - from $18 per day
• Large cars - from $30 per day
• Premium cars - from $47 per day
• Vans - from $30 per day
• Convertibles - from $27 per day

Money-saving and other tips

• There’s many things you can do to get a good rental car deal in the capital of Spain:
• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Madrid is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 23% cheaper than the yearly average.