Spain is a hotspot tourist destination. Come the summer season, the streets of Spain are bubbling with tourists from across the world. From mountaineering, sightseeing to hiking, beaches, shopping, sports, and dining, a visitor in Spain just cannot have enough of this beautiful country in south-western Europe.
No wonder the prices of hotels, taxis, and car rentals in Spain spike up during that time. A lot of tourists prefer renting over opting for public transport or a taxi. It is because rentals are cheap and convenient and do not require much documentation. With the flexibility that these companies provide, there are a few common mistakes that visitors should be wary of.
- Pick the Best Available Deal
The rental providers sometimes provide deal packages if you book within a specified time. They also offer the option of reward points with every booking made using a credit card. You can later redeem these reward points for discounts on your rentals. Always check with the car company which credit cards do they accept. A few of them might not accept payments through American Express credit cards as Visa and Mastercard are preferred options.
- Know the Traffic Density and the Roundabouts
One should always have a general idea of the traffic density before deciding the travel route. Also, in many areas, the crossroads are replaced by big roundabouts. Since it is difficult to exit the roundabout because of traffic moving in all directions, you need to be patient. If you need more time to figure out what lane you want to go for, just circle the roundabout once again to avoid an accident.
- Use Toll Roads
You might get tempted to use the side lanes and avoid toll roads because of the toll taxes. Avoid the unusual exit points for safety, as these bumpy roads can also cause damage to the car. In any event, you are at risk of losing more than you intend to save by saving on the toll taxes. There are more tolls in Catalonia as compared to other parts of Spain. So be prepared to pay more if you are traveling around it.
- Take Care of Safety
Whether you are traveling in Europe or any other country, you should always take good care of your valuable belongings and important documents. You shouldn’t carry your original passport if it is not required and if a photocopy can do. Always lock the car and do not leave your phone, camera, purse, etc., in plain sight when parking the vehicle even for a short duration. Since you are traveling in a foreign land, it won’t harm you by being extra cautious.
- Read the Rental Agreement Completely
Make sure you read the renting agreement very carefully, even the smallest fonts. There might be important information that you would skip causing you a hassle later on. For example, some rental companies might levy additional charges if you would take the car to Portugal or any specific city in Spain. Or the insurance cover you have opted for might not cover windshield damage. So, it is always advisable to know what you need to pay for while returning the car.
- Understand all About the Insurance Covers
The basic insurance is always provided and is inclusive of the rental cost. However, it includes insurance against theft and damage due to collision and is provided only by most Leiebil Spania across the country. If there is another damage to the car, even a small scratch, be prepared to pay for it. It depends on the discretion of the company if they’d charge for it.
The rental company will deduct these additional charges from the initial deposit money that you pay while renting. If you want to be tension-free, you can also opt for Full Coverage insurance at an extra cost.
- Pick the Best Parking Spot
You can park the car anywhere as long as it is not a neighborhood parking space, in small villages. But that is not the case in the cities; wrong parking can lead you to pay hefty fines. There are parking garages in Spain and cars are always safer there. So, if it is not very far-off, you can always choose to park at a parking garage and protect your vehicle from being towed away by authorities.
- License and Credit Card Requirements
You need to have a credit card in your name if you are the one who is going to drive. There are additional costs if you would like to add a secondary driver and use his/her credit card to pay for the deposit. You do not need a separate driving license if you already have an EU license, but if not, it is always good to have the International Driving Permit as the rental company can ask for it.
- Understand the Cost Breakup and Fuel Rules
You need to clearly understand the cost structure and the required deposit for the type of car you are renting. Some providers have a full tank rule, meaning you need to refill the tank to full while returning the vehicle.
While some others have a full-to-empty rule, which means the company will pay you back whatever leftover fuel remains in the vehicle at the time of returning. Accordingly, the cost structure of the rental is set-up. So, you need to understand it well and choose the option that serves you the best.
- Scrutinize the Vehicle Carefully
If you find any scratches or operational defects in the car, highlight them to the rental company while renting. You can click photos or make videos inside out of the vehicle while hiring it. Even a small scratch unnoticed at the time of renting can cause you to pay something over a hundred Euros later on. Avoid any such hassles by thoroughly scanning the vehicle at the time of renting.
- Fill Up the Right Fuel
Always confirm with the rental company the type of fuel needed for the car. There are instances when carelessness of people has resulted in filling lead fuels in diesel engines! Petrol Stations in Spain are similar to other countries, and you have to refill the petrol yourself.
- Compare the Price with the Cost of Public Transport
Renting a car is fun but it is always advisable to compare the costs. You should estimate the expenditure if you choose public transport, such as a taxi, Eurail, or a bus for the same location. Do not expect it to be the same, but you should know why you would like to pay extra on the rent. Besides, you can read do’s and don’ts here. Take care of these factors and enjoy the beautiful country.
If you just need to travel within the major cities such as Valencia, Malaga, or Barcelona, public transport will be much cheaper. If you want to explore the countryside, have the convenience of stopping wherever car rental is always recommended.
