One-way car hire in Spain: Freedom to travel without restrictions

One-way car hire in Spain

Imagine: you fly into Madrid, rent a car and travel leisurely around the country, enjoying the beauty of Andalusia, relaxing on the beaches of the Costa Brava, and at the end of the trip just leave the car at the airport in Barcelona. Sound like a dream come true? One way car hire in Spain makes it a reality! No more stress about returning the car to the pick-up point, no more restrictions on your travel plans.

Spain is a country that is simply made for road travelling. Excellent roads, scenic routes, many hidden gems that cannot be reached by public transport. And one-way rentals make such journeys even more convenient and flexible.

What one-way car hire is and why it is so popular

One way car rental in Spain

A one-way rental is the ability to pick up a car in one city and return it in another. In simple terms, you are not tied to a pick-up point. Want to start your journey in Seville, drive across Spain and end in San Sebastian? You're welcome! Planning an island holiday but want to see the mainland? No problem!

This service is especially in demand among tourists who value freedom and do not want to waste time returning to the starting point of the route. It is much more logical to fly home from the city where your journey ended than to spend a day travelling back.

In Spain, one-way rentals work almost flawlessly. The country is small, distances between cities are relatively short, and the developed tourist infrastructure allows car rental companies to efficiently redistribute their fleet between different locations.

Popular destinations for one-way car hire in Spain

  • Madrid - Barcelona

  • Alicante - Torrevieja

Benefits of Renting a Car in Spain with Rentaholiday

Cheap One-way car hire in Spain

Choosing a car hire company is half of the success of your journey. Rentaholiday offers not just car hire, but a complete service that makes your journey as comfortable and profitable as possible.

Well-developed partner network throughout Spain

One of Rentaholiday's main advantages is its extensive network of partners. More than 152 pick-up and return points cover the whole of Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands. This means that wherever you are in Spain, there is always a convenient place to pick up or return your car.

Imagine the scale of this network: from major international airports in Madrid and Barcelona to small resort towns on the coast. From the mainland to islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This coverage gives you incredible freedom to plan your itinerary.

The partner network includes not only airports, but also railway stations, city centres, hotels and resorts. This is especially convenient when you arrive at one airport but want to start your journey from a hotel in the city centre. Or when you plan to end your trip not at the airport but at a railway station to continue your journey by train.

Save up to 30% on car hire in Spain

Financial benefits are something every traveller is concerned about. Rentaholiday offers unique offers with savings of up to 30% compared to regular fares. This benefit is achieved through direct co-operation with leading car rental companies and the ability to offer customers optimal conditions.

These savings can add up to a significant amount, especially if you rent a car for a long period of time or choose a premium car. The money saved can be spent on additional excursions, better hotels or simply on souvenirs. Agree, it is nice to receive quality service at a favourable price.

It is important to realise that savings do not come at the expense of the quality of service or the condition of the cars. All vehicles are thoroughly checked before they are rented out, and the level of service remains at a high level. This is the result of competent work with suppliers and optimisation of business processes.

Full insurance coverage without deductible

One of the main concerns when renting a car is insurance. What happens in case of damage? How much extra will you have to pay? Rentaholiday solves these issues dramatically by offering full insurance coverage with no deductible.

What comprehensive insurance includes

Comprehensive insurance cover includes protection against all major risks. Damage to the body, windows, tyres, rims - all of these are covered. Even if there is a serious accident, you will not be financially responsible for repairing the car.

The absence of a deductible is particularly important. The deductible is the amount that the client has to pay in case of an insured event. It usually ranges from 300 to 1500 euros depending on the class of car. Without a deductible, you are fully protected against any unexpected costs.

Such pavement is especially valuable when travelling in an unfamiliar country. Spanish roads are generally good, but narrow streets in old towns, mountain serpentines or busy tourist areas can create additional risks. With full insurance, you can relax and enjoy your journey.

Additional protection options

In addition to the basic cover, additional protection options are available. Theft insurance is particularly relevant in large cities and tourist areas. Key protection will help in case of key loss or breakage. Roadside assistance is available 24 hours a day and includes vehicle evacuation in case of breakdown.

Some travellers opt for extended insurance that even covers interior damage or unusual situations. For example, if you plan to travel with children, extra protection against interior pollution can be very useful.

Most Popular destinations for one-way rental in Spain

Single-way car hire in Spain

Spain offers many exciting routes for road trips. With an extensive network of pick-up and return points, you can choose almost any route and not have to worry about logistics.

Classic route: Madrid - Barcelona

One of the most popular itineraries starts in the capital of Spain and ends in the capital of Catalonia. It's the perfect way to experience the different facets of Spanish culture. Madrid will captivate you with its museums, architecture and nightlife, while Barcelona will surprise you with Gaudi's creations and Mediterranean atmosphere.

On the way, you can stop in Zaragoza, an ancient city rich in history, or stop in Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey takes about 6 hours of pure time, but with stops, the journey can stretch over several days.

This route is especially convenient for those flying into one city and out of another. Madrid-Barcelona or vice versa are often cheaper than a round trip to one city. Plus you save time and get the most out of the experience.

Southern route: Seville - Valencia

Best One-way car hire offers in Spain

From Andalusian exoticism to the Mediterranean coastline, this itinerary allows you to experience the real Spain. Start in Seville with its famous cathedral and Santa Cruz neighbourhood, drive through Cordoba with its mesquita, and stop in Granada for the Alhambra.

The route then takes you through Murcia to the coast of Alicante and Valencia, the birthplace of paella and the city of the future with its City of Arts and Sciences. This itinerary combines history, architecture, gastronomy and beach holidays. The perfect combination for a complete introduction to Spain.

This route is especially good in spring and autumn, when it is still or already warm in the south and you can enjoy comfortable temperatures on the coast. In summer, be prepared for the heat in Andalusia, but you can swim in the warm Mediterranean Sea.

Island adventures: Mallorca and the Canary Islands

Don't think that one-way hire is limited to the mainland. The Balearic and Canary Islands are also part of a network of pick-up and return points. This opens up entirely new possibilities for travelling.

In Mallorca, you can rent a car at Palma airport and explore the whole island, then return the car anywhere else on the island. Or start your journey in the port where you arrive by ferry and finish at the airport before flying home.

The Canary Islands are particularly interesting for road trips. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote - each island is unique and worth exploring. With a well-developed network of rental points, you can plan your island trip as conveniently as possible.

Practical tips for one-way rentals

A successful one-way rental requires some preparation and knowledge of certain nuances. These tips will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and make the most of this service.

Route planning

The main advantage of a one-way rental is flexibility, but that doesn't mean you don't have to plan your trip at all. Determine key points along the route and the approximate time you will be in each place in advance. This will help you choose the best pick-up and return points.

Take into account the distances between cities and the travelling time. Spain is not a big country, but mountain roads and city traffic can add significantly to your journey time. Build in extra time, especially if you have a tight time frame for returning your car.

Research the location of pick-up and return points. Not all of them are in the city centre - some are located at airports or on the outskirts. Plan how you will get to the pick-up point and what you will do when you return the car.

Documents and requirements

To rent a car in Spain, you need an international driving licence, a passport and a bank card. It is important that the driving licence is valid throughout the European Union.

The driver must be at least 21 years old and have at least one year of driving experience. Some car categories may require stricter conditions: minimum age of 25 years or driving experience of 3 years or more.

A bank card is needed not only to pay the rent, but also to block the deposit. Make sure you have enough money on your card to block the deposit. The deposit amount depends on the class of car and can range from 200 to 2000 euros.

Car inspection

A thorough inspection of the vehicle on receipt is your defence against trouble on return. Check all visible damage to the bodywork, tyres, lights and signals. Make sure that any defects noted are recorded on the delivery report.

Don't forget to check the interior of the car. Check the air conditioning, radio, navigation system. Make sure that the car has all the necessary documents, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency stop sign - these are mandatory requirements in Spain.

Choose your routes, prepare carefully for your journey and conquer the vastness of Spain with a rented car. Below we have a list of available car hire locations. Turn one trip into a lifetime of unforgettable memories!

Our car hire locations in Spain

Cities, airports and stations where you can rent a car with no deductible in Spain

  • Cordoba
  • Coruña
  • León
  • Madrid - Chamartin
  • Madrid - Atocha
  • Malaga M.Zambrano AVE
  • Ponteverdra
  • Santander
  • Saragoza
  • Santiago de Compostela
  • Sevilla
  • Toledo
  • Huelva
  • Gijon - railway station