Car hire in Madrid at the Best Prices

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located at the very heart of the country. Perhaps thanks to its central position, Madrid is a round-the-clock pulsating city that embodies a rich, cosmopolitan culture and arts scene, fabulous nightlife, and that irresistible Spanish flair waiting to be absorbed on every step of the way. A car hire in Madrid is an excellent way of exploring not only the city itself, but also a convenient way of visiting the nearby cities such as Toledo or Valladolid. A car hire from Auto Europe comes to you at some of the lowest prices on the car rental market. Unbeatable prices are part of our 60-year long experience and unique policy in the car rental industry.

Traffic

As with many major European cities, or large cities in general, the traffic in Spain's capital can at times get quite chaotic and congested. The challenges of driving your car hire in Madrid could be a lack of parking spaces in the centre of the city, and the somewhat unconventional and free driving style of the locals. Madrid has three main ring roads, along with three smaller ring roads, that will take you to other parts of the city without driving through the middle of it. If you need to drive through the old town, get ready for a complex maze of tiny streets, and rather opt for the main roads crossing it, such as Gran Vía. One of the laws you might have not been aware of and valid in Spain obliges drivers who wear prescription glasses always to carry a spare pair while driving on Spanish roads. Our Spain driving guide will provide you with more useful information on this topic.

Parking

In spite of Madrid being relatively safe, as in all big cities, it is advisable to park your car in secured car parks overnight. Parking garages are usually the best bet, especially as most of them are open 24 hours a day. The car park at Atocha Station, although offering merely a limited parking period, is conveniently located only 10 minutes on foot from Prado, and 5 minutes from the Reina Sofia Museum. On-street parking is also available in some city parts. Please pay attention to the painted lines on the side of the road where parking is available; blue dotted lines denote chargeable parking, and green dotted lines indicate a parking space intended exclusively for permit-holders. In some areas parking rules are more relaxed at weekends, therefore read the instructions on the park meter carefully.

Geographic Information

Madrid is situated at the centre of the Iberian Peninsula with an average altitude of 654m above sea level. Its diverse and balanced climate ensures you can have a pleasant stay during your holiday in spring and autumn. In summer, temperatures can rise even to soaring 40°C. Paired up with low humidity, despite high temperatures, it is still bearable for those who prefer a warm climate and hot, dry summers. In winter, due to the proximity of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the temperature can drop to or even below zero, accompanied with crisp, sharp winds. Madrid can be a great starting point to a road trip in Spain.

Madrid Airport

Madrid Airport is one of the largest world's airports in terms of the area covered by terminal buildings. With its three terminals, it serves as a hub connecting the Iberian Peninsula with a large number of transatlantic, European and Asian destinations. The airport is located only 8 miles from the historic centre of Madrid.

Madrid Airport (MAD)
Website: www.aena-aeropuertos.es/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas
Address: Av. de la Hispanidad s/n, 28042 Madrid
Telephone: +39 0932 961467

Public Transport

Madrid has an extensive network of public transport routes with 13 metro lines, 10 local train lines and over 170 bus routes. Not only is it fast, efficient, and safe, but it is also quite affordable. Single tickets can be purchased on board for cash (buses) or at ticket machines at metro stations. If you change buses, do not forget to punch your ticket again. Drivers usually wait until they hear a punching sound, only then will they proceed with the ride. The metro runs from 6am to 1:30am, with the frequency varying between 3 and 5 minutes during the day. Try to avoid riding the metro during rush hours (7:30am-9am) as trains can get quite congested. With a lot of security cameras, the metro in Madrid tends to be safe. However, pay special attention to your belongings as there might be some pickpockets operating at tourist-packed stations.

Trains

Madrid Atocha Station is one of the busiest railway stations in Europe. It is the largest station in Madrid and has regional, long-distance and high-speed train services run by the national company RENFE. Since 2014, a new connection to Marseille has been opened. Madrid Atocha is connected with the Atocha RENFE underground station.

Motorhome hire in Madrid

If you would like to add more freedom to your travels, there is something we can recommend. A campervan hire in Madrid is something you might consider for your next holiday. Motorhome rental will provide you with more travel possibilities and help you save on accommodation and food.

Useful links

Tourism Information