How to find a cheap car hire deal in Madrid
Turn the key on your trip with a cheap rental car in Madrid. With prices averaging $125 a day, it's an easy win for your budget and your plans. From zippy compacts to power-packed SUVs, we'll help you pick your ideal ride at a price that fits.
The cheapest daily rental price in Madrid is $20.
For longer trips, book a weekly rental from $41 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
If you like to plan with precision, book around one week ahead to score yourself the best price on a Madrid car hire.
Check out the offers available with Record Go, Centauro and Click and Rent. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
Check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Madrid car hire policy, whether you go with Record Go or a different supplier. Some may charge separately for it instead of including it in the base rental.
Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to move cars between branches. Find the best available rates by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. No surprise fuel add-ons when you hand back the keys either.
Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you drive as far as you want.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value can be found with this company, with average prices at $60 a day.
Not far behind, this provider offers daily rates of around $36.
The third option also performs well on price. Cruise away in one of their rentals for roughly $71 a day.
Want a car that's the reliable option for most getaways? The Economy rental category ranks as the top pick for travellers visiting Madrid.
Flying to Madrid? Think about an airport pick-up
Make an early start on your Madrid plans by booking a car hire at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport. The city centre is about 13 kilometres away from this airport, which is a drive of around 20 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Madrid
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Madrid gets you moving without breaking the bank. These zippy, fuel-efficient cars are perfect for city driving and short trips.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, fuel efficiency and space. Easy to handle in traffic and with enough space for longer drives, they're a great all-rounder.
Large: Long drives fly by in this Madrid car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent option for groups of friends and families.
SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and a commanding view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or cruising along wide-open highways, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Madrid big enough for a small crowd (and their luggage), a van is the practical pick. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group outings, business use or moving.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't mandatory, but is something you should consider. If you're in a collision, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying an expensive excess fee. Different Madrid car hire providers have different insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the details before booking.
Travel smarter when you rent a car in Madrid by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to make wrong turns a thing of the past, or reverse cameras that make parking feel effortless.
Good to know
The minimum age to rent a car in Spain is typically 21 years old. However some providers make their own rules, so always read your rental company's terms to see what applies to you.
If you're going away with the kids, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Madrid car hire booking. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.
You'll be asked for a few things when collecting your rental car: a valid driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. The full set of requirements will be laid out in your booking.
Spend a moment familiarising yourself with your rental. Set up your seat and mirrors, test the lights and blinkers, and get used to its handling before you set off. And remember to stick to the right side of the road in Spain.
Keep within the local speed limits. Usually that's around 20kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Spain is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink at all.
Around 9am is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid peak times generally for a smoother trip.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) on your trip here. As well as your debit and credit cards, consider bringing some cash for smaller purchases.
Spanish is the language you'll hear most people speak in this country.
Best hotels in Madrid for drivers
Spend less time worrying about where to park and more time enjoying the comfort of Hotel Madrid Centro, Affiliated by Meliá. About 2 kilometres from central Madrid, it comes with parking, tour services and Wi-Fi.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid also works well if you've got a few road trips in mind. It features accessible parking, along with a spa and a fitness centre. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 0.64 kilometres from the city centre.
Want more inspiration? Browse the full list of hotels in Madrid. You can narrow things down using the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' If you're driving electric, you can select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter too.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Madrid and your hotel, all that's left is deciding where to head to first. Get things started with popular attractions like Museo del Prado, Plaza Mayor and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Madrid
Around 40 kilometres northeast of central Madrid, Villanueva de la Torre deserves a place on your itinerary. Steer straight toward must-see sights like Valgreen Park and Santa Agueda Park.
Reliable accommodation options with parking in Villanueva de la Torre include Miralcampo and Sercotel El Encin Golf.
Add Torrejón del Rey to your journey too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Madrid and drive roughly 40 kilometres northeast to take in top spots such as Canino RANTANPLAN Park and Polideportivo Municipal de Torrejón del Rey.
Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Logroño, around 257 kilometres northeast of Madrid. Kick things off at Camino de Santiago Park, then follow it up with Bodegas Campo Viejo.
The only thing left on your to-do list now is sleep. Holiday Inn Express Logroño Rioja by IHG and Hotel Sercotel Portales have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Logroño.
