Car rental in Girona

Car rental in Girona opens up numerous possibilities for traveling throughout Catalonia and beyond. The city, located in northeastern Spain, is often called the gateway to the Costa Brava coastal resorts.

With a rental car, you can comfortably reach not only the Mediterranean coast with its pristine beaches and rocky coves, but also explore the Pyrenees or traditional Catalan villages. You decide where and when to go, without needing to adapt to public transport schedules, search for tickets, or overpay for taxis.

Benefits of Car Rental on Localrent

Localrent is a service offering car rentals in Girona from local rental companies. When booking a vehicle through the website, you receive several benefits:

1. Transparent pricing. You see the total rental cost when booking. It includes all commissions, fees, and basic insurance.
2. Small deposit. To reserve a car, you only pay 15-20% of the rental cost by card.
3. Quick processing. Booking a car takes just a few minutes, even if you're using the service for the first time. Upon arrival in Girona, you'll only need to sign the contract, pay the remaining balance, and collect the car keys.
4. Choice of different vehicle classes. The service offers compact economy models, spacious mid-size cars and crossovers, luxury class vehicles (including convertibles), and spacious minivans. Choose the best option based on your needs.
5. Customer support. You can contact Localrent managers to resolve any questions throughout the entire rental period—and if necessary, after its completion.

What You Need to Rent a Car

To rent a car in Girona, you only need a minimal set of documents:

• Passport
• Valid driver's license (Category B)
• Bank card for deposit payment (check the terms for available payment methods for the balance when collecting the vehicle)

Additionally, rental companies set requirements for driver age and experience. These depend on the chosen vehicle and are specified in its listing (see "Terms" section).

Road Conditions in Girona and Surroundings

The main feature of Girona is the narrow, winding streets in the historic part of the city. Some of them are completely closed to vehicle traffic.

In the Girona area, there are both toll and free roads. On highways leading toward the Costa Brava coast or into the Pyrenees, there are many narrow, winding sections. Despite the scenic views, extreme attention is essential due to limited visibility and sharp turns.

Several additional points to consider:

• Speed limits: in the city—up to 50 km/h, outside the city on regular roads—up to 80-110 km/h, on expressways—up to 120 km/h.
• Numerous roundabouts. They're used to regulate traffic at intersections instead of traffic lights. The standard rule applies: priority always goes to those already on the roundabout.
• Lane discipline. On multi-lane roads, keep to the right lane. The left lane is typically used for overtaking.
• Low-beam headlights. These must be switched on only in poor visibility conditions and in tunnels.

Fuel Stations

Fuel stations are located both in Girona itself and on surrounding roads. Most operate 24/7 or until late evening. Stations in rural areas are less common and may close at night.

Stations come in two formats:

• Staffed. The familiar method where you refuel the car (yourself or through a station attendant), then pay at the counter with cash or bank card.
• Unstaffed. You refuel the car yourself and pay directly at the pump. Payment is usually only possible by bank card. Sometimes you need to specify the desired amount before starting to refuel.

Parking

In central Girona, especially in the historic district, street parking is predominantly paid with time restrictions (1-2 hours). These can be identified by blue markings. Payment is made through parking meters with coins or bank card. Remember to leave the payment receipt visible.

If you need parking for a longer period, it's better to leave your car in a multi-level or underground car park. These are located throughout the city (often near major shopping centers) and on the outskirts. Cost depends on parking duration. Payment is made upon exit.

Free parking in Girona can be found closer to the city outskirts. On weekends and at night, you can often park in blue zone paid parking areas for free. However, always check the information on signs, as rules may vary.

How to Book a Car in Girona

Localrent offers a straightforward car booking procedure:

1. Specify rental start and end dates. Set filters. Select important parameters to find a suitable car faster. For example, you can filter for mid-size models only, four-wheel drive vehicles only, etc.
2. Review the listing of your preferred model. It specifies characteristics, rental and insurance terms, deposit and security deposit amounts (if applicable). At this stage, you can add additional services (child seat or booster installation, permission for cross-border travel, etc.). Their exact list and cost depend on the chosen model.
3. Confirm booking details: vehicle collection/return location and time, personal data and contact information of the main driver.
4. Pay the deposit by bank card. The amount will be no more than 15-20% of the rental cost.
5. Receive booking confirmation. Immediately after deposit payment, a voucher with order details will arrive by email. Save it on your phone or print it to present when collecting the car.

Before signing the contract when collecting the car, inspect it for scratches and dents. It's best to photograph all damage to avoid possible disputes upon return. It's important that they're recorded in the vehicle handover document.

Where to Go with Your Rental Car

Here are several destinations for trips around Girona:

1. Banyoles. A city with Catalonia's largest natural lake. First, take a walk along the lake (on foot or rent a bicycle) or take a boat ride. Later, visit the Santa Maria de Porqueres monastery, Archaeological Museum, and Sant Esteve church.
2. Cadaqués—a town known for whitewashed houses, narrow streets, and a picturesque bay. Here you can visit Salvador Dalí's house-museum in Port Lligat bay, the Church of Santa Maria, and stroll along the promenade.
3. Besalú. A town with well-preserved Catalan medieval architecture. Its calling card is the 11th-century arched stone bridge over the Fluvià River. Tourists are also attracted to the Sant Pere and Sant Vicenç churches, the Jewish ritual baths Miqvé, Sant Pere de Besalú Benedictine monastery, and the Miniatures Museum.
4. Figueres—Salvador Dalí's hometown. People usually come here for the Dalí Theatre-Museum with surrealist installations and unusual exhibits. The Sant Ferran fortress (Catalonia's largest), Sant Pere church, and Toy Museum also deserve attention.
5. Tossa de Mar—one of the most beautiful resorts on the Costa Brava coast. Its main attraction is the 12th-century Vila Vella fortress. It offers stunning views of the bay. You can also spend time on the beach or take a boat ride along the rocky coastline.

Where to Rent a Car in Girona

You can choose a convenient vehicle collection location when booking. Popular options include:

• Girona-Costa Brava Airport
• Rental company office
• Delivery to your preferred location in the city

Availability of each option depends on the chosen vehicle. Note that in some cases there may be a delivery fee to the specified location (for example, to the airport or hotel).

Tips for Those Planning to Rent a Car in Girona

To make trips around Girona and its surroundings comfortable and safe, consider several nuances related to driving and trip planning. These will help avoid disputes throughout the entire rental period.

Choose Between Toll and Free Roads

Toll roads save time but incur additional costs. Toll roads are marked with AP letters. For example, the AP-7 motorway passes through Girona. You can quickly reach other cities (Barcelona, Figueres, etc.) and the French border. Take a ticket at the entrance, pay for the distance covered at the exit. Payment is based on distance traveled.

Free roads often run parallel to toll motorways. They're marked with A or N letters. Traffic on them is usually heavier and slower, as they pass through populated areas.

Watch for Road Signs

Road signs in Girona and surroundings are often written in Catalan. Sometimes information is duplicated in Spanish. Many symbols and numbers on signs will be understandable without translation. But for additional confidence, it's better to use navigation apps.

Plan Trips to the Costa Brava Coast

During summer, traffic on highways leading to the sea (especially C-65 and local roads) is quite heavy. Congestion often forms from early morning, and beach parking fills up very quickly. It's better to plan your journey for early morning or late evening.

Peak traffic periods to Costa Brava (summer season):

• Morning congestion: starts from 9:00 am
• Evening return traffic: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Recommendations for coastal trips:

• Depart before 8:30 am or after 10:30 am to avoid peak traffic
• Use navigation apps for real-time updates on C-65 highway conditions
• Consider midweek visits when traffic is lighter
• Allow extra time for parking searches at popular beaches
  

Frequently Asked Questions