Car rental in Madrid

Madrid is an excellent base for exploring Castile's heritage by car. The capital serves as a convenient hub for trips to Toledo, Segovia, or castles like Manzanares el Real. Having your own vehicle frees you from relying on intercity bus schedules and routes.

Renting a car in Madrid allows you to create your own itinerary and visit less accessible locations. You can start your morning viewing the Roman aqueduct in Segovia and find yourself at a wine tasting in one of the Ribera del Duero wineries by evening, without checking transport schedules or worrying about expensive long-distance taxi fares.

How to Choose Where to Rent a Car in Madrid

Madrid has numerous rental companies offering their services, but their terms vary significantly and offices are located in different parts of the city. On-site, you may find that only undesirable vehicle classes or those with high deposits are available. It's far more practical to book your car in advance through Localrent:

1. You'll see the full rental cost without hidden fees at the time of booking.
2. Vehicles are available with low deposits not exceeding €450.
3. Wide range of payment methods. You can pay not only with credit cards but also debit cards, cash, or cryptocurrency.
4. Convenient search filters. Specify important criteria, from price, deposit amount, and payment methods to brand, technical specifications, and necessary additional options.
5. Large selection of vehicles that don't require a credit card for rental.

Car rental in Madrid is popular, with many offers available. But it's simpler and more reliable to book your car online through Localrent in advance—a vehicle suitable for your trip will be waiting for you at your chosen location and time.

What You Need to Rent a Car in Madrid

To collect your vehicle, you'll need a valid driver's license and passport. After booking and payment, you'll receive a voucher by email—this must also be presented.

Rental terms and driver requirements are individual for each vehicle. The minimum age is typically 23-25 years with 1-2 years of driving experience. The widest selection is available for drivers over 26 with 2-3 years of driving experience.

Use filters when selecting—this helps quickly find options matching your age and driving experience. All requirements are always specified in the individual vehicle listing.

Driving in Madrid and Main Traffic Rules

Traffic in Spain's capital is intense but organized. Madrid drivers are confident, generally following rules and rarely making abrupt maneuvers. Be prepared for heavy traffic during peak hours, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, especially on main thoroughfares like the M-30 and Castellana Avenue. The city center has many narrow streets and historic quarters requiring particular attention to pedestrians and cyclists.

Beyond the M-40 ring road, traffic becomes more open. High-speed motorways connect Madrid to other cities and have excellent road surfaces. When traveling to mountain areas, account for possible steep climbs, serpentine roads, and changing weather conditions.

Speed limits:

• In urban areas — 50 km/h, sometimes 20 km/h on narrow residential streets
• Outside cities — 90-100 km/h on regular roads
• On motorways — 120 km/h

Madrid has many roundabouts. Priority always goes to traffic already on the roundabout. Use your right indicator only when actually exiting the circle. Many major city roundabouts have marked lanes for exits—watch the road markings.

Around Madrid, there's a network of toll motorways, mainly radial routes designated with AP prefixes (for example, AP-41 Madrid-Toledo) or R (for example, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5). These roads duplicate free routes and are designed to bypass traffic jams more quickly and reach the desired suburb or neighboring city.

Toll payment typically occurs at the exit from such sections. Drivers receive a ticket at the toll booth entrance, then pay at exit—the amount may be fixed on short sections or depend on distance traveled. Payment can be made with cash or bank card at special machines or through an operator. Rental cars often have transponders installed for contactless toll road payment—confirm this when collecting your vehicle.

Parking in Madrid

City parking is regulated by color-coded markings and signs. There are three zones:

• Blue — limited parking zone
• Green — for residents
• White — free parking

In blue zones, you can leave your vehicle for 2-4 hours with mandatory payment through parking meters. After payment, you must display the receipt under your windshield. In green zones, parking is permitted only for vehicles with resident permits issued to local residents.

Free parking is available in white zones and in some areas outside the center, such as residential neighborhoods on the outskirts. However, even there it's important to check road signs—time or day-of-week restrictions often apply. For short stops in the center, it's more convenient to use underground paid parking facilities marked with a "P" on a blue background. They operate on a fixed hourly rate system, with some offering discounts at night.

Madrid strictly monitors disabled parking spaces, bus lanes, and loading zones. On narrow streets in the historic center, always leave sufficient space for other traffic to pass.

Petrol Stations in Madrid

Madrid has both self-service and staffed petrol stations. At most stations, customers fuel their vehicles themselves, then pay at the terminal or cashier. Some stations require prepayment—you must specify the amount before fueling.

Major chains like Repsol and Cepsa typically operate 24/7. Smaller stations may close at night. At traditional stations, staff fuel your vehicle, and payment is accepted by bank card or cash.

Booking a Car in Madrid Step by Step

Start by selecting rental dates on the Localrent website. By default, collection and return are in Madrid, but you can specify another city in Spain where you'll return the car if needed. To choose the exact location, use the "Specify location" field.

Next:

1. Filter options by transmission type, vehicle class, brand, engine size, or other criteria.
2. Review the selected vehicle's listing—specifications, included mileage, insurance terms.
3. Add additional options—child seat, extra insurance, cross-border travel, or additional driver.
4. Specify exact collection/return time and location, enter personal details and contact information.
5. Pay the advance online with a bank card; the voucher will arrive at the specified email.

When collecting your vehicle in Madrid, conduct an inspection jointly with the rental company representative. Record all damage in the handover report. Sign the rental agreement and pay the remaining amount and deposit.

Where to Go from Madrid

Madrid isn't just the capital—it's an ideal starting point for exploring the history and nature of central Spain. Within just 50 km of the city, you can explore ancient monasteries, royal residences, medieval fortresses, and picturesque natural corners. Here's where you should definitely visit:

1. El Escorial. This complex, built by order of King Philip II in the 16th century, combines a monastery, royal palace, basilica, and library. The architecture is austere, reflecting the might of the Spanish Empire of that time. It also houses the royal pantheon of Spanish kings. Inside is an entire museum—frescoes, tapestries, and an art collection. Along the way, you'll see the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range and can stop at the Valle de los Caídos memorial. The road is winding in places, so we recommend a vehicle with an engine of 1.4 liters or more.
2. Alcalá de Henares. This university town, birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes—author of "The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha"—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic center is beautifully preserved. Be sure to visit Corral de Comedias—one of Europe's oldest public theaters. The main attraction is the University of Alcalá, founded in 1499 with a Plateresque-style facade. On the way, notice the numerous stork nests on towers and bell towers—they've become the city's unofficial symbol.
3. Aranjuez. A royal residence known for its magnificent palace and gardens—French, English, and the Príncipe Garden, which stretch along the Tagus and Jarama rivers. The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is a striking example of Baroque architecture. The city has special charm with its straight, tree-lined streets. Along the way, you can stop to admire strawberry and asparagus fields—this region is famous for its agriculture.
4. Manzanares el Real. This town at the foot of La Pedriza mountain range is known for its impressive 15th-century Mendoza family castle—one of Spain's best-preserved castles. Nearby is the reservoir of the same name. From here, numerous hiking trails begin through Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The road from Madrid follows a scenic mountain route, so it's better to choose a vehicle with an engine of 1.4 liters or more for comfortable climbing.
5. Chinchón. One of the region's most picturesque towns, known for its irregular-shaped central Plaza Mayor with balconies overlooking it. This is a functioning town square where markets and even bullfights take place. The town is also famous for its garlic and anise liqueur.

With a car, you'll easily reach historic towns, natural parks, and the region's gastronomic centers.

How and Where to Collect Your Car in Madrid

You choose the vehicle collection location yourself when booking. Several options are available:

• Barajas Airport
• City rental company offices
• Delivery to a specified address, such as your hotel
• Chamartín or Atocha railway stations

Not every vehicle can be collected at any of these locations. Current options for a specific car are always indicated in its listing on Localrent. To immediately see suitable offers, use the "Specify location" filter.

Recommendations for Those Renting a Car in Madrid

Spain's capital has busy traffic and strict parking rules. These tips will help you adapt to local driving habits more easily.

Account for City Traffic Patterns

Peak hours in Madrid occur in the morning from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. During these times, main roads are filled with traffic; it's better to plan trips bypassing the center. Also note football matches and events—around Santiago Bernabéu stadium, traffic is often blocked.

Use Mobile Apps for Parking

In blue parking zones, payment is possible through parking meters, but it's more convenient to use apps like EasyPark or alternatives. They show available spaces, allow you to extend time remotely, and avoid fines.

Understand the Toll Motorway System

During trips, you may encounter toll road sections. Payment occurs at toll collection points—it's best to have cash euros or a card with you. Rental vehicles are sometimes equipped with Telepeaje transponders—confirm this when collecting your car.

Have Small Change for Traditional Parking

Some underground parking facilities in the center operate with automatic terminals that don't always accept foreign bank cards. Keep €1-2 coins handy—this saves time when exiting the parking facility.

Questions and Answers About Car Rental in Madrid