Car rental in Valencia

Exploring Valencia by car opens access to destinations difficult to reach by public transport alone. With your own vehicle, you can easily reach the City of Arts and Sciences and, within an hour, visit the Albufera Natural Park, the historic town of Sagunto, villages surrounded by orange groves, or the Costa Blanca beaches, which remain uncrowded even during peak season.

Renting a car in Valencia isn't just about convenience—it's about creating an itinerary based on your interests without depending on bus schedules or taxi costs.

Where to Rent a Car in Valencia: Localrent Service Benefits

Car rental in Valencia involves more than finding a suitable model—it requires checking terms, insurance coverage, and customer reviews. Localrent consolidates local rental companies with transparent terms, saving you time comparing prices and conditions. Here's why travelers choose Localrent:

1. No hidden fees — the final price at booking matches the amount you pay when collecting the vehicle.
2. Minimal advance payment — booking requires only 15–20% upfront, with the remainder paid on-site.
3. Precise search filters — select by brand, fuel type, deposit amount, or cross-border travel options to neighboring countries like France or Portugal.
4. Vehicle fleet for all purposes — from budget-friendly compact cars for narrow streets to spacious family vehicles or luxury-class automobiles.
5. Customer support — assistance throughout your entire rental period.

With Localrent, you focus on your journey, not formalities.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Valencia

To complete the rental process, prepare three documents:

• Passport — original document matching booking details.
• National driver's license — valid, with information duplicated in Latin script. Electronic copies and licenses without Latin script information are not accepted.
• International Driving Permit — required if your license is valid only in the issuing country or lacks Latin script translation on the original.

Age and driving experience requirements depend on the specific vehicle. For example, one model may require drivers aged 22 with 2 years of experience, while another requires age 25+. These conditions are always specified in the vehicle listing. Higher age and experience expand your vehicle options: in Valencia, drivers aged 25+ with 2+ years of experience have optimal vehicle selection.

Traffic Rules and Driving Considerations in Valencia

The historic Ciutat Vella district operates a resident priority zone—ATR. Entry is permitted only for public transport and vehicles with special permits. If your hotel is located in this zone, confirm entry procedures with reception in advance.

Valencia, like all of Spain, observes siesta. This tradition affects traffic patterns throughout the city. Four peak traffic periods occur:

• 8:00–9:30 am — morning commute
• 12:30–1:30 pm — start of lunch break
• 2:30–4:00 pm — return from lunch
• 6:00–8:30 pm — evening post-work hours
• You don't need to avoid travel during these periods, but when planning routes, factor in longer travel times.
• In Spain, including Valencia, toll motorways are marked with blue signs displaying the "AP" abbreviation. Toll costs depend on two factors:
• Vehicle type — passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles each have different rates
• Distance traveled — longer distances result in higher charges

Most toll points have staffed booths where you can pay by cash or card. Transponder systems are also available—confirm your rental vehicle includes one when collecting it from the manager.

Parking in Valencia

Finding free parking in the city is challenging, but paid options are readily available. In the historic center, two 24-hour municipal car parks operate: one at Plaza de Brujas, near the Central Market, and another at Plaza de la Reina, steps from the cathedral. In the Eixample district, convenient parking is available at Mercado de Colón shopping center.

If heading to the City of Arts and Sciences, choose parking at Umbracle or Oceanogràfic. Both offer all-day reduced rates, but only for visitors to the museums, aquarium, or other complex facilities.

• ORA — the municipal parking system regulating on-street parking in the city. It divides zones into three types, each with specific rules and rates:
• Blue zone — available to all. Rates vary by location, with higher prices in the center.
• Orange zone — for residents and guests, for example, if you're staying at a hotel in this zone. Costs more than blue zones.
• Green zone — residents only. Tourist parking prohibited.

Parking fees apply Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Sundays and holidays, parking is free all day. Maximum parking duration is 2 hours. To extend parking, renew your ticket through the parking meter.

How to use paid street parking in Valencia:

• Note your vehicle registration number — you'll need it for payment.
• Locate a blue-and-white parking meter or open the Telpark/Elparking app.
• Enter the registration number, select duration, pay by card or cash.

When first using the apps, open them near your vehicle—geolocation helps identify the zone accurately. Keep the parking meter receipt until your parking period ends.

Even if departing in 15 minutes, don't skip payment—cameras automatically detect violations.

Fuel Stations in Valencia

Most stations operate on a self-service basis: you pump the fuel yourself, then pay at the terminal or cashier. Some stations have attendants who assist with fueling, but these are rare.

Stations may require prepayment or allow post-payment. If unsure about payment procedures, approach the cashier first. At night and on highways, self-service terminals are most common.

Fuel at AP-7 highway stations costs more. To save money, refuel in the city before departing.

How to Book a Rental Car in Valencia

To reserve a rental car in Valencia:

1. Enter rental dates and adjust filters: transmission type, vehicle class, cross-border travel authorization—for example, to Portugal or France.
2. Review available options. If you like a vehicle, click on it to open the listing. You'll see technical specifications, driver requirements, total rental cost, advance payment and deposit amounts, and available payment methods.
3. Add optional extras: child seat, cross-border travel, winter package, and others.
4. Complete booking. Select pickup/return location and convenient time. Enter driver details and contact information. Pay the advance online by card.
5. Confirmation and vehicle collection. You'll receive a voucher by email—save it on your smartphone or print it. In Valencia, sign the contract, pay the remaining balance and deposit if required, and receive the keys.

Bring your passport and license—they'll be verified when collecting the vehicle. Confirm all vehicle damage is documented in the condition report.

Where to Drive from Valencia in Your Rental Car

A rental car from Valencia provides easy access to various regional destinations. During your trip, you can explore everything from coastal landscapes to mountain villages. Routes follow paved roads, with travel times not exceeding 1.5 hours. Here are our top 5 recommended destinations:

1. Albufera Natural Park. A large freshwater lake surrounded by rice fields. Enjoy boat rides, birdwatching, or try paella at local restaurants. Albufera preserves traces of ancient settlements. The drive from Valencia takes 15 minutes.
2. Sagunto. Ancient city featuring a Roman amphitheater and hilltop castle. Castle walls offer views of the sea and orange groves. Free parking is available at the hill's base.
3. Xàtiva. Birthplace of two Roman popes and home to an impressive castle. Ascend by funicular or on foot to see the valley panorama. Stop by the castle museum along the way.
4. Cullera. Seaside town with sandy beaches and Montgo Natural Park. Ideal for family holidays: features a water park, promenade, and cliff-side walking trails.
5. Gandia. Town known for the Royal Monastery of San Jerónimo de Cotalba and the Palace of the Dukes of Gandia. We also recommend viewing the archaeological museum exhibition. Beaches here are wider than Valencia's and less crowded even in season.

In Valencia itself, visit the Cathedral, which houses the Holy Grail, and climb the bell tower for panoramic views. Nearby is the Central Market—sample fresh seafood, olives, and jamón while admiring early 20th-century stained glass. Walk to the Torres de Serranos—medieval gates that once protected the city and now serve as a viewing platform.

How and Where to Collect Your Rental Car in Valencia

Most rental companies offer several vehicle collection options:

• Valencia Airport
• City offices, for example, near Joaquín Sorolla railway station or in the center
• Delivery to address—hotel, port, or other location

Available collection points depend on the selected vehicle—check them in the vehicle listing before booking.

Recommendations for Car Rental in Valencia

Valencia is a city with a unique rhythm and nuances worth considering for a smooth trip.

• Choose compact models if focusing on city driving—narrow historic center streets and limited parking spaces make smaller cars the ideal choice.
• Download Telpark before your trip — the app saves time paying for parking in ORA blue and orange zones, commonly found in the center.
• Verify your hotel isn't in the ATR zone — the historic center, Ciutat Vella, is closed to vehicles without permits. If you've booked accommodation there, confirm entry procedures with the hotel in advance or select parking on the center's perimeter.
• Plan routes outside siesta hours — when possible, avoid peak hours to minimize time in traffic on Gran Vía or Avenida del Puerto.
• Don't ignore orange signs near orange groves — during harvest season from November to February, signs prohibit entry to private plantations. These aren't tourist locations—fines for unauthorized entry reach several hundred euros.
• Valencia has many orange trees throughout the city. In cold months when fruit is ripe, oranges frequently fall to the ground. Avoid parking under orange trees—falling fruit can damage windshields.

These practical tips help you avoid typical Valencia challenges and focus on enjoying beaches, paella, and castles.

Questions and Answers About Car Rental in Valencia