Now that you decided to rent a car in Spain…

Congratulations! You woke up this morning deciding you’d finally book that trip to Europe, whether suddenly or over years of pining. You know trains, buses, bikes, donkeys, motorbikes, and ferries are wonderful, and you plan to use them, but you have decided only a car can grant you easy, more or less quick, access to some places like the castle where Jon Snow was born in Game of Thrones or the tiny town where your ancestors are from in northern Spain. It will also provide adventure, luxury, and fun -different from those other modes of transportation. Prices are very fair too, you’ve heard! And, since you have a horrible urge to eat tapas, watch flamenco, and see a Real Madrid match (or any La Liga club, because let’s be honest, they’re all wonderful), you’ll want information geared toward Spain.

1. Research your best prices and options– You may choose to go directly to a company like Avis, or seek out deals through Autoeurope, priceline, expedia, or europcar to name a few. Just shop around for prices and options. Rick Steves and other websites have reviews and advice threads.
   1. (A)– When, where, and for how long?– Before you go racing off tomorrow, plan an itinerary. Consider time of year, where you fly into, how long you want the car, and where you’ll pick up and drop off. All of these points affect your price and availability of cars. Get close to your recent or next mode of transportation, like train stations or airports. (Walking in the hot Sevilla sun just a few blocks to the train station, can be murder, even with two small bags.) ***Consider not driving at all in big cities. You don’t really need to anyway, except maybe to drop off or pick up your car. And leave your car outside ‘old town’ areas.***
   2. (B)- Know what you want– Automatic cars are more expensive and less abundant. Small cars are best when navigating small roads, tight parking, and narrow streets. Even a so-called regular size car can give you anxiety in cramped underground or parallel parking situations.
   3. (C)- Know what you’re getting- Read over that agreement. Be careful of added costs and penalties for dings and filling the tank.
2. Don’t forget the amenities– At the rental company they’ll ask you if you want GPS or portable internet. Remember, you can use GPS on maps on your phone, so internet is an excellent choice. You can also use that internet for dating apps, restaurants, urgent calls home, and whatever random necessity (unless you’ve bought a sim card with a data plan).  You may need aux connections and other considerations for playing music, podcasts, and telenovelas.  (Make sure your car is turned to English on the dashboard before leaving the rental area, if you don’t know Spanish.)
3. Know the car and basic rules of driving- While some signs are in English, many will not be. Know your speed limits, basic signs, where you’re going, and how to get there. (Duh.)
4. Gas issues deserves its own number– Know where the gas tank is, how to open it, and what gas it takes. This will save you anxiety and stress (and conversations with gas attendants, but those can be pleasant). Many places pump for you. And (if you don’t speak Spanish) don’t assume people speak English, even in big cities. Learn those phrases for filling the tank and whatever else. Llena el tanque (Fill the tank). Donde estan los aseos? (Where are the toilets- “bano” is not used)….
5. Have bills AND credit cards– Some places don’t take cards or have ATMs. You’ll need euros (have at least 20) or cards for getting gas, corn nuts, sangria, and passing through those wonderful tolls. ATM is called a cajero. El banco is the bank…
6. A few words on those toll booths– They can be really, really, very, muy expensive. If you’ve got time and know how to maneuver about from studying your map, consider taking the road less traveled, aka longer route without tolls. If you do go through the tolls, they take euros or cards. Put your toll money in a bag in the car, in a place you can get at it when the time comes. And since everyone is lovely in Spain, don’t fear the toll booth workers.
7. Practice common sense safety when parking– Obviously, don’t leave any valuables in the car, but if you have to, hide them in the trunk, under seats,  blankets, or trash. Park where there’s foot traffic, lights, and security cameras, even security personnel. Ask hotels, hostels, attractions, or airbnbs for advice. They often have a parking lot or discounts. Though you probably won’t be robbed, kidnapped, murdered, or forced to buy sundries, it’s good to be functionally paranoid, whether you’re alone or not. (That means to be cautious, and alert, but not so much you’ll never get out after dark.) If you need help, go to someone with a uniform on and/or behind a counter- use common sense.
8. Practice common sense safety while driving– #’s 9 and 10 go with this. Don’t use your phone, and pull over, if you get too tired. Move over for emergency vehicles and police. Be considerate, cautious, alert, and practice the same vigilance you would anywhere else. Remember, you really will be safe. Sure there are horror stories out there, but don’t freak yourself out. Most people and places are safe in Spain. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution. And being prepared isn’t just for Boy and Girl Scouts.
9. Practice regular driving etiquette- Do acquaint yourself with roundabouts- there are many and those large ones in the big cities are not for the faint of heart. Signs for exits can be confusing, and some have stop lights or lane changes, but since they are round, you can get it on the second or third try. In European Vacation, Clark Griswold got his family stuck in one for hours; don’t let that happen to you. Let people in your lane or parking spot, pay your meters, give advice, and take advice. Consider leaving your car outside an old town area and walking in. Those tight roads where tourists frock (like in Granada or Avila) don’t need more congestion, and it’s nicer, and easier, to walk anyway. Just think what is best for you, others, and the environment.
10. A few words on speeding– For the love of Del Cid, por favor, don’t speed. But you’ll want to speed, because everyone drives so well, passing on the left and driving on the right, (as you should as well) and you might never see a traffic officer. But resist the need for speed. The radar (not the police) can easily slap you with a fantastico speeding infraction. That’s not a Christmas card from Spain in the mail a few weeks later!
11. Don’t take anything personally– When you make parking mistakes with paying meters, drive too slow, or cut someone off accidentally (of course), don’t get mad or hurt when someone honks, shakes their fist, or curses. If a man tells you your rental car is stinking up the ancient street in the small town of Santillana del Mar, don’t take that personally either.
12. Practice road trip common sense– Take care of yourself and the car. Both your car AND you need a rest, but since that depends on you two, just be aware and prepared. Consider keeping that gas tank more than half filled (or 2/3 at least). Check your tires, clean your windshield and front lights, check your belongings, and watch for orphan stowaways or con artists. Have a bag in the front seat under the glove compartment for your purse, money, map, and other necessities, but keep it out of sight from leering eyes and quick fingers. (Keep your windows rolled up in traffic in cities or towns.) Have food and water, and take those potty breaks. Gas stations are just fine options.
13. Relax and have fun– Drive 7 hours from Barcelona to Bilbao! Take the time to see La Extremadura. Go to northern Spain. Drive 2 hours out of the way on highways, one lane roads, and lonely desert trails past seemingly abandoned towns to see Jon Snow’s birth place, aka The Tower of Joy. Go down the Costa del Sol, the long, scenic way. Drive along the Camino to Santiago del Compostela and walk it too.

If you love driving, then go, and be fearless. Roll down those windows, sing along to your favorite Prince songs, eat those frosted chocolate donuts, get sand in the car, get lost, yell at your GPS and rely on your faulty memory and sense of adventure. Driving is an amazing way to see any country, especially Spain.

(Top left- Safely executed photo of La Puerta de Aragon. Finger fully intended. Right– Prime Meridian marker, also stealthily taken. Bottom left– View from your rental car before hiking to The Tower of Joy, aka Castillo de Zafra.)