Manisha

Hi there:

We will be flying into Barcelona and spending a couple of days there before driving down to Granada. We need to pick up our car-rental in Barcelona and I am wondering if you have any advice now which car rental location is the best - in terms of selection of cars, service, wait-time, etc.? The airport? The train station? Another one near the city? We are a group of 6, so we will need a 6-7 person van with an automatic transmission (I understand these are not as common as manual transmission and/or smaller cars in Europe).

In the US, I would pick an airport rental location even if we were not flying in and picking up directly. This is because of big inventory (so biggest selection of cars within your class-range that you booked for, etc.) But not sure if the same assumptions are true in Barcelona (especially since we are staying close to city centre, then will need to go to the airport and pick up, bring back and park overnight before heading out to Granada early the next day).

frapsicumm

Hi, sorry to hijack this but would you mind sharing your experience on http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...lp-please.cfm? Plenty of folks would appreciate

greg

You can easily check existence of such inventory right now by looking up rental car booking sites. If the same car is available off airport, it is usually cheaper due to not having to pay for the airport location fee. However, what you are looking for is a ginormous car if your are all adults traveling with more than small carry-ons. Even if a car says "6" passengers, that does not mean it has enough concealable cargo space for cruise size luggage. If you come to a conclusion that you needed two std size cars after all, your choice of pickup locations increases.

Manisha

Thanks greg. Yes, it is indeed a ginormous car. We are 6 adults, one child and so are looking for a 7 seater. I ended up booking a 7 seater VW Touran or Opel Zafiro at the Barcelona airport, so hopefully it'll be fine.

frapsicumm - too funny! I responded on that other thread. That trip was a long time ago so I don't remember too many specifics. But I answered on the other thread. Do let me know if you have any questions!

Manisha

Not that it matters but just to be clear - we are 6 people (5 ADULTS, one child)

Rubicund

Either of those two cars will be very uncomfortable with 5 adults and a child, plus all the luggage. Neither are true seven seaters as a US renter would understand it and I'd go for a Volkswagen Transporter, Fiat Scudo, Mercedes Vito as listed by the larger companies.

Whathello

Hello
Touran is the small sister of the Sharan. I have had a Sharan and have an Alhambra (identical but SEAT, not VW).
When you use the 7 seats, you have room left for 2 suitcases, about. Using 6 seats means you can 'probably' put all luggage, if not everybody has a big suitcase. We did it on several occasions and had to use the topbox (ok we were 6 + one dog).
The Touran will not allow you to put your luggage.
Please check on line the available space or check with a VW dealer next to your home.

Manisha

Thanks for your thoughts and help! I will take a closer look!

Manisha

Everybody has been warned to pack light!!! So hopefully, there will just be 5 small suitcases...

Robert2016

Note the depending on the age of the child, they will need a child seat, which you will have to add to the cost of the rental.

As already noted, neither the VW Touran or Opel Zafiro will accommodate you and your luggage. They are not designed for touring, but as people movers in cities.

ribeirasacra

Do not forget an IDP is needed for each driver if you are from outside the EU.
This link is not about car hire but it does give you a list of seven seaters available in Europe.
https://www.carwow.co.uk/best/7-Seater-SUVs The list is short!

DebbieDoesDulles

The Europcar site says that the Touran will seat 5, plus 1 large and 2 small suitcases. If you're thinking you'll squeeze in, you're wrong. You'll want to bring bungee cords because your bags will have to go atop the vehicle.

You definitely need the Alhambra, or two small cars.

Manisha

Thanks everybody.

Robert2016, thanks for the reminder on the car seat. My daugher is 7.5, so needs a booster which is quite small. We are taking ours from here but the agency also offers for 10-15 EUR for the week which is quite nice.

DebbieDoesDulles, that's strange what the Europcar site says about the Touran. I booked through Argus Car Hire and it clearly said it seated 7 people plus a few suitcases. I will check again. Maybe its some other version of the Touran or something.

Thanks everybody, I appreciate it!

Manisha

Thanks Rubicund for the URL and the IDP info. I checked and an IDP is indeed needed in Spain. I had earlier asked my British friend (who will be joining us on the trip and driving on one leg) if one was needed and he waved it off as in "You silly American..." Good to know this beforehand! Thanks again!

DebbieDoesDulles

Manisha the Argus website says that the Touran is via Avis and seats 7, plus ONE BAG.

The Avis website states 5 adults and 2 children, plus 1 large suitcase and 1 small suitcase.

Doesn't make much sense, unless maybe they hope to rent people a 2nd vehicle when they show up, or another, larger vehicle at last-minute prices.

greg

The description about 7 seats and 5 seats are both correct. It is a Rashomon / Blind Men and an Elephant moment.

It is a conventional 5-seater or a 7-seater if there contortionists among you to be able to use the last two seats:

Just look at the image:
cdn.pinthiscars.com/images/volkswagen-touran-trunk-wallpaper-4.jpg

Smeagol

We fly into Barcelona at least twice a year and hire a car. I personally would pay that bit extra and hire from Hertz ( join the gold club before hand that way you can use a vip line and it takes a lot less time as the have all your details on file- it generally takes about 5 minutes max when we pick up the keys) the desk is in the airport and the cars are also onsite...
Firefly etc had loooong lines ( as did Europecar et al ) and we have found the returning process fairly easy too with Hertz.

Just noticed you are not going to be arriving at the airport, Check which is your nearest Herzt downtown location, same applies and I would still join the gold club!