Help! I keep hearing conflicting things about driving in Spain. Do you need an international driver's license or can I drive with just my US license.<BR><BR>Thanks!

The car rental company had no problems letting me drive off with just a US licence. I was never actually pulled over by the police however.

Chris,<BR><BR>My wife and I just rented a car last week and drove from Seville to Ronda and Malaga and back. I just used my CA license. The roads were fine, all worked out well. Beautiful scenery this time of year.

Hi Chris,<BR><BR>I didn't need an international drivers license in Spain (or elsewhere in Western Europe). However, I got one at AAA for $10 anyway each year for the past 5 years. . . just in case.

Thanks for asking the question I wanted to ask! ... but is renting very expensive? I'm looking to drive from Barcelona to Bilbao in June and am still on the fence as to whether or not I should just forgo it and take a bus. Does anyone have the pros/cons of driving?

Hi Karen,<BR><BR>Pros: Flexibility and seeing those great out-of-the-way places where buses don't go.<BR><BR>Con: Driving fatique vs relaxing on a bus.<BR><BR>Conclusion: Rent the car, you can find reasonable prices if you try. The roads are excellent in Spain.<BR><BR>

Hi ...to get a good rate, rent from Auto Europe in the US, 1800 223 5555. This year we are renting for 10 days in April /May paying aprox 22 a day for a compact, no insurance we are using our Visa . ( check with yours to see if it will cover you in Spain ....) driving is very pleasant, and there are lovely little towns that you would miss otherwise.<BR>Only recommendation while on National Routes, follow the signs of maximum speed. Speed limits tend to vary abruptly and once we were stopped by police with a radar....<BR>Tickets hurt even in euros. ;-(<BR><BR>Do not leave anything visible in your car. Spend if you feel necessary some money in parking at night,and check your tires everytime you get in specially if car was parked in a big city. Be sure tires are well, this is very important.<BR>We go often to Spain and love it, there are many lovely small hotels for great rates like nice, clean and pleasant 2 stars hostels for 52 eu, the Paradores are <BR>beautiful and the villages and food are exciting ....Buen viaje.

PS I meant HOstales, which are like a small hotel......often family run,clean, most with a good bathroom, tv, etc.

I ditto what Graziella said. We rented through AutoEurope and it worked very smoothly. We didn't think it was expensive at all -- and got a nice 4-door Opal -- but then we live in Manhattan where rental rates are outrageous.<BR><BR>One other word of caution -- inspect the car carefully before you drive it away and make sure they mark any damage on the rental contract. When we returned the car, there was a large dent and paint on the bumper. We're not sure if it was there when we rented the car or if one of the valet parkers did it during our trip (the guy at the Avis counter shoved an "Affidavit" in front of me and kept insisting I write down the details of the "accidente" -- I kept insisting there was no "accidente") and we had to buy the bumper. Luckily, it was only about $100 and I recall that that charge, combined with the rental, still seemed very reasonable to us for a week's driving.<BR><BR>Enjoy! Driving is the best way to see Spain.

We were advised by our friend who lives in Spain and has arranged a load of car rentals, (has to do with her job) to spend the $10 for the international license ,AAA, just in case there is an incident. It has saved more than one of her people hassle. We drove all over and thankfully had no difficulty. Judy

Driving is easy & pleasant in Spain.<BR>The Guardia Civil (like our State Troopers) is responsible for highway safety & as previously mentioned one should obey the posted limits because you can't argue with them to avoid an expensive ticket. And NEVER attempt to bribe them! They can be monitoring speeds in small towns where the open highway speed limit drops significantly, if only for a short distance.

Thanks everyone!

I am pleased that Angel agrees regarding the possibility of geting tickets courtesy of the Guardia Civil, there is NO WAY OUT.....<BR><BR>and it i s easy not to see the signs signaling the change of speed limits Sometimes is like a roller coster,<BR>50,50 then suddlendly 80 and then out of the blue moon it drops again to 50 ....so beware...<BR>Also good advise from LIsa regarding taking sometime to check the cars for any dent , and also may I add check the tires....Adios.

I have been looking at car rates and I am impressed with what Avis has to offer - about $25 a day compared to Hertz which was incredibly expensive. Just make sure you rent here first.