Spain car rental companies

Old Oct 29th, 2016, 07:10 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Spain car rental companies

I'll be renting a car for a week, picking up in Seville (rail station) and dropping off in Granada (rail station or Center Hotel). For a Seat Leon or similar, the online quotes vary quite a bit. Avis quoted ~$250 including ~$120 for Fees and Taxes. Thrifty quoted ~$110 including ~$40 for Fees and Taxes. Should I be aware of any hidden charges not in these quotes? The drive will be through a few Pueblos Blancos between the two cities. Is a Seat Leon a good size car for it, or should I get something smaller? Is it easy to drop off the car in Granada at the Center Hotel, i.e. without having to drive through the city?
planwell is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 07:20 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As long as you don't have to drive in historical centres (such as for example in Arcos de la Frontera), the size of your car doesn't really matter. Personally I prefer a smaller car in southern Spain (Opel Corsa, VW Polo, ...).
MyriamC is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 07:40 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So long as you don't pick up ot drop the car at an airport there won't be extra charges.
Bedar is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 08:51 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check T&C mileage etc.
everything is there just make a smart comparison.
WoinParis is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 10:31 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cannot answer if the car will be too large or not. How many of you and how much luggage?
The car has the same platform as AudiA3 and VW Golf.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEAT_Le%C3%B3n
You will find small differences in some dimensions.
The engine size will also make a difference. Loads of hills and bends could be hard work for a small revy engine.
ribeirasacra is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 10:43 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,054
Received 17 Likes on 10 Posts
Seat Leon is fine. The engine has a lot of torque (diesel) and revs at about 2000 rpm at 120-30 kph. I have driven one into old Seville and old Cuenca without any trouble.

In my experience Avis always seems to have the worst prices and conditions in Spain.
cdnyul is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 12:50 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 1 Post
Try Kemwel.com and Autoeurope.com, sister companies who are consolidators. I always get the best price through them. Your rentals will be with one of the major rental companies. I paid $281 for a 22-day rental in France during Sept-Oct.

I had a Seat Leon during my trip to Belgium and France a few years ago. It was a good car, I liked it.
joannyc is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 01:24 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As you are doing a one-way rental, you are forced to use national/multinational rental firms which almost always charge higher rates. In Spain, where I return the car to the original station, I always go for a local rental outfit with good reputation, pay about a half or less of the likes of Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget etc. I recently rented a compact car, Renault Megane diesel, for around 120 euro for 12 days inclusive of fees and taxes. It came with a large deductible (1200 euro), but since I have excess/deductible insurance, I just declined their extra insurance.
Alec is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2016, 01:56 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 1 Post
Check picking up the car in Seville at a non-train station/airport location. In a number of countries, there is often an additional charge for pickup from those locations. There is no charge for the train station drop off though. I don't recall if this affects Spain.

I have never paid a one-way rental fee for dropping a car in a different location within the same country.
joannyc is offline  
Old Oct 31st, 2016, 07:02 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the responses. I'll be traveling solo, sounds like the Seat Leon with Thrifty should be fine.
planwell is offline  
Old Oct 31st, 2016, 01:46 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sometimes the drop off fee is not posted when you do your reservation and it says in fine print " there may be additional fees at counter.. such as drop off fees, insurance etc."

Check their official website and/call free number to reconfirm price including drop off fee to avoid surprises.
lincasanova is offline  
Old Nov 1st, 2016, 12:48 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We pay 70 euros extra for drop-off in Murcia (pick-up in Alicante). It is included in our rental price (clearly stated on the contract).
MyriamC is offline  
Old Nov 1st, 2016, 12:40 PM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Good advice. I'll book directly with Thrifty and ask them about the drop off fee.
planwell is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
planwell
Europe
10
Oct 29th, 2016 06:44 AM
BrandyWare
Europe
4
Oct 30th, 2015 07:33 AM
BostonBat
Europe
12
Oct 31st, 2009 03:38 AM
munroj
Europe
7
Mar 16th, 2009 03:01 PM
nyer
Europe
6
Aug 30th, 2003 08:58 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -