Car Hire In Mataró, Spain: Competitive Prices With A Clear, Practical Guide

Compare local and airport pickup options, understand insurance and fuel policies, and rent with confidence for easy trips along the Catalan coast and into Barcelona.

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Mataró Car Hire Guide (For UK Travellers)

Hiring a car in Mataró is a convenient way to explore the Maresme coastline, nearby beaches and hill towns, and to reach places that are slower by public transport. For UK travellers, driving feels familiar in terms of road signage and motorway standards, but remember Spain drives on the right and most hire cars are manual unless you pre-book an automatic. In Mataró, parking and narrow streets can be the main challenge; choosing the right pickup point and planning where you will park (hotel parking, public car parks or park-and-ride) will make the experience much smoother.

Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) Car Rental Centres

Most visitors fly into Barcelona–El Prat and collect a car there before driving to Mataró (roughly 35–50 minutes depending on traffic). Follow signs for ‘Car Rental’ in the terminals; many desks are in-terminal with vehicles in adjacent car parks or a short shuttle ride. Pros: widest choice of suppliers, longer opening hours, easier to compare classes and automatics. Cons: airport surcharges can apply, queues at peak times, and city-bound traffic can slow the first leg of your journey.

Mataró Railway Station Area (Estació de Mataró)

A practical pickup zone for travellers arriving by train from Barcelona. Pros: easy onward access to the C-32 and coastal routes, and you can collect after staying locally. Cons: limited stock versus the airport, and stopping/parking for collection can be awkward at busy times—confirm exact meet-up point and after-hours arrangements.

Mataró City Centre / Plaça Santa Anna & Nearby Car Parks

Central for hotels, shopping and restaurants, often supported by nearby public car parks. Pros: convenient if you are staying centrally and only need a car for day trips. Cons: narrow streets, restricted-access areas and paid parking are common—check your sat-nav route and ask your accommodation about the best car park for loading luggage.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Best Choice For Range, Opening Hours And One-Stop Convenience

Picking up at Barcelona–El Prat (BCN) usually offers the widest vehicle choice (including automatics), longer desk hours and more frequent availability for families and groups. It can also simplify your first day if you plan to drive straight to Mataró and beyond. Do compare total cost carefully, as airport fees and peak-time demand may increase prices.

Car Hire Reviews at Mataró – Rated by Real Drivers

Browse honest ratings and genuine feedback from travellers who collected their rental cars in Mataró, Spain, and choose the best company with confidence.

Rental company	Rating	Avg. Daily Rate	Pickup Method/Distance	Security deposit	Key Advantages
Best Overall	4.1 2300+ reviews	$74	126 ft from Mataro Downtown	$347 - $579	●Friendly professional staff ●Clean well-maintained vehicles ●Easy airport pickup and return
	2.1 5276+ reviews	$63	1.2 mi from Mataro Downtown	$579 - $1,161	●Friendly and efficient staff ●Easy online booking process ●Professional customer service
	2.1 5,200+ reviews	$57	1.2 mi from Mataro Downtown	$925 - $929	●Friendly and professional staff ●Fast and efficient service ●Hassle-free rental experience
	1.4 300+ reviews	$74	1.1 mi from Mataro Downtown	$232 - $581	●Exceptional customer service ●Professional and efficient staff ●Easy and quick process

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental

Last updated: Jun. 16 2026

Essential Rental Hub

Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.

Fuelling a Hire Car in Spain: A Brit's Guide

A comprehensive guide for Brits on how to fuel a hire car in Spain, including fuel types, payment methods, and a step-by-step checklist for a stress-free experience.

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Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

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Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

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Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Mataro travellers use Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) airport as the dominant hub, with over 80% of regional rentals picked up there; city-centre and Mataro downtown branches serve under 15%."

Booking Patterns

"Summer (Jun-Sep) drives 45-55% of annual Costa del Maresme bookings; economy cars dominate (~60%) and average hire length is 5-7 days, booked 30-45 days ahead."

Customer Pain Points

"Around 30% of Mataro coastal renters report hidden fees or CDW/Super-CDW insurance confusion at pick-up."

Data Sources

QEEQ internal booking databse
Aena Air Traffic Statistics (BCN passenger & commercial operations)
INE Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)
Aena Annual Air Traffic Report 2024
Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) tourism indicators
Trustpilot Spain car rental category (consumer reviews)

Popular Driving Routes & Day Trips From Mataró

Scenic Route Options:

Mataró To Barcelona Coastal Drive (Maresme To The City)

Coastal city drive35–55 min (one way, traffic dependent)

A straightforward coastal run into Barcelona via the C-32 with sea views and easy access to beaches and neighbourhoods. Ideal for a flexible city day with the option to stop for a swim or a promenade before heading into town.

Platja del Varador (Mataró), Ocata Beach (El Masnou), Badalona Seafront, Port Olímpic (Barcelona), Montjuïc Lookouts

Mataró To Girona & Medieval Villages

Historic towns & culture1 h 5 min–1 h 30 min (one way)

Drive north to Girona for its cathedral, city walls, and riverside streets, then branch out to nearby medieval villages. A great choice for architecture, food markets, and photogenic old-town lanes.

Girona Old Town (Barri Vell), Girona Cathedral, Onyar River Houses, Pals (medieval centre), Peratallada (historic village)

Mataró To Montseny Natural Park Loop

Mountain & nature loop2 h 30 min–4 h total driving (plus walks)

A refreshing loop into the Montseny massif for forests, viewpoints, and short hikes. Best for a slower pace with picnic stops and optional walks around reservoirs and ridgelines.

Sant Celoni, Santa Fe del Montseny, Pantà de Santa Fe, Turó de l'Home viewpoint area, Viladrau

Popular Short Trips (Easy Hire-Car Ideas):

Montserrat Monastery & Mountain Views

1 h–1 h 20 min (one way)

A classic Catalonia outing to the monastery set among jagged peaks, with optional funiculars and short scenic walks.

Sitges Seaside & Old Town

55–75 min (one way)

A stylish coastal town with beaches, galleries, and an attractive old quarter—ideal for lunch and a sunset promenade.

Vic & Rupit (Markets And Stone Villages)

1 h 10 min–1 h 40 min (one way, depending on stop order)

Combine Vic’s historic centre and food culture with Rupit’s picturesque stone streets for a contrasting inland day.

Tarragona Roman Heritage

1 h 10 min–1 h 30 min (one way)

Visit one of Spain’s best Roman sites, including the amphitheatre by the sea, plus a compact old town for tapas.

Banyoles Lake & Easy Nature Walks

1 h 15 min–1 h 35 min (one way)

A relaxed day around Catalonia’s largest natural lake, with a flat loop walk and cafés perfect for an unhurried break.

Car Hire Planning Tips For Mataró

Bring The Right Documents: Carry your driving licence, passport/ID, and the payment card used for the booking. If your licence is non-EU and not in Latin script, consider an International Driving Permit.

Understand The Deposit And Excess: Check the deposit amount and whether the excess (deductible) is realistic for your budget. A low daily price can still mean a high hold on your card.

Confirm The Fuel Policy: Full-to-full is usually simplest: collect with a full tank and return full. Keep the final fuel receipt in case the return is queried.

Plan For Tolls On The C-32 And Surrounding Motorways: Some routes around the Maresme coast can involve toll sections depending on your chosen motorway. Budget a little extra and keep a contactless card handy.

Sort Parking Before You Arrive: For Barcelona and coastal hot spots, choose a car park in advance to avoid restricted zones and kerbside stress. City centres often have limited or regulated parking.

Avoid Peak Traffic Hours: Morning and evening commuter traffic towards Barcelona can add significant time. If possible, depart after rush hour and return before the evening peak.

Inspect The Car Thoroughly At Pick-Up: Photograph all panels, wheels, windscreen, and the fuel level. Make sure any existing marks are recorded on the check-out form before you leave.

Use Offline Maps And Know Your Access Rules: Download offline maps for rural areas (Montseny/Costa Brava back roads). In bigger cities, watch for restricted access zones and follow car-park signage rather than sat-nav shortcuts.

Mataró Driving Guide: Rules, Roads, and Rentals Explained

Everything you need to know about driving in Mataró, Spain: speed limits, fuel costs, car hire rates, alcohol limits, and road safety regulations.

LANGUAGES

Spanish (Castilian), Catalan

CURRENCY

EUR

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+34

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$45 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

5 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

20-50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

90-120 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05% (0.03% for novice drivers under 2 years and professional drivers, Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.78/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.21/L - $2.40/L

TRAVELER RATING

4.6 / 10

Hiring a Car in Mataró: FAQs Answered

Practical advice for British visitors driving on the Costa del Maresme

Is my UK driving licence valid in Mataró or do I need an International Driving Permit?

Yes, your full UK photocard licence is valid in Spain for up to six months as a tourist — no IDP is legally required, though some rental desks still ask for one. You must be at least 21, and drivers under 25 typically pay a young-driver surcharge of €20–€35 per day on top of the rental.

What is the C-32 motorway toll from Barcelona Airport to Mataró, and how do I pay it?

The 35 km C-32 corridor from Barcelona to Mataró costs around €6–€8 in tolls one-way. All Catalan motorway gates are cashless: use a credit card at the automatic lane, or buy a VIA-T electronic tag from your rental company for about €1.50 per day. Avoid lanes marked 'T' only if you don't have the tag.

Where can I park in Mataró's old town and the seafront, and is it free in winter?

Blue-zone (zona blava) street parking runs 09:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00 Monday to Saturday, costing roughly €0.80–€1.20 per hour. The seafront Passeig Marítim has free spaces out of season, but in July and August the underground La Riera car park is more reliable at about €1.80 per hour.

Do I need to refuel with a particular petrol type, and are stations easy to find?

Most rental cars in Spain run on unleaded 95 (gasolina 95) or diesel (gasóleo A) — check the fuel cap sticker. Mataró has Repsol, Cepsa and BP stations on the N-II, plus 24-hour cheap options at the roundabouts heading toward Cabrera de Mar. Return the tank full to avoid the €25-plus refuelling fee.

What are the speed limits and speed-camera rules I should know between Mataró and Barcelona?

On the C-32 motorway the limit is 120 km/h, dropping to 80 km/h on the N-II dual carriageway and 50 km/h in Mataró's urban streets. Fixed and mobile speed cameras are common; fines for exceeding the limit by 20 km/h on motorways start at €100. Note that priority at roundabouts in Spain goes to traffic already inside the roundabout, not those entering.

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