Sign In
24/7
App

Car Hire at Barcelona Sants Station

Your gateway to exploring Barcelona and beyond, straight from the train.

Landmark Navigation Guide
Finding Your Car Hire at Sants Estacio
Most major car hire companies have desks conveniently located within the main hall of Barcelona Sants station. Follow the 'Car Rental' or 'Cotxes de Lloguer' signs upon arrival. Your vehicle will be ready for collection in the station's dedicated car park.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+8 more
Loading map...

Perfect Car Hire for Your Barcelona Adventure

Discover the best drives from Sants Estacio, from city streets to stunning mountain escapes

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Urban City Driving

Small

Compact & Convenient City Explorer
5
2
Auto

Barcelona's historic Gothic Quarter features narrow cobbled streets and limited parking, making a small car essential for stress-free city navigation.

Scenic Coastal Roads

Convertible

Sun-Soaked Costa Brava Cruiser
4
2
Auto

The breathtaking Mediterranean coastline from Barcelona to Costa Brava deserves an open-top experience, perfect for enjoying the warm Spanish sunshine.

Mountain Excursions

SUV

Rugged Montserrat Adventure Vehicle
5
3
Auto

The winding mountain roads leading to Montserrat monastery demand a vehicle with commanding visibility, robust braking, and superior roadholding.

Rent a Car at Barcelona Sants Estacio - Real Reviews

Discover trusted car hire options near Sants Estacio. Read genuine customer reviews to find the perfect vehicle for your Barcelona adventure.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
SixtBest Overall
4.1
2300+ reviews
$1281.8 mi from Sants Estacio
$352 - $747
  • Friendly professional staff
  • Clean well-maintained vehicles
  • Easy airport pickup and return
Click rent
3.6
11553 reviews
$840.5 mi from Sants Estacio
$1,176 - $1,412
  • Friendly staff and quick service
  • Good value for money
  • Easy pick-up and return
Ok mobilityBest Overall
3.5
30,900+ reviews
$1811.6 mi from Sants Estacio
$1,412 - $2,294
  • Friendly Staff, Excellent Service
  • Easy Pickup and Return Process
  • Good Price, No Hidden Fees
CentauroBest Overall
3.3
16,500+ reviews
$390.4 mi from Sants Estacio
$1,412 - $2,000
  • Great customer service
  • Easy airport pickup and return
  • Transparent pricing no hidden fees
National
2.9
25 reviews
$1110.4 mi from Sants Estacio
$236
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Efficient pick-up process
  • Good quality vehicles
Keddy by europcar
2.1
5,200+ reviews
$594.6 mi from Sants Estacio
$941
  • Friendly and professional staff
  • Fast and efficient service
  • Hassle-free rental experience
Europcar
2.1
5276+ reviews
$940.3 mi from Sants Estacio
$588 - $1,176
  • Friendly and efficient staff
  • Easy online booking process
  • Professional customer service
Dollar
2.0
3,300+ reviews
$591 mi from Sants Estacio
$824
  • Quick pickup process
  • Friendly professional staff
  • Easy smooth experience
Alamo
1.8
36 reviews
$950.4 mi from Sants Estacio
$236
  • Fantastic service at airports
  • New cars with low mileage
  • Helpful and professional staff
Autounion
1.7
193 reviews
$575.5 mi from Sants Estacio
$1,412 - $1,529
  • Excellent price-to-quality ratio
  • Quick shuttle and pickup service
  • No hidden extra costs

*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. 18 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.
View details
Barcelona Tolls & Car Hire — How to Avoid Hidden Fees and Drive Confidently
A practical, authoritative guide for travellers hiring a car in Barcelona. Explains autópistas vs autovías, Catalan toll hotspots (AP-7, C-32), the Via‑T electronic system and common hire‑company charging models, plus a pre‑hire checklist, lane‑by‑lane toll advice, route alternatives and tips to avoid unexpected charges and ZBE issues.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Barcelona airport accounts for 65% of car rentals; travellers prefer on-airport pickup for convenience and seamless transfer options."

Booking Patterns

"Summer peaks see 40% higher bookings than winter; compact cars dominate at 45%, while SUV bookings rose 15% post-pandemic."

Customer Pain Points

"38% of renters cite hidden fuel charges as top complaint, followed by 27% confused by insurance excess coverage."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Barcelona El Prat Airport Official Statistics
  • ANES (Spanish Car Rental Association) Annual Report
  • OCU (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios) Car Rental Survey

Barcelona Car Rental Guide

Essential FAQs for Self-Drive Travel in Barcelona and Catalonia

Can I drive in Barcelona with my UK driving licence, or do I need an International Driving Permit?
UK licences are valid in Spain post-Brexit, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended as a backup. You can obtain an IDP from the AA or RAC for about £5.50. If your licence doesn't have a photo or isn't in Spanish/Latin script, an official translation or IDP becomes mandatory. Carry both documents at all times to avoid fines of up to €200.
Does Barcelona have a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), and will I need to pay to drive into the city centre?
Yes, Barcelona's ZBE (Zona de Baixes Emissions) covers the entire city and most rental cars must meet Euro 4/5 emissions standards. Most modern rentals comply, but verify with your provider. There's no daily charge to enter, but non-compliant vehicles face fines of €100-€500. The LEZ operates 24/7, so it's not a case of paying to drive in—older petrol or diesel vehicles are simply prohibited.
How do I pay for motorway tolls in Spain, and is it worth renting an electronic device?
Spain's AP-7 toll motorway charges approximately €0.08-€0.12 per kilometre. You can pay with cash or card at toll booths, but electronic devices (VIA-T) offer faster passage. If you plan to use highways extensively (e.g., Barcelona to Costa Brava), renting a transponder costs around €3-€5 daily—usually worthwhile to skip queues. Some rental companies include them; ask when booking.
Is parking in central Barcelona realistic, and what's the realistic cost?
Parking in central Barcelona is notoriously difficult and expensive. Street parking in zones like Gràcia or El Born costs €1-€2.50 per hour, while private car parks charge €25-€45 per day. Blue zones require payment between 09:00-20:00 on weekdays (free on weekends and public holidays). Consider staying in a hotel with parking and using metro or bus to explore the city—driving in central Barcelona is often more hassle than it's worth.
I'm 23. How much will the young driver surcharge cost me in Spain?
Most Spanish rental companies apply a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25, typically ranging from €20-€35 per day on top of the base rate. At 23, you'll definitely pay this surcharge. Some companies accept drivers from 21, but expect even higher fees (up to €50 daily). Compare total costs carefully—Budget and Gold Car often have lower base rates but higher young driver fees, while Enterprise and Sixt may bundle them differently.
What fuel type do I need, and is it easy to find petrol stations around Barcelona?
Most rental cars in Spain run on petrol (gasoline) or diesel—check your rental agreement before filling up. Unleaded petrol (95 and 98) and diesel are widely available, with stations every few kilometres on highways and abundant in urban areas. Spanish diesel (gasóleo) is standard. Watch for 'self-serve' versus 'servei complet' pumps—many motorway stations are self-service. Remember: opposite to the UK, pumps in Spain have the nozzle on the right, so you park with the right side towards the pump.

QEEQ Platform Awards

Recognized globally for excellence in car rental booking services and customer satisfaction.

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2025

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2025

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2024

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2024

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2023

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2023

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2022

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2022

Best Car hire Platform Partner 2022 OF ABG

Best Car hire Platform Partner 2022 OF ABG

Business Excellence Awards 2024

Business Excellence Awards 2024

The Magellan Awards in Car hire Service Category

The Magellan Awards in Car hire Service Category

The Travolution Awards for Best On the Road

The Travolution Awards for Best On the Road

Recommended by our customers

Trusted by customers worldwide and we're always working to improve.

Trustpilot