What kind of vehicle do you need? A large SUV for a big family? An eco-friendly compact car to zip around the city? Whatever you’re looking for, Avis car rental in Madrid will have you covered. Our vehicles offer practicality, performance and comfort, so you can enjoy your trip as much as possible. Get in touch for more information about the exact models that are available.

Plan your trip from Madrid Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport

The airport is just under 20 kilometres from Madrid's historic city centre, via the M-40. 

Madrid is Spain’s vibrant capital city, jam-packed with museums and art galleries, roof-top bars and nightclubs, with lots of restaurants where you can sample delicious tapas dishes.

Check out the Museo del Prado, which is in the upper echelon of art galleries. It houses more than 7000 exhibits and the building itself is a work of art.

Plaza Mayor is a grand square located in central Madrid; it’s a popular meeting place, home to the Tourist Office and a great place to enjoy street performances. Plaza Mayor has a rich and storied history with a bustling central square. It was built during Philip III's reign - opening in 1619.

The Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid) is open to the public and you’ll get to see important works of art, valuable tapestries and paintings throughout the 50 rooms on show to the public. Highlights include the Throne room itself, the Royal Armoury where you’ll see the armour worn by Emperor Charles V, and the Royal Pharmacy where the medicine given to the royal family was once stored.

Which side of the road?
In Spain, please drive on the right side of the road.

Country driving laws

• Mobile phones may not be used at all whilst driving
• Do not use headphones when driving (except hearing aids)
• Dipped headlights must be used in poor daylight visibility
• Always use indicators, you will be fined for not using indicators when needed
• Cyclists have right of way, at all times

Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:

• Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
• Rural areas: 90 km/h (55 mph)
• Motorways: 120km/h (74mph)

Unless indicated by road signs.

Child safety / Seatbelt laws

• It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
• Children aged under 12 and less than 135cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
• Children aged under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat

Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.

Segovia
Just over an hour’s drive from Madrid, Segovia is a city full of ancient history. Its impressive and well preserved Roman aqueduct dates back to A.D 50, and it boasts a large number of Romanesque churches. Another wonder of Segovia is the Alcázar - a royal palace which is said to be one of Walt Disney’s inspirations for Cinderella’s castle. Unusually, it is built in the shape of the bow of a ship and was originally meant to be a fortress.

Toledo
Toledo is a one hour drive from Madrid and known in some quarters as the spiritual capital of Spain. Many different religious denominational influences on the city's architecture are clear to see. Toledo’s cathedral is one of the most extravagant cathedrals in Spain, the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz is a modest, yet beautiful mosque and Sinagoga del Tránsito is a magnificent synagogue with rich stucco decoration.

Córdoba
Once an important Roman city, Córdoba is around a four hour drive from Madrid. The beautiful Mezquita de Córdoba (Córdoba Mosque) dates back to 987 A.D. and represents a time when Córdoba was one of the the biggest and most prosperous cities in Europe. In the middle of the mosque you’ll find a Renaissance cathedral nave which was built in the 16th Century; the reason it is sometimes referred to as ‘Mezquita-Catedral’.

What is driving like in Spain?

The roads in Spain are generally in good condition, and most towns and cities are relatively well-connected. Driving on the open road in the countryside is a breeze, although traffic coming in and out of Spain’s major cities can be noticeably bad.

Is it expensive to hire a car in Spain?

Avis has competitively-priced vehicles for all budgets throughout Spain, and the country is one of the cheapest in Europe for car hire. Check out our available hubs, and contact us to see how easily you can get out on the Spanish roads in the vehicle of your choice.

Do I need winter tyres to drive in Spain?

No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in Spain to be equipped with winter tyres. However, many of the cars in our Spanish rental hubs will have winter tyres available as an option.