Car rental in Bilbao

Budget cars from 7€/day · Electric cars - from 26€/day · Convertibles - from 43€/day

Decided to rent a car in Bilbao? Here’s Everything You Need to Know:

Car rental in Bilbao

Renting a car in Bilbao can be an excellent way to explore the vibrant Basque Country and its surrounding areas. At Bookingautos, we understand that finding the perfect rental car can be overwhelming, which is why we've compiled this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process with ease.

Why Rent a Car in Bilbao?

Bilbao is not only a cultural hub but also a gateway to the stunning Basque region. Having your own wheels allows you to:

  • Visit the iconic Guggenheim Museum and explore the city's architectural wonders
  • Take day trips to nearby coastal towns like San Sebastian
  • Discover hidden gems in the Basque countryside
  • Enjoy the freedom to create your own itinerary

What You Need to Know

Booking Process: At Bookingautos, we compare offers from all major car rental companies in Bilbao, ensuring you get the best deal. Book in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure better rates and vehicle availability.

Requirements: To rent a car in Bilbao, you'll need:

  • A valid driver's license (held for at least one year)
  • A credit card in the main driver's name
  • Passport or ID card
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) if your license is not in Roman alphabet

Insurance: While basic insurance is usually included, consider additional coverage for peace of mind. Always check what's included in your rental agreement.

Driving in Bilbao: Familiarize yourself with local traffic rules. Bilbao has a well-maintained road network, but city center parking can be challenging. Many hotels offer parking, or you can use public parking garages.

Fuel Policy: Most rentals in Bilbao follow a 'full-to-full' fuel policy. Remember to refuel before returning the car to avoid extra charges.

By choosing Bookingautos for your car rental needs in Bilbao, you're ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. We'll help you find the perfect vehicle to explore the wonders of Bilbao and beyond, from the stunning San Juan de Gaztelugatxe to the picturesque vineyards of La Rioja. Start your Basque adventure with confidence, knowing you've secured the best car rental deal available.

Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations

Where to Park Your Rental Car in Bilbao

Bilbao offers various parking options for your rental car, ensuring a stress-free visit to this vibrant Basque city. Here are some recommended places to park:

City Center Parking

  • Plaza Euskadi Underground Parking: Conveniently located near the Guggenheim Museum.
  • Parking Arenal: Close to the Old Town and the Arriaga Theater.
  • Parking La Alhóndiga: Situated beneath the Azkuna Zentroa cultural center.

Park and Ride Options

For longer stays or budget-conscious travelers, consider these alternatives:

  • Termibus: Located at the bus station with easy metro access to the city center.
  • San Mamés: Near the football stadium, offering good public transport connections.

Remember to check parking rates and time limits, as they may vary depending on the location and duration of your stay.

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Enterprise

Most popular car class

Compact

Average price

30 € / Day

Best price

21 € / Day

Estimated price for 7 days rental in Bilbao:

January
€193
February
€117
March
€124
April
€142
May
€186
June
€229
July
€231
August
€242
September
€154
October
€129
November
€111
December
€151

* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.

In August rental companies located in Bilbao rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.

The best time to rent a car in Bilbao is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €19, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.

Convertible cars in Bilbao are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price BMW 4 Cabrio - it will be from €74 per 1 day.

Car rentals in nearest cities

Nearest airports

Bilbao airport
5.3 km / 3.3 miles
Santander airport
75.2 km / 46.7 miles
San Sebastian Airport
92.2 km / 57.3 miles
Pamplona Airport
117.2 km / 72.8 miles
Valladolid Airport
234.3 km / 145.6 miles
Leon airport (Spain)
234.6 km / 145.8 miles
Zaragoza airport
237.2 km / 147.4 miles
Asturias airport
253.5 km / 157.5 miles

Nearest cities

Santander
75.2 km / 46.7 miles
San Sebastian
76.4 km / 47.5 miles
Pamplona
114.9 km / 71.4 miles
Valladolid
232.2 km / 144.3 miles
Zaragoza
244.9 km / 152.2 miles

Average daily prices by car class

4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day

We have the largest selection of cars in Bilbao. What do we offer:

  • New cars 2024 of the year.
  • Cars of any class from budget to premium.
  • A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.

The cost of renting a car depends, first of all, on its class and period of use. The longer the rental, the lower its daily rate. The price for economy class cars in high season starts from €15 per day, for a medium class car you will have to pay €34-€55, for a business class car - €45 and above. In summer, during the high season, the cost of renting increases significantly, especially convertibles and rare models. For example, the minimum daily rental price for BMW 4 Cabrio, a very popular in Bilbao, would be around €74 per day.

Recently, in Bilbao has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Bilbao, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be VW E-Vision.

Documents required for car rental

Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!

A valid international driver's license is required!

10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience

Download Google maps for offline access

All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.

Bilbao 1

Book a car 6 weeks in advance

Bilbao is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Bilbao. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.

Which car to choose for rent

Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, VW Up or Opel Corsa. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Opel Astra Estate in Bilbao will cost €45 per day.

What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance recommendations

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

Bilbao 2

What types of insurance are available for car rental?

  • Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
  • Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel Policy

When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Bilbao for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.

Bilbao 3

Rent without mileage limit

According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.

Bilbao 4

Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Bilbao, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

How to choose a rental company

It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.Bilbao 5

Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Bilbao are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).

Getting a car at a rental office

Getting a rented car in Bilbao is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.

Our main advantages

24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees

Car rental reviews: Bilbao

Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

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