Discover San Sebastian on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
San Sebastian has become one of the most visited destinations in Spain due to the cultural and natural environment of the Basque Country. Tourists come here for the beach, the beauty of the old town and the famous Basque cuisine, and students get an education here at a prestigious university.
To visit not only San -Sebastian, but also nearby cities, rent a car from Bookingautos.
What to see in San Sebastian?
This city boasts a beautiful historic center on the Bay of Biscay, as well as other places of worship.
Old Center
Via Mayor and the basilica called Santa Maria del Coro, which you can read about in Wikipedia.
When stopping for a glass of wine in the bars on Constitution Square, notice that the balconies of the houses are numbered. The fact is that earlier they were used as stands during bullfighting. Other highlights of the old town include the town hall and the 19th-century neo-Gothic cathedral.
Monte Igueldo
You can get to this observation deck by car, on foot or by funicular. Be that as it may, without experiencing this view of the city, the journey is incomplete.
Another place worth seeing in San Sebastian is the famous Wind Crest. These Eduardo Chillida metal sculptures have become an icon of the city. To see them, walk to the end of Ondarreta beach, and they will open up at the foot of Mount Igueldo. If you rent a car, you can drive here from the city center in a quarter of an hour.
What to see near San Sebastian?
Several charming towns are on average 20 minutes by car from San Sebastian. Two of them are worth a visit.
Pasaia
The city attracts attention with picturesque houses by the sea, at the foot of a green and leafy mountain. Explore the House of Victor Hugo, Villaviciosa Palace, Arizabalo Palace, San Juan Bautista Church and other significant buildings.
Hondarribia
The city is located in the northeast province of Guipuzcoa. After enjoying a pleasant walk through the picturesque old center, taste meat and sausage pintxos in taverns.
The best restaurants in San Sebastian
Basque pintxos are not a dish per se, but typical appetizers on skewers served on bread. Spider crab, pil pil cod, marmitaco, and crumbled cod omelet are popular.
Txepetxa (+943 42 22 27, Arrandegi Street, 5). One of the most recommended restaurants in San Sebastian, so if you want to have lunch or dinner without the crowds, come for lunch or dinner as soon as the restaurant opens. Taste black olive pâté, sea urchin and other fancy dishes on skewers, whose full list can be found on the official website of the restaurant: bartxepetxa.es.
Bar Sport (+34943 42 68 88, 10 Fermin Calbeton Street). Located in the old part of the city, the restaurant is famous for its friendly staff and delicious food. Foie gras, mini burgers, mushrooms and cheese, and cheesecake for dessert make for a great lunch.
Bar Nestor (+34943 42 48 73, Arrandegui Street, 11). The bar is ready to offer guests dishes of steak with tomatoes as a side dish, potato omelet and spicy fried padron peppers.
Where can I park in San Sebastian?
When going for a walk to see the sights in the center, it is better to leave the car outside of its streets and prepare to pay for parking.
1. Blue Zone
Blue Zone paid car parks cover the entire city except for the most peripheral areas. Prices range from 4 to 7 euros per day.
2. Underground parking
Parking in underground car parks costs between 16 and 25 euros per day, but if you take advantage of promotions and pay in advance at car parks like Txofre, you can save money.
To park in San Sebastian is free, remember the following addresses:
Intxaurrondo Kalea;
Zubiaurre Pasealekua, 19;
De Txaparrene Ibilbidea, 25.
If you are driving in San Sebastian in the summer, cool off in the Bay of Biscay, and in the winter, stroll along the sea and visit the Historical Museum San Telmo.
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in San Sebastian in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in San Sebastian is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €25, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in San Sebastian there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Mini Couper Cabrio will cost you €176.
In San Sebastian you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
You can choose a car of any required category. The following classes are in particular demand among customers:
Cabriolet;
Business Class;
SUV;
Minivan.
Also available other models and you can rent them in San Sebastian at a convenient time and on favorable terms.
In recent years in San Sebastian the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Tesla Model X in San Sebastian by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
List of required documents
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 offline
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
San Sebastian is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
The compact model is relevant for city trips in San Sebastian. It can be Citroen C1 or Opel Astra. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Ford Foxus Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €43 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 advice
Rental companies in San Sebastian may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). 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 Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in San Sebastian, 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.
Which rental company to choose
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.
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 San Sebastian are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in San Sebastian 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: San Sebastian
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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