Budget Car Hire in Santander

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

Renting a car in Santander is an excellent way to explore the stunning Cantabrian coast and the surrounding region at your own pace. Whether you're planning to visit the beautiful beaches, discover charming villages, or venture into the nearby Picos de Europa National Park, having your own vehicle offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility. Here's everything you need to know about renting a car in Santander:

Choosing the Right Car

At Bookingautos, we compare offers from all major international and local car rental companies in Santander, ensuring you get the best deal. Consider the following factors when selecting your vehicle:

  • Size: Compact cars are ideal for city driving, while larger vehicles are better for long trips or families.
  • Transmission: Manual transmissions are more common in Spain, but automatic options are available.
  • Fuel efficiency: Diesel cars are often more economical for longer journeys.
  • Air conditioning: Essential for comfortable summer driving.

Driving in Santander

Driving in Santander is generally straightforward, but keep these tips in mind:

  • Drive on the right side of the road.
  • Wear seatbelts at all times.
  • Observe speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on highways.
  • Be prepared for toll roads when traveling between cities.

Parking

Parking in Santander's city center can be challenging. Look for blue zones for short-term parking or use public parking garages for longer stays. Many hotels offer parking facilities, so check with your accommodation.

Must-Visit Destinations

With your rental car, you can easily explore the region's highlights:

  • El Sardinero Beach: Santander's most famous beach, perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
  • Magdalena Palace: A stunning royal residence with panoramic views of the bay.
  • Cabárceno Natural Park: A unique wildlife park just 17 km from Santander.
  • El Castillo Cave: Home to some of the oldest cave paintings in the world, located about an hour's drive from Santander.

By choosing Bookingautos for your car rental needs in Santander, you're ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. We'll help you find the perfect vehicle at the best price, allowing you to make the most of your visit to this beautiful region of northern Spain.

Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Hertz

Most popular car class

Compact

Average price

28 € / Day

Best price

20 € / Day

Average cost per week of rental in Santander

January
€90
February
€87
March
€101
April
€148
May
€138
June
€190
July
€223
August
€166
September
€101
October
€103
November
€102
December
€199

* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.

In August rental companies located in Santander 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 Santander is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €17, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.

During the summer months in Santander 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 BMW 2 Series Cabrio will cost you €145.

Car rentals in nearest cities

Nearest airports

Santander airport
4.5 km / 2.8 miles
Bilbao airport
74.5 km / 46.3 miles
San Sebastian Airport
163.3 km / 101.5 miles
Leon airport (Spain)
178.6 km / 111 miles
Asturias airport
179.8 km / 111.7 miles
Pamplona Airport
191.7 km / 119.1 miles
Valladolid Airport
213.1 km / 132.4 miles

Nearest cities

Bilbao
75.2 km / 46.7 miles
San Sebastian
148.4 km / 92.2 miles
Pamplona
189.7 km / 117.9 miles
Valladolid
214.8 km / 133.5 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 offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:

  • Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
  • Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
  • Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.

Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.

When calculating the rental price for a car in Santander, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Opel Corsa model can be rented for just €17 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €12. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Audi A4, VW Passat Estate, Opel Mokka, which can be rented for as little as €27-€81 per day. Approximately for €65 in Santander you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €145 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.

The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Hyundai Ioniq when ordering in Santander will cost quite a modest amount.

List of required documents

Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!

A valid international driver's license is required!

10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental

Download Google maps for offline access

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.

Santander 1

Book a car in advance

Santander 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

Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Ford Ka or Opel Corsa. These models are the most popular with our customers in Santander.

In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. VW Passat Estate will cost €35 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.

What you need to pay attention to at the time of 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

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.

Santander 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.
Check out the 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 Santander 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.

Santander 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.

Santander 4

Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Santander, 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

Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.

Santander 5

Our clients name the top companies in Santander - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.

We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.

Getting a car at a rental office

You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.

Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.

Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.

Our advantages

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

Car rental reviews: Santander

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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