I've never driven internationally before (always knew someone who would drive me or just took the metro). Anyway, I was wondering what a good place would be to get car rates for traveling to and from some cities in Spain. I'd like to go at my own pace instead of a taking a big tour bus somewhere.

Thanks for any help.
-Rick

I always rent from carjet while in Spain - cheapest rates around - I have used them many times and never had a problem or complaint

...wesrick...on a recent visit i used Crown Car Hire ( www.crowncarhire.com ) and found them quite satisfactory... i have a feeling that they may only have offices in Andalucia though.

and what do y'all do for insurance with them? Do they offer reasonable insurance?

Additionally do you need to get an international license before you go? How do I go about getting it?

Thanks again!
-Rick

Wichita, KS

I have never purchased extra insurance - just what is covered by my insurance and their normal insurance

I wasn't sure if insurance was included with the car rental, or if you just rely on your own insurance (from your car at home).

And again, does anyone have any info on an international drivers license or certificate so I can drive while I'm there?

..wesrick..Insurance. Check with your local insurance company to make sure if you would be covered in Spain. I was covered by mine.

Drivers licence. I got an international license issued by AAA (you don't have to be a member) befor my trip but found that the rental company only wanted details from my regular license.

Maps. I found Michelin to be very good and they can be found in good bookstores in the US. They also have a useful web site. www.viamichelin.com

I also have international drivers licens - NOBODY has ever needed it for anything - save the ten bucks and dont bother getting it - no rental companies have ever used it always ask for official one

I agree, the only time I ever got pulled I gave them my international DL and they gave it right back. Often they won't even ask for your regular DL, just make you pay an on the spot fine.

"just make you pay an on the spot fine"

That happened to me last month - for driving through a tunnel without my headlights on. I didnt know that was a law! - the policeman wanted me to pay a fine in CASH on the spot. That sounded a little fishy to me and I refused - he told me I couldnt drive away and he would have to take my car. I eventually paid after trying yellling and then tears but it didnt work. I later asked my spanish friends and they said that was normal - I wondered why he wouldnt just put it in his pocket !!

You don't need to take organized tours! Local bus services like ALSA Enatcar or SecorBus can get you between cities-A & B much more economically. For 'long haul' travel, consider discount air or Rail.

Driving in Spain can get very expensive with the cost of fuel and Spain's toll roads. To make it an economical way to travel, you should have at least 3-people sharing expenses.

As for the International Driving Permit (IDP, not: 'License'), it gives your personal info in a number of Languages. Once, when I got pulled over for a traffic violation, the Motorcycle Guardia stamped a receipt for the fine I was required to pay on my IDP.

I don't know if Spanish rental companies accept 'Gold Card-provided' Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). A car rental Agent in Santander (Cantabria) told me that CDW was not valid and wanted to charge me about 12 Euro/day for CDW

When we´ve decided to rent a car in >Madrid at the last minute, we walked into a Viajes Iberia or Viajes Marsans (Travel Agencies) and they do all the work, though 2 weekends ago, we had no luck getting a minivan, and sometimes the quotes differ from place to place. I decided to go online that night and booked a reservation with Hertz International, with an office in Atocha. We received a good rate and bought the insurance.

Insurance-Like the others said, make sure your insurance covers you abroad, though I know from my insurance backround (worked for State Farm for 10 years), they only cover you 50 miles from the nearest U.S. border, so in Europe you won´t be covered by most <U.S. companies. I don´t think it is necessary to buy all the insurance offered, Collision Damage Waiver is good to cover the car, just don´t leave anything in the car to attract thieves, because, unless you purchase the personal property insurance, you won´t be covered.

driver´s license-Agree with the rest, don´t bother with the international license, we have never been asked to show it, ever.

Happy Travels....

I'd like to thank all of your. Your posts have been very very helpful!

-Rick