How to find a cheap car hire deal in Bilbao
Pick up a cheap rental car in Bilbao for an average of $163 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the major providers, making it easy to compare prices and book.
Daily home prices in Bilbao start from just $24.
For longer trips, grab a weekly home from $104 and make room for more adventures.
We've cracked the code on when to book. Around four weeks in advance is your sweet spot for driving off with the best price on a Bilbao car hire.
Record Go, Click and Rent and Rentbycar are among the most trusted providers in the city. They're a great starting point for comparing offers.
The coverage Record Go or another supplier offers for your Bilbao car hire can differ, so be sure to check the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.
Consider booking a one-way home. You might be able to lock in a good deal if the provider needs to relocate some of its vehicles. Find the best available rates by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. You won't get hit with overpriced refueling charges either.
Hit the highway without counting the miles and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you explore further.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average $97 a day.
Offering daily rates of around $172, this provider comes in next.
The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly $143 a day with this supplier.
The Compact home category is a solid choice if you're not sure which ride is right for you. It's also the car type that's booked more than any other in Bilbao.
Flying to Bilbao? Think about an airport pick-up
Kick off your Bilbao trip quicker by picking up a car hire at Bilbao Airport. The city centre is about 11 kilometres from this airport, which is a drive of around 15 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Bilbao
Small: These cheap rental cars in Bilbao may be small in size, but they're big on what matters. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to manoeuvre, light on fuel, and perfect for city runs or weekend trips.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, space and fuel efficiency. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they work well for most trips.
Large: Long drives fly by in this Bilbao car hire category. Also known as full-size, they have the engine size to match the journey. The extra legroom and comfort make them a popular choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: When the urge to explore hits, an SUV's all in. It's your ultimate road trip companion, ready for country roads, highways, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and improved safety features.
Van: Select this vehicle category when you want a car for rent in Bilbao that makes light work of heavy loads. Typically featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're made to carry more, whether that's supplies, luggage or big groups.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Bilbao car hire lets you drive with confidence. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can differ from one provider to another, so always compare your options.
From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can seriously upgrade your ride. Weigh up which features could make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Bilbao.
Good to know
You generally have to be at least 21 years old to rent a vehicle in Spain. Younger drivers aren't always turned away — just be ready for a few added rules or costs. Check the companies' terms and conditions before booking.
If you're bringing the kids along, find out if you need to add a car seat to your Bilbao car hire reservation. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.
You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: your physical driver's license, another form of photo ID, and a credit card that can cover the security deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Any extra must-haves will be shown in your booking.
Driving in Spain might take some adjustment for first-time visitors. Keep in mind you'll need to stick to the right side of the road.
Follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 20kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Spain. The only sure way to stay legal to drive is to skip the drinks.
Aim to travel outside heavy traffic periods for a smoother trip. 9am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) on your trip here. In addition to your credit and debit cards, have some cash on hand for smaller purchases.
Best hotels in Bilbao for drivers
Pull in and enjoy your stay at Hotel Tayko Bilbao. Offering accessible parking as well as tour services and room service, this hotel is about 0.97 kilometres from central Bilbao.
Catalonia Gran Vía Bilbao makes travel simpler with parking and features like tour services and a lounge. It's roughly 0.64 kilometres from the city centre.
Need more ideas for your trip? Browse the full list of hotels in Bilbao. You can refine your search with the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' If your car's electric, you can select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter too.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Bilbao and your hotel, all that's left is deciding where to go first. Get started with leading attractions such as Guggenheim, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum and Bilboko Donejakue katedrala.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Bilbao
Buckle up and make tracks to Logroño. Around 97 kilometres southeast of central Bilbao, you'll find must-do sights like Bodegas Faustino and Bodegas Campo Viejo.
Popular accommodation options with parking in Logroño include Holiday Inn Express Logroño Rioja by IHG and Hotel Sercotel Portales.
Add Irun to your travel plans. Pick up your cheap car hire in Bilbao and drive roughly 97 kilometres east to take in leading attractions like Castillo de Gazteluzar and Oiasso Roman Museum.
Irun has some great places to stay including B&B Hotels Donostia San Sebastián Aeropuerto and Hotel Rio Bidasoa. Both give you somewhere to leave your car during your stay.
For a longer journey, enter San Adrián into your GPS and stop by La Fabrica Vieja - Museo de la Conserva. This city is roughly 129 kilometres southeast of Bilbao.
Next on your itinerary is some serious shut-eye. Parador de Calahorra and Hotel Ciudad De Calahorra have room for both you and your wheels while visiting San Adrián.
