We will be in N Spain for 21 nites starting April 17. We are flying in and out of BCN. After 5 nights in Girona we are planning to train to Pamplona for 2 nights, after which we will pick up a car and head back to Barcelona. I have driven extensively in Italy and France. Anything different in Spain? ZTL like Italy? I have an IDP.
Any recommendations for a SIM for Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre? What is the Spanish custom on tipping? We don't do it in other European countries necessary in Spain?
Gracias Brad
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7955 posts
You'll likely experience less tailgaiting than in France or Italy, but if you're going on any mountain pass roads, things can get extremely steep, twisty, and narrow, and we've been passed in obvious no-passing zones, and experienced other drivers who were taking their half of the road out of the middle, so be prepared for people who don't necessarily share the road.
Sounds like you're not venturing to San Sebastion, but parking there is over $24 a day, and while there's not a ZTL, some parts of the old town are physically blocked off with sensor-controlled barricades, so you'll have to park and walk some places, if you do go there. Bilbao, farther west, has narrow, crowded streets, but was relatively easy to drive in. We turned in our rental car before reaching Barcelona, and would never try to drive there.
If you're renting a diesel, refuel with "gasoil," and if you're running on unleaded gas, refuel with "sin plomo."
Sorry, no SIM recommendations. Buen viaje!
Posted by
la rioja
593 posts
So are you going to Pamplona, then slowly going back to East and visiting Aragon and Catalonia. Or is Pamplona a jumping off point for the north?
Pamplona has recently closed the old town center to traffic. If you have a hotel there you will be able to get in, if not you can be ticketed. The parking in the Plaza del Castillo will run about 15€ a day, and the garage's webpage, SABA lets you reserve in advance with a discount.
The autovia Zaragoza to Pamplona will give you no problem, but if you were to go up to Baztan from Pamplona, you are on a country highway, and although there are some nice stretches, I have had to wait in a traffic jam as a cow was loose on the road.
And don't forget, you will be here on the 1st of May, almost everything will be closed. Plan ahead.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1194 posts
Hi
5 or 6 years ago we drove from BCN to Santisgo de Comp. We spent time in a small village named Talarn. Nice walled village with three restsurants. The one named for a woman was precious.
From Talarn we took day trips into the mountains.
From Talarn to Pamplona the drive was dull. Pamplona and North west from there was lovely.
Mountain driving? Twisty, hilly...hey, it is mountain driving with great giews. Spanish drivers are much more disciplined in their driving than anywhere in USA. Alway use your blinkers when turning or changing lanes, or passing. Drive on the right side when not passing. Generally speaking, they do not speed on the highways. If posted as 120kph then don't go 130. Pedestrians have the right of way. Especially in marked crosswalks.
Make sure you understand street signs, city street signs for no entry, no parking, etc
Wayne...currently in Spain with a car rental