Hello. My husband and I are flying to Madrid in November and staying there a few days. Then we want to rent a car and drive to and from Granada. Does anyone know the easiest location to pick up a car in Madrid near the Prado etc.? We are wondering if it will be really difficult to get out of the city and on our way. Maybe we should go back to the airport and start driving from there? Thanks!
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3279 posts
I know that both Europcar and Avis have several rental locations in the city. 2 years ago, I got my Avis rental at Gran Via 60 and picking up the car in the city saves time and a lot of of €€€ compared to going to the airport. I had no problems navigating out of the city using a GPS.
Posted by
Fairfax, Virginia
348 posts
Most of the major companies have an office on/off the Gran Via at Plaza España, either at Gran Via 60 or on Calle Princesa. If you want closer to the Prado, many also have a location at Atocha. Getting out of the city from the Plaza de España area is not too bad, you're close to the M-30. I've never tried to/from Atocha so I can't speak top getting in and out from there.
Posted by
Dallas, United States
707 posts
Last month we rented from Hertz via AutoEurope. The Hertz office is at c/Princesa, 14, and it was easy to get on the A-6 (we were headed to Segovia). It seems like it would be equally easy to use the A-5 from the pick up location and then use a peripheral highway to get on a freeway headed south to Granada. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
I returned a car to the Europcar at Atocha. This is close to the Prado. It's a busy area but I found it reasonably organized and not too difficult to get to from outside the center. I picked the car up at the airport, which was extremely easy - the highway is right there and easily signed. Anywhere in the city center will be more traffic-clogged and take time and a good map/app/GPS to get to the highway...but Madrid isn't a hard city to drive in if you are used to city driving in general. The time and money savings to picking the car up in the center will make it a better choice than going all the way to the airport, which is north of the city and you are heading south.
Posted by
OP
26 posts
Thank you all for the responses and good info! Now I feel more confident about getting the car in Madrid. At least we won't be starting out driving being jet-lagged which has happened a number of times when we go to Europe. So, that's a big plus! We have used Europcar a lot in the past, so I think I'll stick with them.