Biarritz car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Biarritz
The best car rental companies in Biarritz are Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise. Prices start from €27/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 13%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Biarritz
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Dollar deal
#9
My Cars 64
Local pick — free pickup in Anglet/BiarritzFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
base rate
View My Cars 64 deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-20 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Biarritz
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €27 | Renault Clio | 4 |
| Compact | €32 | Peugeot 208 | 5 |
| SUV | €50 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Convertible | €78 | Mini Cooper Cabrio | 4 |
| Luxury | €98 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Biarritz
Airport — Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ)
A compact airport just 5km from the town center — all major rental brands are present, making it a straightforward base for exploring the Basque coast and hinterland.
Downtown — Biarritz city center
Desks in town serve travelers who arrive by train and want to head straight into the Basque countryside or south toward the Spanish border, without an airport detour.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | BIQ airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €20–40/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–12/day | Per extra driver |
| Cross-border driving fee (no drop-off) | ~€30/week | Driving your French rental into Spain without dropping it off there |
| One-way cross-border drop fee (Biarritz → San Sebastián/Bilbao) | $450–650 (typically €500 minimum) | Dropping the car off in Spain |
| Refundable deposit | €300–500 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Biarritz
- Biarritz’s center and beaches (Grande Plage, Côte des Basques) are fully walkable, with 27km of bike paths, the Txik-Txak network, and a tram-train (T1) to Bayonne in under 30 minutes — "zero need for a car" for a city-only stay.
- Crossing into Spain (San Sebastián or Bilbao) with a one-way drop-off typically costs $450–650 — many travelers instead return the French car in Biarritz, take the train via Hendaye, and rent a fresh Spanish car, which often works out cheaper.
- Some rental companies restrict or surcharge cross-border travel even without a one-way drop — confirm explicitly with your rental company (a typical non-drop cross-border fee is around €30/week).
- Summer prices spike sharply — July averages about $60/day (+36% over the yearly average) and August convertibles can reach $83/day; booking about 48 days ahead is shown to save money.
- Street parking in central Biarritz is paid from April 1 to November 15 — the red zone (city center) runs about €10 for 3 hours, orange (surrounding area) about €6.50, with the first hour free once per day.
- A car becomes worthwhile for the Basque hinterland villages (Espelette, Ainhoa, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port) and neighboring beach towns (Guéthary, Bidart, Hendaye) — none of which are well served by rail.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Biarritz
Do you need a car in Biarritz itself?
No — the town center and beaches are fully walkable, with an excellent bike-path network and a tram-train to Bayonne. Local tourism sources and forums agree: a car isn’t needed for the city, only for excursions beyond it.
Is it better to do a one-way rental from Biarritz to San Sebastián, or return and rent again?
It depends on cost. One-way cross-border drop fees run $450–650, while returning the car in Biarritz, taking the train via Hendaye (or a taxi, ~€110–130), and renting a fresh Spanish car is often cheaper overall — run the math for your specific dates before booking.
Can I drive my French rental car into Spain without dropping it off there?
Usually yes, but confirm with your rental company first — some restrict cross-border travel or charge a non-drop fee (around €30/week is typical).
Where can I park in central Biarritz in summer?
Street parking is paid April 1–November 15 (red zone ~€10/3h, orange ~€6.50/3h, first hour free once daily). A free alternative is the Iraty park-and-ride with bus line 7 into the center.
Do I need a car to visit Basque villages like Espelette or Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?
Yes — these inland Basque villages have minimal public transport, so a rental car (or organized tour) is the practical way to reach them.
How much does a rental car cost in Biarritz in peak summer?
Expect a sharp seasonal jump — around $60/day in July (+36% over the yearly average) and up to $83/day for convertibles in August, versus roughly $51/day on average. Airport (BIQ) pickup runs about 29% higher than city-center pickup.
Nearby trips
