Madrid car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Madrid
The best car rental companies in Madrid are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €24/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 Madrid
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€23/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€23/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Madrid
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €24 | SEAT Ibiza | 5 |
| Compact | €27 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €42 | SEAT Ateca | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €58 | Volkswagen Sharan | 7 |
| Luxury | €82 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Madrid
Airport — Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD)
On-site desks in Terminal 4 (level -1) and Terminal 1 arrivals; extra offices in the P1 and P4 car parks.
Downtown — Central Madrid
Desks near Atocha station, Chamartín and Paseo de la Castellana.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €35–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Madrid ZBE Central sticker | €5 one-off | Entering the low-emission zone (fitted on the fleet car) |
| AP autopista tolls | €5–30 per route | Driving on tolled AP motorways |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Madrid
- Drive on the right; most Spanish rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly.
- US visitors need an International Driving Permit alongside their licence; EU/EEA licences are valid as-is.
- The Madrid ZBE Central low-emission zone requires a DGT environmental label — every Spanish rental car already carries the correct sticker (about €5).
- Petrol cars must meet at least Euro 3 and diesels Euro 4 to enter Madrid’s ZBE; unauthorised entry is a €200 fine (€100 if paid within 20 days).
- Autopistas (AP) are tolled motorways (€5–30); the parallel Autovías (A) are free — pay tolls by card, cash or Via-T.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Madrid
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Madrid?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some premium categories require 23 or 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €10–25/day.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Spain?
US and most non-EU visitors need an IDP alongside their home licence. EU and EEA licence holders do not — their licences are valid throughout Spain.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft with an excess often above €1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €200–250 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
What is the Madrid ZBE Central low-emission zone?
It restricts higher-polluting cars in central Madrid. Rental cars already carry the correct DGT environmental label, so tourists are covered automatically — but an unauthorised entry in a non-compliant car is a €200 fine.
Are there tolls around Madrid?
Yes — tolled motorways are marked AP (autopista) and cost roughly €5–30 per route. The parallel Autovías (A) are free. You can pay by card, cash or the Via-T transponder.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) has in-terminal desks in Terminal 4 (level -1) and Terminal 1 arrivals, and there are central Madrid desks near Atocha, Chamartín and Paseo de la Castellana.
What is the cheapest car type in Madrid?
Economy cars (e.g. SEAT Ibiza) start around €24/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €58/day.
Nearby trips
