Car Rental at Barcelona Airport (BCN)

Compare car hire deals at Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) and collect your vehicle from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2B, with both on-airport desks and shuttle-served depots available.

Quick Answer: Rental desks at Barcelona Airport are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2B arrivals. At T1, desks are on the ground floor on either side of the Meeting Point. At T2B, desks are directly opposite the Meeting Point. Bring your driving licence, passport or national ID, and a physical credit card for the deposit. Demand rises sharply in summer and during major events such as Mobile World Congress, so book ahead.

Where to Collect Your Car at Barcelona Airport

Barcelona El Prat operates two separate terminal areas for car rental. Check your voucher before you land — arriving at the wrong terminal costs time.

Terminal 1 (T1) handles long-haul and most Schengen flights. Rental desks for Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Goldcar, and Budget are on the ground floor of the arrivals hall, on either side of the Meeting Point.

Terminal 2B (T2B) serves low-cost carriers including Vueling and some Ryanair routes. Desks are on the ground floor directly opposite the Meeting Point. T2A and T2C are connected to T2B on foot, so no shuttle is needed between them.

Off-airport depots — Centauro, Record Go, Drivalia, and Niza Cars among them — run complimentary shuttles from both terminals. Your booking confirmation will confirm the collection point and whether a transfer is required.

Car Rental Companies at Barcelona Airport

Hertz - T1 and T2B Premium and standard fleet

Sixt - T1 and T2B Includes electric and luxury vehicles

Europcar - T1 and T2B Wide range; well suited to longer rentals

Avis - T1 and T2B Reliable option for business and leisure

Enterprise - T1 and T2B Consistent mid-range fleet

Goldcar - T1 and T2B Competitive daily rates; check the fuel policy

Budget - T1 and T2B Economy-focused; part of the Avis group

Barcelona Airport is served by a large mix of international and Spanish car hire companies, with both terminal desks and off-airport depots available.

Car Rental Prices and Best Time to Book

Prices follow a seasonal pattern shaped by tourism demand on the Catalan coast. The figures below reflect publicly available market data for economy and compact vehicles.

January – February Lowest of the year

March – May Moderate; Easter week rises sharply

June – August Peak season; highest prices

September – October Prices ease; weather stays warm

November – December Low to moderate; rises around Christmas

Actual rates vary by supplier, vehicle category, booking lead time, seasonality, local events, and demand.

Airport pickup includes a concession surcharge added by the airport operator. City-centre locations such as Barcelona Sants are often slightly cheaper, though airport collection is usually more convenient for arriving travellers.

When to book:

• June to August — aim for 6–8 weeks ahead; SUVs and automatics go first
• Mobile World Congress (late February) — demand rises sharply; allow 8 weeks or more
• Easter week and the Formula 1 Grand Prix (typically June) — all categories tighten
• Tuesday to Thursday pickups — consistently undercut Friday and weekend rates
• November to mid-February (excluding Christmas week) — cheapest rates, shortest queues

Documents Required

Bring the following to the rental counter:

• Valid driving licence from your country of residence
• Passport or national ID card
• Physical credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) in the main driver's name
• International Driving Permit if your licence uses a non-Latin script, or if your supplier requires one

The security deposit is held on your credit card at pickup and released after return, usually within a few business days. Virtual cards, prepaid cards, and digital wallets are not accepted for the deposit at BCN rental counters.

Some suppliers accept debit cards for payment, but most require a physical credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit. Requirements vary by supplier, so check before travelling.

Drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge, and most premium categories carry a minimum age of 25.

Driving from Barcelona Airport

Drive on the right. If you normally drive on the left, take a moment to orient yourself in the car park before joining the C-31.

Speed limits:

• Built-up areas: 50 km/h (30 km/h on residential streets)
• Main roads: 90 km/h
• Motorways: 120 km/h

Toll roads and Via-T:

• C-31 / B-10 — toll-free into central Barcelona
• AP-7 — tolled; south to Tarragona and Valencia, north toward Girona and the French border
• C-32 — tolled route south toward Sitges
• AP-2 — tolled west to Zaragoza and Madrid

Via-T is Spain's electronic toll system. Cars fitted with a transponder pass through dedicated lanes without stopping. Without one, use a manned or card-only booth. Ask the desk agent whether your vehicle includes a transponder and how tolls will be billed before you leave.

Several petrol stations operate close to Barcelona Airport, making it easy to refuel before returning your vehicle if your rental agreement requires a full tank.

Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by: CarRentalChoice Editorial Team

Supplier policies and terminal locations may change. Confirm current requirements with your supplier before travel.