The major car rental agencies have offices at the Barajas airport, and cars can be picked up just across from the international terminal. Many of the car rental companies impose an extra fee, however, for pickup and return at the airport. In addition, if you are staying in Madrid before travelling out, parking and driving in Madrid is an ordeal such that we would recommend relying on taxis and mass transit until you head out of town.

The major car hire agencies also have pick up locations in central Madrid. In general, aside from the airport pick up fee, the rates are essentially the same as at the airport, but some car sizes such as minivans are sometimes available only at the airport, if at all.

We prefer to use a service that delivers the rental car to our door in Madrid. We have saved money, time and hassle with a gentleman named Pablo Fernandez of Car-Gest Auto Rental. While a minimum rental of three days is required for his service, the rates have proved in our experience to be much lower than the airport car hire agencies, saving us hundreds of dollars per rental. In addition, Pablo will deliver the car to your home or hotel, explain the operation of the car in full, and provide a good quality map. For the rentals we made, rates included liability insurance and collision damage coverage above a reasonable deductible. Our rentals have all included unlimited mileage, and on-road-service was available in the event of mechanical problems.

Longer term auto rentals are also available - we learned of Pablo from friends who rented their car continuously from Pablo for the entire multi-year period they were in Spain.

Pablo speaks fluent English as well as Spanish. He does not, unfortunately, have email or a website, but he can be reached by phone at +34 609 515 430 and via fax at +34 917 990 005. We receive no money for recommending Pablo´s car hire service, but tell him Spain-Info.com sent you anyway - we would expect him to give you extra good service on our account.