Car Rental in Girona (Spain): A Practical Guide

With rental desks located at the Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), the railway station, and downtown, travelers can easily arrange a vehicle that fits their itinerary.

Renting a car in Girona, Spain, is the most practical way to transition from the historic city center to the rugged beaches of the Costa Brava or the Pyrenees. While Girona itself is highly walkable, having a vehicle allows you to bypass public transit schedules and access remote coastal villages. Rental services are concentrated at key transit hubs, including Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) and the Girona Railway Station (Estació de Girona), making pick-up straightforward for arriving travelers. This guide outlines the essential local regulations, transmission choices, and pick-up locations you need to navigate the Girona car hire market. By understanding the regional driving rules, low-emission zone restrictions, and fleet availability, you can secure the right vehicle for your Catalan road trip without unexpected delays or penalties.

L'essentiel

Driving in Girona requires strict adherence to local traffic laws and environmental regulations. The city features a Low-Emission Zone (ZBE / LEZ) monitored by automatic traffic control cameras. Unauthorized or non-compliant vehicles entering this zone face a €200 fine, which is reduced to €100 if paid within 20 days. Drivers are allowed up to 24 permitted entries per year before fines apply. Note that foreign environmental stickers, such as the French Crit'Air, are not automatically valid without local verification or registration. Additionally, driving into Girona's historic old town pedestrian areas (Barri Vell) is restricted, and tourists require specific authorization to enter.

Speed limits in Spain are strictly enforced:

• Urban areas: 30 to 50 km/h
• Secondary roads: 90 km/h
• Expressways and motorways: 120 km/h

To rent a vehicle, drivers must generally be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license for a minimum of 1 to 2 years. If you are under 25, expect a young driver surcharge added to your daily rental rate.

Rental Rates and Transmission Choices

When booking a car hire in Girona, Spain, the type of transmission you select heavily influences both the price and availability. Manual transmission vehicles dominate local rental fleets. Because they are the standard option, manual cars generally offer the lowest rates.

In contrast, automatic cars carry a price premium, typically ranging from 10% to 30% higher than manual equivalents, and can increase by 50% to 100% depending on the supplier and the season. Furthermore, automatic models sell out much faster during peak travel periods. Renting an automatic car at Girona Airport does not guarantee the same base rate as a manual car, so booking well in advance is highly recommended if you cannot drive a manual.

To secure the best rates, compare offers from major platforms like DiscoverCars and Localrent early. While exact deposit amounts vary by supplier and season, reserving early helps secure lower base rates and guarantees your preferred vehicle class before peak summer demand depletes the local inventory.

Where to Pick Up Your Car in Girona

You can arrange to rent a car in Girona, Spain, at three primary locations depending on how you arrive in the region:

• Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO): Located approximately 13 kilometers (9.24 miles) from the city center, this airport is a major hub for low-cost carriers like Ryanair. It hosts a wide selection of rental desks.
• Girona Railway Station (Estació de Girona): Ideal for travelers arriving by high-speed train from Barcelona or France, offering immediate access to rental offices.
• Girona Downtown: Convenient if you plan to spend a few days in the city center before starting your road trip.

Major international and regional rental brands operate across these locations, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, Goldcar, SIXT, and Drivalia. Picking up your vehicle at the airport generally provides the widest selection of cars, but train station pick-ups save you the transit time from the airport if you are already staying in the city.

Road Trip Advice and Scenic Routes

A rental car gives you the freedom to explore the diverse landscapes surrounding Girona. The region is bordered by the Mediterranean coast to the east and the Pyrenees mountains to the north. When planning your routes, keep in mind that while expressways allow for fast travel at 120 km/h, secondary roads (limited to 90 km/h) offer more scenic journeys through medieval villages and coastal cliffs. Always plan your parking in advance when visiting coastal towns, as historic centers often have narrow streets and restricted parking zones similar to Girona's Barri Vell. Below are some of the most popular driving routes easily accessible from Girona. These destinations showcase the best of Catalonia, from Salvador Dalí's heritage to dramatic coastal cliffs, all within a short drive from the city center.

Where to go by car

Tolls: motorway estimate (~€0.11/km) — free secondary routes often exist.