Madrid enjoys a system of ring roads that make traffic in and out particularly convenient.
It is surrounded by four main roads: M-30, M-40, M-45, M-50 which surround its center at different distances. M-30 and M-40 are the more central, the other two ring roads serve the suburbs of Madrid.
The ring roads are joined by a network of roads marked with the letter R and make exiting/entering the city easy from any direction. These roads are mostly toll roads (Autopista) connected to the national highway network marked with the letter A.
The ring roads make traffic very easy, but as a rental car driver it is recommended to have a good map as well. Navigation apps, despite being very effective for tourists, may suffer from reception/transmission problems in the underground tunnels, which can make orientation difficult.
The city itself can be congested and suffer from a lack of parking spaces. It is strongly recommended to use the underground parking lots spread throughout the city that are connected to the metro network or the excellent aboveground transportation.
◾ Map of car rental stations in Madrid
To make the booking process as convenient for you as possible, we have prepared a map showing the Madrid car rental stations of the companies we cooperate with.
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◾ Leaving the city
As mentioned, Madrid is an ideal departure station for travelers in Spain in a rented car. Those going south must get on road R-5 and from there connect to road AP-41. Eastbound travelers will get on the A-2 road and continue to the AP-42 toll road. Those wishing to continue to Bilbao and the Basque Country should take the A-1 highway.
By renting a car in Madrid, you can reach Gibraltar or neighboring countries such as Portugal or France (subject to the prior approval of the rental company), but you cannot travel to the Canary and Balearic Islands or Morocco.
Travelers heading west to Lisbon face a six-hour drive through the wonderful scenery of the A-5 road.
Be sure to mark the countries to which you wish to travel to already when you start booking the car on our website (or telling our representative if you are making the booking via phone), so you will receive written confirmation from the supplier and will be covered in terms of insurance and road service.
Please note that in some countries in Europe, a special sticker is required for driving on highways, which you can purchase in kiosks at the borders.
The responsibility of purchasing the sticker is the renter's alone, so make sure to stick it according to the local guided and make sure if a sticker is needed whenever you exit a country and enter another.
◾ "Kilometer zero"
In the center of Madrid is the "Puerta del Sol" (Gate of the Sun), which, apart from being a bustling square recommended for shopping lovers, as well as entertainment enthusiasts, is called "kilometer zero" and is located at the most central point of the entire road system of Spain. A fact that makes planning the trip easier for those who chose to rent a car in Spain. From here you can go south to Toledo, Seville, Granada and the Costa del Sol, continue west to Portugal, north to the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic Ocean or east to Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.
◾ Rental stations in Madrid
The international airport of Barajas is located about 9 kilometers northeast of the business center of Madrid and 13 kilometers from its historical center, “Puerta del Sol” and you can pick up the car from there.
In addition to the airport, car rental in Madrid is also optional in several central hubs within the city and at the train stations. If you want to get from the airport to the city by public transportation and rent a car there, you can do so using subway line 8 (the pink line) and change lines on the way. Those who wish to stay aboveground can of course take a tram from Nuevos Ministerios or a bus. All of them will lead you safely to the city center.
For more tips regarding renting a car during wintertime click here
and for important tips regarding renting a car abroad click here
Booking a car in Madrid with Ofran will allow you to enjoy the benefits of traveling with a rental car in and out of Madrid, exploring all the sites and attractions that interest you and the freedom to do so according to your schedule.
Also, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of car groups the most suitable car for your vacation in an easy and comfortable process and with great prices.
Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant trip with your rental car in Madrid