Renting a Car in Galicia: Everything You Need to Know
A rental car can make exploring Galicia much easier especially if you want to go beyond the main cities and discover the coast, countryside and quieter corners of the region.
Galicia is a wonderful place to explore by car.
You can leave Santiago de Compostela in the morning, stop for lunch in a small coastal village, drive through green hills in the afternoon and finish the day beside the Atlantic. Some of the places that make Galicia special are also much easier to reach when you have your own wheels.
But renting a car in Galicia comes with a few things worth knowing before you book.
Where should you pick up your car? Do you really need a car for your trip? What type of car makes sense? And what should you check before driving away?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Do you need a car in Galicia?
It depends on the kind of trip you’re planning. If you’re spending a few days in Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña or Vigo, you may not need a rental car at all. The cities themselves can be explored without one, and public transport connects many of Galicia’s main destinations.
But Galicia becomes a very different place once you start travelling beyond the cities.
A car gives you much more freedom to visit:
- small fishing villages
- remote beaches
- mountain areas
- rural villages
- waterfalls and hiking trails
- viewpoints
- wineries and countryside
- places that are difficult to reach by public transport
For a road trip around Galicia, renting a car can therefore be particularly useful.
Where should you rent a car in Galicia?
For many visitors, the easiest option is to pick up a rental car at the airport when they arrive.
Galicia has three main airports:
Santiago-Rosalía de Castro (SCQ)
A useful starting point for exploring a large part of Galicia, particularly Santiago, the Costa da Morte, the Rías Baixas and inland destinations.
Vigo (VGO)
A convenient choice if you’re planning to explore southern Galicia, the Rías Baixas or continue towards Portugal.
A Coruña (LCG)
Useful for northern Galicia, including A Coruña, the Costa Ártabra and parts of the Costa da Morte.
Car rental companies operate at all three airports.
Compare rental cars in Galicia
If you’re arriving by air, Santiago de Compostela Airport is a convenient place to start your search.
Tip: If you’re staying in a city first and only need a car for part of your trip, compare the price of collecting the car later in the city. Sometimes this can make more sense than paying for a car while you don’t need it.
What type of car should you rent?
You don’t need a large car to explore Galicia. In fact, a small or medium-sized car can often be the more practical choice. Galicia has plenty of narrow streets and smaller rural roads, while parking in historic centres and busy coastal towns can be easier with a compact vehicle.
A small car
A good option if you’re travelling as a couple or with little luggage. It is easier to park and generally comfortable enough for exploring the region.
A family car
If you’re travelling with children or several pieces of luggage, a larger car will obviously be more comfortable. Just remember that bigger isn’t always better when you’re driving through small villages.
Automatic or manual?
Manual cars are common in Spain, but automatic vehicles are available too. If you normally drive an automatic, it’s worth booking one early — particularly during busy travel periods.
Driving in Galicia: what is it really like?
Driving in Galicia is generally straightforward, but it can be quite different from driving between major European cities. The main roads are usually easy to navigate, but once you leave the larger towns and motorways, you may encounter narrower roads, steep sections and winding routes. And that’s often where the fun begins. Some of Galicia’s most beautiful places are reached by roads that take you away from the main routes.
Don’t underestimate distances
Galicia may not look enormous on a map, but travelling around it can take longer than you expect. A coastal road with beautiful scenery can be much slower than a motorway, and a short distance between two villages can involve winding roads and frequent stops.
So don’t try to see everything in one trip.
Slow travel works particularly well in Galicia.
Are there toll roads in Galicia?
Yes, there are toll roads in Spain, although most roads are free to use. One important motorway in Galicia is the AP-9, which runs along much of the Atlantic side of the region and connects areas including Ferrol, A Coruña, Santiago, Pontevedra and the Portuguese border. Some sections require a toll. If your route includes toll roads, check the rental company’s policy before setting off so you understand how toll payments are handled.
Parking in Galicia
Parking is one of the things you’ll notice most when visiting Galicia’s towns and cities. Historic centres often have narrow streets, restricted access and limited parking. Regulated street parking is also common in Spanish cities. If you’re staying in a historic centre, check whether your accommodation has parking before booking your rental car. Sometimes the easiest option is to park just outside the old town and walk. And honestly, that’s often a much nicer way to experience Galicia anyway.
What should you check before driving away?
Before leaving the rental location, take a few minutes to check the car carefully.
Look at:
- existing scratches and dents
- wheels and tyres
- windscreen
- mirrors
- fuel level
- mileage
- interior condition
Take photos or video of the car before you leave. It only takes a couple of minutes, but it gives you a record of the vehicle’s condition when you collected it.
Also check the rental agreement carefully for:
- insurance coverage
- excess
- fuel policy
- mileage restrictions
- additional driver fees
- deposit requirements
- rules for travelling across the Portuguese border
The exact conditions vary between rental companies, so don’t assume that one booking works the same way as another.
What about driving into Portugal?
If you’re planning to combine Galicia with northern Portugal, check the rental company’s rules before booking. Portugal is just across the southern border, and destinations such as Porto, Braga and the Minho region can be tempting additions to a Galicia road trip. However, cross-border travel can be subject to rental-company conditions or additional fees.
So if Portugal is part of your itinerary, make sure the rental agreement explicitly allows it.
Is it worth renting a car at the airport?
For many visitors, yes particularly if the car is going to be used for most of the trip. Picking up a car at Santiago, Vigo or A Coruña airport means you can start your journey immediately after arriving. All three airports have car-rental facilities.
But there is another option.
If you’re spending the first few days in Santiago, Vigo or A Coruña, consider exploring the city without a car and renting one only when you leave. That can save you from paying for parking and having a car sitting unused while you’re sightseeing.
A few simple tips for a Galicia road trip
Don’t plan every minute.
Some of the best moments happen when you take a wrong turn, stop for a coffee or discover a village you hadn’t heard of.
Use the motorway when you need to cover distance.
Then slow down when you reach the areas you actually want to explore.
Allow more time than the map suggests.
Galician roads can be winding, particularly in rural and coastal areas.
Don’t choose a huge car unless you need one.
A smaller vehicle can make village streets and parking much easier.
Take photographs of the car before leaving the rental station.
Check the fuel policy and insurance carefully.
If you’re crossing into Portugal, check the rental company’s cross-border rules first.
And most importantly:
Leave some space in your itinerary for the unexpected.
That’s when Galicia tends to surprise you.
So, should you rent a car in Galicia?
If your plans involve cities, a car isn’t always necessary. But if you want to explore Galicia’s coastline, countryside, villages, mountains and quieter places, having your own car can give you considerably more freedom. You don’t have to follow a fixed route. You can stop when you see a beautiful viewpoint.
Stay longer for lunch. Take the coastal road instead of the motorway. Or turn off the main road simply because something looks interesting. And that’s one of the best things about travelling through Galicia.
You don’t just visit the places on your itinerary. You discover the places in between.
Ready to explore Galicia?
Compare rental cars for your Galicia trip and start planning your route.
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