Car rental Madrid to Pamplona - drop off on a Sunday?

Or you could walk out of the airport and onto a bus to Pamplona for around €30

bopper NYC said:

Does anyone have any experience renting a car at Madrid airport and Driving to Pamplona on a Sunday?
I'm specifically concerned about the drop off since most places seem to be closed on Sundays and there are some weird drop off procedures - having trouble getting a clear picture.

We're 3 people, and would all share the drive, so it does make sense for us to drive vs. train...

Thanks for any info.

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Renting a car ~might~ be cheaper ... but I doubt it because rental companies don't like drop offs at different locations. You're probably having trouble getting a clear picture because its not encouraged. Don't forget to include gas in your calculations.

Train or bus is less hassle.

If you're going to SJPdP go to Bayonne via San Sebastian and Irun instead.

I agree with the others posters. Public transport might be more efficient and less stressful.

Also , don't forget that driving out of Madrid ( even on a Sunday ) can be a hassle.

Dropping of a rental car when there is no staff available can be complicated.
Take lots of pictures of the car when you return it because some companies are famous for billing you extras for so called defects.

bopper NYC said:

Does anyone have any experience renting a car at Madrid airport and Driving to Pamplona on a Sunday?
I'm specifically concerned about the drop off since most places seem to be closed on Sundays and there are some weird drop off procedures - having trouble getting a clear picture.

We're 3 people, and would all share the drive, so it does make sense for us to drive vs. train...

Thanks for any info.

Click to expand...

We have not driven from Madrid airport but did once return a car there ; driving in was not an issue.

One-way rental with Sunday drop-off : on two occasions, both from Bilbao airport, first to Logrono rail station, second to Leon station. Depots were both closed, no rental personnel present ; keys left at car-park office at Logrono, posted into a box at Leon.

There were no problems on either occasion with the return and no unpleasant surprises later re damages etc. The rental companies were Budget and Avis.

Why did we not use the bus? There was no middle-of-the day bus from Bilbao to Logrono on a Sunday ; the journey to Leon (from Bilbao) was again on a Sunday and would have been unduly laborious by bus. The car also meant that we could stop at Burgos to visit the cathedral, which we had missed the previous month while cycling the CF, but it was closed to tourists due to the Corpus Christi procession etc... we shall do better next time!

Check the Alsa bus website. It’s very easy to use.
Buses from airport @ 01.15 - Pamp 06.33. 10.30 - 15.35. 15.15 - 20.20. 19.45 - 00.45. Also 11 buses from central Madrid.