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car rental?

Mark61

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
4/16/18 start 5/18/18 finish
I was thinking of renting a car at Barcelona airport and driving to Bayonne. Is this a good idea?
 
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Afraid I can't give any specific advice but just be aware that in my experience pick ups in one country and drop offs in another tend to be VERY expensive. Trying to rent a car for one day going from Santiago to Porto last year would have cost me nearly €500!.
 
I'm seeing $180 USD from airport to Pomplona (unlimited miles).
 
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It is more expensive to drop off in France!!
 
I'm just wondering how it is to drive on the roads. Is it GPS friendly?
 
Well that's not too crazy, but I think it woul dgo up a fair bit if you were crossing the border into France.

Hope it all works out.
 
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Mark61 said:
I'm just wondering how it is to drive on the roads. Is it GPS friendly?
Click to expand...

Should be fine. If you're using your phone GPS might be worth just downloading the maps in advance at home with cheap data so you're not relying on roaming abroad.
 
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Change of plans. I didn't know you needed a Europe permit to drive. Decided to try rail.
 
@Mark61 if you are specifically wanting Bayonne - train to Pamplona, then train to Bayonne. If you are wanting to get to SJPDP then you can get off the train at Pamplona and catch the bus direct to SJPDP. Much easier.
 
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Kanga said:
@Mark61 if you are specifically wanting Bayonne - train to Pamplona, then train to Bayonne. If you are wanting to get to SJPDP then you can get off the train at Pamplona and catch the bus direct to SJPDP. Much easier.
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Thanks, that's what I'll do. How early does the bus route start to SJPDP?
 
Mark61 said:
Change of plans. I didn't know you needed a Europe permit to drive. Decided to try rail.
Click to expand...
What country do you live in?
Two years ago I drove a rental from Madrid to Pamplona, no permit (I live in the US). Not really cost effective for someone by themselves.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Dave C. said:
What country do you live in?
Two years ago I drove a rental from Madrid to Pamplona, no permit (I live in the US). Not really cost effective for someone by themselves.
Click to expand...

US. When I read the requirements it did say drivers license and a permit needed to rent car. Oh well, I'm doing train.
 
I know the OP has solved his issue, but I have two related comments for others. First, when you look at the cost of a car rental with a one way and drop off in another country, the price at first looks quite appealing. When you click your way through, the add-on fee for the drop off is added and it is usually quite astonishing, like 400 € or more!

Second thing -- I have both bought and rented cars in Spain and I have never had one of those international driving permits. In the US, they are issued by AAA (American Automobile Association). They are not expensive, about $20, but I have never bothered to go get one. In my many experiences, the only thing the authorities and the car rental people want to see if your US license. I always bring my drivers license on the camino, because you never know....
 

Thanks. I'm feeling a lot better to take the train, I was worried about all the hidden cost; and yes, always carry license!
 
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Drop off fees in Europe are VERY high, double-check before you commit. Drop-off fees in another country are outrageous!

When it comes to convenience services like parcel post and car rental, the European Union does not exist. Each nation is administered separately, as though the union never happened. This can be frustrating., But one just has to deal with it.

Caveat emptor.
 
For a one way rental from Madrid Airport to Pamplona Airport for 24 hours is a total of 40 euros from Hertz.
 
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Dave C. said:
For a one way rental from Madrid Airport to Pamplona Airport for 24 hours is a total of 40 euros from Hertz.
Click to expand...
Are you sure? Isn't it 40 EUR when you pick up the car in Madrid plus 60 EUR when you drop it off at Pamplona? Plus, obviously, petrol for about 45 EUR.

For Barcelona-Pamplona I see about the same, depending on which roads you take. Viamichelin.fr gives me 3 options, some with toll roads.

Public transport seems the best and most relaxing option.

PS: I put the date of Tue 11 April 2018 into Hertz.
 
Last edited:
Nope. Did it last year. But yes you have to pay for petrol (I always return it full)
 
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