Hire Car & Road Tolls ??

[Joanne P]

Hi Everyone

We are a group of four, arriving in Madrid. We need to get to Hospital de Orbigo for the Medieval Festival, and then to Pamplona after that. It would seem a hire car is the most economical way to go for our group.

Someone has mentioned there are road tolls in Spain. Does anyone know if this is correct, and if so, an approximate cost please?

Thank you

 

[peregrina2000]

The vast majority of what we would call "super highways" have no tolls in Spain. This map, from 2011 may not be totally up to date but should give you an idea of where the toll roads are (and if you can figure out the rationale behind the decision of which roads to put tolls on, you get the gold star).

https://www.autobild.es/practicos/autopistas-peaje-espana-165309

I believe, but am not certain, that the tolls vary depending on time of day -- the higher the average traffic at a certain hour, the higher the toll.

I looks to me like you may hit an occasional toll (for example, leaving Madrid heading north, going from León back east towards Pamplona), but I don't think tolls will be a major price factor in your calculations.

I have been in Hospital de Orbigo during their Renaissance Fair. We had no idea we would be happening upon it, but luckily there were rooms in an albergue. Lots of merriment, that's for sure! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Kathar1na]

@Joanne P, I put your trip (Madrid airport-Hospital de Órbigo-Pamplona) into viamichelin.fr and their recommended itinerary includes toll road fees (péage in French) of 32,10 EUR. I don't know how up to date/reliable it is. I believe you can use toll free roads instead if you wish to do so. Click here to view the results (the estimated cost is shown in the bottom right corner, split into petrol and toll road fees).

 

[KinkyOne]

I was told that Spain has two different types of highways: private and state owned. You pay toll only on private Autopistas which are signed as AP (AP-1 etc.) and state owned Autovias are signed as A (A-1 etc.).

I don't know much more because when in Spain I walk

 

[Deleted member 76633]

I put your trip (Madrid airport-Hospital de Órbigo-Pamplona) into viamichelin.fr and their recommended itinerary includes toll road fees (péage in French) of 32,10 EUR.

The above is good advice. Local roads are slow and busy. Toll Roads are fast and empty. The difference when it comes to journey times is worth the extra.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm. If road tolls are causing you budget concerns just wait till you see the one-way (city-city) supplement charged by the hire companies.

 

[Joanne P]

Hmm. If road tolls are causing you budget concerns just wait till you see the one-way (city-city) supplement charged by the hire companies.

Yes, the car hire companies certainly hit us for that one! LOL
We're not overly concerned - it is what it is - just want to be prepared

 

[Joanne P]

@Joanne P, I put your trip (Madrid airport-Hospital de Órbigo-Pamplona) into viamichelin.fr and their recommended itinerary includes toll road fees (péage in French) of 32,10 EUR. I don't know how up to date/reliable it is. I believe you can use toll free roads instead if you wish to do so. Click here to view the results (the estimated cost is shown in the bottom right corner, split into petrol and toll road fees).

Thanks so much for taking the time to do that!

 

[Joanne P]

The vast majority of what we would call "super highways" have no tolls in Spain. This map, from 2011 may not be totally up to date but should give you an idea of where the toll roads are (and if you can figure out the rationale behind the decision of which roads to put tolls on, you get the gold star).

https://www.autobild.es/practicos/autopistas-peaje-espana-165309

I believe, but am not certain, that the tolls vary depending on time of day -- the higher the average traffic at a certain hour, the higher the toll.

I looks to me like you may hit an occasional toll (for example, leaving Madrid heading north, going from León back east towards Pamplona), but I don't think tolls will be a major price factor in your calculations.

I have been in Hospital de Orbigo during their Renaissance Fair. We had no idea we would be happening upon it, but luckily there were rooms in an albergue. Lots of merriment, that's for sure! Buen camino, Laurie

Thank you for your reply - much appreciated.
Yes, we are really looking forward to the weekend in Orbigo - it should be great fun.
We have booked accommodation in advance.

 

[nycwalking]

Well, now that everything is cleared up.

Buen camino.

 

[Joanne P]

Well, now that everything is cleared up.

Buen camino.

Thank you!

 

[wisepilgrim]

Keep in mind that toll road machines in Spain and Portugal are notoriously fussy when it comes to paying by card. Debit has never worked for me, and foreign credit can be iffy. Plan ahead and take cash just in case.

 

[William Marques]

For me, I have found that most of my motorway travel in Spain (say 80%+) has been on toll free roads and that when tolls have been involved I have always had enough cash to pay the fee so not worried about credit cards.

 

[Joanne P]

Keep in mind that toll road machines in Spain and Portugal are notoriously fussy when it comes to paying by card. Debit has never worked for me, and foreign credit can be iffy. Plan ahead and take cash just in case.

good to know - thank you!

 

[Joanne P]

For me, I have found that most of my motorway travel in Spain (say 80%+) has been on toll free roads and that when tolls have been involved I have always had enough cash to pay the fee so not worried about credit cards.

cash sounds like the safest, easiest way to go - thank you

 

[JabbaPapa]

The vast majority of what we would call "super highways" have no tolls in Spain. This map, from 2011 may not be totally up to date but should give you an idea of where the toll roads are (and if you can figure out the rationale behind the decision of which roads to put tolls on, you get the gold star).

https://www.autobild.es/practicos/autopistas-peaje-espana-165309

From this map, it looks like there's just a short section of the motorway between Madrid and Astorga that's a toll road. (no need to take the Autopista for the short drive from Astorga to Hospital)

From there, I'd say just follow the N-120 -- which is after all still mostly the historic Camino, tarmacked over -- through Léon and Burgos to Pamplona. (though you need to take a detour south from Léon on the N-601 to get back onto it) -- or, motorway to Burgos, then N-120 to Pamplona, up to you.

It is NOT a busy road, except in the immediate vicinity of those three cities ; Pamplona especially, but as that's your destination, you'd hit those busy roads regardless.

 

[Kathar1na]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do that!

It was a pleasure. I don't know how good your French is but if you use the Viamichelin link I posted earlier you even have a detailed description of the trip (just scroll down the page), including how much you have to pay for each toll section (péage in French) and where you have to take the tickets (Prise de ticket in French). Buen viaje!

On second thoughts, I guess a GPS or a GPS app on a smartphone will provide you with the same information, too. Must check it out next time ...