How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car?
How much does it cost to rent a car in Spain? Explore average prices, what affects rental costs, and how to choose the right car for your trip.
If you are planning a trip to Spain, one of the first questions you will probably ask is: how much does it cost to rent a car?
At first, the answer seems easy. You search for a car and see €8, €15, €25 or €50 per day. But then you change the dates, choose another location, or look at a different type of car, and suddenly the price changes completely.
This is why there is no single answer to the question. The cost of renting a car depends on several things, including the type of vehicle, your travel dates, where you pick it up, how long you need it, and what is included in the booking.
For planning purposes, you can think of around €15–€30 per day for a small economy car, €20–€40 for a compact or mid-size car, €35–€70 or more for an SUV, and €50–€100+ for premium vehicles. These are useful planning ranges rather than fixed prices, because rental prices can change considerably depending on the market.
There can also be much cheaper offers. You may see cars advertised for €5 or even less per day, particularly when there is low demand or a special offer. But a “from €5” price does not mean that every traveller will pay €5 for their holiday.
So, instead of looking for one magic number, it is better to understand what actually determines the price and how to compare different options.
What Determines the Price of a Rental Car?
When you look at car rental prices, the first thing to remember is that you are not really paying for “a car per day”. You are paying for a particular car, in a particular place, during a particular period.
That is why two cars that look quite similar can have completely different prices.
The biggest factors are the vehicle itself, your travel dates, the location, the rental period, and the level of demand.
The type of car
The car you choose has a direct effect on the price.
A small city car such as a Toyota Aygo, Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10 will normally sit at a lower price than a Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage or Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
This is also where you need to think about what you actually need.
If you are travelling to Alicante with your partner and two small suitcases, a small economy car may be exactly right. If you are travelling with four people, several suitcases and a stroller, paying a little more for a larger vehicle may make much more sense.
There is no prize for choosing the smallest car on the website if everyone has to sit with a suitcase on their lap.
Your travel dates
The time of year can make a noticeable difference to car rental cost.
During popular holiday periods, more people are looking for rental cars at the same time. In quieter periods, there can be more choice and lower prices.
For example, imagine that a small car costs €20 per day in September but €30 per day during a busy summer period. For one day, the difference is only €10. For a seven-day rental, it becomes €70.
That is why travellers with flexible dates should always compare a few different periods before booking.
Sometimes changing your dates can save more money than spending an hour searching for the cheapest possible car.
Your location
The city or region where you rent the car also matters.
A car rental in Alicante does not necessarily cost the same as a similar car in Málaga, Madrid, Barcelona or Ibiza. Even within one city, airport locations and local pickup points can have different prices and conditions.
This is especially important when you search for a car rental near me. The closest car is not automatically the best option.
A car that is €5 cheaper but takes an hour to reach may not be a better deal than a car that costs a little more and is close to your hotel.
How long you rent the car
The rental period can also affect the daily price.
A one-day rental may have a different daily rate from a three-day or seven-day booking. A monthly rental can have a completely different pricing structure again.
This means that you should always compare the total cost for the period you actually need rather than simply looking at the daily price.
Demand and availability
Finally, prices can change depending on how many cars are available and how many people are looking for them.
If everyone wants an automatic SUV on the same weekend, those cars may become more expensive or harder to find.
This is another reason why there is no universal answer to “how much does it cost to rent a car?”
The same destination can have very different prices from one week to another.
How Much Does a Rental Car Cost Per Day?
If you are simply trying to create a budget for a trip, these ranges can give you a useful starting point:
| Type of car | Approximate daily budget | | ------------------------- | -----------------------: | | Small economy car | €15–€30 | | Compact car | €20–€40 | | Mid-size car | €25–€45 | | SUV | €35–€70+ | | Family or 7-seater | €45–€80+ | | Premium car | €50–€100+ | | Luxury or special vehicle | €100+ |
These figures should be treated as planning examples, not guaranteed prices.
A real rental can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the destination, season, host, vehicle, availability and booking conditions.
This is particularly important when you see very low prices online.
A car advertised at €5 per day might genuinely be available at that price for certain dates. But if you are travelling on a busy August weekend, looking for an automatic car, or need a larger vehicle, you may see a completely different price.
The useful question is not “What is the cheapest rental car?”
It is “What can I realistically expect to pay for the type of car I need?”
What Could Different Cars Cost on Juuh?
Juuh is being built as a peer-to-peer car rental marketplace, which means local hosts can list their own cars and travellers can choose from the vehicles available for their trip.
Because Juuh has not launched yet, it would be misleading to present specific numbers as current Juuh prices. Instead, we can look at realistic examples of what different types of cars could potentially cost on the marketplace once hosts begin listing their vehicles.
For example, a small Kia Picanto or Toyota Aygo could potentially be around €20–€28 per day. A Toyota Yaris might be around €23–€32, while a Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra could potentially sit around €25–€40 per day.
A larger SUV such as a Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 could be around €40–€60 per day, while a premium car such as a Mercedes-Benz C-Class could potentially move into the €55–€90+ range.
These are illustrative examples, not live Juuh prices.
The important thing about a peer-to-peer marketplace is that there is not necessarily one standard price for every car. Different hosts can offer different models, locations, rental periods and prices.
For a traveller, that can mean more options when looking for a car that fits a particular trip.
For a host, it creates an opportunity to earn from a car that might otherwise spend most of the week parked.
Does the Type of Car Change the Price?
Yes, and choosing the right category can make a big difference to your final rental budget.
The good news is that you don't always need the most expensive car. You just need one that makes sense for your trip.
Economy car rental
An economy car rental is usually the first category worth checking if you are travelling alone or as a couple.
Small cars are particularly useful for city trips, short road trips and travellers who don't have much luggage. They can also be easier to park, which can be a real advantage when you are driving somewhere unfamiliar.
Imagine that you are spending five days in Alicante. You have two small suitcases, you are staying close to the centre, and you only plan to drive outside the city for one or two days.
A small car at €24 per day would cost:
€24 × 5 = €120
Now imagine that you choose an SUV at €50 per day instead.
That would be:
€50 × 5 = €250
You would be paying €130 more.
If you don't need the extra space, that difference could probably be spent on something more enjoyable.
Compact and mid-size cars
Compact cars are a good middle ground when a small economy car feels too tight but an SUV seems unnecessary.
A Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra is a good example of this category.
Let's imagine that a local host lists a Toyota Corolla for €32 per day.
For five days, the rental would be:
€32 × 5 = €160
Compared with the €120 economy car, you are paying €40 more.
If you are travelling with two adults, a child and several bags, that extra space may be worth it.
The cheapest car is not always the best-value car.
SUVs and larger vehicles
SUVs become more useful when you have several passengers, a lot of luggage or a longer road trip planned.
Imagine a family of four travelling around Andalusia for a week. They have four suitcases, a stroller and enough beach equipment to fill a small storage room.
An economy car may be cheaper, but a larger SUV could make the journey much more comfortable.
If the SUV costs €48 per day for seven days:
€48 × 7 = €336
That is a significant rental cost, but the family is paying for additional space and comfort.
The right question isn't whether €336 is expensive compared with €150.
It is whether the car is worth €336 for the trip they are taking.
Premium and luxury cars
Premium cars are a different story.
You might choose a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche or convertible because you need a particular type of vehicle, but you might also choose one because you want the car itself to be part of the holiday.
A premium car could cost €60–€100 or more per day depending on the model, location and dates.
For a three-day weekend at €75 per day, that would be €225.
It is certainly more expensive than an economy car, but if you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or simply want to enjoy a particular car on a Spanish road, that may be exactly what you're looking for.
Daily vs Weekly vs Monthly Rental
The number of days you need the car is just as important as the type of car you choose.
A person who needs a car for one afternoon has a completely different rental need from someone planning a month-long stay.
Daily car rental
A daily car rental can make sense when you only need a car for part of your holiday.
Imagine that you are staying in Málaga for seven days. You spend most of the time walking around the city, but you want to take a day trip outside Málaga.
Do you really need a car for the entire week?
Maybe not.
If the car costs €28 for one day, your basic rental cost is €28. If you rented the same car for seven days at €28 per day, the calculation would be €196.
Of course, real rental pricing doesn't always work as simple multiplication. A longer booking can have a lower daily rate, while a one-day booking may cost more per day.
The point is simply that you should think about how often you will actually use the car.
A seven-day holiday does not automatically mean you need a seven-day rental.
One-day car rental
A one day car rental can be useful for a very specific plan.
Maybe you're staying near the beach and want to spend one day exploring inland. Perhaps you have a family event outside the city. Or maybe you want to visit several places that are difficult to reach by public transport.
Let's say the car costs €30 for the day.
You pick it up in the morning, spend the day travelling, and return it in the evening.
For a short trip, that may be all the car you need.
However, it is still worth checking two- or three-day rentals. Sometimes the total difference is small enough that a longer booking gives you better value.
Weekly rental
A weekly rental can be useful for road trips or holidays where you plan to move between several destinations.
Imagine that you're travelling through Andalusia and changing accommodation every couple of days. Having one car for the whole week can make the trip easier because you don't have to think about transport every morning.
At €27 per day, a seven-day rental would be:
€27 × 7 = €189
You can then add fuel, parking and any other costs to understand the total transportation budget.
Monthly car rental
A monthly car rental is a different situation.
If you are staying in Spain for a month, you might look at a €25 daily price and calculate:
€25 × 30 = €750
But that doesn't mean €750 is necessarily the price of a month-long rental.
Longer bookings can have different pricing, so if you need a car for several weeks, compare a monthly option with shorter rentals.
Monthly rental can be useful for people working remotely, staying with family, temporarily relocating, or simply taking a very long holiday.
If you're staying for 30 days, don't shop like someone who needs a car for one Saturday.
What Can Make a Rental More Expensive?
You find a car for €20 per day and think you've found the perfect deal.
Then you start looking at the details.
This is where the final cost can change.
The season
The busiest travel periods can be more expensive because demand is higher.
If a car costs €20 per day during one period and €30 during another, the difference may not seem dramatic until you multiply it by a week.
€20 × 7 = €140
€30 × 7 = €210
That's a €70 difference.
If your dates are flexible, it is worth checking several options.
The pickup location
Airport pickup is convenient, especially after a long flight. You collect your luggage and want to get moving.
But an airport location isn't automatically the cheapest.
If you're staying in Alicante city centre, for example, a local car that is close to your accommodation may be more useful than a slightly cheaper car that requires another journey to reach.
This is one reason why location should always be part of your comparison.
Additional drivers
If you and your partner are both going to drive, check the conditions for additional drivers before booking.
The extra cost may be small, but it should still be part of your calculation.
Child seats and other extras
Families should also check whether they need a child seat or other equipment and whether it costs extra.
It is much better to know about these costs before booking than to discover them at pickup.
Fuel
Fuel is another part of the real cost of renting a car.
Imagine that you rent a car for €120 for five days and drive 500 kilometres.
If the car uses approximately 6 litres per 100 kilometres, you would use around 30 litres of fuel.
At €1.60 per litre, that would be about €48.
Your transportation budget would therefore look more like:
€120 rental + €48 fuel = €168.
This is why a €120 rental doesn't necessarily mean that your trip will cost only €120 for transportation.
How to Compare Car Rental Prices
When comparing cars, it is tempting to look at the daily price and immediately choose the lowest number.
Try not to.
Imagine you have two options.
Car A costs €20 per day.
Car B costs €27 per day.
For five days, Car A costs €100 and Car B costs €135.
The difference is €35.
Now imagine Car B is closer to your accommodation, has enough room for your luggage, and is a much better fit for your trip.
Would you pay €35 more?
Maybe.
Now imagine both cars are equally suitable.
In that case, save the €35.
The point is not to always choose the more expensive car. The point is to understand what you are actually comparing.
Before booking, look at the total rental price, the exact rental period, the vehicle, pickup location, fuel conditions, mileage rules, insurance or protection terms, deposit, and any additional services.
A €20 car is a good deal when it actually gives you what you need for €20.
How to Save Money on a Rental Car
Saving money on a rental car doesn't necessarily mean finding the lowest price on the internet.
Sometimes the easiest way to spend less is simply to rent for fewer days.
If you're staying in a city and only need a car for two day trips, you may not need to keep a car outside your hotel for the entire holiday.
Choosing the right car also matters. If you're travelling with two people and two bags, an economy car can be enough. If you're travelling with four people and a lot of luggage, spending a little more on a larger car may be the better decision.
You can also compare different pickup locations and travel dates. A small change in either can make a noticeable difference to the final price.
Most importantly, look at the total cost.
If one car is €5 cheaper per day but costs €30 more in other charges, it isn't really cheaper.
What About Cheap Car Rental?
There is nothing wrong with looking for cheap car rental.
Everyone likes a good deal.
The problem is when the word “cheap” becomes more important than the actual trip.
Imagine you're comparing two cars for five days.
The first costs €14 per day:
€14 × 5 = €70.
The second costs €23 per day:
€23 × 5 = €115.
The difference is €45.
If both cars fit your needs equally well, saving €45 makes perfect sense.
But what if the €14 car is too small for your luggage, while the €23 car is exactly the right size?
The additional €45 might be worth it.
This is especially important when searching for cheap car rental near me. The cheapest car you can find nearby isn't necessarily the best deal if it doesn't fit your plans.
Cheap is a price.
Value is whether that price makes sense.
How Does Juuh Fit Into the Picture?
Juuh is being built around the idea that there is another way to approach car rental.
Instead of only choosing from a traditional rental fleet, travellers can look at cars shared by local hosts. At the same time, people who own cars can make those vehicles available when they are not using them.
Imagine that someone in Alicante owns a Toyota Corolla but only drives it a few times a week. The rest of the time, the car is sitting in a parking space.
At the same time, a traveller staying nearby needs a car for three days.
The car already exists.
The traveller already needs one.
Juuh is designed to connect the two.
Because Juuh has not launched yet, there are no live marketplace prices that we can use as official examples. However, a future marketplace could include different cars and price ranges depending on the host and vehicle.
A small Kia Picanto might potentially be listed around €20–€28 per day, while a Toyota Yaris could be around €23–€32. A Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra might sit around €25–€40, while a Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 could potentially be around €40–€60.
A premium Mercedes-Benz or BMW could move into the €55–€90+ range.
These figures are only illustrative examples. Actual Juuh prices will depend on the vehicles, hosts, locations, dates and conditions available after launch.
The important part is not that every car will fit into a particular price range. It is that a marketplace can give travellers different options instead of assuming that everyone wants the same car for the same number of days.
For one traveller, the best option might be a €25 economy car for a day.
For a family, it could be a €45 SUV for a week.
For someone staying in Spain for a month, a longer rental could make more sense.
There is no single “best” rental car because there is no single type of traveller.
So, How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car?
If you need a quick starting point for your travel budget, you can think of an economy car as roughly €15–€30 per day, a compact or mid-size car as around €20–€45, an SUV as around €35–€70+, and premium vehicles as €50–€100+ per day.
But these are only starting points.
The actual car rental cost depends on your destination, dates, vehicle, rental period, availability, and what is included.
A €20 car for five days gives you a basic rental cost of €100.
A €30 car for five days gives you €150.
A €50 SUV for seven days gives you €350.
A €75 premium car for three days gives you €225.
Once you start looking at rental prices this way, the question becomes much easier to answer.
You don't really need to know how much “a rental car” costs.
You need to know how much your rental car will cost.
That means looking at the car you want, the dates you need it, the place where you will pick it up, and how long you actually plan to drive it.
And sometimes the best way to save money isn't to find the cheapest car.
It's to rent the right car for the right number of days.
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent a car in Spain?
As a general planning range, an economy car can cost around €15–€30 per day, while compact cars may be around €20–€40 and SUVs can reach €35–€70 or more. Prices depend on the destination, season, vehicle, rental period, and availability.
Can I rent a car for €10 a day?
Very low prices can be available for specific cars and dates, especially outside busy periods. However, a price advertised “from €10” does not mean that every traveller will pay €10 per day. Always check the actual price for your dates.
Is €20 a day a good price for a rental car?
€20 per day can be a reasonable price for a small economy car, particularly during a quieter travel period. Whether it is a good deal depends on the vehicle, location, conditions and total price.
What is the cheapest type of rental car?
Small economy cars are usually among the least expensive rental categories. Cars such as the Toyota Aygo, Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 are examples of the type of vehicles you may find in this category.
Is an economy car good for a holiday in Spain?
An economy car can be a good choice for one or two travellers, especially if you are visiting cities or taking shorter road trips. If you have several passengers or a lot of luggage, a larger vehicle may be more suitable.
Is a daily car rental cheaper than renting for a week?
Not necessarily. A one-day rental may have a higher daily rate, while a weekly booking may offer a lower effective daily price. However, if you only need a car for one or two days, the shorter rental can still be cheaper overall.
How much does a one day car rental cost?
A one-day rental for a small car could be around €20–€30 or more in some markets, but there is no universal price. Location, dates, vehicle type and availability all affect the cost.
Is it cheaper to rent a car for a week?
It can be. Some rental options have lower daily rates for longer bookings. However, you should compare the total price rather than assuming that a weekly rental is always cheaper.
How much does monthly car rental cost?
There is no single monthly price. As a simple example, a €25 daily rate would equal €750 over 30 days, but monthly rental options can use different pricing. If you need a car for several weeks, compare monthly and long-term options.
Is long term car rental worth it?
Long term car rental can be useful for extended holidays, temporary work, relocation periods, or longer stays. Whether it is worthwhile depends on how long you need the car and what other transport options you have.
Does the season affect car rental cost?
Yes. Prices can change significantly depending on demand. Busy summer periods can be more expensive than quieter months, so flexible travel dates can sometimes help reduce the cost.
Does location affect the price of a rental car?
Yes. Rental prices can vary between cities, regions and even pickup locations within the same destination. Airport and local pickup points may also have different pricing and conditions.
Is airport car rental more expensive?
Not necessarily, but airport and local locations can have different prices. If you are staying in a city, it can be worth comparing an airport rental with a car located closer to your accommodation.
What should I check before booking a rental car?
Check the total price, vehicle type, rental period, pickup location, fuel conditions, mileage rules, insurance or protection terms, deposit, and any additional services or drivers.
How can I find cheap car rental near me?
Compare several vehicles in your area, check different dates and pickup locations, and look at the total rental cost rather than only the daily price. The cheapest car is not always the best-value option for your trip.
Can renting from a local host be cheaper?
It can be, but there is no universal answer. Local hosts can offer different cars, prices and locations, so the best approach is to compare the available options for your dates and needs.
What kind of cars could be available on Juuh?
Juuh is being built as a peer-to-peer marketplace where local hosts can share their cars with travellers. Depending on the hosts and locations available after launch, travellers could find everything from small economy cars and compact models to SUVs and premium vehicles.
Will Juuh have fixed rental prices?
No single fixed price can be promised because Juuh is a marketplace. Prices will depend on individual vehicles, hosts, locations, dates and booking conditions once the marketplace launches.
What is the most important thing to remember when comparing rental cars?
Don't compare only the daily price. Compare the total cost for your actual trip and make sure the car, location and rental period fit what you really need. A slightly more expensive car can sometimes be better value if it saves you time, fits your luggage, or matches your plans.