Car rental Madrid Airport

Madrid-Barajas Airport is approximately 23km north-east of the city centre. Driving into the city centre should take around 30 minutes – follow the A-2 and the M-30 freeway. Thanks to its central position, Madrid has fantastic road connections to other parts of Spain. The E-5/A-1 highway will take you north to the city of Burgos, from where the AP-1 heads to the sun-kissed north coast of the country.

On-street parking spaces are hard to find in Madrid, so it’s best to use the underground parking lots when you’re exploring. ‘Prohibido Estacionar’ signs (and yellow road markings) mean you cannot park – so look out for them. Madrid’s roads can get very busy, particularly around rush hour, so plan your journey in advance and leave plenty of time for travel.

With car rental you can also escape the city and explore more of Spain. The spectacular walled city of Toledo lies 86km to the south on the A-42 highway, while Segovia is 103km north-west from the airport via the A-6 freeway.

What about the rules of the road? Driving is on the right-hand side, and you should stick to the right-hand lane on motorways and dual carriageways unless overtaking.

There are three types of main road in Spain. Autopistas are toll motorways with a speed limit of 120 km/h; Autovías are toll-free dual carriageways with a speed limit of 100km/h, and carreteras nacionales are toll-free national roads with a speed limit of 90km/h.

Madrid has much to offer when it comes to things to do. From awesome art collections and beautiful Baroque palaces to Roman remains and ancient towns – and car rental at Madrid Airport gives you the perfect base from which to explore it.

Explore world-famous galleries

Madrid is one of world’s art capitals – boasting three of the most-revered galleries on the planet all within walking distance of one another. The Museo del Prado is arguably the most well-known, home to works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and El Greco. Explore one of the world’s largest collections of Spanish, Italian and Flemish painting.

The Reina Sofía focuses on contemporary art and is home to Pablo Picasso's famous ‘Guernica’, as well as works by Miró, Dalí, Tàpies and Juan Gris. The third gallery is the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a treasure trove of Impressionist and Expressionist masters, such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Klee and Kandinsky.

Retire to El Retiro and then watch Real Madrid

Embrace the outdoors at one of Madrid’s vibrant parks. The most central and most popular is El Retiro, a delightful mix of formal gardens and open spaces. Bang in the centre of the city is the Plaza Mayor, a vast square surrounded by elegant Flemish-inspired buildings. It’s the perfect place to sit back and watch the world go by.

If you’re a soccer fan, don’t miss the chance to catch a game at the Santiago Bernabéu, home of Real Madrid. Watch some of the world’s top players strut their stuff as you embrace the atmosphere amid a sea of white jerseys.

Take a trip through Spanish history

Beyond Madrid lie some of the country’s greatest attractions. The ancient walled city of Toledo was once the capital of Spain, and is best known as the former home and workplace of the famed painter El Greco. Another recommended day trip is to Segovia’s stunning Roman aqueduct and remarkable fairy-tale castle.

Other places worth visiting include the beautiful walled city of Ávila, birthplace of St Teresa, and the beautiful oasis town of Aranjuez, famed for its lavish Renaissance palace and lush green gardens. Closer to hand, and only 22km from Madrid’s airport, is Alcalá de Henares, home to a sixteenth-century university, as well as the Cervantes Birthplace Museum, in the former home of the celebrated author of ‘Don Quixote’.

Car rental from Madrid Airport gives you the freedom you need to get out and explore Madrid and surrounding parts of Spain in full.