Costa del Sol Tourism Guide - Car Rental Costa Del Sol

Cheap Car Rental from Malaga Airport, Costa Del Sol Car Hire

Driving is on the right hand side in Spain, with the main AP7 motorway a toll motorway, with N340 toll free dual carriageway mostly running parallel. (recommended, take the N340 for short drives, and the AP7 motorway for long journeys).

Expect some queuing in peak summer season to pick up your car hire from Malaga Airport. Have a good idea what route you are taking to your hotel prior to arrival. Some refurbishment (as at 2007) is currently underway at Malaga Airport, making getting out of car parks and the airport itself both congested and a little tricky. Just take your time, follow clearly market signs to main roads AP7 and N340, and check your car carefully for damage or marks before heading off. If you find minor damage, return to the car hire desk and report it, make sure it's recorded. Check you also have the reflective jacket and two hazard red triangles usually in the boot, both of which are needed by law in Spain in the event of breakdown. (see Driving Abroad advice on the Foreign Office Advice weblink right). It's well worth doing a little research on driving in Spain prior to your visit, as car hire companies are poor at passing on relevant information.

The Foreign Office (see weblink right) are warning of some incidents of 'highway pirates' operating around the exit road from Malaga Airport and nearby highways. They tend to target car rentals and essentially how they operate is by trying to indicate you have a problem with your tyres. When you stop, they'll offer assistance whilst snatching your baggage. See the Foreign Office Travel Advice weblink right for details. Driving in Spain is on the right and wearing seatbelts is obligatory, with minimum age for car hire by the big car hire firms 21 years, with driving licence. On exit from Malaga Airport if you're pushing on to Costa Del Sol resorts west or east, expect tolls on the AP7 west.