The holiday season is starting, some of the readers of this site will probably go for a drive around Europe and, perhaps, directly in Spain, so at the request of some of these readers I wrote a short article about the features of toll roads in Spain, but this is also, with minor modifications, suitable for toll roads in France, Italy and some other European countries.
The roads in Spain are divided into free (Autovia) and toll (Autopista). When approaching a toll road, road signs always indicate the sign Peaje, enclosed in a red circle. The toll road is always several rows long, there are no traffic lights or crossings, the speed limit is 120 km/h. At the same time, there are very few places where radars are installed; signs warn about them, so in reality many drivers drive on highways at a speed of 140-150 km/h.
There are two types of tolls for these roads: either they immediately charge you money to pay for the next section, or they give you a special check that you will need to insert into the machine when you exit the toll road, and there they will write to you how much you need to pay. Keep in mind that you can ride for quite a long time with this check if the track is long and you don’t leave it. But don’t hope that they forgot about you: at the congress they will definitely count for everything and the amount there may turn out to be quite substantial. In Spain I didn’t encounter this, but in France I had to: I was traveling from Spain to Burgundy, at the entrance to France I took a ticket and then drove with it for seven hours. When I left the highway, they counted 64 euros.
When approaching a payment point, carefully monitor where and what types of payment are accepted. If there is only the letter T or the inscription Telepeaje (aka Via-T) hanging above the payment point, you cannot go there, this is payment with a transponder that hangs on the car window. In Spain, such a transponder is ordered from a bank and in your personal account it looks like a credit card.
The inscription Automático and an image of a plastic card - here payment is only by card. And keep in mind that there are various tricks with these cards. For example, in Spain, in addition to Spanish ones, Russian cards also worked without problems, and in France, the Spanish debit card did not work, but the Russian credit card did.
Well, the Manual inscription and the image of coins show that here you can pay in cash or by card. Attention - even when only Manual, you can always pay there with a card: you give it to the point employee to pay.
It often happens that all the icons - T, map and coins - can hang over some corridor. This means that any type of payment is acceptable. However, if you are going to pay by card, then it is better to look for corridors with a picture of a card without coins - there will simply be less queues there, because the longest queues are where they accept cash.
For example, in the photo below from left to right: payment by card, two points only for the transponder (automatic payment), one point also for cards (the inscription targetes in Catalan, also known as tarjetes in Spanish; why is there an inscription here and not a picture - and therefore that this item can be switched either way - only for the transponder or only for cards), the last two are cards.
Also in some places there is an option called Pago Exacto - this is payment without change: payment with coins is thrown into a special basket as you drive by.
In some places, there may be a “3+” icon above some driveways - this means that if there are at least three people in a passing car, there will be a discount on payment. You can go there with any number of people in the car, just if there are less than three people, there will be no discount.
Where are the most toll roads in Spain? The answer is simple - in Catalonia. I have traveled almost all of Spain; there are no such number of toll roads as in Catalonia anywhere else. According to statistics, there are 633 kilometers of toll highways in Catalonia. For comparison, in Valencia there are 367 kilometers of them, and in Asturias there are only 22 kilometers of tolls.
Here is a map of all toll roads in Spain.
Detailed tariffs for each site can be viewed (in Spanish).
Well, here’s another sign from which you can get an impression of the price level.
There are also several toll tunnels in Spain. One of them is the Tunnel del Cadi in the Catalan Pyrenees. Its length is more than five kilometers. For regular passenger cars, the fare is €12. If you are traveling, for example, from Barcelona or Girona to Andorra, then this tunnel will be on your way. Of course, you can drive around, but it will take you a lot of time and through the mountains.
Another toll tunnel is also in Catalonia: the Valvidrera tunnel. There the cost is about 4 euros.
Now let’s answer the question of how much toll roads can speed up your movements and whether you can try to bypass them.
It all depends on distances. For example, you can get from Barcelona to Blanes via a toll highway (there are three points, all together about €5), or you can take the N-II national highway, which runs along the coast. On the N-II there are towns and traffic lights everywhere along the road, but on the toll road you drive like a bullet. However, the time difference will be about 15-20 minutes. Whether it makes sense to go around the high-speed toll highway for 15-20 minutes, everyone decides for themselves.
As for long-distance destinations, the use of toll highways can significantly save time. For example, a trip from Barcelona to Valencia on toll roads is 3 hours 43 minutes. And for free - 4 hours 51 minutes. The savings here are very significant.
How much time you will lose if you go around toll roads can be easily checked in the navigation program. First, plan a route using toll roads, and then select the “Avoid toll roads” option and see how much longer the journey takes.
Of the inappropriately high prices for toll roads, I know of only one section - this is the C-16 highway, which begins just after the Valvidrera toll tunnel. This route leads north towards , and so on, navigators often point it out. So, it’s better not to go there, because first you will pay for travel through the tunnel, and then on C-16 there will be toll points quite often and for some reason the amounts there are very high - 5-7 euros each (usually 1.5-2 .5 euros). In the end, I somehow paid about 23 euros for a trip towards Montserrat - and didn’t go there anymore, especially since there are at least three detours and you literally lose 15-20 minutes of time.
The length of the public road network in Spain, including the Canary and Balearic Islands, is 683.175 km. Almost all of them are paved roads. The length of highways is 17,109 km, of which almost 3,000 km are .
Toll roads
In Spain there are tolls for using roads. Travel through some tunnels is also subject to payment.
The road toll system in Spain depends on several parameters: distance traveled, vehicle category, season and even rush hour during the day.
Tariffs for travel on major highways for 2019:| Highway | Route (distance) | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| AP-2 | Zaragoza - AP-7 (225 km) | € 24.60 |
| AP-4 | Seville - Cadiz (95 km) | € 7.45 |
| AP-6 | Madrid - Adanero (74 km) | € 12.70 |
| AP-7 | A9 (France) - Barcelona (156 km) | € 14.70 |
| AP-7 | Barcelona - Valencia (347 km) | € 37.50 |
| AP-7 | Valencia - Alicante (178 km) | € 17.60 |
| AP-7 | Cartagena - Vera (97 km) | € 10.90 |
| AP-7 | Malaga - Guadiaro (105 km) | € 16.20 |
| AP-8 | A63 (France) - Bilbao (105 km) | € 15.50 |
| AP-9 | Ferrol - A3 (Portugal) (196 km) | € 21.55 |
| AP-15 | Tudela - Irurzun (112 km) | € 5.70 |
| AP-36 | Ocaña - La Roda (150 km) | € 13.60 |
| AP-41 | Madrid - Toledo (60 km) | € 7.65 |
| AP-51 | Villacastín - Ávila (26 km) | € 1.45 |
| AP-53 | Santiago de Compostela - Dozón (57 km) | € 6.00 |
| AP-61 | Segovia - AP-6 (28 km) | € 1.35 |
| AP-66 | Campomanes - León (78 km) | € 13.35 |
| AP-68 | Bilbao - Zaragoza (298 km) | € 32.85 |
| AP-71 | León - Astorga (43 km) | € 5.15 |
| R-2 | Madrid - Guadalajara (59 km) | € 6.15 |
| R-3 | Madrid - Arganda del Rey (39 km) | € 3.30 |
| R-4 | Madrid - Osana (58 km) | € 6.00 |
| R-5 | Madrid - Navalcarnero (28 km) | € 3.55 |
| C-32 | Montgat-Palafolls (57 km) | € 4.93 |
| C-32 | Castelldefels - El Vendrell (49 km) | € 5.32 |
| C-33 | Barcelona - Montmeló (29 km) | € 1.66 |
The tariffs in the table are for cars and motorcycles in the summer (at rush hour the tariffs on some roads, for example around Madrid, are slightly higher).
These are indicative fares, calculated once at the beginning of the year based on the Spanish motorway website, provided that traffic between points is carried out on the same motorway.
For example: Zaragoza - AP-7 (€ 24.60), subject to movement only via the AP-1 motorway. When traveling on a different route, the fare may differ in one direction or another.
Areas with special payment
Cadi Tunnel
The Cadi Tunnel is located in the province of Barcelona. The Cadi tunnel has a length of 5.026 m. It is the third longest tunnel in Spain. It was opened on October 30, 1984.
Tariffs for 2019: Tariffs for 2019:* Rush hours are weekdays at the following times:
- 07:30 – 10:30 (morning)
- 17:00 – 21:00 (evening)
Buy a road map of Spain and Portugal from Amazon online store with delivery .
Basic traffic rules in Spain
Speed Limit
Standard speed limits in Spain (unless otherwise indicated on signs).
Cars:- in a populated area - 50 km/h
- outside the populated area - 90 km/h
- on the road - 100 km/h
- on the motorway - 120 km/h
- in a populated area - 50 km/h
- outside the populated area - 70 km/h
- on the road - 80 km/h
- on the motorway - 90 km/h
It is prohibited to drive on highways vehicles whose speed according to technical characteristics does not exceed 60 km/h.
For vehicles equipped with snow chains, the maximum permitted speed is no more than 50 km/h.
Speed cameras
Speed cameras are widely used in Spain. As of August 2010, some cameras (on the AP-7 in Castellon, the AP-7 in Murcia, on the A-31 in Alicante and the A-52 in Zamora) are equipped to alert the nearest police officer in the event of speeding, committed by the driver of a foreign car.
The police officer receives a photo of the car and has the right to stop the vehicle and impose a large fine on the spot. If the fine is not paid immediately, the car may be detained. It is planned to install more such cameras in the future.
Alcohol
Maximum permissible blood alcohol level 0.5 ‰.
For drivers with less than 2 years of experience, the permissible blood alcohol level is 0.3 ‰.
If your blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit, the fine will be €500.
If the blood alcohol level exceeds the permissible limit by 2 times or the violation is committed repeatedly within a year, the fine will be € 1,000.
If illegal drugs are found in the body, the fine will be € 1,000.
The fine for refusing to take an alcohol or drug test will be €500.
Low beam
The use of low beams is only required when driving through tunnels.
Transportation of children
Children under 3 years old can travel only when using suitable child restraint systems suitable for their weight.
Children aged 3 years and under and under 135 cm tall must use a child seat or booster seat appropriate for their weight.
Children over 135 cm tall can use regular seat belts.
The fine for violating the rules for transporting children is € 200. In this case, the vehicle may be detained.
Seat belts
Using seat belts Necessarily for front and rear passengers.
Fine - € 200.
Talking on the phone
It is prohibited to use a telephone that is not equipped with a technical device that allows hands-free negotiations while the vehicle is moving. At a gas station, your mobile phone must be turned off while refueling.
Fine - € 200.
Fines
Police officers have the right to collect fines on the spot for traffic violations. An official receipt will be issued.
Foreign drivers must pay the fine in cash immediately or their vehicle may be impounded until the fine is paid. If you pay the fine immediately on the spot, you will receive a 50% discount, but you will lose your right to appeal.
If you received a fine by mail, then if you pay the fine within 20 days via the Internet or banking institutions (las oficinas de Correos o en cualquier sucursal del Banco Santander), its amount is also reduced by 50%, and the driver is also deprived of the right to appeal resolutions.
If you do not pay the fine within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notification of the imposition of a sanction, a decision is made to forcefully collect the fine.
There is a small nuance here, which is that it is very difficult to determine exactly when you received this notification, and cases of receiving a 50% discount 2 months after the adoption of the resolution are not uncommon.
Fines for speeding differ within a populated area and outside it.
Fines for speeding in Spain:| Over speed | ||
|---|---|---|
| up to 20 km/h | € 100 | |
| 21 - 30 km/h | € 300 | € 100 |
| 31 - 40 km/h | € 400 | € 300 |
| 41 - 50 km/h | € 500 | € 300 |
| 51 - 60 km/h | € 600 | € 400 |
| 61 - 70 km/h | € 600 | € 500 |
| over 70 km/h | € 600 | |
In 2014, the requirements for overtaking cyclists were tightened. The minimum permissible distance to them when overtaking should be at least 1.5 meters. In this case, it is allowed to partially or even completely occupy the oncoming lane, provided that no interference is created for oncoming cyclists.
Since 2014, Spain has formally adopted the 2011 European Directive “to facilitate the exchange of data at borders regarding road safety violations.”
Now the authorities of the state where the traffic rules were violated have the right to track the violator by license plate number, even in another state, and send a receipt to pay the fine to his homeland. In case of refusal to pay the fine, the case against the motorist will be transferred to the authorities of the offender’s home country for examination and collection of a fine.
This directive covers eight types of violations: speeding, not wearing a seat belt, running a red light, exceeding the legal limit of alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs, driving without a helmet, using a mobile phone or any other means of communication while driving.
Helpful information
Petrol
1.29 1.43 1.20 0.72 as of 02/15/2020
In Spain, unleaded petrol is available in 95 and 98 ( Gasoline sin plomo) and diesel fuel ( Gasoleo "A" or Gas-oil). Leaded gasoline is not available.
Note that gasoline prices in the Canary Islands are € 0.20-0.22 less than the national average.
There are a small number of gas stations (LPG) called "Autogas".
Coordinates of LPG gas stations (96 Kb).
Emergency numbers
- European emergency number - 112
- Police - 091
- Ambulance - 061
- Fire service - 080
Mandatory equipment
Equipment that necessary have in your car:
- Warning triangle- in case of an accident, 2 signs are recommended (otherwise local authorities may impose a fine if only one is installed)
- Spare wheel- or a kit for its repair
- Reflective vest- mandatory when exiting a car stopped on the roadway or side of the road. However, it is not necessary to carry it in a car. Spanish police cannot fine a foreign driver who does not have a reflective vest in their car. Fine - € 200.
Winter equipment
Winter tires
In the summer, the police pay attention to the driver’s “dress code.” For example, for driving bare-chested or wearing flip-flops, the driver can be fined €80. The front passenger's legs thrown up on the dashboard can cost €100.
Tow trucks have priority right of way.
The use of navigation software that indicates the location of fixed speed cameras is permitted.
At the same time, operating navigation equipment while driving is punishable by a fine of € 200.
The use of radar detectors has been prohibited since May 2014. If they are used, the fine is € 200. For the use of anti-radars, the penalty is much more serious - up to € 6,000.
If the radar detector is combined in one device with a navigator, then it must be deactivated.
Let's go on a trip to Spain. And in order not to go broke from transportation costs, we have compiled a detailed guide to traveling around the country on a budget. Local low-cost airlines, buses, trains, car rental or searching for travel companions - we look at all possible options. Bookmark it!
BY PLANE
An airplane is the easiest way to travel over long distances: almost any flight within Spain will not take more than an hour. Often this is not only the fastest, but also, thanks to local low-cost airlines, quite inexpensive transport. In addition, this is practically the only way to get to the islands, for example, Ibiza or.
Main low-cost airlines in Spain
Vueling
One of the main Spanish low-cost airlines with an extensive network of domestic flights, which is based in Barcelona. It’s convenient to select destinations and prices: for example, getting from Barcelona to Malaga is offered for € 40, and from Valencia to Bilbao – for € 42. By the way, there is a chance to grab these vouchers and much cheaper: the company quite often organizes pleasant sales - keep an eye out information on the low-cost airline website.
Ryanair
From Barcelona to Seville or from Valencia to Santander - your favorite low-cost airline offers many flights throughout Spain, including to the islands (all routes - ). At the time of preparation of the material, a ticket from Madrid to Mallorca, for example, could be grabbed for a fabulous € 2.43, and from Barcelona to Ibiza for € 10. Keep your finger on the pulse - check the prices here.
Volotea
This budget airline does not boast such an impressive number of domestic flights within Spain as its competitors, but it often runs sales. The easiest way to find cheap tickets is to look for them. For example, they offer a flight from Malaga to Bilbao for €15 (in July), and from Santander to Seville for €26 (in October).
Iberia Express
The democratic subsidiary of the national carrier Iberia is based in Madrid and flies to short- and medium-haul destinations. Prices for domestic flights start from €30-40, although not for all dates.
Lifehack.
If you can’t find the perfect flight from your city, check the nearest airports. For example:
Instead of the main airport Barcelona – El-Prat: Barcelona Girona and Barcelona Reus;
Instead of Seville - Jerez Airport;
Airports are relatively closeMalaga and Granada, and, Alicante and Murcia.
BY TRAIN
Spain has an excellent rail transport network. Most flights are operated by a national company Renfe.
Finding travel companions
The topic of finding travel companions in Spain is well developed - you can easily find a car to almost any city or town. But in this case, it is unlikely that you can plan the trip in advance: many drivers publish advertisements at the last minute. The option of traveling in someone else's car reduces the load not only on your wallet, but also on yours. Here is a list of the main services used by locals:
BlaBlaCar is the most famous service for finding travel companions, which works well in Spain.
Amovens– another popular service where you can also rent a car.
Amicoche– an absolutely free system for finding rides: you will not be charged any commission. Please note that you will have to pay the driver in cash.
Сompartir– a local service with a large base of loyal users.
Lifehack.
The cost of a trip to the same destination can vary significantly among different drivers, and often it’s not a matter of greed at all. Some drivers ask for less because they are not in a hurry and decide to bypass toll roads, while others value speed, but also charge a higher price. Check your route in advance.
Hitch-hiking
Spain is not the best country for hitchhiking. Experienced travelers warn that the average travel speed here will be significantly lower than in other European countries. Drivers are reluctant to stop; those who catch their car at gas stations have a better chance of luck. You can read more about hitchhiking in Spain.
ON YOUR OWN TWO
The cheapest way to get around any country is on foot. Passes through Spain
Traveling around Spanish territory by car is a guarantee that your holiday will be complete and comfortable. Some tourists come here with their own cars, others prefer to rent them. But whatever the solution to this issue, it is important to know that roads in Spain are divided into several categories, and 10% of their total length are toll highways.
What you need to know about Spanish roads
The road map of the Kingdom of Spain is quite extensive. All routes were built on historically established routes, so the network developed in stages and somewhat chaotically. The only exception is the highways, which were built as part of the country's transport system development program.
Most highways originate in Madrid. Some coastal regions can also boast of them.
In this case, one should take into account the mountainous terrain of Spain, due to which many highways are quite winding and often offer travelers steep descents and ascents. Hard-to-reach regions of the country are connected by numerous tunnels and bridges.
All highways in this area can be divided into three groups:
- toll roads (autopistas) – have several directions, are marked on signs with the letters AR, are distinguished by the presence of multi-level interchanges and a small number of sharp turns. The speed limit is 130 km/h, although many allow themselves to increase it to 140 km/h. However, due to the large number of cameras and radars, it is better not to do this;
- free (autovías) - located mainly in the suburbs of large cities and serve as bypass roads. Some of them are laid in underground tunnels and mines. As a rule, a free road differs from a toll road by a lower speed;
- of national importance - these roads are characterized by a significant speed limit. Traffic on them is allowed in both directions. They cross Spanish cities, towns and villages, mountains, beaches, and fields along the way. Essentially, these are the roads that have been here at all times, but over the years have been updated and linked to expressways.
The last group of roads promises a more pleasant journey. As a rule, they do not have fences, and therefore provide an opportunity to admire the beauty of the local landscapes. If you came here as a tourist, rented a car and want to see everything that the country is so famous for, then create a route along these routes.
It should be borne in mind that the first two types of highways significantly save time due to accelerated movement along them.
The fastest highways in the country are:
- M-50 – connects the Madrid R-2 highway and the northern A-1;
- AP-41 is a toll road connecting Toledo and Madrid;
- A-45 is a toll-free highway between Malaga and Cordoba.
The two main highways along the Mediterranean coast are the A7 and A2. Moreover, the second lies closer to the seashore in the Costa Brava region, so it is more convenient to get to any resort town in this region. If you need to quickly cross the country from Barcelona to the French border, choose the A7.
As you head south, you should be aware that both of these roads are mirror images of each other and only 100 km from Barcelona they begin to diverge. For this reason, when approaching the Catalan capital, you need to be extremely careful not to miss the right exit. Otherwise, you can go in a completely different direction.
Road maps in the kingdom are in less and less demand, in most cases due to the fact that many companies provide their clients with a navigator when renting out cars. However, you will have to pay for this as a separate service.
Therefore, to help you save a little, we suggest using a detailed map of all Spanish highways. It will come in handy if you want to plan your travel route around the country in advance.
There is no way to avoid traffic congestion in Spain. However, if you know where and when the main traffic congestion occurs, you can successfully avoid them.
Most traffic flows near large populated areas occur on weekdays. Usually it is 7.00-10.00 am in the direction of entering the city. In the evening, the same situation is observed from 19.00 to 21.00, but this time when leaving the populated area. If you get stuck in a traffic jam at this time, you are guaranteed to spend a couple of hours in it.
On weekends, it is better to leave the city either early in the morning or in the afternoon, since everyone tries to leave in the first half of the day. It is better to plan your return home on Sunday before 5 pm, otherwise you may end up in a jam later.
Toll roads
The amount of money that will have to be set aside to drive along a particular highway depends on several factors:
- types of vehicle;
- time of year (different rates apply in summer and winter);
- time of day (day or night);
- tracks.
Therefore, when choosing a route, it will be useful to study on the map how to get from one point to another. The fact is that it often happens that a toll road runs parallel to a free one. In this case, you can save a lot of money.
The leader in the number of toll highways is Catalonia - approximately 633 km. It is followed by Valencia - 367 km, then Galicia - 327 km. But in Northern Asturias, only 22 km of roads are tolled.
The cost of travel on such routes is shown in the table:
| Road | Start and end point, distance in km | Price in euros |
|---|---|---|
| AR-1 | Burgos - Armignon (84) | 12,25 |
| AR-2 | Zaragoza – AR-7 (225) | 24,15 |
| AR-4 | Seville - Cadiz (95) | 7,30 |
| AR-6 | Madrid - Adanero (74) | 12,50 |
| AR-7 | A-9 (France) - Barcelona (156) Barcelona - Valencia (347) Valencia - Alicante (178) Cartagena - Vera (228) Malaga - Guadiaro (105) | 14,45 36,85 17,30 14,15 4,70 |
| AR-8 | A63 (France) - Bilbao (105) | 5,35 |
| AR-9 | Ferrol - A3 (Portugal) (196) | 20,40 |
| AR-15 | Tudela - Irursun (112) | 5,55 |
| AR-36 | Ocaña - La Roda (150) | 15,70 |
| AR-41 | Madrid - Toledo (60) | 7,65 |
| AR-51 | Villacastin - Avila (26) | 1,45 |
| AR-53 | Santiago de Compostela - Doson (57) | 5,90 |
| AR-61 | Segovia - AR-6 (28) | 2,45 |
| AR-66 | Campomanes - Leon (78) | 13,15 |
| AR-68 | Bilbao - Zaragoza (298) | 32.30 |
| AR-71 | Leon - Astorga (43) | 5,05 |
| R-2 | Madrid - Guadalajara (59) | 7,00 |
| R-3 | Madrid - Arganda del Rey (39) | 4,50 |
| R-4 | Madrid - Osuna (58) | 10,45 |
| R-5 | Madrid - Navalcarnero (28) | 4,70 |
| S-32 | Mongat - Palafolls (57) Castelldefels - Vendrell (49) | 4,82 5,21 |
| S-33 | Barcelona - Montmelo (29) | 1,63 |
All tariffs shown apply to motorcycles and cars and are valid for the summer season. Please note that prices may be slightly higher during peak times.
Moreover, the greater the distance, the higher the tariff. For example, to get from Marbella to San Sebastian or Bilbao, you will have to plan a considerable budget.
At the same time, the distance from Madrid to Guadalajara and to Osuna is approximately the same, and the difference in the price of travel along the highway will be slightly more than 3 euros.
When entering a toll highway, you will be warned several times that there is a toll section of the road ahead. Moreover, you will be offered free detours. If you are not in a hurry, take advantage of this opportunity.
This is especially true for travelers to Andalusia and Catalonia, where there are a huge number of picturesque places that can be admired from observation platforms.
There are several ways to pay for using the toll road. On some of them this can be done upon entry, on others upon exit.
When approaching such a highway, you will see that it is divided into many lanes. Above each of them there is an indication of how exactly you can pay.
The options are as follows:
- payment via the TeleTAC system. It allows you to make a payment remotely. For this purpose, a special device is installed in the car. Most often it is used by local residents;
- only by card;
- by card or cash;
- through operators.
The last option is the safest for those who doubt themselves. And if you couldn’t figure it out, there is always a button to call an operator on the turnstile.
On many devices you will see a 3+ button. If you have more than three passengers in the cabin, feel free to press it. A little later, the system will recalculate your payment, make a discount and return the difference to your card, provided that you paid with it.
Travel through toll tunnels
Driving this or that section of the route through the tunnel will also cost a certain amount of money:
- Cadi Tunnel – located in Catalonia, province of Barcelona. Its length is 5 km. Year of opening: 1984.
| Vehicle | Price in euros |
|---|---|
| Any types of motorcycles | 9,52 |
| Cars minibuses 4-wheel vans up to 9 passengers without or with two-wheel trailer towing trucks and buses | 11,82 |
| cars, minibuses, vans without or with towing a trailer with two wheels trucks or buses with 4 or more wheels | 25,79 |
| passenger cars and vans with 4 wheels up to 9 passenger seats with a trailer with 4 wheels, of which at least one pair is double. | 30,93 |
- The Vallvidrera tunnel is 2.5 km long and is also located in Catalonia.
| Vehicle | Price in euros | Price in euros during rush hour |
|---|---|---|
| Any types of motorcycles | 2,94 | 3,31 |
| Passenger cars, vans with 4 wheels (single axle trailer with or without tow), minibuses | 3,78 | 4,25 |
| Four wheel vans and buses | 5,94 | 6,68 |
| Passenger cars and four-wheel vans with a four-wheel trailer, or with one pair of dual wheels | 7,88 | 8,87 |
Traffic rules on Spanish roads and fines for violating them
Regardless of whether you are going to rent a car in Spain or you intend to come here with your own, in any case you need to know what traffic rules apply on the roads in this country:
- documents: driver's license (for foreigners, international standard + national license is best), technical passport for the car, insurance;
- all persons in the car must wear seat belts;
- transportation of children is allowed only in special seats appropriate to their age;
- Using a mobile phone is prohibited. The handsfree system must be connected to the speakerphone;
- the permissible alcohol limit is 0.5 ppm for experienced drivers; if driving experience is no more than 2 years, then 0.3 ppm;
- Speed control is carried out by cameras and radars. Most often they are installed on the back of a sign placed above the road;
- You can only use low beams in tunnels;
- speed on highways is 130 km/h, in the city – 40 km/h, outside the city – 80 km/h.
It is prohibited to install anti-radar equipment in a car - the fine for its use is 200 euros.
Driving while intoxicated will cost 5,000 euros. Pedestrians who cause an accident will have to pay the same amount.
You can pay the fine on the spot with a 50% discount. However, in this case, the driver is deprived of the opportunity to appeal the claim if he does not agree with it.
For more information about what you need to know about driving on Spanish highways and how violation of the rules is punished, read the article “Road Rules in Spain.”
Gas stations
The Spanish road, whether tolled or not, usually has a very good surface and numerous areas where you can rest, wash and refuel your car. A gas station is usually a whole complex, including a store, a cafe, and an automatic car wash.
When refueling, you must first pay for the required amount at the cash register, and then return to the car and insert the pistol into the gas tank. Most gas stations follow the self-service principle.
Two years ago, Repsol, a well-known chain in Spain, developed its own mobile application that allows you to make payments at more than 300 gas stations remotely.
Parking
Spanish traffic regulations strictly regulate where, when and for how long you can park your car. Moreover, the rules affect not only the time of day, but also the day of the week and even certain days during the month. In some areas of the city, you can park your car during business hours only with special permission.
In populated areas, parking is carried out on even days on the even side of the street, on odd days, respectively, on the side where the houses with odd numbers are located.
Violation of parking rules threatens not just a fine - the car will definitely be taken to the impound lot.
All parking areas are painted in specific colors. However, parking in the yellow zone is prohibited. Blue ones are paid parking lots equipped with parking meters. But you can leave your car there for only a few hours. The best option is underground parking.
conclusions
The most convenient way to travel around Spain is by car. But in this case, you will have to familiarize yourself not only with the traffic rules, but also with the features of the entire road system.
All trails here are divided into free, paid and of national importance. The main difference is the speed of movement on them and the arrangement.
Toll highways most often have special fencing and allow speeds of up to 130 km/h.
But in order to admire the Spanish landscapes, you should choose roads that run through cities, villages, beaches and fields. They are most often free, but the speed on them should not exceed 80 km/h outside the populated area.
Spain Traffic Rules: Video
Lately, short-term car rental has become increasingly popular, which allows the traveler to move in comfort and not waste extra time on public transport. Having visited such a wonderful country as Spain, you should definitely think about renting a car to see the diversity and beauty of Spanish cities. In most cases, renting a car in Spain can be cheaper than taking a taxi. This and much more will be discussed in this article.
Around Spain by car: profitable and convenient
It is not always possible to use your car to travel to other countries. Many people believe that renting a car is too expensive, unreliable and dangerous. As practice shows, car rental in Spain is very profitable, simple and, of course, convenient. Spain is a very beautiful country, each city of which is unique in its own way. Therefore, to visit the most interesting corners of the country, a car is simply necessary.
Car rental point
Considering that the price of a taxi ride around the city on a weekday is on average 15 euros per 10 kilometers*, then renting a car for 30-50 euros (2340-3902 rubles) per day will be much more profitable.
Additional Information! Renting a car in Spanish sounds like this: “alquiler de automoviles.”
A little about car rental in Spain
You can rent a car in Spain at almost any Spanish airport or railway station. This is very convenient, since you will not need to spend money on a transfer to the hotel. A cheaper option would be to rent a car directly at the offices of companies located in Barcelona, Malaga and other major cities in the country.
Additional Information! International rental companies such as EuropCar, Goldcar, Avis, Hertz have a much wider selection of cars than local agencies.
Approximate cost (per day) of car rental in international companies:
- “Fiat” 500 and similar models of other brands – 30-55 euros;
- “Citroen C1” – 55-65 euros;
- BMW convertible – 90 euros;
- SUVs like Range Rover will cost 125-150 euros.
Types of cars
You will need to pay about five euros extra for a child seat.
When paying for rental services, a deposit of 300 to 1000 euros may also be charged from the client’s card, which will be returned to the account a week after the expiration of the contract. This condition is agreed upon by the company in advance.
Most people are interested in the question, what kind of driver's license is needed in Spain? In order to rent a car, you need an international driver's license. Other documents you should have with you include a passport and a credit card. Recently, it has been possible to rent a car in Spain with a new Russian license (plastic). Some companies also put forward other conditions for car rental, for example, the driver must be at least 21, and sometimes 23, years old, and also need to have 1 or 2 years of driving experience. The car rental price also includes insurance with or without a deductible.
Important! You can drive a rented car outside of Spain (to countries in the Schengen visa area), but then you will need to take out additional insurance.
Car fuel prices in Spain
Spanish gas stations stock 95 and 98 gasoline, as well as diesel fuel. It is better to check with the lessor in advance about the required type of fuel for a particular car. . Renting a car in Spain with diesel fuel is usually more expensive. However, if the client plans to travel long distances, then the savings on gasoline pay off significantly.
Important! There is a single rule in Spanish parking lots: your mobile phone must be turned off while refueling.
How much does gasoline cost in Spain today?
Fuel prices are as follows:
- gasoline Euro 95 – 1.1-1.5 euro/l.
- Euro 98 – 1.2-1.6 euro/l.
- diesel A - 0.97-1.2 euro/l.
Toll roads in Spain
The length of motorways in Spain is about 16,600 kilometers, 2,980 of which are toll roads. Tariffs for travel on roads include such components as: distance traveled, type of vehicle, season. Sometimes even the congestion of free roads affects the cost of highways. Toll roads in Spain justify themselves due to the quality of the surface, as well as the lack of traffic jams.
Estimated fares for some destinations:
- Madrid – Adanero – 7.3 euros for 95 kilometers;
- Madrid – Toledo – 7.65 euros for 60 kilometers;
- Madrid – Guadalajara – 7 euros for 59 kilometers;
- Bilbao – Zaragoza – 32 euros for 298 kilometers;
- Seville - Cadiz - 7.3 euros for 95 kilometers.
Cadi Tunnel
Separate tariffs apply to special sections. Thus, driving a car through Barcelona's 5-kilometer Cadi tunnel will cost the driver 12 euros. Traveling 2.5 kilometers through the Vallvidrera tunnel will cost 3.78 euros, and 4.25 during rush hour. Peak hours are considered weekdays from 7:30 to 10:30, as well as from 17:00 to 21:00.
Most Spaniards have automatic payment devices installed in their cars, allowing them to enter toll roads without stopping. There are special lanes for them, marked with a blue circle and white stripes in a black square.
Map of toll roads in Spain
Traffic rules in Spain
Before renting a car, you should familiarize yourself with the basic traffic rules in Spain in order to avoid paying fines, which are quite large here.
The following speed limit is established for driving within the country:
- 50 km/h in populated areas;
- 90 km/h outside the NP;
- 100 km/h on roads;
- 120 km/h for motorways.
To control the speed limit on the roads of Spain, speed cameras are installed, with the help of which the nearest police officer will be informed if a certain vehicle is exceeding the speed. After this, the car will be stopped and the driver will be fined. Foreign tourists are required to pay minor fines on the spot, receiving an official receipt, otherwise the vehicle will be detained. Regarding alcohol while driving, the maximum permissible level in the blood is 0.5%, and for drivers whose experience is less than two years - 0.3%. Exceeding the permissible limit will cost the violator 500 euros, and double exceeding the limit will cost 1000. A driver’s refusal to take the test is punishable by a fine of 500 euros.
Important! Driving through tunnels must be done with low beam headlights on.
When transporting children under three years of age, the car must be equipped with a special restraint system. For children over three years old, a child seat must be installed in the car. Children whose height exceeds 135 centimeters must wear seat belts. Violation of the rules for transporting children entails liability in the form of a fine of 200 euros.
The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts. The fine for violating this rule is 200 euros.
Note! The use of mobile communications is permitted only through special means (Bluetooth earphone, loudspeaker) that do not occupy the driver’s hands. Responsibility for such a violation is a fine of 200 euros.
It is noteworthy that many provincial towns have traffic lights with radars, which also regulate the speed limit. Even if the car exceeds the speed slightly, the traffic light immediately turns red.
Based on the fines listed above, we can conclude that breaking traffic rules in Spain is very expensive.
Note! Driving bare-chested in the summer in Spain carries a fine of 80 euros. If the passenger sitting in front decides to put his feet on the dashboard, it will cost the driver 100 euros.
Just in case, it’s worth remembering the main emergency numbers in Spain:
- police - 091;
- ambulance – 061;
- fire service - 080.
It is better to build the necessary route map for traveling around Spain in advance. It is very convenient to use a navigator for this.
In general, renting a car in Spain is a very good alternative to public transport and intercity buses. If you do not violate Spanish traffic rules, renting a car will not only make your trip more comfortable, but will also save tourists money.
*All prices in the article are current as of August 2018.