Renting a car in Mallorca is a convenient way to get acquainted with the local sights and enjoy the beautiful scenery. For a friendly company, car rental services provide an opportunity to save on public transport. In addition, the car provides complete freedom of movement; you will not depend on tourist excursions, where everything is calculated in minutes.
Car rental rules in Spain
Palma de Mallorca is the main town and port of the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. The rules for renting a car in Spain practically do not differ from the conditions of booking in Europe. Naturally, each company can have its own requirements for customers.
There are many rental companies in the country, because this service, despite the high prices, is quite common among tourists who want to get to know the real Spain.
You can book a car already upon arrival in the country: at the airport, at the hotel and in other public places. Online booking is of course available.
A traveler who wants to rent a car must be of a certain age and have a driving experience. It is generally necessary to return a car with a full tank to the showrooms.
Insurance is obligatory, it is not always included in the rental price initially. The client must have a bank card and a certain amount on the account, which the company will freeze as collateral. The rental price primarily depends on the type of car.
Where can I rent a car
Every year the demand for pre-booking service through the official websites of Sixt, Economycarrentals, Cars-scanner is growing. As a rule, a partial prepayment is sufficient for the reservation.
If a tourist doubts about a virtual order, then you can always take a car right at the Mallorca air station. Famous world giants are represented here: Hertz, Sixt, Avis.
Various rental companies have their offices in large hotels, so there will definitely be no problems with renting.
The firm Gold Car is popular. The entire rental process is available and described in detail on the company's website. This landlord has been working on the market for a long time, therefore it inspires trust among customers. However, the prices of Gold Car are not lower than those of competitors.
Vanrell has a nicer price tag. The firm's office is also located in the airport building. It is convenient that only part of the amount is paid in advance, the rest can be paid in cash upon arrival. The car is given out with an almost empty tank in order to just drive to the nearest gas station.
When leaving the air station, the first petrol station is met after 100 meters. Vanrell leases all additional accessories: child seat, navigator and others.
Basic requirements of landlords
One of the important requirements is that the driver must be at least 21 years old. In the conditions of some rental companies, it may be indicated that an international license is required. However, according to the Vienna Convention, citizens of Russia and European countries do not have to have them.
The client must have at least one year of driving experience.
Rental procedure
There are no particular difficulties in the process of renting a car, but you need to take it seriously. Your comfort and safety while traveling depends on it.
List of documents
In order to rent a car, you must have the following package of documents:
- international passport;
- driver's license.
You will also need a credit card. Car rental companies, in order to protect themselves from possible fines for violation by the client of traffic rules and damage to the car body, freeze a franchise on the card - a certain amount that is not covered by insurance.
You can also take another deposit guaranteeing the return of the car. In short, the presence of a card is mandatory, even if you can pay directly for the rental in cash.
Signing a contract and receiving a vehicle
Before signing the contract, read all the rental conditions. If you book online, the documents can be examined in advance. Please note: if several drivers plan to drive the car, all their data must be indicated in the contract.
Clarify all the rules and nuances of the work of a particular rental company, carefully inspect the vehicle, check that all the necessary accessories are present in the salon, only then put your signature in the contract.
If the client has booked a car on the Internet, then the car can be delivered to the specified place on the date and time that the customer has ordered in the order. Or you can go to the office upon arrival, conclude a deal there and immediately after signing the contract receive a car.
Returning the car to the lessor
Usually the vehicle is returned to the same office where it was taken. If the refund will be carried out in another city or in another country, you will have to pay extra. Most rental companies in Spain require that the car be handed over with a full tank.
However, there are exceptions, in which case the cost of gasoline is deducted from the deposit amount, so carefully study the conditions so as not to pay twice for fuel.
To save yourself from additional costs, the car must be returned during business hours. Be sure to do this in person so that a company employee will inspect the vehicle in front of you and accept the keys.
Service cost and terms
The prices indicated on the website or in the price list are not final. Usually, the base cost is also overgrown with various additional payments for equipment (child seat, navigator, etc.), insurance, over-the-limit mileage and much more.
For this reason, when concluding a contract, take the time to study the points related to financial obligations. Note that the longer you plan to travel with a rented car, the lower the daily rental cost will be.
The optimal minimum term is one week. Renting a car for a couple of days is too expensive, it is easier if you need to use a taxi or public transport.
If rental prices can be found low, then the size of the deposit in Mallorca is quite large.
On average, it is 900 - 1300 euros, for expensive car brands it can go up to 2500 euros. This amount will be blocked on your credit card if you opt out of additional full insurance. Some landlords take a lower security deposit - 300-800 euros, but they may have higher rental prices.
Standard insurance, which is included in the price, covers costs associated with damage to glass, tires, mirrors in case of an accident, which exceed the amount of the deductible.
A client who takes out full insurance, which in Mallorca costs about 12-22 euros per day, receives a rental without a deductible.
In any case, the driver pays fines for violation of traffic rules on his own.
Additionally, you must pay for the opportunity to transfer control of the vehicle to another driver. This option costs from 5 euros per day.
Crossing the border may also not be free. It is generally prohibited to travel outside the European Union.
It is noteworthy that car rental services at the airport will cost significantly more than in offices in the city.
Nuances of traffic rules
Spain has a right-hand traffic system. Also different from Russian road signs, the location of traffic lights, which can be found here on the guy wires above the highway. In the mountainous area there are tunnels with lighting, some of which are paid. The fare can be checked at the checkpoint.
The latest changes in traffic rules took place in 2021, they are also relevant for 2021.Today the speed limits look like this:
- 130 km / h on highways;
- 40 km / h in the village;
- 80 km / h outside the city.
For traffic violations, penalties will immediately follow. The traffic police, according to the innovations, also fines for the use of the anti-radar. If such equipment is combined with a navigator, the function must be disabled. Failure to comply with this rule will have to pay 200 euros.
Fines for drunk driving can be as high as 5,000 euros. You can pay on the spot in cash with a 50 percent discount, only in this case you will not be able to appeal the fine if you consider it illegal.
The driver and passengers must be wearing seat belts. Children are transported in a special chair.
Parking conditions in Mallorca
Travelers should pay close attention to the parking lot markings in Mallorca. For example, a yellow-orange solid line on the road means “no parking”, as does the sign with the letter E crossed out.
Those who live here have the advantage of parking on the green line. If you see a blue line that is interrupted, it means that parking is paid - first find a parking meter.
Free parking in Mallorca can be found near major attractions, hotel complexes, large shopping centers.
If you leave the vehicle in the wrong place, the tow truck will arrive with lightning speed, you will have to pay both for its services and a fine. The ticket that you bought from the parking meter must be left under the glass as proof of payment.
If you see a blue rectangle with a wheelchair drawn, you should also not occupy it unless you have a disability.
Note that traffic rules in Spain regulate not only the parking place, but also the time when you can leave the car. It is not only the time of day that matters, but also the day of the week. It is more difficult to find parking on weekdays.
Finally
Palma de Mallorca is a popular city in Spain. The best way to see the sights and picturesque landscapes is by car. Traffic rules in Spain are not too different from those in other EU countries, although some points are worth paying attention to. Since Russian tourists will definitely not be able to go on vacation to Spain in their car, the vehicle will have to be rented.
You can rent a car right at the airport. Book on the website in advance or choose a car upon arrival at the office of the rental company - each traveler chooses for himself. The main thing is that the driver is suitable for age, has a suitable driving experience and, of course, has a sufficient amount on a credit card.
