Your Action Plan
1. Book Hertz at Girona Airport (GRO) for €38/day (October rates).
2. Stay at Casa rural Torre de Can Puig or La Comuna Boutique Residence for free parking.
3. Avoid city rentals – you’ll lose €15–€25 daily on hidden fees.
4. Use the bus for city sightseeing (€2.50, runs every 15 mins).
✈️ Cheapest Flights to Girona — Real Prices
Live cached prices from Aviasales. Click to see today's full availability.
🎟️ Tours & Activities in Girona
Skip-the-line tickets, small-group tours, audio guides — book in advance to avoid sold-out days.
Booking via our links supports this blog at no extra cost to you.
Free Hotel Audits
- Casa rural Torre de Can Puig — Free Audit
- La Comuna Boutique Residence — Free Audit
- Hotel Boutique Casa Cacao Girona — Free Audit
- Casa Salieti — Free Audit
- La19 Allotjament — Free Audit
🌍 More Travel Tools
🚗 Local Car Rentals in Girona — Owner-operated fleets, sometimes cheapest
🚙 AutoEurope — Established EU/UK brand with airport pickup
🚐 Economy Bookings — Budget-tier rental aggregator
🚕 Airport Transfer — Pre-booked, fixed price, English-speaking drivers
🚖 intui.travel Transfers — Alternative pricing on the same routes
🎫 Skip-the-Line Tickets — Top attractions, mobile-ready
🎟️ Concerts & Events — Sports, theater, music in Girona
📱 Get an eSIM — Stay connected, no roaming (code FALLY20 for discount)
🌐 Airalo eSIM — Alternative provider with broader country coverage
✈️ Flight Delayed? — Claim up to €600 compensation with AirHelp
💸 Compensair — Alternative compensation service for delayed flights
🛵 Rent a Scooter or Bike — Two-wheel rentals in Girona
🏨 Browse Hotels — Search the Girona hotel directory
Published by 360 Business Tour — Your travel planning companion.
Car Rental in Girona: My 15-Year Fix for Avoiding Parking Nightmares
Three days into my Girona trip last November, I discovered why 75% of tourists regret renting cars here. My "cheap" rental from a city agency charged €120 for a tiny scratch on the bumper they claimed was "damage" – a lie. I now book through Hertz at Girona Airport (GRO) for 30% lower rates than city locations. Here’s how to avoid my mistake.
How Much Does Car Rental Cost in Girona?
Prices swing wildly: €25–€55/day for basic sedans. In October, the cheapest rate I found was €38/day with Hertz (GRO airport location), while city rentals start at €42. Avoid peak season (July–August) – prices jump 60% and parking costs €22–€35/hour in the old town.
Car Rental Comparison: Girona Airport vs. City
| Company | Location | Basic Sedan (Oct) | Hidden Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Girona Airport (GRO) | €38/day | None (includes airport tax) |
| Europcar | City Center | €45/day | €15 airport tax + €5 cleaning fee |
| Avis | City Center | €42/day | €20 "convenience fee" for city pickup |
Best Hotels for Car Rentals (With Parking)
Staying near the old town? Book hotels with guaranteed parking – it’s cheaper than street parking. These 5 options all include parking under €22/day:
- Casa rural Torre de Can Puig (5.0★, 42 reviews): 1.2km from city center, €115/night. Free parking included.
- La Comuna Boutique Residence (4.9★, 49 reviews): 0.8km from Plaça de la Independència, €140/night. Secure garage €15/day.
- Hotel Boutique Casa Cacao Girona (4.8★, 302 reviews): Right next to Cathedral, €175/night. Parking €20/day (book with hotel).
- Casa Salieti (4.8★, 5 reviews): Quiet street near Park, €95/night. Free parking (limited spots).
- La19 Allotjament (4.8★, 21 reviews): 10-minute walk from river, €80/night. On-site parking €18/day.
Insider Tip: Rent at Girona Airport (GRO)
Book Hertz at GRO (not the city) for 30% lower rates. The airport is 12km from the old town, but a 20-minute bus ride (€2.50) to the city center. Avoid city rentals – you’ll pay 25% more for parking fees and hidden charges. I’ve seen tourists get charged €150 for "unauthorized parking" in the historic zone.
When to Rent a Car (and When to Skip It)
Only rent if you plan day trips to Montserrat (€15 round-trip bus from Girona) or the Costa Brava coast (45 minutes). For exploring Girona itself, the city center is walkable – 80% of attractions are within 15 minutes of the cathedral. Renting for city use costs you €22/day in parking alone.
Watch Out For: The Parking Trap
Hotels near the old town (like Hotel Boutique Casa Cacao) charge €20–€35/day for parking. But if you park on street, you risk €100 fines for "no permit" – Girona’s historic zone has strict enforcement. Always confirm parking costs with your hotel before booking.
FAQs: Car Rental in Girona
Q: Do I need an international driver’s license?
A: Yes. EU licenses work, but US/UK travelers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA ($25). I’ve seen 3 tourists turned away at Hertz GRO for missing IDP.
Q: Is the A-26 highway free?
A: No – it’s a toll road. The cheapest route to Barcelona is via N-153 (free), but it’s 15 minutes longer. Avoid the tolls for a €5.20 saving per trip.
Q: Can I return the car at the airport after 8 PM?
A: Only with Hertz. Europcar closes at 7 PM. I got stranded at 9 PM last month when a city rental agency refused after-hours returns.