Gibraltar is a beautiful British Overseas Territory (BOT) that people flock to for a weekend holiday. Just off the coast of Spain, this British territory offers gorgeous beaches, apes worth seeing, nature preserves, and more.
Regardless of what you want to do during your time in Gibraltar, hiring a car is the best way to see everything. You can hire a car from various locations on the island, but the simplest way is from the Gibraltar Airport when you land.
Compare Car Hire Gibraltar Airport
You have multiple options for hiring a car from Gibraltar Airport. Here are a few you can choose from:
- Avis
- Budget Rental Car
- Gib Rental Car
- Marbella
- Autos Aguirre Rent a Car
When browsing through car hire companies, you’ll find vehicles of all sizes. You’ll need to get one that suits the size of your travel group. The smaller the car you choose, the less you’ll most likely pay. You may have to pay more for a larger vehicle like an SUV or van when you have a larger party.
Another thing to factor in when comparing the cost of hiring a car is if the vehicle has add ons, how much gas it takes, and more. GPS technology may up the price of your vehicle for hire, but if you’re not familiar with Gibraltar, it’s beneficial to have.
Cheap Car Hire in Gibraltar Airport
If you’re looking for the cheapest car hire options at Gibraltar Airport, you’ll want to check for economy vehicles or mini options. They’re perfect for solo travelers or those with up to four people and minimal luggage.
There are ways to save yourself some money when hiring a car in Gibraltar, even if you’re traveling with a larger group. Here are a few ways to hire a car for cheap:
- Plan out how often you’ll be driving. The more you drive, the more money you’ll be spending on fuel. If you can limit the amount you’re driving, you’ll be able to save money on the cost of fuel.
- Making sure you have car insurance that covers car hires can help reduce your overall cost. If your car insurance doesn’t cover car hires, you’ll need to be prepared to pay the higher car hire insurance that the companies offer.
- Taking photos of the car before driving off the lot can help reduce costs. If the car hire company believes you did something to the car when you didn’t, showing these pictures can help you avoid any unwanted charges.
- Book your car hire early. The longer you wait, the fewer car options you’ll have. With fewer options available, you may get stuck paying more since it’s closer to your arrival date, and the options may be more expensive than the options you would’ve had had you booked earlier.
Tips for Hiring a Car From Gibraltar Airport
Here are a few tips for hiring a car at Gibraltar Airport.
Parking
When driving a hired car in Gibraltar, you may have to look into the parking situation for everywhere you plan on going on the island.
There are many parking lots on the island, however keep in mind that many of these parking lots they charge a fee to park there and can close in the evenings.
Access
There are several car hire companies inside the Gibraltar Airport. You can reach them closer to the baggage claim, but many of their cars are not parked on the airport’s premises. Some you can pick up in the garage, but others you may have to go outside of the airport to pick up.
When you arrive at the counter of the car hire company you made a reservation with, they’ll be able to tell you where to go to retrieve your car for the duration of your trip.
Fees
To ensure you’re not incurring any additional fees, you’ll want to look into the car hire company’s cancellation policy thoroughly. Unfortunately, things happen, and you might need to cancel your car reservation. If that happens, withdrawing could mean an additional charge. How much depends on the company and how close to the travel dates you’ve canceled.
To keep your car hire costs low, you’ll want to take pictures before you leave the lot. This way, the company cannot claim fees for damages that occurred before you were behind the wheel.
Driver Requirements
In Gibraltar, you can be 21 and hire a car, but you’re likely to have to pay an additional fee per day that you hire a car. Regardless of your age, you must have held your driver’s license for one full calendar year before the time of the car hire.
Fuel
Depending on the car hire company you go with, you may be able to purchase fuel ahead of time. This means that you don’t have to fill the tank up again before returning the car. While this is an excellent option if you you are running low on time, the convenience will cost you and it will likely mean you pay more than if you were to add fuel yourself.
What do I need to hire a car in Gibraltar?
The requirements for hiring a car in Gibraltar are similar to other parts of the world. You’ll need your driver’s license and passport. If you’re a UK resident, your driver’s license and passport will be sufficient. If you’re from anywhere outside of the UK, you’ll need an international driver’s permit (IDP).
Getting an IDP needs to be done weeks before your travels. They may take a few weeks to process applications. You’ll still need your current driver’s license from your home country with this license.
You’ll also need a credit card that works internationally. Ideally, this will be the one you’ve used to reserve the car. They’ll have the card on file if they need to charge you anything else during the time you’re using the vehicle.
Lastly, you’ll need car insurance. Whether you’re using your policy from your home country’s auto insurance or one from the car hire company, this is necessary for hiring a car in Gibraltar.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Gibraltar?
How much it costs to hire a car in Gibraltar depends. It depends on the type of car you hire, the company you hire from, how much fuel you use, if you’re under 25 years old, and more. The smaller the car, the cheaper the cost tends to be. When you have to fit more people in a vehicle, you’ll be spending more money.
How much fuel you use plays heavily into your total car hire costs. The less fuel you use, the cheaper your cost will be.
How old do you need to be to hire a car in Gibraltar?
The standard car rental age in Gibraltar is 25 to 75 years old. Even though the legal age to drive in Gibraltar is 17, the minimum age to hire a car is different. First of all, you have to be at least 18 years old and have held a license for up to one year.
Keep in mind that the minimum age can also vary depending on your car type. There will most likely be a surcharge applied for car types for younger drivers.
Some car rental companies don’t allow drivers younger than 21 to rent big vans and SUVs.
What car hire insurance do I need to drive in Gibraltar?
Driving without any insurance is simply not an option. You’ll want to find a policy that covers car hires. These tend to cover accidental collisions and theft. Your policy in your home country may apply in Gibraltar, but you’ll want to check before hiring a car.
How to hire a car in Gibraltar if under 25?
If you are under 25 and want to drive around Gibraltar, you need to make sure the company you choose hasn’t set its minimum car hire age to 25. If they have and you are under 25, they will charge substantial prices to allow you to hire a car.
Some car hire companies allow those over 21 years old to hire a car without additional fees. You’ll need to do some research if this applies to you.