Hiring a car in Spain - is it worth it?

Whether it's for environmental reasons or those of convenience, hiring a car to use as transport when on holiday may seem an unsuitable choice for some travellers. For others, it's the most convenient way to find transport between holiday locations, some of which may be out of the reach of the local transport system. Anyone going on holiday to Spain, for example, may find it simple to catch a train from Barcelona to Seville - but what if you wanted to explore some of the country's more out of the way areas, such as the Alpujarras mountainous district or the port of Cadiz?

If you are thinking about hiring a car on a holiday to Spain, you'll have to take into account some basic facts and figures. One of the main things to consider is how much you actually need the car: for example, in terms of budgeting, the basic rental would cost more than a train or bus ticket. Add to that amount the numerous petrol refills and road tolls you would come across if you used a car instead of the local transport and you've got a hefty transport bill right in your lap.

If you are going to rent car, would it be better to go through with the transaction when you're booking your holiday? Or would you rather walk up to one of the hire car counters desks you always see in airportswhen you arrive at your destination? Booking beforehand gives you a sense of security, knowing that once you get your luggage out of baggage reclaim you can walk up to the car counterhire desk, retrieve a set of car keys and drive out of the airport yourself.. Ordering on the day itself, on the other hand, can be problematic. There may be a queue for the car counter or you may not have the variety of car options made available to you had you booked online.

Another factor is the levels of traffic in Spain. Almost every major city in the world has problems with traffic and Spain is no exception. Mornings in Madrid are notorious for traffic build-ups and, with the added hassle of trying to find an empty parking space, then it might be prudent to say that car travel would not be an option available to all.

On the plus side, travelling in a car does have some major benefits. You don"t have to plan your holiday itinerary to match those of the local buses or trains; and, as the luxury of air conditioning is common in most cars, this would be a godsend if the weather was 30 degrees Celsius with 90 percent humidity - as is often the case in Spain's most popular holiday locations. An added bonus would be the ability to retain your personal space and more within the comforts of your hired car, instead of travelling with fellow tourists or Spaniardsother passengers in a crammed bus or carriage.

So if your holiday in Spain consists of travelling in and around the major urban cities, then it would make sense to make use of the local transport system. However, if you're feeling adventurous, then rent a car and make your way to locations less frequented by tourists as