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Hertz car rental at Barcelona (El Prat) Airport - Terminal 1 and 2
Barcelona El Prat Airport, officially known as the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is the main airport for Barcelona and one of the most useful starting points for driving into the city. Hertz operates from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which helps if your flight arrives at either side of the airport.
With Hertz car rental at Barcelona El Prat Airport, you can collect your vehicle right after arrival and continue towards central Barcelona, Montjuic, Port Vell, the beaches, Sitges, or the Costa Brava without arranging a separate city pickup.
If you want to rent a car at Barcelona El Prat Airport, route planning matters from the start. The airport connects to C-31, C-32, B-10, B-20, and roads into the city. Barcelona’s centre has busy one-way streets, paid parking zones, and restricted access areas, so it is better to plan where you will park before driving into dense neighbourhoods.
With your Hertz car hire at Barcelona El Prat Airport, you can reach several key spots in a short drive:
- Barcelona city centre is about 9 to 11 miles, around 25 to 40 minutes by car
- Montjuic and Poble Espanyol are about 8 miles, around 20 to 30 minutes by car
- Port Vell is about 10 miles, around 25 to 35 minutes by car
- CosmoCaixa Barcelona is about 10 to 12 miles, around 25 to 40 minutes by car
- Sitges is about 18 miles, around 30 to 40 minutes by car
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Location Information
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Collecting and Returning Your Car
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Travel Guide
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FAQs about car hire
Pick-up locations information
Pickup and return of your rental car
Collecting your rental car at Milan Linate Airport
Hertz has car hire desks at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, making it convenient to collect your vehicle after arriving at Barcelona El Prat Airport. Once you have collected your luggage, head towards the arrivals area and follow the signs for car rental services to begin the pick-up process.
If you need to move between terminals, a free airport shuttle bus operates 24 hours a day, with stops outside both terminals. Passengers with reduced mobility can also request assistance, which should be arranged at least 48 hours in advance.
Where is the Barcelona El Prat Airport car hire desk?
The Hertz desk at Terminal 1 is located in the arrivals halls, while the Terminal 2 desk can be found inside T2B Arrivals. Check the terminal shown on your booking before travelling so you know which Hertz desk to head to after landing.
How to get from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Barcelona city centre?
Getting from Barcelona El Prat Airport to central Barcelona is usually straightforward, although traffic can slow the route during peak periods.
- Exit the airport and follow signs towards C-31 or the Barcelona city route.
- For central areas, continue towards Gran Via, Plaça d’Espanya, or the B-10 Ronda Litoral depending on your final stop.
- For Port Vell or the waterfront, the B-10 can be useful.
- For northern or upper-city areas, B-20 Ronda de Dalt may work better.
- The drive to the city centre is about 9 to 11 miles, depending on your route.
- Allow extra time during commuter traffic, cruise days, football matches, large events, rain, and summer holiday periods.
What cars can I hire at Barcelona El Prat Airport?
The right vehicle for your trip to Barcelona depends on whether you are staying in the city, heading to the coast, or planning a wider Catalonia route. Smaller cars are easier in narrow streets and underground car parks, while larger vehicles can suit families and luggage-heavy trips.
Vehicle availability can vary by booking date and travel period, but Hertz may offer options such as:
- Compact and economy cars: A good choice for city hotels, light luggage, short drives, and parking in Barcelona’s tighter garages.
- Sedans: Suitable for couples, solo travellers, and business visitors driving between the airport, Barcelona centre, Fira districts, and nearby towns.
- SUVs: Useful for families, extra bags, coastal routes, longer drives, and trips towards the Pyrenees or Costa Brava.
- MPVs: A comfortable option for small groups carrying passengers, shopping bags, beach items, or day-trip essentials.
- Vans: Better suited to larger groups, sports gear, family luggage, or itineraries with multiple suitcases.
- Premium vehicles: A comfort-focused option for business travel, special trips, city stays, or longer motorway journeys.
Electric car rental at Barcelona El Prat Airport
An electric car can be a convenient choice for exploring Barcelona with lower tailpipe emissions and a quieter driving experience. Hertz offers electric vehicle options for travellers who want an alternative to petrol or diesel cars.
Getting a Hertz EV rental can also be useful for city journeys where Barcelona’s Low Emission Zone rules apply, helping you move around more easily while choosing a lower-emission way to travel.
Returning the vehicle at Barcelona El Prat Airport
Returning your Hertz rental car at Barcelona El Prat Airport is an easy task when you follow the correct terminal signs. Terminal 1 returns are handled at Level 0, Zone A, while the Terminal 2 parking area is located in front of the terminal building. Allow enough time for traffic and the final vehicle handover.
Where to return your hire car?
If you are driving back from Barcelona city centre:
- Take Carrer de Sepúlveda towards Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes/C-31.
- Continue along the C-31 towards the airport.
- Join the C-32B and stay on this route until you reach Barcelona El Prat Airport.
- On arrival, follow the signs for Car Rental and then Car Return.
- For Terminal 1, continue to Level 0, Zone A.
- For Terminal 2, head to the designated parking area in front of the terminal.
What to do when you return your hire car?
Return the vehicle by the time stated in your booking confirmation, as a late return may lead to additional charges. Once parked, take your keys to the Hertz desk inside the terminal.
The vehicle will be checked for damage and overall condition, and Hertz will also confirm the remaining fuel level in the tank.
How to extend your hire car booking?
If you need the car for longer, you can mention this when collecting the vehicle or contact the Barcelona Airport branch once your rental has started. The team may ask for details such as your rental record number and driving licence information before arranging the additional rental days.
Explore places within 30 miles of Barcelona El Prat Airport
Mercat de la Boqueria
9.5 miles from Barcelona El Prat Airport (approx)
1517 parking spots available (approx)
11 active charging points nearby (approx)
Open Mon-Fri, 8 AM to 8:30 PM
Set just off La Rambla, Mercat de la Boqueria is one of Barcelona’s best-known food markets, with more than 200 traders selling fresh produce, seafood, meats, local specialities and international ingredients.
Parc de la Ciutadella
- 10.5 miles from Barcelona El Prat Airport (approx)
- 1657 parking spots available (approx)
- 17 active charging points nearby (approx)
- Open daily, 10 AM to 10:30 PM
Parc de la Ciutadella is one of central Barcelona’s largest green spaces, offering landscaped gardens and open areas within the historic Ciutat Vella district. It makes a relaxed stop between sightseeing around the old city and nearby waterfront neighbourhoods.
Museu Picasso
- 10.5 miles from Barcelona El Prat Airport (approx)
- 2285 parking spots available (approx)
- 20 active charging points nearby (approx)
- Open Tue-Sun, 9 AM to 8 PM (9 PM on Thu, Fri, and Sat)
Museu Picasso houses more than 4,000 works and is particularly important for understanding Picasso’s formative years. The collection is displayed across five historic palaces on Carrer de Montcada, adding a distinctive architectural setting to the museum experience.
Hertz Car Hire FAQs – Barcelona El Prat Airport
Can I rent a car from Hertz at Barcelona El Prat Airport Terminal 1 and 2?
Can I rent a one-way car from Barcelona El Prat Airport?
Can I modify or cancel my Barcelona El Prat Airport reservation?
Are there any special requirements to rent a car from Hertz at Barcelona El Prat Airport?
Can I return my Hertz rental car to a different location than where I picked it up?
Benefits from day one.
- Up to 10% off the base rate on rentals in select countries
Up to 10% discount applies to base rates in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Benelux. 5% applies for the rest of the world. The discount applies to the base rate quoted (excluding taxes and any other charges). It does not apply to affiliated rates or rates that are already discounted.
- Add your spouse as a second driver without an extra fee
- Earn points redeemable toward free rental days and upgrades
Points are earned on per day time and mileage charges only. Free rental days cover base rate (time and mileage) only. Taxes, optional extras and any other fees are excluded. One-car-class upgrade applies to Compact, Intermediate, Standard & Full-size rentals with a maximum upgrade to a Premium. Additional terms and exclusions apply
- Skip the counter and go straight to your car
You can skip the counter once your membership is activated after your first rental. Available at select locations only.
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