Car Rental in Biarritz

Why rent a car in Biarritz?

You don’t need a car to visit the center of Biarritz: the town is small and cozy and easy to get around. But Biarritz is at the heart of a stunning region - the French Basque country - and a car will give you the freedom to explore everything from pristine beaches on the Bay of Biscay to small Aquitaine villages, coastal cities in nearby Spain, the Basque interior, and the Pyrenees.

Top ways to enter Biarritz

There are two main ways of reaching Biarritz: air and rail.

Biarritz by air:

• Biarritz Airport. Located just a short ride from the city center, Biarritz Pays Basque Airport served more than 1 million travelers every year before 2020 and is especially active during the summer months. The airport is served by a number of airlines, including low-cost giants Easyjet and Ryanair Flying into Biarritz is the easiest way to reach the city by air.

• Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport. One of the busiest in France, Bordeaux Airport has flights from many European destinations, as well as some in Africa and Asia. Bordeaux Airport is a tad more than a two-hour drive north of Biarritz. Several bus and shuttle companies also ply this route.

• Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. Serving the capital of the Haute-Garonne Region, Toulouse Airport has flights to around 80 different destinations and is served by many airlines, including some low-cost carriers. It is located about three hours drive east of Biarritz.

• Bilbao Airport. Located in the largest city of neighboring Spain’s Biscay province, Bilbao Airport serves about 5.5 million passengers every year. It is a focus airport for large Spanish airlines like Volotea, Iberia, and Vueling. Bilbao Airport is just a two-hour drive west of Biarritz. Keep in mind that you’ll have to cross an international border to travel between Bilbao and Biarritz, so first make sure your car rental provider permits this. Alternatively, you can reach Biarritz by public transportation and pick up your rental car there.

Biarritz by rail:

Rail is an excellent way to reach Biarritz, both by regional TER train or by high-speed TGV from Paris. Because many trains transit through Paris, however, the ride can be long so arriving by rail is best from Paris or from the nearby region. If you arrive in Biarritz by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Biarritz Rail Station.

City facts

• Located on the Bay of Biscay, Biarritz has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers and mild winters. The average temperature in August, the hottest month, is 25°C  (77°F), while the average temperature in January is 8.5°C  (47°F). Unlike on the Mediterranean coast, summers in Biarritz are only slightly drier than winters, and the city still experiences a significant number of rainy days (an average of 141 per year).
• Both French and Basque are widely spoken in and around Biarritz, with most street signs, menus, etc. written in both languages. Basque is a unique language spoken in Southwest France and Northeast Spain that has no living relative. The Basque identity is important for many inhabitants of the region and the Basque red-and-green flag with a white cross can be seen in many places in Biarritz.

Top sights and activities

• The beaches. Located on the Bay of Biscay, Biarritz is one of the top surfing destinations in Europe. The Grand Plage Beach is very central and the most picturesque, although it does get quite full of people during the summer season. Cote de Basque, another beach inside Biarritz, is a good alternative. With a rental car, you can also travel to more remote (and equally beautiful) spots like Anglet Beach. If you’re not big on surfing, but simply want to enjoy the sun and the sea, the beach near the Esplanade du Port Vieux area is your best bet. 
• The Museum of the Sea. The people of Biarritz have lived off the sea for centuries. Before tourism and surfing became big, fishing, whaling, and maritime trading were the main industries. The sea also features prominently in the local Basque mythology. Consequently, it’s no surprise that one of the best maritime museums in Europe can be found in Biarritz. Focusing on the aforementioned topics, it also houses many interesting sea creatures such as anemones, different invertebrates, and seals and fish in its aquariums.
• Rocher de la Vierge. Easily reached by car, the Rock of the Virgin is one of the symbols of Biarritz. From the top of this large rock, you can enjoy amazing views of the nearby city and the Bay of Biarritz. It was used as a whale-watching place for centuries. Some say that on a clear day, it’s possible to see the Pyrenees in the distance.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Unlike on inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.
• Speed limits in France depend on the type of road. 
  • Highways (autoroutes):  130 km/h
  • 4-lane expressways: 110 km/h
  • Most other roads: 80 km/h, unless they are signposted at 90 km/h
  • Towns and villages: 50 km/h, although at times that may be lowered to 30 km/h
  • In rain or fog, speed limits on roads drop by 20 km/h
• The car’s registration and insurance documents must be in it at all times.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• As of 2018, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France and the fines are hefty.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with a letter A and you can recognize them by a red number sign. The fare for taking a toll road depends on the specific route, the distance, as well as the type of vehicle - cars with trailers and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by credit card or by cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.

Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transporters and can use the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transporters, though note that this service usually comes with a fee. 

See the official French toll road website for more information. Use the French toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route. 

Ideas for day trips

• Bayonne. Located just 8 km (5 mi) east of Biarritz, Bayonne is a quiet and picturesque place with surprisingly many attractions. Admire its gothic Saint Mary Cathedral, learn more about the local culture and traditions at the Basque Museum, or stroll along scenic quays of the River Nive. Bayonne is the city that introduced chocolate into France, and there are several chocolatiers in the Old Town where you can watch it being made.
• St-Jean-de-Luz. This delightful town is an easy 20-minute drive from Biarritz along a stunning coastal road. There is a surprising amount to do in this town - explore the bay and its fort, sample some of its culinary specialties (like the Gâteau Basque, or Basque Cake, and Basque macaroons), or walk down history lane. See the houses in which Louis XIV and his fiancée the Infanta of Spain stayed before they married, and admire Saint Jean-Baptiste Church, where they tied the knot.
• Basque Country interior. Just minutes from the coast is the historical heartland of France’s Basque Country, which contains three of the seven historical Basque provinces (the other four are in Spain). Here you’ll find traditional Basque houses, with their green or deep red trim, and some of the most picturesque villages in France.
• San Sebastián. Many locals refer to it by its Basque name, Donostia, but however you call it, this city is a place you simply must visit. World-class restaurants, long promenades, lifestyle, and interesting local traditions are just some of the things that characterize San Sebastián. About 50km (31 miles) west of Biarritz, it can be reached by car in less than one hour. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll have to cross the French-Spanish border, so first make sure your rental car provider permits it.
• Pyrenees National Park. A natural border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees are considered by some hikers to be even more spectacular than the Alps. Its long valleys, rapid mountain rivers, and striking summits are easily explored thanks to the many marked trails that you can find in this park. Pyrenees National Park is also home to unique wildlife such as golden eagles, Pyrenean chamois (a species of goat-antelope), alpine marmots, and brown bears. The edge of the park nearest to Biarritz is about a two-hour drive from the city.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car type in Biarritz is the mini, perhaps thanks to the many narrow and old streets in Biarritz’s city center. The economy and compact classes are also chosen often. The most popular rental car in Biarritz is the Opel Adam, followed by the Fiat Panda and the Fiat 500.

Further destinations

• Bilbao. The largest city of the Basque Country region, Bilbao is also a true modern metropolis and one of the best urban getaways in all of Spain. Home to one of the three Guggenheim museums that are currently open – the others are in New York City and Venice – the city also boasts plenty of other historical and architectural landmarks, and a highly unique, proud local culture. A car trip from Biarritz takes only about two hours.
• Bordeaux. Sometimes called the wine capital of the world, the southwestern metropolis of Bordeaux is a lovely place to visit. As charming and tourist-oriented as all the aspects of viticulture are, Bordeaux is also notable for Port of the Moon, the stunning waterfront on River Garonne, as well as landmarks such as the Museum of Fine Arts. Located exactly 200 km (125 miles) from Biarritz, Bordeaux can be reached in just over two hours.
• Andorra. A tiny country high in the mountains between Spain and France, Andorra is still ruled by a succession of princes. Best known for its skiing bases like Grandvalira and Vallnord, it also has attractions like the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley wildlife sanctuary, Caldea spa complex, and plenty of ancient churches and small villages to explore. Andorra is about a five-hour drive east of Biarritz, with much of the road snaking upwards through the spectacular Pyrenees. To come to Andorra, you’ll have to cross an international border, so first, make sure your rental car provider permits it. Although Andorra is not a part of the Schengen Area like France and Spain, the entry requirements are effectively the same. 
• Toulouse. Located about three hours from Biarritz and the Bay of Biscay to the west of it and from the Mediterranean to its south, Toulouse is not just one of the largest urban centers in Spain, it is also one of the most interesting. The Pink City is known both for its traditional architecture and its contemporary art scene, and on top of that is also the center of the French aviation industry. 

Car rental prices in Biarritz

• SUVs - from $38 per day
• Vans - from $79 per day
• Small cars - from $32 per day
• Medium cars - from $32 per day
• Large cars - from $38 per day
• Station wagons - from $40 per day
• Convertibles - from $129 per day
• Premium cars - from $186 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Try these tips to get a great rental car in Biarritz:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Biarritz is cheapest in January when renting a car is about 65% cheaper than the yearly average. Come visit Southwest France in winter!