Car Rental in Pamplona

Why rent a car in Pamplona?

The capital of the region of Navarre, Pamplona is a calm and relaxed place (that is, when the famous running of the bulls is not taking place), but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for a visitor to enjoy as the city is home to historic architecture, large green areas, and a special atmosphere. With a rental car, you can see Pamplona first, then head to the nearby Pyrenees mountains, explore the neighboring Basque country, or even drive all the way to Madrid or Barcelona.

Top ways to enter Pamplona

• Pamplona Airport: Small and cozy, Pamplona Airport handled only 200,000 travelers in 2018. The airport provides flights to and from Madrid and other Spanish destinations as well as Frankfurt in Germany. Located 6.5km (4 miles) south of the city center, the airport can be reached in ten minutes.
• Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport: Also located in the Basque Country, Vitoria Airport is only served by one airline, the low-cost carrier Ryanair, as of December 2019. In addition to domestic connections, there are also flights to and from Germany and Italy. Located 99km (61 miles) west of Pamplona, Vitoria Airport takes just over one hour to reach.
• Bilbao Airport: Serving the largest city of the neighboring Basque Country region, Bilbao Airport is a large hub for Spanish low-cost carriers Vueling and Volotea and is also served by around 20 other airlines. The airport, located 155km (96 miles) northwest of Pamplona, takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach.
• Madrid Barajas Airport: With almost 58 million travelers served in 2018, Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport is the busiest in Spain and sixth-busiest in Europe. The airport is a large hub for Iberia and Air Europa and is also served by tens of other airlines, including low-cost companies like easyJet, Norwegian Air and Wizz Air. Madrid Airport has flights to and from destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Located 378km (235 miles) southwest of Pamplona, the airport can be reached in about four hours.
• Barcelona El Prat Airport: Also known as Barcelona-Josep Tarradellas, the second-busiest airport in Spain handled 50 million travelers in 2018. As of December 2019, the airport has flights by around 70 different airlines. Located 480km (298 miles) southeast of Pamplona, Barcelona Airport takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach.
• By rail: If you arrive in Pamplona by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Pamplona Central RENFE Railway Station.

City facts

• As it is not far from the coast of the Bay of Biscay, Pamplona has an oceanic climate. The average high temperature is 28°C  (83°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 9°C  (48°F) in January, the coldest. April and October are the rainiest months, while July is the driest. Pamplona is located at an average elevation of 445 m (1,460 ft); temperatures are significantly lower in the surrounding Pyrenees.
• With a population of about 195,000 along with another 125,000 people living in the city’s larger metropolitan area, Pamplona is only the 23rd most populous city in Spain but by far the largest in the province of  Navarre (of which it is also a capital). The city’s old town, known as Navarrería, has been inhabited since at least the Roman times. 

Top sights and activities

• Sanfermines. Although Sanfermines only takes place for nine days at the beginning of July, the world-famous festival is by far the biggest reason why travelers visit Pamplona. Even if you don’t intend to be chased by a bull, the festive atmosphere is still worth experiencing at least once and can’t be compared with anything else.
• Pamplona Cathedral. Every Spanish city of a decent size needs at least one impressive church and Pamplona truly has one of the best. Built in the 10th century on the site of an even older structure and renovated a number of times, Saint Mary the Royal Cathedral is arguably the most impressive (and the most photographed) church in all of Navarre.
• El Sadar. CA Osasuna, the home football team of Pamplona, might not be the strongest or the richest in Spain - in fact, its budget is among the smallest in the Spanish higher division. But the atmosphere created by the local fans inside El Sadar, it’s home stadium, cannot be compared with anything else. An awesome and, at times, deafening experience, visiting El Sadar is something that any curious tourist will enjoy. The Spanish football season runs from August until May.
• Navarre Museum. Dedicated to the preservation of the history and traditions of Navarre, this is one of the most interesting museums in Pamplona. Situated in an impressive 16th-century building that used to be a hospital, its exhibits include various Roman artifacts that are close to two thousand years old, as well as comparatively more recent Gothic and Renaissance art. Read more about the museum’s history and opening hours on Navarre’s official tourism page.

Traffic and parking

• Spain drives on the right-hand side of the road.
• Speed limits - 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on highways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car’s documentation and proof of insurance have to be inside the vehicle at all times.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm traveling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of car horns is prohibited.
• 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 roads on mainland Spain are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The methods of payment accepted may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km. See the official Spanish toll road website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Aizkorri-Aratz National Park. Located in the neighboring Basque country, Aizkorri-Aratz is one of the most impressive national parks in northern Spain. Made up of high peaks, deep gorges, and old forests, it is both a climber and a nature lover’s paradise. There are many hiking and climbing opportunities, and it’s possible to stay in a mountain hut. Located about 110km (68 miles) northwest of Pamplona, the national park can be reached in less than two hours.
• San Sebastian. Known as Donostia in Basque, this coastal city is one of the most picturesque places in Spain. San Sebastian is home to well-preserved architecture, interesting museums, great restaurants, and scenic beaches. Little nearby towns like Hondarribia are also worth a visit. Located just 83km (51 miles) north of Pamplona, San Sebastian can be reached in one hour.
• Logroño. Often overlooked in favor of more famous neighboring cities, the capital of the small La Rioja region can be a great place to visit. Logroño is home to many beautiful churches, the House of Sciences Museum, as well as numerous bodegas and vineyards (even if you’re driving and cannot taste the local wines, it can still be very fun to learn about the winemaking process and history). After visiting Logroño, you can drive to the nearby town of Enciso which has some of the most impressive dinosaur footprints in Europe. Located 85km (53 miles) southwest of Pamplona, Logroño can be reached in one hour.
• Bilbao. The largest city of the Basque Country is also one of the region’s most interesting destinations. Known for its strong local identity and high quality of living, it is home to attractions like the Guggenheim Museum and the Vizcaya hanging bridge. Located just under a two-hour drive away, Bilbao can be visited as a day trip from Pamplona, but setting aside at least two or three days if you have the time would make the experience even more enjoyable.
• Urbasa Andia Nature Park. Smaller than the previously mentioned Aizkorri-Aratz, but also located closer – it is an hour’s drive southwest of Pamplona - Urbasa Andia is Navarre’s main nature preserve. The mountainous area is known for its many swift streams and waterfalls, as well as old groves of oaks and beeches. Home to a variety of fauna, the park is especially known for its many raptors like the peregrine falcon and Egyptian vulture.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Pamplona is the Fiat 500, although many travelers also go for the Volkswagen Polo and the Fiat Panda. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

• Zaragoza. The capital of Aragon is located halfway between Bilbao and Barcelona and has plenty of landmarks and attractions. These include two impressive cathedrals, an old Moorish castle, and the Caesaraugusta route which allows visitors to explore the old Roman sites of the city. With a rental car, the majestic Spanish Pyrenees are also within reach. Zaragoza is 180km (112 miles) south of Pamplona and can be reached in about two hours.
• Barcelona. Spain’s second-largest city and the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona has more landmarks than it’s possible to name, but La Rambla, Sagrada Familia and other works by Antoni Gaudi, and the Gothic Quarter should be on the to-visit list of any traveler. Many beautiful beaches and stunning nature are also near the city. Located 485km (300 miles) southeast of Pamplona, Barcelona can be reached in five hours.
• Cantabria. One of the least visited regions of Spain, Cantabria is something of a hidden gem. Those who do venture to the northern province can discover cave systems with some of the oldest cave paintings in the world, amazing surfing spots, large national parks, and its pretty and sophisticated capital, Santander. Located 250km (155 miles) northwest of Pamplona, Santander can be reached in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Car rental prices in Pamplona

• Small cars - from $27 per day
• Medium cars - from $23 per day
• Large cars - from $30 per day
• SUVs - from $28 per day
• Station wagons - from $37 per day
• Premium cars - from $45 per day
• Convertibles - from $75 per day
• Vans - from $57 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to land a great rental car in Pamplona:

• 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 Pamplona is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 59% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 75% cheaper than renting a vehicle in July. Come visit Navarre in early springtime!