Car hire for Spanish birdwatching

[kstennett]

I have my holiday in Extremadura booked now, thanks to all of advice (see earlier thread). Next is a car to get us around. I need to hire from Madrid airport.

Does anyone have any experience of the options there? One thing that concerns me is that several of them say that driving "off-road" invalidates your insurances. (and I suspect that this actually applies even to those who don't specifically say so). I asked Avis what they meant given that many minor roads in Spain are little more than tracks. They say that their cars can only be driven on sealed roads and that driving on dirt tracks would invalidate all insurances.

Not too good for the average birdwatcher!

Anyone know of a company who are a little more relaxed in their attidude - or do you all just cross your fingers and hope!!

Kath

[Highway Man]

We went there last year and booked through Holiday Autos. As far as I can remember there is little or no off road driving necessary, so I wouldn't worry about that. Our car came from Hertz. They were very efficent and friendly. One word of warning though. Before you take it back give it a wash and make sure that you fill it up, we didn't and got stung for the lack of fuel.

Mark

[Tim Allwood]

I remember when we went several years back we had to go over some well rough tracks to get to the Great Bustard groupings on the plains around caceres....and over a train line at one point which was a little hairy. Don't think the car was ever in any danger though.

We crashed one in Zaragosa four years back and they (Hertz) had a giggle at us and only charged us for the wing mirror.......

We also 'heavily-used' one in Morocco but they didn't charge us any extra for broken lights and exhausts/handbrakes etc

[Reader]

I have to admit to driving off road at most places I visit. There is no way the insurances would cover me but I still take that chance. I just hope it doesn't catch up with me one day.

The bonus is that I have seen some incredible birds, especially on the Greek mainland and islands and many parts of Spain and Portugal, by actively seeking out these tracks and will continue to take that chance.

[jpoyner]

I think the "off-road" rule applies to most companies, which is a bind in most birding places..afraid you just have to cross your fingers.
Basically if it broke down "off-road" you're going to end up with a huge recovery bill. Best find a local to tow it to the nearest road but hope that won't happen.

Another point to bear in mind about driving in Spain is the little known "bail bond" insurance which is included in the normal insurance.
Basically Spanish police will take you straight to a police station and detain you in the event of any (serious) accident. Having this insurance ensures that a Spanish lawer gets you released.....just worth bearing in mind as I guess it is also invalid if you are off-road.

JP

[Steve G]

Hi Kath,
There are lots of car hire companies at Madrid airport with little to choose between them. If asked -all will give the same answer about off road driving. You are as well to pick one & not worry too much. Hiring in advance by internet can be cheaper & may save time on arrival.
I've been to Extremadura a few times now & have managed to see all the Extramaduran specialties without having to drive off road much. On one trip I did manage to rip off the front bumper on a pitted track in the Sierra de Villuercas on one of the few occasions we left the road but I had no problems with the Car hire company-I told them I caught it on a high pavement when parking in Caceres!! I think the site Tim was referring to is the steppe south of Caceres on the Salor plains -its good but a little bumpy(!!). You should be able to get all the steppe birds on the Belen plains & in the Santa Marta de Magasca area without leaving metalled roads. Enjoy your holiday-its a great place. ;)

[Andrew]

Do you guys find it hard to adjust to driving a car sitting on the left with the gear stick on the right?

[Highway Man]

Do you guys find it hard to adjust to driving a car sitting on the left with the gear stick on the right?

Not really Andrew. I would find it much more confusing driving a right-hand drive on continental roads.

Mark

[Steve G]

Do you guys find it hard to adjust to driving a car sitting on the left with the gear stick on the right?
Surprisingly it's fairly easy & if you're away for 2 weeks or more it may briefly seem unnatural switching back! :h?:

[Andrew]

That is interesting and I suppose it would be odd switching back once you return to Blighty.

[Denis]

I have booked with carjet.com for my trip to Mallorca in March this year. £77 for a week all in. Not used them before but seemed to have good write-ups at various sites around the web.

Cheers

Denis