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The short answer: best overall, budget, best value
You don’t need a car in Seville itself. We’d hire one for day trips or an Andalusia road trip, and pick it up on the day you leave the city.
- Where: at Seville airport (SVQ). It has the most companies, the lowest prices and the easiest roads out, without driving through the old town.
- How: compare prices on a broker such as DiscoverCars, which shows full insurance options and the fuel policy up front.
- Cost: prices are lowest in winter and highest at Easter and in summer, before insurance. Book early for Easter and summer.
Comparison table
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Company desk in the terminal, floor 0 (Aena lists Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent, Hertz, OK Mobility and Sixt) | Quick pick-up | Prices and terms vary; check the fuel policy and deposit |
| Other companies, or brands that collect the car off-site | Sometimes lower prices | Possible shuttle wait; check where the car is collected |
| Santa Justa train station | Good if you arrive by train | Fewer cars, busier roads |
| City-centre office | Close to your hotel | Driving in the old town, higher prices |
Each option in detail
At the airport
Aena lists Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent, Hertz, OK Mobility and Sixt with desks in the terminal (floor 0). Companies not on that list, such as Record Go or Centauro, may collect the car elsewhere, so check where the car is collected in your booking. The airport is right on the A-4 motorway, so you can head to Córdoba, Jerez, Cádiz or the white villages without entering the city.
At Santa Justa station
Convenient if you arrive on the AVE from Madrid and start your road trip straight away. Coming by train from Valencia? See Valencia to Seville. Opening hours are shorter than at the airport.
Insurance, deposit and fuel
- Excess: the basic price includes insurance with a high excess. Either buy the rental company’s zero-excess cover at the desk, or buy excess insurance beforehand (cheaper) and accept a deposit hold on your card.
- Credit card: most companies need a credit card (not debit) in the main driver’s name for the deposit.
- Fuel: we’d choose full to full. “Full to empty” policies charge for a full tank at a high price.
- Check the car: we’d photograph and film every panel, the wheels and the fuel gauge at pick-up and return.
Driving and parking in Seville
- Restricted zones: Seville restricts traffic in parts of the old town with cameras. Hotel guests can enter if the hotel registers their plate, and the Cartuja low-emission zone applies Monday–Friday 7:00–19:00. Check the exact streets with your hotel.
- Parking: public underground car parks around the old town are expensive if you leave the car for a whole day. Some hotels offer discounted parking.
- Driving style: roundabouts are everywhere; drivers on the roundabout have priority. The ring road (SE-30) links all the motorways around the city.
How to choose
- Day trips only: hire for one or two days at the airport or Santa Justa. For Córdoba and Cádiz, we think the train is easier than a car. A car is handy for Carmona if you want to add Écija or Osuna the same day.
- Road trip: pick up at Seville airport and drop off at Málaga airport if your route ends there (one-way fees apply). See our Andalusia road trip.
- White villages and Ronda: we think a car is by far the best option. See the day trip to Ronda.
FAQ
Do I need a car in Seville?
No. We think the centre is best on foot and parking is expensive. A car is useful for the white villages, Ronda and a road trip.
Is it cheaper to hire a car at Seville airport?
Usually yes. The airport has the most competition, and you avoid driving in the historic centre.
Can I drive into the historic centre of Seville?
Seville restricts traffic in parts of the old town with cameras. Hotel guests can enter if the hotel registers their plate; check the exact streets with your hotel. Otherwise, park in a public car park at the edge of the centre.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Spain?
A UK photocard licence is accepted without an International Driving Permit (IDP), according to GOV.UK, but check with your rental company. EU/EEA licences are valid. If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA (including the US), we’d carry an IDP (1949 convention, valid one year) with your licence and passport: Spain’s DGT advises it and the US State Department says it is required to rent a car. Paper licences and licences from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man may also need an IDP.