Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Oviedo
Looking for a cheap car rental in Oviedo? With Economybookings, you can easily compare different companies to find the best deals on cheap car hire in Oviedo. If you're planning to spend time in the city first, it often isn't worth having a car every day; it can work out better to rent one only for trips along the coast, into the mountains, or to nearby villages.
- Compare pick-up locations: Asturias Airport brings together several rental companies and is usually the easiest option if you're arriving by plane.
- Adjust your dates and times: even changing your pick-up or drop-off time by just one hour can make a difference to the final price.
- Choose a basic or small car: they are cheaper, use less fuel, and are easier to drive.
- Book early: if you're travelling in summer, it's worth reserving your rental car in advance for better prices and wider availability.
Tips when renting a car in Oviedo
- Picking up the car at Asturias Airport is usually the most convenient option if you're landing there and heading straight to Oviedo or anywhere else in the region.
- You don't need a large car for Oviedo; a small one will make manoeuvres and parking much easier.
- Keep Oviedo's Low Emission Zone (ZBE) in mind. If you're planning to drive through the centre, it's a good idea to check the restrictions and any possible exemptions depending on the type of vehicle. For example, vehicles without an environmental sticker may access public car parks as long as they enter and leave directly.
Driving tips in Oviedo
- Always carry your driver's license, rental contract, and insurance documents.
- Drive on the right and overtake on the left. Always signal before any manoeuvre.
- Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks, so always stop for them.
- Pay attention at roundabouts. Choose your lane before entering: the inner lane is for overtaking, and the outer lane is for exiting. Give way to traffic already on the roundabout and signal right when you leave.
- If you park in a regulated parking zone (blue zone), remember to pay Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Sundays and public holidays are free. You can also pay by app, so there's no need to rush back to the meter.
- Popular fuel stations include Repsol, BP, and Moeve.
- In Spain, driving under the influence of alcohol is not allowed. The legal limit is 0.5 g/L (0.3 if you have held your license for less than two years). Fines can easily exceed €500.
- If you break down or have an incident on the road, the mandatory warning device is the connected V16 beacon.
Speed limits
In Oviedo, these are the most common speed limits:
- 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways and dual carriageways.
- 90 km/h (55 mph) on secondary roads.
- 50 km/h (31 mph) on streets with more than one lane in each direction.
- 30 km/h (19 mph) on streets with a single lane in each direction.
- 20 km/h (12 mph) in shared pedestrian zones.
Oviedo city centre and the surrounding areas have plenty of roundabouts, crosswalks, and 30 km/h zones, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on the signs even on the main access roads.
Road signs
Road signs in Oviedo follow the European standard: clear, easy to understand, and with limits shown in km/h. In the city, you'll see plenty of 30 km/h zones, one-way streets, and regulated parking signs, especially around the centre. The old town is very pedestrian-focused, with many pedestrian streets and limited-access roads, so make sure you check the signs carefully before driving in. On the access roads and roundabouts, signage is generally clear and easy to follow.
Tolls and restricted zones
If you're arriving in Oviedo from León, or driving from Oviedo to León via the AP-66, you'll come across a toll on that stretch.
As for restricted areas, besides the Low Emission Zone (ZBE), the city has pedestrian streets and restricted-traffic areas monitored by cameras, especially in the old town, around San Juan church, and on streets near the Auditorium. If you're planning to move around the most central area, it's best to check the signs carefully and, if possible, leave the car in a car park and continue on foot.
Discover Oviedo by car
Oviedo is a great base for exploring Asturias by car, as everything is relatively close: the sea, the mountains, and charming villages. You can head to Gijón or Avilés for a change of atmosphere, or drive towards the coast to discover places such as Cudillero, with its houses clinging to the harbour. If you prefer nature, the route through Cangas de Onís and Covadonga is absolutely worth it. The best thing about renting a car is that it lets you be spontaneous: stop at a viewpoint, turn off towards a beach, or visit several villages in the same day.
When to Visit
Oviedo has an Atlantic climate, so the weather can change quite a bit from one day to the next, which is also part of its charm.
- Spring (April-June): A very good time to walk around the old town and take trips to other parts of Asturias, as temperatures are usually pleasant.
- September: The city fills with atmosphere during the San Mateo festivities and the Día de América en Asturias, so you'll find plenty going on in the streets.
- October: Usually a calm and beautiful time to explore the city and the surrounding area without so many visitors.
Languages & Communication
Spanish is spoken in Oviedo, but it's also common to see references to Asturian, especially in place names and cultural matters around the region. In hotels, tourist offices, and some visitor-focused businesses, there are usually people who can manage in English, although outside those places that is not always the case. Even so, it's an accessible city and, in general, it's not difficult to make yourself understood.
Currency & Payments
The euro (€) is used in Oviedo. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants, and accommodations, so getting around with very little cash is easy. Still, it's useful to carry some money for small bars, markets, or quick purchases. There are ATMs all over the city.
Top driving routes from Oviedo
From Oviedo, you have very good options for day trips by car without needing to cover huge distances. In a short time, you can go from the city to the coast, the mountains, or villages full of charm.
- Cangas de Onís and Covadonga: This is the trip everyone recommends. Cangas de Onís is a good starting point for continuing to Covadonga, visiting the sanctuary, and, if the weather is good, driving up to the Lakes of Covadonga. In high season, check access in advance, as private car access is sometimes restricted.
- Gijón: Very close to Oviedo. You can spend time around the city, walk along San Lorenzo beach, and finish in the Cimavilla district, which still has that traditional seafaring feel so typical of the area.
- Cudillero: Around 40 minutes from Oviedo, you can visit Cudillero, considered one of the most beautiful fishing villages in Spain.
- Picos de Europa: Just over two hours from Oviedo, and what makes this route special is not only the destination but the drive itself. There are stretches with impressive views, mountain roads, gorges, and several points where it's well worth stopping to take in the scenery.
