Cheap Car Rental in Pontevedra

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Pontevedra

Looking for a cheap car rental in Pontevedra? With Economybookings, you can easily compare different companies to find the best deals on cheap car hire in Pontevedra. Pontevedra has spent years prioritising pedestrians and reducing car use in the centre, so it often makes more sense to rent a car only for day trips around the Rías Baixas.

• 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 Pontevedra

• If you're planning to visit Combarro, O Grove, Sanxenxo, or nearby beaches, it's worth renting the car from the start.
• Don't expect to get around the whole centre comfortably by car: the city's model is specifically designed to limit traffic and uncontrolled parking in streets and squares.
• The city has underground car parks and other parking options, so it's a good idea to plan where you're going to leave the car.
• For trips around the estuary, a small car is perfect, and there's no real need to go much higher in category.
• If you're staying in the old town, check in advance where you're going to park and don't leave it until you arrive.

Driving tips in Pontevedra

• 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.
• In Pontevedra, the old town is designed to be explored on foot, so the most practical option is to park outside the centre and walk in, especially if you're only visiting the historic area.
• Popular fuel stations include Repsol, Ballenoil, and Petroprix.
• 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 Pontevedra, 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.

Pontevedra's old town is highly pedestrianised, with plenty of traffic restrictions and low speed limits, so the normal thing is to drive slowly and always respect pedestrian priority.

Road signs

Road signs in Pontevedra follow the European standard: clear, easy to understand, and with limits shown in km/h. In Galicia, many official names also appear in Galician, so you'll see place names and signs in that language. The most distinctive thing about Pontevedra is that its old town is very pedestrian-focused, with many pedestrian streets or heavily restricted traffic areas, so there are lots of limited-access and pedestrian-priority signs. Outside the historic centre, urban signage is easy to follow and well organised.

Tolls and restricted zones

There is no charge for driving within Pontevedra itself, but the AP-9, which connects much of Galicia, is a toll road and is widely used for travelling to and from Vigo, Santiago, or A Coruña.

Pontevedra also has very strict access regulation in its centre. The old town is heavily pedestrianised, and car access is limited, with permanent controls and restrictions in place 24 hours a day.

Discover Pontevedra by car

Pontevedra sits right in the heart of the Rías Baixas, so renting a car gives you a huge amount of freedom to get around. In a short time, you can reach Combarro and see its hórreos by the sea, or head to Sanxenxo if you're in the mood for beaches and a lively atmosphere. You can also drive towards O Grove and the Ría de Arousa for viewpoints and landscapes dotted with mussel rafts. If you prefer something calmer, Cambados is perfect for a relaxed stroll, especially if you'd like to try local wines. You're also close to Vigo and to plenty of small coves and coastal villages where having a car really makes a difference.

When to Visit

Pontevedra is best enjoyed in good weather, especially if you want to combine the city with the estuaries and trips along the coast.

• Spring (April-June): The weather is usually pleasant, and it's a very good time to walk around the old town and explore the Rías Baixas at a relaxed pace.
• August: The city feels much livelier because of the Peregrina festivities, its most important celebration. During those days, there are usually plenty of activities and cultural events.
• September: The weather is often still good, and there are already fewer tourists than in the height of summer.

Languages & Communication

Both Spanish and Galician are spoken in Pontevedra. Galician is more visible on signs, place names, and official signage. But don't worry, everyone also speaks Spanish. In the more touristy areas, restaurants, and accommodation, you may find some staff who speak English, although the level is less consistent than in more international destinations.

Currency & Payments

The euro (€) is used in Pontevedra. Cards are accepted in most restaurants, shops, and accommodation, especially in the centre and in the more touristy areas of the Rías Baixas. Even so, it's still a good idea to carry some cash for small businesses or local markets. You'll also find ATMs quite easily.

Top driving routes from Pontevedra

With your rental car, you can enjoy day trips along the coast, around the estuaries, and to fishing villages.

• Combarro: Just 15 minutes away, Combarro is the classic trip from Pontevedra. It has plenty of charm, and its most striking features are the hórreos by the sea, the fishermen's houses, and the stone crosses. It's a place best enjoyed slowly.
• O Grove and A Toxa: A very complete route if you want to combine the sea, viewpoints, and good food. O Grove is closely tied to fishing traditions and seafood, while A Toxa has a calmer atmosphere and is known for its spa and wellness heritage.
• Cambados: Less than half an hour away, Cambados is known as the capital of Albariño, and alongside wineries and vineyards, it also has a very pleasant old quarter with pazos, squares, and cobbled streets.
• Ría de Arousa: A very easy route for stopping whenever you feel like it between beaches, promenades, and small ports. It's the largest estuary in Galicia and one of the most representative parts of the Rías Baixas.
• Pontevedra estuary coast: Another very easy drive for stopping along the way between beaches, promenades, and small harbours. You can pass through places such as Combarro, Sanxenxo, Bueu, or Marín, with scenery strongly shaped by fishing traditions and famous sandy beaches such as Silgar.