What is it like to drive in spain any help for a first timer?

Question

What is it like to drive in spain any help for a first timer?

Answer 1

Depends on where u come from. I was driving in Spain and I'm from India so the traffic chaos didn't bother me much but if ur an American u'll have some trouble adjusting to the "relaxed" rules in Spain. Best is hire a really small car and see if how u manage it. Make sure that if ur driving in Madrid or big cities take the insurance cover too as it is normal to hit people's car from front n back. Also, highways r not so strict about the speed I've driven in plus of 200 Kms/Hr from Madrid - Seville.

If ur only planning to stay in Madrid or Barcelona then u donot need a car Metro/ Bus service is amazing there.

Answer 2

Sure, I have done it on many occasions. If you are an American, it will be somewhat of a culture shock at first, but not as much as if you were driving in, say, South Korea. In Spain, first of all, the vehicles are mostly smaller. People drive very fast, and it seems to the American eye, somewhat recklessly, especially in the cities such as Madrid.  Actually, they are pretty skillful drivers. In Spain, as in many European countries, new drivers are considered to be officially "learners" for a lot longer than in the US. So by the time they leave that status behind, they usually have pretty good skills. However, they do not tolerate "fools" (or the lost) lightly. So it is a good idea to know where you are going before you get in the car, as much as possible.

At least they drive on the same side of the road as we do in the US, so that won't be a problem. They use their horns for everything, so don't take offense, but consider adopting the habit yourself. Note that horn use is obligatory in round-a-bouts, at street lights, where pedestrians are, when pulling out from a parking place or into one, when passing or being passed. It is a way to say "hey, I'm here". Avoid hand gestures of any kind.

When in Madrid, for instance, do not leave a wallet or purse in view even while you are in the car, just stuck in traffic b/c the cars are not always (or often) air-conditioned, you will have your windows open, and gangs of bicycle thieves will roam the streets, reaching into esp. tourist vehicles, grab the goods and be gone before you can say "Que pasa?"

Give pedestrians, the right of way whenever there is a doubt in towns and cities. The Spanish are great walkers, it is part of their culture and a way they socialize every day. Watch for zebra-striped walks as it is international that you yield to a pedestrian who steps into one.

Watch for the person in front of you to slam on the brakes without warning. The warning is that EVERYONE does this all the time. You should be expecting it.

When you get there, or even before, get a copy of the driving laws to review.

In a day or so, you will be fine. Oh, and get gas whenever you can. Sometimes it is hard to find a station. Sundays and the numerous holidays make it a c**p shoot.

Have fun.

Answer 3

If you are going to a city - there is no need to drive - walk or use public transportation - its much more convienent and cheap.  If you need to travel from one city to the next - take a train.  Again convienent and affordable.  Good Luck

Answer 4

the paid road is expensive but i hear if you take and expired debit card form the states it will go through and its save!!

Answer 5

First, the expired c/card, do this & you'll end up in the BARS Hotel = Jail. if it's not too late already!

Some good advice here from others, BUT be carefull just how much you take!

Re the fual prices;; What utter rubbish $8 a gallon, what Bull Sh*t Dont even want to try figuring how they got that calculation,  in the UK they PAY THE HIGHEST priced Fual in the WORLD along with any TAX you want to mention, However, in Spain it is much cheaper even than USA, their cars are also much more econnomical to run.

I have driven in many countries around the world,, I mean The World,, not as most Americans think of it, within the 50 states, there's a World out there.

They guy from India makes some sence but!! The long explanation from U S citisen has some good points, but gone overboard with some of it.

My advice is, get use to the car then venture off on a short trip, just a couple of miles rnd trip back to place of start point, get out of car, walk away for 10 minutes, this lets your mind & body settle to the new experiance as well as getting your head around it all. Get back in car, then off you go with that little bit of experiance (don't be over confident though) of the car & roads as well as the street walkers, also your 1st attempt at parking.

Drive with FULL attenion on what your doing,

WHATCH-OUT for the Idiot, they're all-over the World, unfortunatly.

Keep the shiny side up

windows only partly open if no air con

be sencable you'll enjoy your self.

Have a Good trip

Answer 6

To add on to my fellow answerer's... all answer's are great but one other thing.. GAS IS UPER EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! it's up to almost $8 a gallon US dollars, so walk or use public transport such as metro, bus or train as much as you can.  You can get a monthly pas for about $ 60 US dollars to use all public transport within 50 miles of Valenica.  I assume that is about the same rate as in the rest of Spain as well.

Answer 7

Well, the streets are really narrow! And the cars are really compact! Other than that, you'll be fine :-)