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So, booked a trip to Spain and we are flying in Gibraltar. When hiring a car i dont really want to have to queue to get back over the border (as i have heard it can take a very long time). Is it best to seek out a hire company that is over the border in Spain? Any tips on which company to use? Its difficult to work out from the car hire sites' where exactly the pick up will be. Any advice from anyone who has traveled recently would be appreciated.
ta.
A friend of mine lives/works in Gib and most weekends he walks over the border and rents a car in Spain.
So, not really very detailled help, but seems to be an easy / stress free thing to do.
I'll ask him more details in case no one here has anything to add.
I've worked a fair bit in Gib and a car is a massive pain in the arse. We've borrowed vans before but were able to give them back at the end of the day.
I'd hire it in Spain if possible, unless you have a parking space.
Only time I’ve ever done it was hiring in Spain. Means you’ve got to walk from airport arrivals through the border to the car hire places in La Linea but if I can do that with a weeks worth of kitesurfing kit in tow, I’m assuming most people can do it with a wheely suitcase.
I used to be based in Gib, but things may have changed.
Gib Hire Car number plates used to be red, a big flag to get robed over the border.
The Spanish would shut the border to cars at the drop of a hat. The car queues could be horrendous.
If the car hire says La Linea, then it's in Spain.
I would hire in Spain if possible.
Yeah, as others have said, walk through the border and over the road into La Linea where (there certainly used to be) a number of car hire places. ESPACAR will meet you at Gib airport and walk you the massive 300m over the border to your car.
Just be warned that you may actually land in Malaga, as Gib is fairly notorious for flights being diverted due to a bit of mist.
thanks for the advice. have heard about the queues over the border....wnat to avoid this if possible. Ill try looking for La Linea based hire companies then.
Just be warned that you may actually land in Malaga, as Gib is fairly notorious for flights being diverted due to a bit of mist
True but they put you on a coach Gib airport anyway. Obviously adds a bit of a delay though.
I've used Espacar just over the border from Gibraltar.
Guy didn't even look at the car when I brought it back. To say it was laid back I'd an understatement..
Just returned from a trip. Hired using Budget (thinking a big brand would be more trustworthy..) who have a desk in Gib airport, where they hand you the keys then you walk across the border to collect the car.
However, I have just checked my credit card account and they have charged it £50 for no reason and no explanation.
Car was spotless, fuel tank full (I have taken photos to prove, thankfully).
Awaiting a response to my email querying it, fingers crossed I don't have a fight on my hands 🙈
thanks for all the responses. dmck, did your hire specify collecting in terminal or off the airport? I cant work out if the on airport / in terminal will mean collecting in Gib or Spain!
The booking location was listed as "Office In Terminal Gib Airport, Linea Concepcion"
Then pick-up location info was provided: "Avis & Budget will process your car collection at the Airport’s Avis Budget Office as usual. You will then need to follow signs to walk 10 minutes to the Santa Barbara Parking to collect your car. This will require you to cross the border into Spain so you will need to show your passport at this point. The Avis Budget staff will be at your disposal in the car park to assist you when you return the vehicle."
Although on return no staff were available in the car park despite being during office opening hours, so I dropped the keys off back at the desk inside the airport terminal.