Travelling to Spain in September. Trying to cover Barcelona and Madrid, Seville, Granada.
Has anyone rented a car- can we take car from Barcelona, travel to Madrid and Seville and return to Granada for example?
Do we need an international driving permit with a Canadian drivers license?

Flora
We did this trip in 2019 and didn't rent a car. We flew from Barcelona to Granada and then took the train to Seville. From Seville, we trained to Cordoba (stayed one night but you don't have to) and then trained to Madrid. We aren't comfortable driving internationally, especially in very narrow areas in the cities. We always use public transport if possible as it's reliable, cheap, and much more relaxing.

Flora My sister is planning this trip next May and is trying to figure out the trains from Cordoba to Seville. What train did you use and was it expensive?

Judy She need only go to the train station, pick a suitable departure time from the several available each day and purchase a ticket from the machine or the ticket counter. Seat61.com is an excellent resource.
SEAT61.COM
The Man in Seat 61 | The train travel guide

We booked with renfe, the national carrier. Not that expensive. Don't book through a third party website.

We have rented cars in Spain several times. No issues with driving; roads are great and drivers are much better than in some European countries. You can return to a different city but generally pay a fee for that. However… we did most of our driving in the countryside and small towns. Having a car in European cities (including In Spain) is a huge pain, in terms of both driving and parking. Trains (and buses) are easy, fast, comfortable, and cheaper than renting. It sounds like you will be spending most of your time in cities, so I would recommend only renting a car for a day or two if you want to go somewhere not easily accessible by public transportation. As mentioned above, Seat61 is a great website. Have fun!

Parking can be a nightmare. I suggest trains and buses. A stress free way to travel.

Done that trip. Definitely go by train. Renting a car can be very expensive since the pandemic and if you’re not used to parking in Europe, it can be challenging and costly. BTW, an International Drivers License is only needed in countries that don’t use the Roman Alphabet in their native language.

We rented a car and had no issues. No you don’t need an international drivers license.

We were in Spain with approx same route and rented cars only while in the city to travel around. We used trains to travel from Barcelona to Madrid to Malaga and back to Barcelona. Trains aren’t too expensive but pretty convenient for travelling between the cities.

Yes, and yes. And true on parkings. Google ahead or you will be driving around looking for one for a long time

I rented a car for a week in Malaga. Excellent highway system. We explored Granada, Cordoba, and hill towns like Ronda. No issues at all. But we did return to where we picked up. We also rented a car in Bordeaux and returned it in Nice. That was with Budget and there was no extra charge to drop it at a different city. I had first booked with a different company, but I don’t remember the name. I cancelled when I read the small print and saw the huge drop off fee they were charging. Easy to book online, but definitely read the small print.

Trains and buses are excellent

Rosy the only answer I have for you is the international driver’s license. My husband got his @ AMA to drive in NZ. All he did is show his license and pay! Very easy; except in NZ they drive on the opposite side of the road as Canada
I would love to go to Spain in the Fall too, so am following. Have a great trip.

Yes trains are fantastic and easy..stress free for sure!!

From Malaga We took the train to Seville then train to Valencia then train to Barcelona, no stress.

Driving in Andalucia (Granada & the coast, Rhonda etc) is easy and convenient. Take public transit in the big cities.

Take the train! European rail systems are light-years ahead of North American systems lol

The international drivers license just verifies you have a valid licence in your country. It’s helpful if you’re driving where they likely haven’t seen an AB licence and don’t read English.
I’ve never been asked to show it at a rental counter.
In Spain, You can be fined (€125 I think) if you’re pulled over and don’t have one. They’re $25 at AMA so decide what your risk comfort level is.

I rented a car in Italy. International drivers license required. Just go to AMA and they will set you up. You should your license, get your photo taken and really that’s it. They give you a permit.

Cheryl I’ve rented cars over the years in Europe including many times in Italy, France, Sweden, Germany and Turkey. I’ve never had nor been asked for an International Drivers Licence. However, renting cars in Egypt, Thailand and Taiwan would have been easier because of the alphabet difference.

Perry I’ve been caught out without an international permit once in Spain before. It’s important to read the rental contract fine print. They will sometimes require both licences but most of the time not. It’s just good to be aware that it could happen,
Driving around is easy. I’ve done it alone a lot. It’s easier if you stay in small towns and keep out of giant cities for obvious reasons, but if you’re comfortable with crazy busy traffic and parking, then it shouldn’t be an issue. I will always rent from the airport and then I can avoid having to travel through the city. I just did this in Albania and thank goodness I did because the capital is a nightmare by car.

Michelle I have always chosen to not drive in major cities for a host of reasons. I agree, renting a car in Europe is only practical for smaller towns and the countryside which happens to be where my family lives in France and Slovenia. Just got back from Cairo where you’d have to be a complete masochist to drive there.

Get Rick Steves Spain guide.

Following. We are thinking of the same trip next June