Renting a Car in Málaga – An Honest Comparison of Avis vs Malagacar.com
If you’re planning an Andalusia road trip, you’ve probably debated renting a car in Málaga. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Málaga twice this month – once over Christmas and New Year and again for my birthday mid January. Both times, we hired a car to explore beyond the city.
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Spoiler alert: one experience was a piece of cake, the other? A bit of a faff. Here’s everything you need to know before hitting the road.
I’d heard a few horror stories about car hire abroad recently – including one about a colleague getting stung for a replacement windscreen despite having full insurance – so I was feeling extra cautious when booking a car for our adventures in Spain. Initially, we went with a big name we had heard of and used before.
Our First Rental: Avis
For our festive trip, we went with Avis – a household name and a safe choice during a busy tourist season.
We booked a Volkswagen Taigo (or similar), but on the day, we were upgraded to an Opel Grandland. Nice gesture, right? Except this beast of a car was far larger than expected, making the narrow mountain roads very interesting. Hairy moments aside, it was a smooth drive, packed with all the mod cons.
Cost: €192 per 24 hours (plus an additional fee of €18.30 which I am still not clear on…), including the highest insurance level and an additional driver. Joining Avis Preferred gave us a discount and the free extra driver, so it’s worth signing up.
I should also note that my bank was offering 5% cash back on this particular purchase so it may also be worth seeing if you can stack other offers to bring your total cost down.
Interestingly, while writing this blog, I noticed Avis Preferred promises ‘Priority service every time’… Clearly, not every time!
The Process:
- Pickup: Chaotic. Long queues at the main desk meant we were redirected to a secure airport area. A nightmare for anyone without a passport, which there were a few of. For such a big name, you’d think they’d have a better system.
- Return: Easy. We dropped the keys in a lockbox as the office was closed – stress-free.
Surprise Fee: I was charged an extra €18.30 post-return with no explanation. Queried it, but radio silence from Avis. If I ever hear back, I’ll update this. (Update, I did hear back after more chasing… Keep reading for the outcome 👇)
Update on the Surprise Fee: We finally heard back – though it took an email to the CEO’s office to get a response. Turns out, the €18.30 was down to an exchange rate discrepancy. The refund’s on its way… Pro tip: always check for sneaky extra charges and don’t be afraid to chase them up!
Round Two: Malagacar.com
For my birthday, we planned to hike Caminito del Rey. With bargain flights and a hotel steal, we needed a budget-friendly car hire. Enter Malagacar.com – a local company offering deals too good to ignore.
We booked a Volkswagen Polo (or similar) and were given a Toyota Yaris. Smaller, yes, but it did the job beautifully.
Cost: €42 per 24 hours and similar insurance package as Avis. A massive saving.
The Process:
- Pickup: Much smoother than Avis. While the location isn’t on-site (a 5-minute shuttle from Málaga Airport), the shuttle was quick and seamless. We were in and out in 5 minutes flat – no queues, no drama.
- Return: Just as easy. The car was checked over, and we were dropped back at the airport train station in no time.
The Drive: While less powerful than the Opel, the Yaris handled the winding Andalusian roads like a pro. It was also tech-friendly, so we blasted the same Andalusian road trip playlist all the way to El Chorro and Caminito del Rey.
The Winner? Malagacar, Hands Down
While Avis offered a more premium car, it wasn’t worth the faff or extra cost. For €42, Malagacar delivered an stress-free experience and great value for money. We’ll definitely be using them for future Andalusia adventures.
My Tips for Renting a Car in Málaga
- Join Loyalty Schemes: Signing up for Avis Preferred saved us money and got us a free additional driver.
- Be Passport Ready: Some rental desks require ID for access to secure areas.
- Top Up Before Returning: Use the 24 hour BP station near Málaga Airport – it’s a little more expensive that ones that are further away but hassle-free.
- Avoid Peak Times if you can: Rental costs and queues at big-name providers can be a nightmare.
- Go Local: Malagacar was cheaper, faster, and just as reliable. Don’t be blinded by the ‘big names’.
- Stack offers: Look on cash back sites, banking offers, and sign up for newsletters to ensure you get all the latest discount codes.
Planning Your Andalusia Road Trip?
From mountain roads to coastal views, renting a car in Málaga unlocks the best of Andalusia. Whether you go big with Avis or budget-friendly with Malagacar, get behind the wheel and hit the road. You will not be disappointed.
Disclaimer: This is my own personal experience and I know others may have had different experiences with both providers. Always do your own research, read reviews and dig for the best price. Every situation is different!
Last Updated on 1 year ago by Ryan | Irish Travel Addict
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I too am cautious when hiring cars so any lived experience comes in useful! The type of car is not too important but price is a huge factor for me.
Sharing is caring! I just wish I had found it out before dropping more money than I needed to lol