Granada Airport Car Rental Guide 2026: Pickup & Return

Since Christmas is a major holiday in Europe,

most shops close down as people spend quality time with their families.

With our Spain itinerary overlapping with Christmas,

we debated what to do before deciding to rent a car

to visit Frigiliana and Nerja,

beautiful towns located just outside of Granada.

We booked our rental car through an app,

and chose pickup and drop-off right at Granada Airport.

Granada, Spain

Exploring the Outskirts of Spain by Rental Car

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Granada rental car pickup & drop-off review

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Exploring Granada in a rental car

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Heading to Granada Airport

If you pick up and return your rental car at different locations,

the price can easily double.

That's why we booked both pickup and drop-off at Granada Airport.

Since there was an airport bus stop within walking distance from our accommodation,

we took the ALSA airport bus to head to Granada Airport.

To be honest, I was worried about whether we'd find our way around,

but the airport signs were so clear and easy to follow

that we found our destination just by looking up.

So, if you're planning a trip here, don't worry at all!

Renting a Car at Granada Airport

I’d heard that Granada Airport was small,

but seeing it in person, the building was even more compact and charming.

The okmobility booth is located right under

the blue sign indicated by the arrow, so just head right over!

There was only one staff member at the booth.

But they were incredibly bright and friendly,

which instantly put us in a great mood!

Once you give them your reservation name and they confirm it,

they will hand you a document.

You just need to write down your home address, postal code, mobile number, and email address.

(Pro tip: Screenshotting your address in English beforehand makes this super easy!)

We had to pay the 97 EUR remaining balance on-site,

along with a 100 EUR security deposit.

Since the deposit is refunded

once you return the vehicle safely, paying with a credit card is completely hassle-free.

Processing the payment...

They showed us the completed rental agreement

with the information we provided and walked us through the details.

Luckily, my travel buddy is fluent in English,

so I could just relax and listen!

They also shared an emergency contact number

in case of any unexpected situations.

Since this kind of information is crucial,

I made sure to snap a photo of it so I wouldn't lose it.

Upgrading Our Rental Car

As soon as I was handed the car keys, my jaw dropped!

I had definitely booked a Peugeot 208 compact car, but

what was resting in my hand but a BMW key?

I'm guessing that since they're closed on Christmas,

they gave me a free upgrade from the same category.

I thought the staff was just being friendly, but they turned out to be my absolute saviors!

On the back of the car key, you'll find

all the essential details you need, like the license plate number.

To prevent any confusion when fueling up the rental car,

the fuel type is written right there, so if you're not sure,

just show the key directly to the attendant!

Picking Up the Rental Car

Alright, now let's head out to find our ride!

Since there was only one staff member working the booth,

they don't walk you over to the vehicle itself.

Instead, they did their absolute best to explain the directions in English!

But like I mentioned earlier, the signage is fantastic,

so just follow the signs to the Car rental parking lot.

A little heart-flutter looking at that sleek BMW rear end.

We all know checking for pre-existing damage is an absolute must before getting in,

but don't just snap photos of the obvious scratches.

You need to document every single detail.

You must take both video and photos.

That way, you won't end up with any unfair surprises later!

After capturing photos and video from every angle,

we finally climbed inside!

Connecting the Rental Car's Bluetooth

Spain is a country where if you look at your phone while driving,

you will get slapped with a hefty fine.

So, rather than trying to look at your phone's navigation,

it's much better to connect via Bluetooth and use the built-in screen

as much as possible.

Since we had to travel out of town, Google Maps was an absolute necessity,

which meant a Bluetooth connection was non-negotiable.

But of course, it didn't work smoothly right away.

After turning the engine off and on, and restarting the phone

multiple times, we finally succeeded in connecting!

Rental Car Trunk Capacity

Before the upgrade, we were worried the trunk would be too small,

so we had planned to put two suitcases in the back and one

in the backseat.

But now that we got upgraded to a BMW,

all 3 of our suitcases fit perfectly with room to spare.

Gas Station for Rental Cars in Granada

We had to fill up the tank to full before returning the car,

so we stopped by a gas station on our way to the airport.

I was pretty nervous that I might pump the wrong type of fuel,

but the staff member rushed over and helped us pump it,

making the whole process super smooth and easy.

And here is what gas prices look like in Granada, Spain!

When filling up the tank after a day trip out of town,

it cost about 15.12 euros, which is around ~$14.

Returning the Car at Granada Airport

I drove back to Granada Airport

for a quick and easy car return.

Just park the car in the exact same spot

where you first picked it up, grab your suitcases, and head inside!

Once inside the airport, head right back to the same rental booth.

If there's no staff member at the desk,

there's a key drop slot right on the door,

so you can safely drop your keys there.

My security deposit was refunded pretty quickly after the return!

(Be sure to double-check your statement, just to be safe.)

My Final Thoughts on Picking Up & Returning a Rental Car at Granada Airport, Spain

With so many places closed on Christmas Day,

renting a car was hands down the absolute best decision.

Getting around by public transit would have been quite exhausting,

but having our own wheels made the journey so comfortable.

We could easily stop by open local supermarkets to stock up on groceries

and enjoy our travel adventure to the absolute fullest.

Renting a car in Granada? Totally worth it!