Compare Murcia car hire

You'll find a selection of car hire brands at Murcia Corvera Airport (RMU), including well-known companies and a few local options that often have cheap deals. Once you’ve picked up your rental vehicle, it takes around 40 minutes to drive to Murcia city centre.The pick-up offices at Murcia Airport are located either in the terminal next to the luggage hall or outside the terminal building in the short-stay car park.Car hire companies that have desks at Murcia Corvera Airport include:

• Europcar (Tel: +34 0902 105 055)
• Goldcar (Tel: +34 0902 11 97 26)
• Firefly (Tel: +34 0671 781 694)

If you’d rather explore Murcia without a car for a few days and then venture out to the surrounding region, it’s simple to find a cheap rental deal in Murcia itself. You can find Avis at Murcia del Carmen station, and Thrifty, Enterprise and Hertz close to the N-301 highway out of town.

Driving in Murcia is usually a breeze thanks to the modern road system and great signposting. Traffic is not normally a problem, although you may find the roads are busier on weekends when locals are doing their shopping or travelling to and from sports fixtures at the football stadium.

As you reach the city's historic core, narrow streets and one-way systems begin to pop up – so set your sat-nav for one of the large underground car parks, such as Parking Murcia Centro, beside the Parroquia de San Lorenzo church; Parking Avenida Libertad, a little closer to the modern shopping district; and Parking Subterraneo Murcia, near the city hall. You can then explore on foot. On-street parking is usually cheaper, but good luck finding it.

If you’re venturing out of Murcia itself, you’ll find several excellent dual carriageways that link it to other cities along the coast and further inland. Follow the A7 southwest to reach Lorca, and the A30 south to reach Cartagena, the heart of the Costa Calida.

Lorca

Driving time: 50 minutes

Located around 70km (43 miles) from Murcia, historic Lorca has the same blend of Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences that you see all over southern Spain. It may not have the showstoppers of Granada or Seville, but it's still a pleasure to explore. At the city’s highest point you’ll find the medieval Fortress of the Sun (aka Lorca Castle), and a little way below it is an ancient synagogue – something of a rarity in Spain, where most were turned into churches in the 15th century.

Mazarron Bay

Driving time: One hour

For a coastal escape with some wildlife watching thrown in, head to Mazarron Bay. You can watch pilot whales and dolphins year-round here, and there are occasional sperm whale sightings too – the marina is full of operators who will take you out on a guided expedition. Grab a seafood lunch on the pretty harbour front (fresh caught monkfish and grouper are popular) then head to the beaches for sunbathing and snorkelling.

Águilas

Driving time: One hour 15 minutes

For a more active day at the beach, try Águilas. It has sandy beaches and opportunities for windsurfing, paddle boarding and diving. After you've got active, check out the well-preserved Roman baths, or climb to San Juan de las Águilas Castle for panoramic views of the town and the coastline.

1. Watch out for the A7 highway north of Murcia over the weekend as there are regular traffic jams, especially on match days at Real Murcia’s nearby stadium.                                                                                                                        
   
2. If you’re travelling with young kids in tow, bring along your own child seat. Murcia car hire providers don’t always offer them, or can charge a large supplement to add one to your booking.                                                                                                                                                                
   
3. Diesel is cheaper than unleaded petrol in Spain, so select a diesel-powered vehicle if your eco-conscience can live with it.