Small
Kia Picanto
Goldcar- Free cancellation up to 48 h before
- Unlimited mileage
- Manual
- 4 seats
from €50/7 days
See offer →
SDR Airport Car Rental - Santander Airport
See real-time prices from 16 car hire companies. Collect your car at arrivals and go.
LocationAirport
Providers16
Price tipBook ~21 days ahead
Min. ageUsually 21+
Quick answer: At Santander Airport you can compare rental cars from 16 providers. We show prices and terms upfront so you can choose wisely - not just cheaply.
Best priceOur price data: booking about 21 days ahead was cheapest here over the last 30 days.
Zero dramaChoose "full-to-full" fuel and film the car at pickup.
DepositHave a credit card in the driver's name ready - that's where most people get caught out.
Cheapest car rentals in Santander Airport right now
7-day rental, pick-up 13 Nov. Prices collected 14 Oct.
GoldcarMid-size
Ford Focus
Goldcar- Free cancellation up to 48 h before
- Unlimited mileage
- Manual
- 5 seats
from €62/7 days
See offer →SUV
Peugeot 2008
Goldcar- Free cancellation up to 48 h before
- Unlimited mileage
- Manual
- 5 seats
from €64/7 days
See offer →Car rental companies in Santander Airport: sorted by rating
| Supplier | Rating | Pick-up | From |
|---|---|---|---|
 SIXT | (21) | Inside the terminal | €145 |
 Hertz | (19) | Inside the terminal | €119 |
 OK Mobility | (121) | Inside the terminal | €124 |
 Dollar | (14) | Inside the terminal | €100 |
 Budget | (29) | Inside the terminal | €114 |
 Keddy | (41) | Inside the terminal | €71 |
 Europcar | (6) | Inside the terminal | €106 |
 Flizzr | (1) | Inside the terminal | €131 |
 Click&Rent | (65) | By shuttle bus | €62 |
 National | (8) | €161 | |
 Alamo | (52) | Inside the terminal | €149 |
 Avis | (2) | Inside the terminal | €128 |
 Goldcar Zero Excess | (1) | By shuttle bus | €158 |
 Enterprise | (14) | Inside the terminal | €155 |
| Goldcar | (52) | By shuttle bus | €50 |
Prices for a 7-day rental in EUR, collected 14 Oct, and may have changed. Ratings 1-10 from customer reviews. Search with your dates →
About Renting a Car at Santander Airport
Santander airport (SDR) is just 5 km south of Santander's city center, making it one of Spain's most accessible airports. With 17 rental companies on-site, you'll find everything from compact city cars to spacious SUVs for excursions along the Cantabrian coast. Pick up your car directly in the arrivals hall and drive out to Picos de Europa in under an hour.
The airport is strategically located near motorway A-67, which takes you south toward Burgos and further into Castile. To the north along the coast, you reach Comillas and Santillana del Mar in 45 minutes, two of the region's most beautiful medieval towns. Cantabria's green mountainous terrain requires a reliable car - choose one with good ground clearance.
Book your car in advance during the summer months of July - August when Cantabria attracts Spanish vacationers and availability decreases significantly. Check whether the rental company includes roadside assistance - the mountain roads toward Picos de Europa can be challenging. Parking at the airport is paid, so plan your pickup time carefully to avoid unnecessary costs.
How far is it from Santander airport to the city center? It's about 5 km and takes approximately 10-15 minutes by car via the S-10 road. Can I rent a car and return it in a different city?
Yes, most of the 17 rental companies offer one-way rentals to cities like Bilbao or Madrid, but expect an additional fee. Is car rental available 24/7 at Santander airport? Opening hours vary per rental company and usually follow flight arrival times - check specific times when booking.
We compare prices from all major providers at Santander Airport so you can see the total cost upfront - including insurance, fuel terms and any extras. Most bookings include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, giving you flexibility if your plans change.
What to Know Before Picking Up at Santander Airport
🚗 1) Pick the Right Terms
- Fuel: "Full-to-full" is usually the fairest deal.
- Extra driver: can cost extra - check before booking.
- Automatic: often pricier and in shorter supply.
Pro tip: Cheapest rate + expensive terms = an expensive rental in disguise.
🪪 2) Bring the Right Documents
- Driver's license (usually held for at least 1 year)
- Passport or national ID
- Credit card in the driver's name for the deposit
A valid license is accepted in most of Spain. Check if an IDP is needed.
📸 3) Drama-Free Pickup
- Film the car from all angles + the dashboard.
- Photograph scratches, wheels and windshield.
- Keep your fuel receipt when returning.
60 seconds now can save 6 weeks of email disputes.
Rental Companies at Santander Airport
Providers you can compare here (availability varies by date and season).
Essential Info for Renting at Santander Airport
Practical answers and tips before you book.
✅ Quick Answers ▼
At Santander Airport you can compare rentals from 16 providers on SmartCarRental. We show prices and terms upfront so you know what you're paying.
- Our price data: booking about 21 days ahead was cheapest here over the last 30 days.
- Choose "full-to-full" fuel whenever possible.
- Have a credit card in the driver's name ready for the deposit.
🚙 Driving in Spain ▼
In Spain you drive on the right side.
- Urban speed limit: 50 km/h
- Rural roads: 90 km/h
- Motorway: 120 km/h
- Alcohol limit: 0.5 per mille
🅿️ Parking & Tolls ▼
Parking can be limited in cities, use parking garages where possible.
Road tolls: Be prepared to have cash available for certain roads.
Frequently Asked Questions - Car Rental at Santander Airport
Which rental companies are available at Santander Airport?▼
You can compare 16 rental companies at Santander Airport on SmartCarRental. Availability varies by season and dates, so the best way to see current options is to search with your travel dates.
Do I need an international driving permit in Spain?▼
Requirements depend on your home country. EU, US and UK licenses are generally accepted, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended if your license isn't in Latin script.
→ Read more in our guide
→ Read more in our guide
Is there an age limit for renting a car at Santander Airport?▼
The minimum age to rent in Spain is typically 21 years. Drivers under 25 often pay an additional young driver surcharge.
→ Read more in our guide
→ Read more in our guide
What are the traffic rules in Spain?▼
In Spain you drive on the right side. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on motorways.
→ Read more in our guide
→ Read more in our guide
What do I need to bring for pickup?▼
When collecting your car at Santander Airport you'll typically need: 1) A valid driver's license (held for at least 1 year), 2) Passport or national ID, and 3) A credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit.
→ Read more in our guide
→ Read more in our guide
How does the fuel policy work?▼
Most providers at Santander Airport use a "full-to-full" policy: you pick up the car with a full tank and return it full. This is typically the simplest and cheapest option.
→ Read more in our guide
→ Read more in our guide
When is it cheapest to rent a car at Santander Airport?▼
Our price data: over the last 30 days, booking about 21 days ahead was cheapest at Santander Airport. A mid-week pickup and avoiding peak season also help.
→ Read more in our guide
→ Read more in our guide
15-Day Weather Forecast for Santander Airport
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16 rental companies at Santander Airport. Enter your dates and find the right car.
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