Car Rental at Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)

Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) is located 11 km northeast of the holy city, with direct connections to all of Europe and 20 car rental companies in the arrivals hall. A rental car gives you the freedom to explore Galicia beyond the pilgrimage route – from the Atlantic coast to the Rías Baixas wine region. The drive to the cathedral takes just 15 minutes via the AP-9 motorway.

Galicia is a landscape of green valleys, granite villages, and dramatic Atlantic coast that really requires a car to explore properly. From the airport you can reach Costa da Morte in 45 minutes and the wine village of Cambados in Rías Baixas in one hour. Pontevedra, one of Spain's best-preserved old towns, is 60 km to the south along the AP-9.

Book a car with automatic transmission if you're not used to Galicia's steep and narrow country roads. Avoid driving into Santiago de Compostela's historic center – park outside and walk the final 500 meters. Albariño wine from Rías Baixas is worth a day trip south – designate a sober driver in your group.

How long is the drive from the airport to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral? It's 11 km and takes about 15 minutes via the AP-9 motorway, depending on traffic. Can I rent a car and explore all of Galicia?

Absolutely – with a car from SCQ you can reach every corner of Galicia, from A Coruña 70 km to the north to the Portuguese border 170 km to the south. Are there parking options at the airport if I leave my car there? Yes, the airport has both short- and long-term parking – expect to pay approximately 10–15 euros per day for long-term parking.

We compare prices from all major providers at Santiago de Compostela 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.