Last Updated: 10th January, 2025
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Fishing port in Santander Spain.
Santander Airport (SDR), officially known as Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, is the primary airport serving the region of Cantabria in northern Spain. Located approximately 5 kilometers from the city center of Santander, it offers both domestic and international flights, connecting travelers to major European destinations. The airport is named after the legendary Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, who was born in the region.
Santander Airport is relatively small but modern, offering a stress-free travel experience compared to larger, busier airports. It serves as a hub for budget airlines like Ryanair, making it an attractive option for low-cost travel. Due to its strategic location along the northern coast of Spain, the airport is a convenient gateway for tourists exploring Cantabria, the Basque Country, and Asturias.
For travelers looking to explore Santander and the surrounding regions by car, renting a vehicle at Santander Airport is a straightforward process. The car hire desks are conveniently located inside the arrivals hall, making it easy for passengers to collect their rental vehicles shortly after landing.
Major car rental companies such as Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and local providers operate within the airport. Their desks are clearly signposted. We will compare car hire at Santander Airport from leading rent a car companies Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Enterprise which are all located within the terminal building.
To secure the best rates and vehicle availability, it is advisable to book your car hire in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Simply hand in your carrental voucher at the desk and proceed to the rental car area which is situated close to the terminal, ensuring a hassle-free pickup experience.
The airport is served by a direct bus line operated by ALSA, which runs between the airport and Santander city center. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day. Other long-distance buses connect the airport with cities like Bilbao and Gijón.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminal building. The journey from Santander city center to the airport typically takes around 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. Fares are metered, and it is recommended to check the approximate cost with the driver before starting the trip.
For those driving to Santander Airport, the region’s well-maintained road network ensures a smooth journey. The airport is easily accessible from various cities via major highways.
Based on feedback from our customers who hired a car at at Santander Airport, budget Car Rental have the best customer satisfaction rating with a score of 8.2 out of a maximum of 10 points.
Yes, you can hire a car in Santander from some car rental companies up to 99 years of age, with no extra charges or medical certificates required . Contact us we will be glad to assist you by comparing the leading car hire companies to get you the best deal.
| Car Rental Company | Age Limit | Debit Card | In Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | 21 to 80 | No | Yes |
| Avis | 21 to 80 | Yes | Yes |
| Budget | 21 to 99 | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise | 21 to 99 | No | Yes |
| Europcar | 26 to 70 | No | Yes |
| Flizr | 18 to 99 | No | Yes |
| Goldcar | 21 to 69 | Yes | No |
| Hertz | 25 to 79 | Yes | Yes |
| Interrent | 21 to 69 | No | No |
| Keddy | 21 to 70 | No | Yes |
| Sixt | 18 to 99 | Yes | Yes |
| Thrifty | 23 to 79 | Yes | Yes |
*Please note you will need to check for the driver's age under important information for the car you choose, as age group may vary according to the size of the car.
You can hire a car at Santander Airport at 18 years of age, with no additional fees. OK Car Hire young driver's age: 19 to 25 years. Charge 10 EUR per day. Sixt young driver's age: 18 to 22 years Charge 19.49 EUR per day. Maximum 215.88 EUR. Goldcar young driver's age: 22 to 24 years. Charge 7.95 EUR per day. Maximum 96 EUR. Please contact and we will be glad to explain how to get the best deal for your age group.
The car rental desks are located immediately outside the baggage reclaim hall. Go through passport control and out into the arrivals hall opposite the Tourism Information desk.
Yes some car hire companies will allow you to take a rental car cross border, but you will need to get let them know beforehand. When driving into Portugal please purchase a temporary electronic toll tag at the border in order to drive on Portuguese toll roads. With Avis you may drive a vehicles can only be driven into following countries: Germany, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Vatican City, France, Finland, Netherlands, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Portugal, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland and Gibraltar. There will be additional fees to cross an International border. Budget cars cannot be taken out of Spain
Yes some car hire companies will allow one way rentals, however you will need to let them know before hand. There will be an additional one way rental fee if you leave the car in a different location to the pick location
This will depend on which car hire supplier you choose. With Avis and Hertz a full licence held for minimum of 1 year with no major endorsements. Goldcar A full licence held for minimum of 4 years. Europcar a full licence held for minimum of 2 years with no major endorsements. UK licence holders need to present the photo card. Please contact us and we will get the right car for you at the best price or click on the Important Information Button beside the car hire logo when you get a quote on out website.
The principle driver will need to have the following documents in his or her name. A full licence, a credit card, the voucher we will send you when you complete your booking, and a passport. A printed version of your voucher must be produced upon arrival at the rental desk. Failure to present the voucher means the car rental agent may charge you at the local rates. With Budget rentals you will also need one original form of proof of address.
This will depend on the car hire supplier you select. The vast majority of cars have a full to full fuel policy, which means your vehicle will be supplied with a full tank of fuel. To avoid incurring fuel charges, you will need to return it with the same amount of fuel as it had when you collected it. You can also choose pick up full return empty. This maybe more convenient if you wish to drop the car back without delays, but it will be more expensive.
This rating is taken from feedback we received from our customers that booked car hire at Santander Airport based on overall value for money, cleanliness of the car, service at the rental desk, car hire pick-up process, car hire drop-off process. Budget have the best customer satisfaction rating with a score of 8. out of a maximum of 10 points
Take this opportunity to get the best car rental deals in Santander... CHEAPER.
Airport Parayas Airport,Santander, Santander, 39600 Santander SDR
Train station PLAZA DE LAS ESTACIONES S/N,ESTACION DE RENFE,Santander, Santander, 39002 Santander
Train station. Pza Stations, 39002 Santander, Spain
monday: 08:00 - 17:00Airport Name: Santander Airport
Airport Code: SDR
ICAO: LEXJ
Address: Carretera del Aeropuerto, s/n, 39600 Maliaño, Cantabria Spain
City: Santander
Country: Spain
Telephone: +34 913 21 10 00
Time Zone: GMT + 1
Coordinates:
Driving Directions to Santander Airport
Car Parking: Long and Short Term Parking Facilities available
Taxi service: Available in front of terminal building
Bus service: Bus departs every 30 minutes to city centre. Alsa links Santander Airport to different locations in the north of Spain:
Car Hire: The car rental desks are located immediately outside the baggage reclaim hall. Go through passport control and out into the arrivals hall opposite the Tourism Information desk.
Information Desk: Located in the arrivals hall immediately outside the baggage reclaim hall.
Facilities:Atm's, Cafes and takeaway food, Tourism information, car hire.
GRAN HOTEL VICTORIA This fully renovated hotel is located between the Gran Casino and the Magdalena Palace, facing the Sardinero beaches. It offers fully equipped rooms with balconies, most of which overlook the sea. The hotel restaurant offers a fresh market cuisine featuring the best seafood in the Cantabrian sea. Weather permitting, you will have the chance to enjoy your meal in the lovely garden terrace.
HOTEL HOYUELA In this “Avenue of Hotels”, reminiscent of Santander in its golden era of regal summers, the Hoyuela is one of the new arrivals. Perhaps that's why even more trouble has been taken to create a hotel, which although new, possesses an unquestionable classic style.
HOTEL SANTEMAR This 9-storey hotel comprises a total of 350 rooms including 6 suites. Facilities include an elegant foyer with a 24-hour reception desk, a currency exchange desk and lifts in addition to a shopping arcade with a small supermarket, boutiques and a hairdresser's salon as well as an in-house nightclub, a café, a bar and a stylish à la carte restaurant in which a selection of dishes and drinks are available
Hotel Bahia Offering wonderful views across Santander Bay, the Hotel Bahía is just 200 metres from the ferry terminal and the train and bus stations. It has free Wi-Fi and a restaurant. The large rooms in the Hotel Bahía all have plasma-screen TVs and marble bathrooms. All rooms offer views of either the sea or the cathedral. Children under 12 stay for free when using existing bedding. The Hotel Bahía has 2 cafeterias and a restaurant offering à la carte and fixed-priced meals. The hotel bar offers views of the harbour. Santander’s convention centre is just 10 minutes away.
Rent a car using a Debit Card. After doing a search, the available cars will be displayed, please click on the filter at the bottom of left side column to display the companies that will allow Car Hire with a Debit Card.
