Does anyone who is very familiar with Barcelona know the address Muntaner 45? It seems to be near the university, at least according to MapQuest. This is the location of an Alamo car rental pickup in town. Would it be easy to get out of the city from that pickup spot, or would I get tangled in traffic? Would it be easier to pick up the car at the airport (I'd do that except I'd like to avoid the surcharge). I don't drive very often, so I worry about getting lost leaving the city and difficult traffic. I'd be picking up the car after spending a day or two in the city and then driving north toward France. Thanks for any help.

And if anyone has experience, good or bad, of renting with Alamo in Spain, please feel free to share that. I get a big company discount with Alamo, which is the only reason I chose it (I've used them in the U.S. over the years with no problems, but never in Europe). If you reserve an automatic, does Alamo always have an automatic available at their in-town locations?

hi Karen,

I'm not sure I would ever want to drive in Barcelona... I don't know the place you are talking about and hope that someone with experience will check in. How much is the surcharge from the airport?

If you reserve an auto then the company usually has one in stock for you. Autos are not common rental cars here in Spain, so they are usually brought in especially for the customer.
If I had a choice I too would avoid driving in Barcelona.
I have never used Alamo in Europe, but they do have a good reputation.

Just be aware that, although you will get an automatic if you reserved one, it will likely not be the model or even the type you reserved. Since they are reputable, and they can't substitute a cheaper car, you will most likely get a more expensive (i.e., larger) car.

A sidelight ---- although we had no trouble picking up our car in Barcelona, and driving out of town, we had a hell of a time returning it, what with all the one-way streets. Finally, we pulled over and one of us walked over to the rental office, brought over one of the agents, and had him drive us and the car back.

It is relatively easy to get out of the city from calle Muntaner, just turn left and follow Gran Via all the way out to the motorway. Barcelona is not especially difficult to drive in, but it can take a while if you do not know the quick routes accross town and get stuck at all the traffic lights. Parking is a complete nightmare, and would not reccommend hiring a car unless you intend to drive straight out of the city.

Thank you all so much. On another forum (I didn't realize I had so many helpful responses here, as my e-mail didn't notify me, as it usually does, of responses to what I post on this forum), someone else said it wouldn't be too taxing to exit Barcelona from this specific in-town location, as one of you mentioned. I'm returning the car to the Barcelona airport (there's no surcharbge to return a car to an airport or train station, only to pick one up there--I don't quite understand that reasoning but ... ), so I'll just head to the airport from the autoroute.

Again, I really appreciate your help. I'm a New Yorker with no need to drive in my daily life, so it kind of fills me with trepidation. So I'm especially grateful for driving advice.

I could always change the reservation and pick the car up at the airport, and pay the surcharge, if anyone thinks that would be much easier...

Hi Karen,
I would not change the reservation and agree with others that getting on the Gran Via from the rental office is not too bad. But make a plan for timing. Barceloneses getting to work in the morning, say between 7 and 9 am is hectic, a little less after that but plenty of delivery trucks on the road until lunch time. Should be lighter traffic between 2 to 4 pm. Mon - Thurs.
That advice changes if you are picking up the car on Saturday or Sunday though. Let us know if that is the case.
kathyk

No, I'm picking it up on a Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Then all things considered, that is a pretty decent time to be driving out of the city on the Gran Via. Will you have a co-pilot in the car? Safe and happy traveling!
kathyk