Menorca is such a small island that hiring a car allows you to reach anywhere on the island within an hour at the most. With one main, spinal road, it’s also very easy to navigate. So let’s take a look at where and how to book your car rental in Menorca…
Should you pre-book your Menorca car rental online?
It’s strongly advisable during the busier summer months to pre-book your car before you travel. This is essential if your car is intended to be your actual transport from the airport when you arrive (more information on where to pick up your car below). There are many car hire companies located at the airport and nearby, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty and others. One of the easiest ways for a UK traveller to search all of these online is with a Car Hire Comparison Website such as HolidayAutos. This link will take you to HolidayAutos so you can view all Car Hire from Menorca Airport – but you can easily choose to alter the location of your car rental collection. HolidayAutos’ website is easy to use as you can browse prices, car types and pick-up locations all at once.
Where to pick up your Menorca hire car
There’s 3 options for you with regards to where you pick your hire car in Menorca…
Pick Up ‘in Airport’ Car Hire
The first, and easiest way is from the airport itself. It’s also a much quicker way to collect your vehicle. Although the ease in car collection, does come at additional cost, so ensure you compare the prices across all the car hire rental companies to get the best deal. You’ll find most of these Car Hire companies have a Collection Office/Desk that sits to the rear of the Baggage Collection Hall at Mahon Airport.
The friendly staff at these desks speak excellent English and will guide you through you car hire rental agreement. Be sure to check whether you need to fill the car back up fully with fuel before returning it after your holiday. The car itself will either be located in the parking bays directly opposite the Airport’s Exit doors, or more usually, found in the multi-storey car park which is located a short walk to the right of the Airport Exit (see photo) – but the assistant will inform you where to find it at the time.
‘Off Airport’ Car hire – via shuttle bus
If the pick-up in airport car hire is a little over your budget, but still desire car hire for the full duration of your Menorcan holiday, then there is a cheaper alternative. A number of these other rental companies provide an off-airport Car Hire solution.
You simply jump aboard a shuttle bus (baggage and all) which escorts you to a Business/Industrial estate located on the outskirts of Mahon. Locating where to initially board this shuttle bus is probably the biggest challenge for first time visitors to Menorca, but once in the know, it’s fairly straightforward. And that’s what hopefully this article will help it make.
On leaving Mahon airport’s main exit doors, carefully cross the road and enter the ground floor car park (you’ll see a small kiosk on your right). Turn left though, away from the kiosk, and head up to the far end of the parking bays where you’ll find a small seating area with a couple of benches. This is where the majority of shuttle buses will pick up their car hire customers.
An Attendant is usually active here and they will check your details and advise you where to wait. Please do not take these instructions as an absolute guarantee as to where you will board your Car Hire Shuttle Bus, but if you’ve had no directions supplied at any time during your Booking process, then this should be your first port of call.
Once on board, the drive to your Car Hire firm is just a short 5 minute drive to the nearby business estate. Once inside your Car Hire Office, you’ll be seen to on a ticketing order basis – so don’t forget to pick up a sticker from a machine on entry or you’ll find yourself waiting longer than needed.
In-Resort Car Hire
Most ‘Package Holiday’ visitors to the island will have transfer to their accommodation already provided by coach – so pick up from the airport of any hire car, is neither not necessary or cost effective. Likewise, many holiday makers would simply like to hire a car for just a few days of island exploration. The good news is that almost all resorts in Menorca have Car Hire offices located in the resort itself. Similarly, if there’s a specific size or requirement to your car hire needs it’s best to book in advance of your holiday to ensure you are not left disappointed.
Driving Laws in Menorca
- Speed limits are 50km in towns (if not otherwise specified)
- Speed limits are 90km outside of towns (again, if not otherwise specified)
- Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers
- Your passport and drivers licence should be carried with you at all times
- Children under 12 should sit in the rear of the car
- Alcohol limits are 0.25 milligrams per millilitre of blood. This is lower than the UK’s 0.8mg.
- Mobile phone use is prohibited
- Do not drive in sandals/flip flops without a heel strap, it is illegal.
And of course, don’t forget to drive on the right !
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