Car hire in Gibraltar
It may seem pointless to rent a car while visiting Gibraltar, but in fact ‘the Rock’ has a surprising amount of territory to explore. A private vehicle is a great way to see the natural attractions of Upper Rock, such as the Great Siege Tunnels, Apes Den and St Michael’s Cave. Of course, Spain is just a short drive to the north. You can compare car hire in Gibraltar from top names like Hertz, Avis and Sixt right here, saving you time and money. Gibraltar car hire depots are located throughout the area including Auriga Crown, Europcar, Hertz, Avis and Sixt.
Car hire driving tips in Gibraltar
Visitors who plan to do any extensive sightseeing in Gibraltar will soon realise the economic advantages of having a rental car. There is minimal public transportation here, and taxis and private drivers quickly add up in Gibraltar, so a car rental can easily pay for itself. During the busy summer and Christmas holiday periods, the most popular rental vehicles sell out, so an advance booking will help you to get the car you want at the best rate.
Need to know essentials
Driving licences: an English-language driving license from your home country is acceptable in Gibraltar, while International Driving Permits are also recognised.
Which side does Gibraltar drives on: the right.
Speed limits:
Urban roads: 50kph
Alcohol limits: 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml is the legal limit in Gibraltar. Police regularly set up checkpoints to catch drunk drivers. Offenders face a steep fine and the possibility of having their car impounded or spending time in prison.
Driving age: 18 years (21 years to hire a car).
Seatbelts: must be worn by all passengers. Police regularly look for this and issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliance.
Mobile phones and GPS: the use of a mobile device while driving is against the law and may result in a fine. Despite Gibraltar’s tiny size, GPS can still be useful for navigating the maze of narrow streets here, and is particularly helpful for excursions into Spain where the signage is in Spanish. Get GPS as an added extra when you book car rental in Gibraltar.
Cost of fuel in Gibraltar: unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel are considerably cheaper here than in the UK or even neighbouring Spain.
Car hire and fuel payment: a valid credit card is necessary to pick up a hire car and acts as a deposit against unexpected damages. There are only 10 petrol stations in Gibraltar but all of them accept credit cards as payment.
Insurance: rental firms provide compulsory third-party insurance but little else. Gibraltar is one place where minor damages like scratches and dings are common due to the narrow streets and density of cars, so consider buying extra coverage for these incidentals.
Traffic and parking: traffic isn’t the main problem in Gibraltar; the throngs of pedestrians are. Pedestrians have the right of way so care is required when driving. Much of the city is pedestrianised so it is easiest to find a parking spot outside the city walls. Gibraltar has notoriously bad parking conditions, so it’s suggested that you use the territory’s car parks. Parking is available on Corral Road, Line Wall Road, Rosia Road and Devil’sTower Road but parking rules are strictly enforced.
Our travel editor’s recommended drives
Upper Rock Nature Preserve – drive to the top of the Rock, where Gibraltar rock apes roam free and interesting attractions like St Michael’s Cave provide plenty of excuses to get out and stretch the legs.
Moorish Castle – head to the western edge of Upper Rock to explore the 8th century Moorish castle and other nearby attractions like Princess Anne’s Battery and the Great Siege Tunnels.
Devil’s Tower – explore the empty eastern flank of the Rock via Devil’sTower Road, where Catalan Bay awaits with its charming, little fishing village and stunning views of the cliffs.
Military Might –Gibraltar’s south side is where top historic highlights like Europa Point Lighthouse, Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque and the 100 Tonne Gun can be found.
Gibraltar travel tips
Brits in search of a little taste of home when touring Europe can find plenty of it in Gibraltar - a surprisingly thorough British outpost perched on the edge of Europe and across from Africa. Wonderfully warm year-round weather, a host of historical attractions and a friendly ex-pat community make Gibraltar a popular choice for Brits seeking winter sun.
Gibraltar weather and tourist seasons
Gibraltar has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. From May to September, the mercury often climbs above 30°C, but thankfully the heat and humidity is tempered by sea breezes. Winters are a glorious time for a visit, with temperatures hovering around 17°C and lots of sun. In fact, Gibraltar gets around 300 days of sun a year so there’s rarely a bad time to come here.
Gibraltar contact numbers (+350)
Emergency services – 199
British Consular Emergency Services – 350 45440 (inGibraltar)
British Embassy – 350 45440 (inGibraltar)
US Embassy – 44 20 7499 9000 (inLondon)
Irish Embassy – 44 20 7235 2171 (inLondon)
Canadian Embassy – 44 20 7258 6600 (inLondon)
Australian Embassy – 44 20 7379 4334 (inLondon)
Holidays and festivals
Public holidays in Gibraltar follow those of the UK, so UK travellers should have no trouble coordinating bank holiday getaways and other major dates like the Queen’s Birthday and Commonwealth Day. Gibraltar National Day (10 September) is the only public holiday unique to Gibraltar and is marked with patriotic celebrations across the territory. The Christmas season is perhaps the busiest time of year in Gibraltar, as many Brits flock here to escape the winter doldrums in theUK. There aren’t really any festivals, however, except for the occasional music concert.
Money matters
The British pound sterling is used in Gibraltar alongside the Gibraltar pound, a local currency printed by the government in Gibraltar and only used here. Euros can also be used widely in Gibraltar but the exchange rate is typically poor. Travellers cheques are accepted at most businesses and ATMs are widely available along Main Street. Bank hours are Monday to Thursday, 09:00 to 15:30, and Fridays, 09:00 to 16:30.
Health and safety
Hepatitis is the only disease that should be vaccinated against by visitors to Gibraltar. UK and EU citizens are eligible to receive free medical treatment in the public wards at Casemates Health Centre and St Bernard’s Hospital. An EU passport or European Health Insurance Card is necessary to receive free care. Visitors from other countries should consider getting travel or health insurance before arriving as medical care here is expensive.
Fitting in…
Most visitors to Gibraltar will have the eerie sense they have been transported to England. This certainly makes interaction easy, considering the language is English and most shops sell food, drinks and goods preferred by Brits. Just be careful about the tenuous relationship between Gibraltar and Spain, and avoid speaking negatively about either country.
Visas for Gibraltar
EU nationals must present a valid national identity card to enter Gibraltar. UK, US, Australian and Canadian citizens need only show their passport to get in. EU and UK travellers can stay for six months, while US, Australian and Canadian visitors get three month without a visa. If you hold a passport from another country, check with your local UK embassy for specific visa requirements.
Electricity
Unlike in neighbouring Europe, the outlets in Gibraltar are identical to those used in the UK so no conversion plugs are needed by British travellers. For others, the 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz, round, two-pin type plugs will likely require a converter.
Business hours
Gibraltar’s economy relies heavily on tourism so the Rock keeps fairly extensive operating hours. Most retail shops open Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 19:30 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00. Some stores open on Sundays, especially if they cater to tourist needs. Government offices keep summer hours from 08:00 to 14:00 and winter hours from 09:00 to 17:00.
Resources online
