Car rentals in Murcia

Part of our guide to car hire in Spain.

Reviewed by the eCarBookers Editorial Team. Last updated 25 October 2026.

Driving and Parking in Murcia: What You Need to Know

• Getting here: The A-30 motorway links Murcia with Cartagena to the south-east, and the AP-7 runs along the coast. The Region of Murcia International Airport (RMU) at Corvera is listed at 25 to 27 km from the city, and the RM-19 gives a direct route to the terminal.
• Low emission zone: Murcia's low emission zone (ZBE) is not yet active. The city's 2024 mobility ordinance provides for a gradual rollout, no perimeter has been published, and listings updated in August and September 2026 report no restrictions and no fines. The El Carmen and El Infante districts are expected to fall inside the future zone, and the national fine for entry without a label is 200 euros, reduced to 100 euros if paid early. Confirm the current position with the city council before you travel, because the rules may change.
• Free car parks: Three free car parks on the edge of the centre are listed. One lies on Calle José Marín Serna near the Ronda Sur ring road, one on the south bank of the River Segura below the A-30, and one on the north bank beside the Malecón gardens, which is the most convenient for most visitors. To reach the Malecón car park, leave the A-30 at kilometre 142 and follow Calle Arocas towards the centre, staying in the right-hand lane. At the roundabout opposite the Verónicas market take the first right exit, and the car park is on the left, just before the road passes under the motorway. These car parks suit high-sided vehicles that will not fit underground. One report warns of unofficial attendants who ask drivers for money, so keep valuables out of sight and lock the car.
• Underground car parks: The Glorieta de España car park beside the Town Hall and the Cathedral is listed with a 2 m height limit and round-the-clock opening. The Centrofama car park is listed with a 1.9 m limit. Other underground options include Santa Isabel near the Gran Vía, Libertad beside El Corte Inglés, Interparking Alfonso X, the Plano de San Francisco beside the Malecón gardens, and the car park at the railway station. Only two height limits are confirmed, so check the barrier before entering with a roof box or a larger people carrier.
• Street parking: Street parking in the centre is hard to find, except in August, when it is easier. Metered spaces are occasionally available, most often on Sundays, so a car park is the more reliable choice.
• Tolls: The route to Cartagena runs mainly on the A-30, with a short stretch of the AP-7. The AP-7 between Alicante and Cartagena is a toll road, and the Cartagena to Vera section also carries tolls, with rates up in 2026. Keep a card to hand and check the barrier signs.
• Best time to drive: Early morning is the coolest time to drive in summer, when July and August often pass 35°C. Allow extra time around the early September Feria and the Holy Week processions.

Top Places to Visit from Murcia by Car

• Cartagena — about 45 to 51 km south-east, roughly 30 minutes by the A-30. The Roman Theatre and the harbour make it the easiest first drive, and about 45 of the 51 km are on motorway. Use a car park near the port rather than looking for street parking and leave it there while you explore on foot.
• Lorca — about 58 to 70 km south-west, roughly 45 minutes on one guide. The castle, the Fortaleza del Sol, stands above the town and gives a view over the valley.
• Calblanque Regional Park — roughly 45 to 52 minutes by car, with one guide naming the AP-7 as the route. In summer, vehicle access is restricted: drivers leave the car at a satellite car park and take a shuttle to the beaches. Outside peak season, a partly unpaved road leads closer to the sand. The park has no shops, restaurants or shade, so bring water and food and arrive early or on a weekday.
• La Manga and the Mar Menor — about 53 to 75 km to the east, depending on the source. The Mar Menor has calm, shallow water that suits families, and Calblanque and Cartagena lie about 25 minutes apart by road, so the two pair well in a single day.
• Mazarrón and Bolnuevo — about 46 km to the south-west on one guide. The rock formations at Bolnuevo are protected, so view them from the paths and the beach, and visit in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is best.

When is the Best Time to Hire a Car in Murcia?

Peak season: Summer is the busiest period for the beaches and the coast, with temperatures often above 35°C in July and August. The Feria de Septiembre in early September fills the city and the car parks, and it ends with the romería of the Virgen de la Fuensanta. Collect the car early in the day in summer.

Shoulder season: March to May and October to November bring milder weather and thinner crowds. Holy Week falls in late March or early April, with processions through the centre, and the Fiestas de Primavera, which include the Bando de la Huerta and the Entierro de la Sardina, follow in the week after Easter. Autumn is wetter, especially in October, so allow a little more time on the coast roads.

Low season: December to February is the quietest period, with daytime highs of about 15 to 20°C and nights that rarely fall below 5°C. It suits the longer drives to Lorca and Cartagena, though daylight is shorter.

Advance booking: Book several weeks ahead for the summer, the September Feria and Holy Week, and earlier for automatic cars or larger vehicles. Free cancellation means booking early carries no penalty.

How Payment Works for Car Hire in Murcia

A rental prepayment confirms your booking online with Instant Confirmation, and you pay the balance directly to the supplier on arrival, when you collect the car. The price and vehicle class shown at booking are the terms you receive at the desk, and cancellation is free. The supplier may place an excess hold on the main driver's credit card, so check that the card in the driver's name has enough available limit.

Car Hire Pick-Up Locations in Murcia

Green Motion supplies car hire in Murcia through eCarBookers. Your booking confirmation from eCarBookers locks in your price and your vehicle class before you arrive. You pay the balance at the car rental desk on collection, and the terms confirmed at booking are the terms you receive. Zero-excess cover is an option you can select from the supplier at the desk, and you should always confirm your hire in advance to guarantee your price from the moment you collect the keys. Photograph the vehicle thoroughly at collection and again at return, so that you hold a dated record of its condition.

• Murcia Airport (RMU) — your booking voucher shows where and when the car is collected and returned, and it is the definitive source for the meeting point.