Car rentals in Vigo

Part of our guide to car hire in Spain.

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

Driving and Parking in Vigo: What You Need to Know

• Getting here: The AP-9 motorway runs north through Pontevedra to Santiago de Compostela and south to the Portuguese border. Vigo Airport (VGO) at Peinador is listed at about 10 km from the centre, reached by the N-556 from Vigo and the N-555 from Redondela, and both roads connect to the AP-9. Arrivals from Ourense use the A-52, and those from Porto take the A-3 to the border, then the AP-9 and the A-55 into Vigo.
• City-centre driving: Leave the car in a car park and explore the centre on foot, and keep to the main avenues when you drive in. Parts of the centre already have traffic limits or are pedestrian areas.
• Low emission zone: Vigo's city council approved its low emission zone (ZBE) ordinance on 27 July 2026, and official publication was expected in October. Four areas are covered: the Centro, the area around Praza de Portugal, Bouzas and O Calvario. Restrictions arrive in phases, beginning with vehicles that have no environmental label, then label B and later label C vehicles. The fine is up to 200 euros. On one report, a vehicle with no label is a diesel registered before 2006 or a petrol car registered before 2000, label B covers petrol cars before 2006 and diesel cars before 2014, and label C covers later cars, which are restricted only from 2031. Residents, local businesses, taxis and public transport are exempt. Reports differ on the length of the first grace period, one saying a year of notices only and another saying two years for the first phase, and the published texts do not say how the rules apply to visitors. Entry controls are being introduced progressively, so access rules may change during your trip. Check the label on your hire car and confirm the current position with the city council before you travel.
• Car parks: Parking Colón Centro at Rúa Colón 28 is listed as open round the clock with a 1.9 m height limit. A car park also operates at Praza de Portugal. Only one height limit is confirmed, so check the barrier before entering with a roof box or a larger people carrier.
• Tolls: The AP-9 is a toll motorway. In 2026 the fare from Pontevedra to Vigo (Puxeiros) is listed at 5.05 euros, from Rande to Puxeiros at 1.25 euros, and from Puxeiros to Tui at 3.55 euros. The full run from Vigo to A Coruña is listed at 21.40 euros. The route to Santiago de Compostela is also tolled. Keep a card to hand and check the barrier signs.
• Best time to drive: Summer is the driest and busiest period, and late August to early September is the peak. Allow extra time in August around the Semana Grande festival, and in autumn and winter, when rain is frequent.

Top Places to Visit from Vigo by Car

• Pontevedra — about 28 km north by the AP-9, roughly 30 minutes. The old town is the main reason to go, and a car park at its edge is easier than driving in.
• Poio and Combarro — about 29 km north, roughly 25 minutes on one guide. Combarro is a small fishing village on the ría, and it pairs well with Pontevedra on the same day.
• Baiona — about 40 km to the south-west, roughly 34 minutes on one guide, by road. It is a harbour town on the ría, and it suits an unhurried day.
• Valença do Minho, Portugal — about 33 km south, roughly 24 minutes on one guide, by road. The fortress town stands on the Portuguese bank of the Miño. Check your booking confirmation for the cross-border terms before you drive into Portugal.
• Santiago de Compostela — about 89 km north by the AP-9, about 56 minutes, with 84 km on motorway. The time excludes stops and traffic, and the route is tolled.
• Cíes Islands — reached by ferry from the Estación Marítima in Vigo, a crossing of about 45 minutes, so the car stays in port. Ferry service is heaviest in July and August, moderate in May, June and September, and reduced from October to April, with some days having no sailings. A free visitor permit from the Galician government is required, and in summer the daily quota often fills, so arrange it before you travel. Paid parking is available near the terminal, but spaces can be limited in summer.

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

Peak season: June to August is the driest period, with highs near 24°C and full ferry service to the Cíes Islands. Late August into early September is the busiest time of year. The Semana Grande festival falls in August, San Xoán in late June brings bonfires on the beaches, and July has the Virgen del Carmen festival with boat processions. Collect the car early in the day in summer. Ferry permits for the Cíes Islands fill quickly, so fix the car at the same time as the rest of the trip.

Shoulder season: May to early June and September to early October are calmer, with highs of about 18°C in spring and 20°C in September. Spring afternoons are cool, with showers on one to four days a month. Showers are more frequent in September and October, with rain on roughly 28% of days in October.

Low season: December to February is the quietest period, with highs near 13°C and lows around 5°C. January is the wettest month, with rain on about 44% of days. Coastal fog and Atlantic storms can also affect ferry services and access to the Cíes Islands, so allow flexibility if the islands are part of the plan.

Advance booking: Book several weeks ahead for July, August and early September, and earlier for automatic cars or larger vehicles. Free cancellation means booking early carries no penalty.

How Payment Works for Car Hire in Vigo

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 Vigo

Green Motion supplies car hire in Vigo 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.

• Vigo — your booking voucher shows where and when the car is collected and returned, and it is the definitive source for the meeting point.