Car Rental for Andorra-Do we need Snow Chains?

Hi,

My mates and I are heading to Arinsal boarding in January (the 8th) for a week. This is our first time self-driving as we normally get a package deal.

We are flying into Barcelona and renting a car. Can anyone advise us on whether we will need to rent snow chains or not? They are an extra so if we can avoid having to pay for them all the better.

Also if anyone has any advice on the best rental agency to use or anything at all to do with the journey. It will be much appreciated.

Cant wait to hit the slopes. :mrgreen: Just hope the snow is there for us. :?:

Check with the car hire company if the vehicle has winter tyres, if not yes you will need to hire snow chains from the car hire company.

Most of the rental cars at Barcelona airport are not winterised AFAIK. Ask for chains, make sure they fit the wheels before you leave the airport.

You will need to make sure that your car rental company will not charge you an extra daily insurance because you are taking the car out of Spain and into Andorra. Some do, some don't.

Our favourite rental co at BCN is National/Atesa. Holiday Autos use them.

I see quite a few of this company's cars in Andorra. They don't charge extra for Andorra insurance, but I think you will need to check with them directly about chains/winter tyres. Probably they will put some snow socks in the boot. The terms and conditions are written in plan language and pretty easy to understand, so should be an easy company to deal with, although I didn't need to use them myself.

http://www.pepecar.com/pepecar/web/guest/index.html

hi,

sure there will be snow :-)

first, you dont need a car in andorra. actually I strongly recommend you do not drive in andorra. the queues are horrible, the traffic impossible. public transport is pretty good and snow buses are free.
everything is walking distance in arinsal and to shop in adnorra la vella, Take The Bus!


second,
if you are brave enough to rent a car. you dont know need snow chains. why? because they have a very efficient system to clean the snow. if you do need chains, then you are in real trouble because no one is coming to get you any time soon.

I lived there 4 years, never used chains. wouldnt know how to put them on.

my advice, fly to barcelona, take the directbus (e25/pp)to andorra, move around walking, bus or taxi. you ll save yourself a lot of money and time

if you need any more info, just ask :-)

have fun

Wow,

thanks for all the helpful tips folks. I'll take them all on board. looks like we better get the snow chains just in case although that Bus from the airport is tempting...

The Bridge Will Be There as regards the snow. You just have to will it.

:D

Snow chains are like fire insurance. It is highly unlikely that you will ever need them but it will be a complete nightmare if you do need them and don't have them!

My bugbear is the extra charged for them. Its usually about €30 per hiring even though you could probably buy a set for not much more. Its the same story with child seats. My kids need booster seats and I have been quoted as much as €70 to hire one when I can pick one up locally for about €15! I now pick one before I go (and will not bother bringing it back if I am loaded with bags). Unfortunately, chains are not so easy because they are car/tyre size specific and relatively heavy which can be problem with restrcited baggage allowances!

Thanks Wanderer,

there were a number of different answers given to my original question but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Basically if we go without them we'll be at our own risk.

Being young and foolish and pretty broke it looks like we will be taking the risk on the snow chains. I will review before we head off in January though just in case!