Frequently asked questions about car hire in Calahonda

To speed up both the booking and the handover, have your valid ID or passport, your driving licence with at least 2 years’ experience and a payment method to hand. If you’re travelling from outside the EU, you’ll also need your international driving permit alongside the original licence. You can send us legible photos of your documents in advance for verification before collection, although the original physical documents are required on the day of handover.

Yes, subject to availability. Call us or WhatsApp us and we’ll confirm straight away. If the model you’re looking for isn’t available, we’ll suggest alternatives in a similar category so you’re never left without a car. Our team in Calahonda handles last-minute bookings every day, especially for arrivals at Málaga Airport outside normal hours.

We send the confirmation email within 24 hours of receiving your request. In most cases the response is much faster, especially if you contact us by phone or WhatsApp. If you can’t see it in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder. If it still doesn’t appear, give us a call and we’ll verify it on the spot.

No. We don’t charge anything at the time of booking. Payment is made when the vehicle is handed over. We accept credit card, debit card, cash, Bizum and bank transfer. No advance holds, no blocks on your account and no surprises. If you’d like to confirm your payment method in advance, just ask and we’ll guide you.

Yes. You can cancel or modify your booking free of charge up to 24 hours before collection. If you need to change the dates, time or model, let us know as soon as possible and we’ll adjust everything subject to availability. For last-minute changes on the day, WhatsApp us and we’ll find the best solution we can. Plans change and we’ll adapt accordingly.

We’ll adapt. If you give us your flight number when booking, we’ll track it in real time and wait for you at no extra charge however late it runs. When you land, find us on WhatsApp and we’ll meet you at the arrivals terminal at Málaga Airport within minutes. If your schedule is flexible or you’re staying at a hotel or apartment in Calahonda, Riviera del Sol or the surrounding area, let us know when booking so we can arrange delivery directly to your accommodation and avoid any unnecessary waiting.

Yes. As well as Málaga Airport, we can coordinate deliveries at María Zambrano train station in Málaga and, subject to availability, at other points along the Costa del Sol. Let us know your arrival point when booking and we’ll organise collection at the most convenient location for you. If you’re arriving by road or bus to Fuengirola or Marbella, we can also bring the vehicle to you.

The minimum age is 23 years old and you must hold a driving licence with at least 2 years’ experience. Both conditions must be met at the same time. If you’re just outside these requirements or have a particular situation, tell us and we’ll guide you through the available options.

Yes. You can add additional drivers as long as they meet the same minimum age and licence requirements. We just need their ID or passport and original driving licence. We can register them by email before collection or directly on the day of handover. If you choose our Premium Cover, the additional driver is included in the price at no extra cost.

It depends on the cover you choose. With Basic Cover, mileage is limited to 150 km/day. With Premium Cover, you have unlimited mileage throughout Andalusia and cover extends to all of Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal. If you’re planning a specific route outside the region, let us know when you book so we can confirm everything is covered and avoid any restrictions.

It depends on the option you choose. With Basic Cover we include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with a €700 excess and a limit of 150 km/day. With Premium Cover the package is fully comprehensive: fully comprehensive insurance with zero excess (excluding tyres, glass and undercarriage), 24/7 roadside assistance, unlimited mileage throughout Andalusia, full-to-full fuel policy, a free additional driver and cover valid in Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal. In both cases, VAT is included and the price we give you is the final price.

With Basic Cover, yes — the limit is 150 km/day, which is more than enough for getting around Calahonda, Marbella, Fuengirola and the surrounding area. With Premium Cover, mileage is unlimited throughout Andalusia, allowing you to explore the whole Costa del Sol, head up to Ronda, take a trip to Granada or drive all the way to Cádiz without watching the odometer. If you’re planning to cover a lot of ground, Premium is the option we’d recommend.

Yes, no problem. We just ask that you return the car clean and in good condition. If there is excessive mess on return such as hair, stains or odours, a cleaning charge may apply. A pet carrier or a protective blanket on the seats will help you avoid that charge and make the journey more comfortable for everyone.

By law we are required to identify the driver to the relevant authority, which we do at no charge to you. The cost of the fine is your responsibility and will be notified directly to the address you provided in the agreement. If you plan to drive through any Low Emission Zones (LEZ) such as Málaga city centre, check the local regulations to avoid unnecessary fines. If in doubt, ask us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

With Premium Cover we apply a full-to-full policy: we hand over the car with a full tank and you return it in the same condition. With Basic Cover, we note the fuel level on the handover agreement and you return it at the same level. If the vehicle comes back with less fuel, we top it up and charge you only for the missing fuel, with no handling fees or additional penalties.

Yes. At María Zambrano station in Málaga we’ll be waiting by the exit lifts with an identification sign so you can find us straight away. We also coordinate deliveries at key points in Fuengirola, Marbella, Benalmádena and other towns along the Costa del Sol, subject to availability. Let us know your arrival point when booking and we’ll organise the meeting at the most convenient location for you.

Call us on the number in your booking confirmation. We have phones available during office hours and an emergency line outside those hours. Let us know your exact location within the agreed meeting point and we’ll adjust immediately. At Málaga Airport, for example, there can be confusion between the different terminal exits, so just confirm which door you’re at and we’ll be there in under 3 minutes.

Yes, at no extra charge within our coverage area. We deliver directly to Sitio de Calahonda, Riviera del Sol, Calypso, El Rosario, Artola, Cabopino, Costa Miraflores, El Faro, El Chaparral and the entire coastal strip from La Cala de Mijas to the Marbella boundary. For other points along the Costa del Sol such as Benalmádena, Torremolinos or Estepona, ask us about conditions and rates for that area. To speed up the handover, share the full address of your accommodation or send us a location pin via WhatsApp.

Yes. We accept returns at Málaga Airport, María Zambrano station, our office at C. San Patricio de Calypso in Calahonda or via collection from your accommodation within our coverage area. Everything is agreed and confirmed at the time of booking so that on the day of return there’s no confusion about the exact point or the time.

When we hand over the car we’ll confirm the exact return point, which is usually the same location as the handover. We recommend arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the agreed time. We’ll check the vehicle with you present, verify the fuel level according to your contract policy and sign off the return on the spot. If everything is in order, you’re done in under 5 minutes. No extra paperwork and no unnecessary waiting.

Yes. From 20:00 onwards we apply an out-of-hours supplement, the amount of which we’ll confirm before closing your booking so you know from the start. If your flight arrives late at Málaga Airport or you need to return at a specific time in the evening, let us know in advance and we’ll adjust the logistics to fit your schedule. We’d rather get it right beforehand than improvise on the day.

Yes. If during your stay you decide you need the vehicle for more days, call us or WhatsApp us before your agreement ends and we’ll extend it without you having to return the car or sign a new agreement. We’ll update the booking, renew the insurance cover and apply the same daily rate agreed at the start. If the extension means moving to a weekly or monthly rate, we’ll recalculate so you pay the most advantageous price possible.

We accept credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit card, cash within the current legal limit, Bizum and bank transfer. No added fees, no surcharges for payment method and no banking blocks. You choose how to pay and we’ll adapt. If for example you arrive at Málaga Airport and prefer to pay in cash when you collect the keys, that’s absolutely fine.

No. Unlike most car hire companies on the Costa del Sol, at Artal Car Hire Calahonda a credit card is not required. You can pay by debit card, Bizum, bank transfer or cash. Only in cases where no credit card is provided may we request a security deposit, which is returned in full at the end of the hire provided the vehicle is returned in the agreed condition.

With Premium Cover, no deposit and no excess applies. With Basic Cover, a €700 excess is authorised on the main driver’s credit card at collection. It’s important to understand that this amount is only blocked, not charged, and is released in full when the car is returned in good condition. If you don’t have a credit card, we can arrange an alternative security deposit, the amount of which we’ll confirm before closing the booking.

All our vehicles include cover from the first kilometre. The difference lies in the level of protection depending on the option you choose.

With Basic Cover you have Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with a €700 excess authorised on your credit card. Mileage is limited to 150 km/day.

With Premium Cover you drive with fully comprehensive insurance and zero excess (excluding tyres, glass and undercarriage), 24/7 roadside assistance, unlimited mileage throughout Andalusia, full-to-full fuel policy, cover valid in Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal and a free additional driver included in the price. A small charge applies only in the event of lost keys, missing fuel or a return outside agreed hours.

Yes. If you choose Basic Cover and during the hire decide you’d prefer more protection, we can upgrade to Premium subject to availability. Premium is the option we particularly recommend if you’re planning long routes along the Costa del Sol, parking on the street in busy tourist areas like Marbella or Fuengirola, or if you simply prefer the peace of mind of knowing you’re fully covered without worrying about excess charges.

Yes, as long as they are registered in the hire agreement. The main driver is covered automatically. If you add a second driver, simply present their documents at the start of the agreement and both drivers will be covered under the same policy. With Premium Cover, remember that the additional driver is included at no extra cost.

You have 24-hour, 7-day roadside assistance. Your agreement will include the direct emergency number. The first thing to do is pull over somewhere safe and call us. We’ll coordinate recovery or technical assistance to your location. If the vehicle can’t continue, we’ll arrange a replacement car subject to availability so you can carry on with your journey. If another vehicle is involved, fill in the accident report form you’ll find in the glove box with both drivers’ details, registration numbers and a sketch, and take photos on your phone. If anyone is injured, call 112 first and then contact us.

We send the invoice by email once the hire is complete and payment has been made. If you need an invoice in a company name, send us the following details before collection: company name, tax ID number, registered address and billing email address. We’ll issue it correctly from the outset. If you need a duplicate, a correction or an itemised invoice to justify travel expenses, just write to us and we’ll reissue it at no extra charge.

Yes, subject to availability. If the new model belongs to a different category, the price may vary. We’ll let you know the exact difference before confirming the change so you can decide with all the information in front of you. If for example you booked a Fiat Panda and on arrival in Calahonda you need an MPV because there are more people travelling than planned, we’ll sort it on the spot as long as we have units available in our fleet.

Call us or WhatsApp us. If your booking includes Premium Cover, you can cancel up to 2 hours before collection with no penalty. Without Premium Cover, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the handover date. We’ll send you a confirmation email so you have written proof of the cancellation.

Within the stated periods, no. With Premium Cover, you can cancel free of charge up to 2 hours before. Without that cover, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. If you cancel outside those periods, the standard cancellation conditions that were set out in your confirmation email at the time of booking will apply. No small print and no conditions you weren’t aware of from the start.

If you know in advance, let us know and we’ll find an alternative: we can reschedule the date, change the delivery point or adjust the time without any problem. If we don’t hear from you and more than 2 hours pass after the agreed time, the booking will be automatically cancelled. That’s why we always ask that you contact us as soon as anything comes up, even just a quick WhatsApp, so we can keep your vehicle reserved and find the best solution.

Yes. If you cancel within the free cancellation period, we’ll refund the full hire amount. If you took out Premium Cover, only the cost of that additional cover will be deducted from the refund. We process the return via the same payment method you used: if you paid by card, the refund goes to that card; if you paid by Bizum or bank transfer, we’ll return it the same way.

Yes, without having to return the vehicle or sign a new agreement. Call us or WhatsApp us before your current agreement ends and we’ll extend it directly. We’ll renew the insurance cover, update the dates and apply the same daily rate agreed at the start. If the extension takes your hire from individual days to a weekly or monthly rate, we’ll automatically recalculate so you pay the most advantageous price. For example, if you hired for 5 days at €16/day and decide to add 2 more, we’ll move you straight to the weekly rate of €110 because it works out better value for you.

If you gave us your flight number when booking, we’re already tracking your arrival in real time. We’ll hold your car and wait for you up to 5 hours after the scheduled time, with no surcharges and no automatic cancellation. When you land at Málaga Airport, WhatsApp us and we’ll meet you in the arrivals terminal within minutes. If the delay is more than 5 hours or your flight is diverted to another airport, call us and we’ll find the best solution for your situation: rescheduling, delivery at another point or collection at your Calahonda accommodation the following day.

If it’s safe to do so, stay calm and follow these steps. First, pull off the road and put out the warning triangles. Second, fill in the accident report form you’ll find in the glove box with both drivers’ details, registration numbers, insurance companies and a sketch of what happened, and take photos on your phone of the damage to both vehicles, the number plates, the position of the cars and the surroundings. Third, call us to log the incident and we’ll walk you through the next steps. If anyone is injured, call 112 first and then contact us. Don’t move the vehicles until the emergency services arrive.

Call us straight away. Depending on the model and the situation, we can send a spare key, coordinate assisted entry at your location or send a recovery vehicle if needed. If you’re in Calahonda or nearby areas such as Riviera del Sol, Cabopino or Marbella, we can resolve it faster as we have a team in the area. If you took out Premium Cover, lost keys are covered and only a small charge will apply. Without Premium Cover, the replacement cost is the customer’s responsibility and we’ll confirm the exact amount before proceeding.

Yes. Our roadside assistance runs uninterrupted 24 hours a day, regardless of whether our Calahonda office is open or closed. At 3 in the morning, on a Sunday in August or on Christmas Day, the support service and our partner recovery vehicles are all operational to deal with any incident. The emergency numbers in your agreement work at all times, without exception.

With Premium Cover, assistance includes vehicle recovery, a replacement subject to availability and transport in the event of an accident or mechanical breakdown. Excluded are damages caused by misuse of the vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances, and serious negligence such as driving on unpaved tracks in a vehicle not suited to them. All of this is set out in your agreement so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Yes. Assistance cover extends throughout Andalusia and, with Premium Cover, throughout Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal. Whether you’re in Ronda, the hills above Granada, on the beach in Cádiz or on your way back from Nerja, assistance is activated in exactly the same way: one call to the number in your agreement and we’ll coordinate the nearest help to your location. Distance and time of day make no difference the process is the same and response time depends only on how far you are from the nearest recovery service.

Yes. Our team and partners provide support in several languages, including English, so you can explain what has happened without any language barrier. In an area like Sitio de Calahonda, where over 140 nationalities live side by side, multilingual service isn’t an add-on — it’s part of what we do. If it’s easier, you can communicate with us via WhatsApp by sending text messages, voice notes or your real-time location so we can find you faster.

To help you as quickly as possible, have the following to hand when you call: your exact location (address, landmark or send us your location via WhatsApp), the registration number or model of the car, a brief two-sentence description of what has happened (warning light, puncture, collision with another vehicle), confirmation that everyone is safe with the vehicle signalled and off the road, and a phone number we can call back on if the line drops. If you can, send us a photo of the vehicle and your booking or agreement number. With that information we’ll coordinate assistance immediately and keep waiting times to a minimum.

Yes. The AP-7 is a toll motorway running along the entire coast between Málaga and Estepona. The most common stretches from Calahonda and their approximate high-season prices are: Calahonda–Marbella around €4.70, Calahonda–Málaga around €4.70 and Marbella–Estepona around €5.10. In low season prices drop by between 35% and 40%. The free alternative is the A-7, which follows the same coast but with heavier traffic during rush hour and in summer. For getting to Marbella, Fuengirola or Mijas Village from Calahonda, the A-7 works perfectly well and you won’t need to use the toll road.

In Calahonda and the surrounding residential areas, on-street parking is generally free outside the immediate beachfront. In summer the spaces near Calahonda Beach fill up quickly, but the beach has a free supervised car park accessible from the A-7. At Cabopino Marina there is a public car park next to the marina. If you head into Fuengirola, be aware that the town centre has a paid blue-zone parking scheme. In Marbella the old town has underground pay car parks such as those at La Alameda and La Cañada, and at Puerto Banús you can park in the shopping centre car parks. If you go up to Mijas Village, there is a free car park at the top near the Juan Antonio Gómez Alarcón viewpoint from where you can walk down to the centre.

Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are urban areas where access is restricted for more polluting vehicles. Málaga city centre currently has an active LEZ. All our hire vehicles are recent models that meet current environmental standards and carry a C or ECO label from the Spanish traffic authority (DGT), meaning you can drive and park in any LEZ without restrictions or fines. If a special pollution protocol is activated in another city in Andalusia during your stay, we’ll keep you informed.

The Costa del Sol is well signposted and the main roads such as the A-7 and AP-7 are straightforward to follow. That said, within the residential areas of Sitio de Calahonda, Riviera del Sol or Calypso the streets can be confusing if you don’t know the area, especially at night. We recommend using Google Maps or Waze on your phone. If you need a phone holder for the car, just let us know when booking. For mountain routes such as driving up to Mijas Village via the sierra road or heading to Ronda on the A-397, a GPS will save you time and unnecessary detours.

If you’re not used to driving a manual gearbox, yes. The stretches of the A-7 between Fuengirola and Marbella involve constant speed changes, bends, merges and heavy traffic in high season. An automatic makes driving considerably more comfortable and safe, especially if you arrive tired from a flight at Málaga Airport with a 25-minute journey ahead to Calahonda. Our fleet includes both automatic and manual vehicles across every category. Just let us know your preference when booking and we’ll assign the one that suits you best.

In July and August traffic increases considerably, particularly on the A-7 between Fuengirola and Marbella during peak hours (10:00–13:00 and 17:00–20:00). Access to popular beaches such as Calahonda Beach, Cabopino and the beaches of Marbella gets very busy around midday. Our advice is to set off early if you want to reach the beach comfortably, and to avoid the A-7 on the way back from Puerto Banús or Marbella town centre in the afternoon. The AP-7 toll motorway is a good option for avoiding queues at busy times. For getting around within Calahonda and nearby areas such as Riviera del Sol or La Cala de Mijas, traffic is calm throughout the year.

Yes. On the A-7 near Calahonda there are several filling stations within 5 minutes. There are petrol stations at the Riviera del Sol exit, at the entrance to La Cala de Mijas and in the retail area on the way to Fuengirola. If you’re returning the car at Málaga Airport, the last convenient petrol station is on the slip road leading to the airport access motorway. We’ll point you to the nearest stations on the day we hand over the vehicle so you don’t waste time searching at the last minute.