Basics - The Rough Guide to Barcelona - page 38

PasseigdeGràcia,PlaçadelsAngels/MACBAandAvingudaParal.lel,andthoughparkingin
one of these is convenient it's also pretty expensive (1hr from around €3, 24hr from €30).
TherearecheaperBSM(Barcelona ServeisMunicipals, bsmsa.cat ) long-termcarparks
for residents and visitors, with the best option being the large Plaça del Fòrum car park at
Diagonal Mar (Pl. d'Ernest Lluch i Martin; El Maresme-Fòrum or tram T4). Parking for
between one and five days costs €38.90, plus €7.50 for each additional day. Closer to the
centre, the 24-hour BSM car park at Barcelona Nord bus station (c/d'Ali-Bei 54; Arc de
Triomf) costs €18.35 per day.
Street parking is permitted in most areas, but it can be tough to find spaces, especially in
the old town and Gràcia, where it's nearly all either restricted access or residents' parking
only. The ubiquitous residents' Área Verda meter-zones ( areaverda.bsmsa.cat )
throughout the city allow pay-and-display parking for visitors, for €3 per hour, with either a
one- or two-hour maximum stay. Elsewhere, don't be tempted to double-park, leave your car
inloadingzonesorotherwiseparkillegally -the towingfee is€150,plusadaily€20charge,
and no mercy is shown to tourists or foreign-plated vehicles.
Vehicle rental
Car rental is cheapest arranged in advance through one of the large multinational agencies.
In Barcelona, the major chains have outlets at the airport and at, or near, Barcelona Sants
station. Inclusive rates start from around €40 per day for an economy car (less by the week,
andoftenwithgoodratesforathree-dayweekendrental,around€150).Driversneedtobeat
least 21 (23 with some companies) and to have been driving for at least a year. It's essential
to take out fully comprehensive insurance and pay for Collision Damage Waiver, otherwise
you'll be liable for every scratch.
Some of the local Barcelona rental outlets - like Motissimo ( 934 908 401, motis-
simo.es ) and Vanguard ( 934 393 880, vanguardrent.com ) - have mopeds and motor-
cycles available, though given the traffic conditions (and the good public transport system)
it's not really recommended as a means of getting around the city.
Cycling
The city council has embraced cycling as a means of transport, and is investing heavily
in cycle lanes and bike schemes, notably the Bicing pick-up and drop-off scheme ( bi-
cing.com ) , which is touted as Barcelona's new public transport system. You'll see the red
bikes and bike stations all over the city, but Bicing is not aimed at tourists, rather at locals
whoareencouragedtousethebikesforshorttrips.Userscanregisteronlineoratthe Oficina
del Bicing , Pl. Pi i Sunyer 8-10, Barri Gòtic, between c/de la Canuda and c/de Duran i Bas
(Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm).