If your weekends involve bikes, boards or a boot full of climbing kit, you already know the problem: the car is too small and the train doesn’t go where the good stuff is.
If you live in Barcelona and your weekends involve bikes, boards or a boot full of climbing kit, you already know the problem: the car is too small, the roof rack is a hassle, and the train doesn’t go where the good stuff is. Renting a small cargo van for two or three days solves it — as long as you pick the right size. Here’s how to work that out without overpaying for space you won’t use.
| Van | What it’s for | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Small cargo van | Two people and their weekend kit | 2-3 bikes upright, or 4-5 surfboards flat |
| Medium cargo van | A group heading out together | A full crew: 4-5 bikes, or camping kit for four |
| Large cargo van (L2H2) | The biggest we have, up to 12.5 m³ | A motorbike, tandem, cargo bike or rowing scull |
The small cargo van is the one most people need and almost nobody asks for. It swallows two or three bikes standing upright with the front wheels off, or four or five surfboards laid flat with room for wetsuits and a cool box on top.
It drives like a big car, fits in a standard underground car park in Eixample or Gràcia, and is the cheapest thing on the price list. If you’re heading to Sitges, Castelldefels or the Garraf trails with a couple of friends, stop here.
Step up when the load gets long rather than heavy: a couple of paddleboards, a windsurf rig, four or five bikes for a group ride in Collserola, or camping kit for four people going up to the Pyrenees. The extra length and height make loading far less of a puzzle at 6am.
Watch the height, though. Most municipal car parks in Barcelona cap out around 2 metres, so plan street parking or an outdoor lot when you’re in the medium van or bigger.
For a motorbike, a trials bike or a quad, you want the large cargo van, up to 12.5 m³ and the biggest in the fleet. It’s also the answer for anything that has to travel assembled: a tandem, a cargo bike, a rowing scull. Overkill for a normal weekend, essential for those.
Friday evening pickups are the busiest slot of the week, so book the vehicle a few days ahead if your plan depends on leaving at a specific hour. Coming back Sunday night is usually calmer.
Check that the van you’re given has the ZBE label if your route crosses the low-emission zone on the way back into town, and remember that a van over 2 m tall can’t use most of the car parks in Ciutat Vella. If you’re loading from a narrow street in Gràcia or the Born, the loading-and-unloading bays give you 30 minutes, which is enough for bikes if you’ve got everything ready on the pavement first.
For one person with one bike, the train wins. For two or more people with kit, a weekend van rental usually costs less than the fuel and tolls of two cars, and far less than a roof box you buy once and store in a flat with no storage. The break-even is around two people plus gear.
Tell us what you’re taking — bikes, boards, a motorbike, a tent for four — and we’ll tell you the smallest van that fits it.
Three road or mountain bikes fit comfortably in the small cargo van standing upright with the front wheels removed, or four if you lay one flat on top with padding. The medium van takes five or six.
No. A standard category B licence covers vans up to 3,500 kg, which is every van in this category. If you hold a non-EU licence, bring your passport and, depending on the country, an International Driving Permit.
Yes — weekend hires are one of the most common bookings. Picking up Friday evening and returning Monday morning is often barely more expensive than two days, so check both options.
A cargo van isn’t a camper and isn’t set up for it. If you want to sleep on the road, ask about a camper instead — different vehicle, different insurance.
Never leave a loaded van on the street overnight in a town centre. Book accommodation with a garage, or take the bikes inside. Rental insurance doesn’t cover your own gear.
See also: how to move a motorbike by van without a tow truck · low-cost van hire in Barcelona · pick your dates and reserve online
