At Caminos by Casas Cantabricas we create bespoke itineraries tailored to your needs, whether you’re planning a fly-drive trip with a rental car or bringing your own car on the ferry. Santander and Cantabria are our heartlands and our strong local presence, combined with over 40 years of experience in northern Spain, mean we’re well placed to help you make the most of your visit and avoid any hiccups.
Visiting Santander by car
One of the main entry points to northern Spain - whether via the Ferry Port or Santander Airport - and a wonderful city to visit - Santander should form a key part of any northern Spain holiday.
Since 2025 the city has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in place - here's everything you need to know if planning a visit to Santander by car:
Santander Low Emission Zone (LEZ) - Essential Information
- UK or Foreign Car - Staying in Hotel
- UK or Foreign Car - Just Visiting
- Rental Car - Staying in Hotel
- Rental Car - Just Visiting
Driving a Foreign or UK Registered Car to a Santander Hotel: LEZ Permits & Access
You're fine - although foreign registered vehicles are not generally permitted they are allowed into the zone as long as they use a public or hotel car park.
Day Trips and Visits to Santander in a Foreign or UK Registered Car: LEZ Permits and Access
You can use any of the public car parks within the LEZ which will gain you access to the area irrespective of your vehicle’s characteristics.
If you prefr to play it safe there are car parks beside the train station (Parking Saba Estación de Tren) or down by the port (Parking Machichaco) which are outside of the restricted area.
Driving a Spanish Rental Car to a Santander Hotel: LEZ Permits & Access
You’re OK if it has a 0 / ECO / C or B sticker which it should have.
*For rental cars collected in France or Portugal the rules for foreign registered vehicles apply.
Visiting Santander with a Spanish Rental Car: LEZ Permits & Access
You’re OK if it has a 0 / ECO / C or B sticker which it should have.
*For rental cars collected in France or Portugal the rules for foreign registered vehicles apply.
See our FAQ section for more details of how the Santander Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rules effect UK registered cars, classic cars, motorbikes as well as Spanish rental cars.
Map of Santander Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
The restricted area covers the ensanche district (the town centre) up to the seafront, which lies outside the zone, allowing any car to disembark from the ferry and leave the city via the main arterial roads to the motorways without issue.
Restricted times - When is the Santander Low Emission Zone Operational?
The LEZ is operational weekdays from 08.00 - 19.00.
At weekends and night-time there are no restrictions.
Which vehicles are allowed in the Santander Low Emissions Zone (LEZ)?
Vehicles with the following stickers are allowed to enter
- Eco
- B
- C
- 0 (zero)
- If renting a vehicle whilst in Spain do check the sticker but normally it should be compliant.
- There is no sticker system in place for foreign registered vehicles which are therefore not authorised to enter the LEZ unless there is an applicable exception (see our 'In a Nutshell' section above)
Frequently Asked Questions about the Santander Low Emission Zone LEZ
There is no sticker system in place for foreign registered vehicles which are therefore not authorised to enter the LEZ but exceptions may apply e.g. if you use a public / hotel car park (see our 'In a Nutshell' section above).
Plan your trip...
If you're interested in visiting Santander as part of a self-drive touring itinerary we have plenty of options to choose from as the city, and nearby Santillana del Mar, is a keystone of some of our more popular routes. If you're new to northern Spain try our 'Taste of the North' Bilbao - La Rioja - Coastal Cantabria tour or our 'Mar y Montaña' Picos de Europa & North Spain Coast itinerary - both compact itineraries capturing the essence of northern Spain. For a longer trip which combines well with the ferry Santander to Santiago and back or the Grand Tour of Northern Spain combine coast and mountains, history and gastronomy and generally 'tick all the boxes'!
Contact us - or give us a call on 01223 328721 to discuss your requirements - we're more than happy to combine and adapt the tours to suit your personal needs and ensure you get the perfect north Spain itinerary!
