Skip to content
Counterwise

No. 13 of 19 at BCN

Avis T1

at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport

In terminal
Counterwise Score 4.1 out of 10, rated Poor.High consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Avis T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is ranked No. 13 of 19 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 4.1/10 (Poor).
  • The Avis T1 desk is inside the terminal at Barcelona Airport.
  • The credit card rule is not confirmed yet; the typical deposit is €200.
  • Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: 07:00–24:00 daily; 24h key drop.
  • Main red flag from travellers: Pickup queues of well over an hour are reported repeatedly, including in October 2026, with only some counter positions staffed at busy times and customers waiting on the floor..

Based on 273 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 215 written Google reviews of this desk (plus stars-only ratings) after excluding 23 unreliable ones, experiences are sharply split. Many travellers praise friendly staff, quick returns and good cars, but recent reviews also report pickup waits of an hour or more, disputed damage and extra charges, insurance pressure and bookings refused over card rules. Web evidence is mostly undated and mixed, so it adds little certainty.

AI-assisted summary of 273 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 12 November 2026. How we do it

Score breakdown

Each sub-score is out of 10. Higher is always better for you. How the weights work

Deposit & damage disputes(30% of score)

Poor3.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 42 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Poor4.5/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 17 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor3.5/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 45 reports · high confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Poor3.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 67 reports · high confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 42 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 4.0 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 4.2 · counts 30%
  • 27 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, other locations). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 7% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (207 after weighting by age).

High consensusOur independent signals (AI review analysis, web reports and star ratings) point the same way.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

  • Pickup queues of well over an hour are reported repeatedly, including in October 2026, with only some counter positions staffed at busy times and customers waiting on the floor.
  • Many travellers say they were charged for scratches or wheel-rim scuffs they believe were already on the car or not caused by them, sometimes with photos as evidence and often after leaving the airport. Some charges were later waived after dispute. A Reddit thread from 2025 and a recent Trustpilot snippet describe similar complaints.reddit.comtrustpilot.com
  • Final prices at the desk are often reported as much higher than the booking or broker price, through extra insurance, upgrades, surcharges or extra-day fees, with several people saying they were pressed to accept add-ons.
  • Several recent reviewers were refused a car over card rules (contactless not accepted, or card issued in a different country from the passport or licence), sometimes with the rule not clear at booking. Some then had to rent elsewhere at a much higher price.
  • Travellers delayed by flight changes report being unable to reach the office by phone, then finding the reserved car given to someone else after the desk closed and having to pay again.

Green flags (5)

  • Car return is frequently described as quick and friendly, with several reviewers noting a smooth drop-off after a slow pickup.
  • Online check-in, QuickPass or the kiosk led to fast pickups for some travellers, and a number report short waits.
  • Many reviewers mention new, clean, well-kept cars, and some received free upgrades.
  • A few reviewers report the deposit released within one or two days of return.
  • Some late-arriving travellers found the desk still open and were served without problems, and staff helped some customers whose flights were cancelled.

Practical facts

LocationDesk inside the terminalsource
Opening hours07:00–24:00 daily; 24h key dropsource
Credit card requiredNot confirmed yet
Typical deposit€200source
Fuel policyFull to fullsource
Shares the desk withBudget T1

“Not confirmed yet” means we have not verified that fact yet. We never guess.

Sources

Web pages behind this rating’s facts and flags, found through search APIs. The review analysis also used 273 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

Before you go

Tick these off at the counter. (Nothing is saved; it's just for you.)

Avis T1 at Barcelona Airport: questions and answers

Is Avis T1 at Barcelona Airport any good?

Avis T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport has a Counterwise Score of 4.1/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 13 of 19 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Car return is frequently described as quick and friendly, with several reviewers noting a smooth drop-off after a slow pickup.. Main red flag: Pickup queues of well over an hour are reported repeatedly, including in October 2026, with only some counter positions staffed at busy times and customers waiting on the floor..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Avis T1 at Barcelona Airport?

Not confirmed yet. We have not yet confirmed whether Avis T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport accepts debit cards for the deposit. Check the rental terms when you book.

How much is the deposit at Avis T1 at Barcelona Airport?

The typical deposit at Avis T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is €200. The lowest starting deposit at this airport is at Goldcar T1 (€0–€950).

Where is the Avis T1 desk at Barcelona Airport?

The Avis T1 desk is inside the terminal at Barcelona Airport. It shares the counter with Budget T1.

What are the opening hours of Avis T1 at Barcelona Airport?

Avis T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is open 07:00–24:00 daily; 24h key drop. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Barcelona Airport

Ranked by Counterwise Score. Compare all 19 desks side by side