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Counterwise

No. 7 of 19 at BCN

Budget T1

at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport

In terminal
Counterwise Score 4.9 out of 10, rated Poor.High consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Budget T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is ranked No. 7 of 19 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 4.9/10 (Poor).
  • The Budget T1 desk is inside the terminal at Barcelona Airport.
  • The credit card rule is not confirmed yet; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
  • Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: 07:00–24:00 daily (T1 arrivals office 07:00–01:30).
  • Main red flag from travellers: Five recent reviews report long waits to collect the car, ranging from about 40 minutes to over two hours, with confusion about which queue or desk to use..

Based on 44 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on 44 recent Google reviews of this desk after excluding 3 (36 with text, 8 star-only), the picture is mixed: cars and staff are mostly praised, but several recent reviewers report long pickup waits and disputed charges or booking differences. Web evidence is mostly undated and only loosely supportive, so confidence is moderate to low.

AI-assisted summary of 44 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 9 reports · medium confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 5 reports · low confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 9 reports · medium confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Poor4.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 12 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed7.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 13 reports · medium confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 4.9 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 5.4 · counts 30%
  • 3 of 47 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, other locations). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 30% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (36 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 (4)

  • Five recent reviews report long waits to collect the car, ranging from about 40 minutes to over two hours, with confusion about which queue or desk to use.
  • Several recent reviews describe charges after return that the customers dispute, such as damage they say was already present, an extra rental day, or an unexplained charge with the deposit not yet returned.
  • Several reviews say the price, car category, rental duration or card acceptance at the counter did not match the booking, including a total of about €230 against an advertised €90.
  • Several reviews report vehicle problems: a car with many existing damages, a dirty interior with a fault, no spare wheel, and a breakdown with no warning triangle in the car.

Green flags (3)

  • Many recent reviews describe the cars as clean, comfortable and in very good condition, and one reports a free upgrade to a hybrid.
  • Staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful, including at return.
  • Several recent reviewers report quick, easy key handover and return, including one early-morning return and one night opening.

Practical facts

LocationDesk inside the terminalsource
Opening hours07:00–24:00 daily (T1 arrivals office 07:00–01:30)source
Credit card requiredNot confirmed yet
Typical depositNot confirmed yet
Fuel policyFull to fullsource
Shares the desk withAvis 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 44 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

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Budget T1 at Barcelona Airport: questions and answers

Is Budget T1 at Barcelona Airport any good?

Budget T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport has a Counterwise Score of 4.9/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 7 of 19 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Many recent reviews describe the cars as clean, comfortable and in very good condition, and one reports a free upgrade to a hybrid.. Main red flag: Five recent reviews report long waits to collect the car, ranging from about 40 minutes to over two hours, with confusion about which queue or desk to use..

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

Not confirmed yet. We have not yet confirmed whether Budget 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 Budget T1 at Barcelona Airport?

The deposit amount at Budget T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at Goldcar T1 (€0–€950).

Where is the Budget T1 desk at Barcelona Airport?

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

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

Budget T1 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is open 07:00–24:00 daily (T1 arrivals office 07:00–01:30). Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Barcelona Airport

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