Drive from Barcelona to Andorra

Two routes to Andorra

The usual route follows the C-16 north through Terrassa, Manresa and Berga, then under the Serra del Cadí through the Túnel del Cadí, which is a toll tunnel; other sections of the C-16 near Barcelona are tolled too. After the tunnel, head west through the Cerdanya valley to La Seu d'Urgell. The alternative avoids the tunnel: via Manresa and Solsona to the C-14, which follows the Segre valley past Oliana and Organyà to La Seu d'Urgell. Both routes meet there, and the border at Sant Julià de Lòria is about 10 km further on.

Border, documents and customs

Andorra is not part of the European Union, so take your passport or national ID card. We provide the car's documents and the authorisation to drive outside Spain. Andorra is known for lower prices on tobacco, alcohol and perfume, but duty-free allowances apply when you return to Spain, and customs officers check cars at the border, especially on Sunday evenings and holidays, when queues can be long. Check the current allowances on the Spanish tax agency website before you shop.

Driving to Andorra in our cars

Driving to Andorra or France is possible in every car for €5 per day; just mention it in your request. Each rental includes 300 km per day, and a return trip to Andorra la Vella is around 400 km, so a one-day rental will usually go over the allowance, while a two-day rental covers it with room for the mountain roads. Extra kilometres are charged per car, from €0.20. The T-Roc Cabriolet has the largest boot for shopping bags and luggage.

When a convertible makes sense

A day trip from Barcelona to Andorra with the roof down makes most sense from May to October. From roughly November to April, snow and ice are common on the mountain roads; chains or winter tyres may be required and passes can close at short notice. Check the road status with the Servei Català de Trànsit and the Andorran authorities before you set off, and bear in mind that mountain evenings are cool even in summer.

What to do in Andorra

Most visitors head to Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany for shopping and the Caldea thermal spa. For the drive itself, continue up the CG-2 towards the Port d'Envalira, one of the highest road passes in the Pyrenees, or take the valley road to Ordino and La Massana, with stone villages and walking trails. In summer the lakes and viewpoints above the valleys are reached by short walks from the car parks.