Parking at Your Tourist Accommodation: How to Manage It, How Much to Charge, and Common Mistakes

Having parking can increase your bookings by up to 30% in tourist areas, but mismanaging it can lead to negative reviews and conflicts with the community. If your apartment has a parking space, you rent one nearby, or you're thinking of offering this service, this guide explains how to do it right: what to charge, how to provide access, common issues that arise, and how to avoid them.

Why Parking Matters More Than You Think

In Spain, the car remains the number one mode of transportation for domestic tourism. Many international tourists also rent cars upon arriving at the airport. Result? If your property is in a city with difficult parking (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, San Sebastián, Málaga city center...), having parking is a powerful selling point.

Real sector data:

• In central areas, offering parking can increase bookings by 15% to 30%.
• Guests with cars tend to book more nights (stays of 4-7 nights versus 2-3).
• Parking is one of the most used filters on Airbnb and Booking after WiFi and air conditioning.

Conversely: if your listing says "no parking" in an area where parking is impossible, you lose bookings without even realizing.

Options to Offer Parking

Not all owners have an included parking space. Here are the real options:

1. Own parking space included

The ideal situation. You have a space in the same building and include it with the reservation. Clearly state in the listing: "free parking included"—a marketing gold.

2. Own parking space with extra charge

You have a space but want to charge separately. Works if public parking is expensive (10-25 euros/day). Charge 8-15 euros/night and stay competitive.

3. Rent a nearby space

No own space but rent one in a nearby building for 60-120 euros per month and offer it to your guests. If you rent it for 10 euros/night and occupancy is decent, it’s profitable.

4. Agreement with public parking

Some public parking facilities offer discounted rates for tourist accommodations that refer clients. Call and negotiate. You can offer a discount code to your guests without spending a euro.

5. Information about free street parking

If paid parking isn't an option, at least provide clear information: where is blue zone, green zone, where can they park for free without risk. This improves your review even if you charge nothing.

How Much to Charge for Parking

The million-dollar question. It depends on three things: your area, the season, and the competition.

Area	Recommended price/night	Price of nearby public parking
Barcelona city center	15-25 euros	25-35 euros
Madrid city center	12-20 euros	20-30 euros
Costa (high season)	8-15 euros	15-25 euros
Medium-sized city	5-10 euros	10-15 euros
Rural area	Included	Not applicable

General rule: charge between 40% and 60% of the cost of the nearest public parking. This makes you attractive and profitable.

Important: if you offer parking as an extra service, declare this income. It is part of your tourist rental earnings just like cleaning or amenities.

How to Manage Parking Access

This is where many mess up. Access to the garage is usually via remote control, key, or card, which can cause problems if not well organized.

Access options

Physical remote: the classic. Hand it over at check-in along with the keys. Problem: if lost, a new remote costs 30-80 euros and takes days to program. Ask for a specific deposit for the remote (30-50 euros) or inform that the cost is borne by the guest.

RFID card or keychain: cheaper to replace (10-20 euros) and less likely to be lost. Recommended if your garage allows.

License plate access: some modern garages read the car's license plate. You need to register it at check-in. It's the most convenient but requires prior communication with the guest.

Remote app access: the most professional option. You open it from your phone when the guest calls. Works well but ties you to your phone.

Clear instructions from the start

Send photos and videos of the garage access before check-in. Street, door, floor, parking number. Also, inform about maximum vehicle dimensions (especially height, many Spanish garages have 1.90-2.00 meters clearance, SUVs may not fit).

If you want more ideas on what to communicate before arrival, check this guide: what to communicate to your guests before they arrive.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Reviews

I've seen them all. Here are the most common:

1. Not informing about vehicle dimensions. The guest arrives with a rental car that doesn't fit. Guaranteed drama.
2. Not explaining how to enter properly. Confusing garage, no signage, strange ramps. Always send a video.
3. Parking space with columns or very narrow. If your space is tricky, mention it in the listing. Better to lose a reservation than get a one-star review for a scratched car.
4. Remote control with dead battery or broken. Check the remote between bookings. Change the battery every 6 months.
5. Charging for parking that isn't available. If that weekend your space is occupied by construction or a family member, inform beforehand. Not after.
6. Not having insurance for the space. Your home insurance should cover civil liability in the garage. Check this.

Regarding insurance, you might be interested in: what insurance you need for your tourist rental in Spain.

Shared Parking with the Community: Beware

If your space is in a community garage, some statutes prohibit use by third parties (i.e., tourists). Before offering parking, review:

• The community statutes.
• If there are internal regulations about cards and remotes.
• If the community has approved the building for tourist use.

An angry neighbor can take the matter to the board and prohibit the use of the space for tourism. Then, you lose a key selling point.

More on neighbor conflicts: how to avoid conflicts with neighbors over tourist rentals.

Parking for Motorcycles, Bicycles, and Scooters

Don’t forget this. Increasingly, tourists travel with bikes (especially in areas like Mallorca, Girona, or the Basque Country) or use electric scooters in the city.

• If you have a storage room or corner at the entrance, offer to store bikes/scooters. It’s highly valued.
• For motorcycles, a corner of the garage or even half a space works.
• Install a charging point for scooters and e-bikes (a simple plug nearby). Zero cost, boosts reviews.

How to Include It in Your Listing

On Airbnb and Booking, activate the "parking" filter and specify:

• Whether it is free or paid.
• If it is in the building, street, or nearby public parking.
• If reservation is required or always available.
• Maximum vehicle dimensions.

In the listing photos, include one of the garage entrance and another of the parking space. Builds trust and reduces doubts before booking.

More ideas to improve your listing: how to improve your vacation rental listing.

How Autoregistro Fits In

If your guest comes with a car, you will need to register their license plate in the SES Hospedajes traveler section (it's one of the optional but useful data). You will also need their personal details.

Autoregistro is the simplest way: the guest receives a link, fills out an online form (including license plate if desired), and the data goes directly to SES Hospedajes without you touching anything.

It costs 1 euro per month per property. Less than a coffee. And saves you from manually entering data each time a guest arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge for parking without declaring it?

No. If you charge, it is income from tourist rental and subject to IRPF (or IS if you have a company). Better to declare it and deduct expenses like the rental of the space, remote control maintenance, etc.

What if the guest scratches the car in my garage?

It depends on the circumstances. If it was due to poor condition of the space (poor signage, bad floor condition), they can claim against you. That’s why it’s advisable to have home insurance with civil liability covering the garage and keep the space in good condition.

Is offering parking mandatory if my apartment has one?

No. You can rent the space separately to a neighbor or keep it for yourself. But if your area has parking issues, offering it greatly increases your profitability.

How do I prevent the guest from copying the remote?

Modern remotes are hard to copy (rotary coding). For old remotes, consider replacing them with more secure models or switching to card or app systems.

Can I prohibit large vehicles?

Yes. List the maximum dimensions (height, width, length) in your ad and specify that parking is only available for vehicles up to a certain size. Better to warn beforehand than face problems later.