Drive from Spain to China, Road Trip to China by Car from Spain

Travellers from Spain often express interest in road trips to China, but travelling to the country by car or motorcycle is not straightforward. After all, China does not recognise international driving licences in the same way many other nations do, and its laws are designed to restrict foreign drivers, as well as the import of foreign vehicles. With that being said, this should not put you off the idea, as with a little preparation, it is perfectly possible to drive from Spain to China and to travel around the country, exploring the places you want to see. In this article, we offer some important information about the preparation that is needed and the best routes to take.

Aside from obtaining a passport, travel visa and valid insurance for your time in China, one of the most important steps involves acquiring a Chinese driving licence. In recent years, this has become easier and most foreign travellers will be able to apply for a temporary licence, but in some cases a full licence may be required. The best approach here is to work with a tour operator with previous experience in handling road trips from outside of the country, such as Road Pioneer. To drive from Spain to China, you will need a valid driving licence in your own country, as well as an official translation copy. In the event that a full Chinese licence is needed for your trip, you will need to complete a theory test and there may be additional requirements too.

Moreover, temporarily bringing your own foreign-registered vehicle into the country will require you to have a clear itinerary and you will need to fit temporary Chinese number plates to your car or motorcycle. You might also need to acquire specific travel permits for certain parts of China, and you may need to be accompanied by a tour guide.

Feasibility of driving from Spain to china with own car

Is it possible to travel from Spain to China or South East Asia by Motor vehicles? Yes, this is possible. Every year there are people who have done it. They drive normal cars, motor homes, old timer, trucks, buses, vintage cars, pure electric vehicles, and even ride motorcycles to China, India or Southeast Asia.

How to drive into china with Spain-registered vehicle?

Because China is not a party to the United Nations International Treaty on Land Transport, international driving licenses are not recognized in China. Using ATA Carnet or Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) to temporary import the used vehicles of tourists into China is not currently feasible. Tourists’ vehicles need to be registered after entering China and they must obtain temporary Chinese number plates to drive on the road.

Therefore, foreign tourists who want to drive own car/motorbike into China and drive on Chinese roads usually need to complete the following procedures:

• Passport (valid for six months)
• Chinese tourist visa (It is recommended to apply in in your own country, of course, it is also possible in a third country, but if possible, apply in your own country)
• Temporary import of vehicles into China (via a China Travel Agency)
• Apply for a temporary driver’s license in China (via a China Travel Agency)
• Apply for Chinese temporary number plate (via a China Travel Agency)
• Need local guide (via a China Travel Agency)

Chinese travel agencies usually ask for following Materials and documents

• Passport, valid for at least 6 months
• Chinese tourist visa
• Vehicle registration certificate
• Vehicle inspection report (TÜV, MOT, DEKRA, Contrôle Technique, ITV etc.)
• National driving license (no international driving license required in China)
• Vehicle photos
• ID photo of the driver (people who want to get Chinese temporary driver license)

Apply china visa in Spain

You can apply for a Chinese tourist visa(L Visa) in your home country, or you can apply for Chinese tourist visa in a third country on the road. If conditions permit, we always recommend that you apply in your home country. To apply for a Chinese visa in your home country, you need to ensure that your visa is still valid when you reach the Chinese border. Following are places for applying china visa in Spain.

Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Madrid
Address: C / Agustín de Foxá, 29, 1st floor, 28036, Madrid
Monday to Friday (Closed on official holidays and weekends)
Application Delivery and Payment: 9: 00-15: 00
Visa pick-up: 9: 00-16: 00
Phone: 0034-913145918
Fax: 0034-917321959
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

China Visa Center in Barcelona
Address: Carrer de la Diputació, 119, floor 2 number 1，08015 Barcelona
Monday to Friday (Closed on official holidays and weekends)
Application Delivery and Payment: 9: 00-15: 00
Visa pick-up: 9: 00-16: 00
Phone: 0034-913145918
Fax: 0034-917321959
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Road Trip from Spain to China

The optimal route to follow involves driving towards Paris in France, then travelling east across Europe and into Russia. You will likely need to pass through Germany, Poland and Belarus, and you might need to pass through Belgium too, but the European section of the journey is relatively hassle-free, without strict border checks or visa requirements. Once in Russia, you will need to travel a significant way east and then make your way through Kazakhstan. Then, you will need to decide whether to enter China through Mongolia, likely bringing you into China via the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, or through Kyrgyzstan, potentially bringing you into China via Xinjiang.

There are alternatives to these routes, but these represent two of the fastest and easiest options. Deviating too far from these basic paths could potentially lead to problems, as some of the other neighbouring countries have extremely strict laws on travel, or will significantly extend the duration of your journey. A visa is required to travel through Russia and you will need to check requirements for any other countries you enter.

The following are the most commonly used routes for Spain-China:

Route 1(Entering China from Kyrgyzstan): Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Hungary-Ukraine-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-Turkut Port or Irkstan Port-China

Route 2(Entering China from Mogolia): Spain-France-Belgium-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Mongolia-Bulgan Gol or Zamiin Uud – China

Route 3(Entering China from Kyrgyzstan): Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China

Route 4(Entering China from Pakistan): Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-(Many governments will advise their citizens to stay away from the Iran-Pakistan border, please refer to the latest Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel security tips)-Pakistan-China

Road Trip from Spain to India

Route 1: Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Hungary-Ukraine-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang)-Pakistan-India

Route 2: Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Hungary-Ukraine-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang, Tibet)-Nepal-India

Route 3: Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-(Many governments will advise their citizens to stay away from the Iran-Pakistan border, please refer to the latest Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel security tips)-Pakistan-India

Road Trip from Spain to South East Asia

Route 1: Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Hungary-Ukraine-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-Turkut Port or Irkstan Port-China-Laos-Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.

Route 2: Spain-France-Belgium-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Mongolia-Bulgan Gol or Zamiin Uud – China – Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.

Route 3: Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China – Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.

Route 4: Spain-France-Monaco-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-(Many governments will advise their citizens to stay away from the Iran-Pakistan border, please check the latest travel security tips from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)-Pakistan-India-Myanmar-Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.