Planning on booking an Alicante Airport rental car to start your vacation off in Spain? We recently did just that, and wrote a complete guide with everything you need to know! Having a vehicle is such a great way to explore the beaches, mountain villages, and attractions in this part of Spain. Here are our 10 best tips for Alicante Airport car rentals, all about the process, and what to watch out for when renting a car in Costa Blanca.
Our First Alicante Airport Rental Car Experience
When we first moved to Spain we knew we would need a cheap car hire to get around. We were on the hunt to buy a used car and had to settle for a rental in the meantime.
After doing some searching around, we figured out the best way to do this was by getting an Alicante Airport rental car. Not only did the airport have the best long-term rental deals, but we could easily pick it up after our flight landed.
Once we got to Alicante Airport we proceeded through the main terminal to the rental desk. They quickly pulled up our reservation, took our credit card for deposit, driver’s license info, and we were on our way.
Alicante Airport isn’t that big and the rental cars are located in a shared garage. They gave us our keys at the desk so all we had to do was find the car in the parking building and drive away.
One thing we hadn’t expected when booking was getting an electric car! While in other countries these would be listed under premium car, the Fiat 500 electric was actually the most inexpensive option.
We were a bit hesitant at first since we had no idea what the charging situation would be like in Spain. However, after taking a look at our town, we quickly saw there were free charging stations for electric cars. This made it an easy choice to stick with our Alicante Airport car rental and not switch to a different one.
10 Tips For Alicante Airport Car Rentals
1. Book Your Alicante Airport Rental Car in Advance
The best thing you can do to secure a great deal on Alicante Airport rental cars is to book in advance! We always use this website to compare prices and different companies.
As soon as you know the dates, you should start looking for your rental vehicle to find the best rate. Many booking websites even offer a free cancellation which we always appreciate.
This is especially important if our plans are to change, or we find a cheaper car rental later on in our search. Also, be aware that the Alicante Airport rental cars fluctuate in price depending on the time of year.
2. Time of Year For Car Rentals at Alicante Airport
As we mentioned, the prices can go up and down for Alicante Airport rental cars depending on the time of year. The most popular period to travel to Alicante is during the summer months.
Specifically during July and August, people come from far and wide to hit the sandy beaches of Costa Blanca. Yet, know that with that, comes much higher prices for car rentals at Alicante Airport!
One way to save money is to visit this area of Spain in off or shoulder season. You should know that much of the Mediterranean coast is a microclimate, bringing warm temperatures throughout the year. This means that there is really no bad time to go as you’ll have sunshine year-round.
May, June, September, and October are some of our favorite months to visit for the best weather and less crowds. We’ve even been to Costa Blanca in January and it was warm enough to swim!
For example, we just found these two deals. The first Alicante Airport rental car is in off-season, while the other is three times the price in the summer.
Now, we will say that it’s still a really good deal for a summer price. Just keep in mind that is with booking it 6 months in advance for the cheapest car! Check the current Alicante Airport Rental Car prices here to get an idea of how much it will cost for your dates.
Renting a Car in Alicante Off-Season
Busy Season in Alicante
3. What Car Rental Companies Are in Alicante Airport?
Also known as Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, Alicante plays host to many of the top rental car companies in Spain. During your search, you may want to look through the reviews if you see a local name you’re not used to.
Most of the big players and international brands are here like you would expect at any large airport in Europe. With that said, we typically go with the cheapest option for our dates unless they have terrible reviews.
There are also some smaller shops located off-site which you will have to taxi or walk to. Below are the most popular car hire companies to choose from directly inside the terminal building.
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Sixt Car Rental
- Avis
- Centauro
- OK Mobility
- Goldcar
4. You Don’t Need a Car For the City
Don’t get us wrong… Alicante is a big Spanish city! However, it’s still small enough that you won’t need a vehicle to get around.
Much of the city center is walkable and it is very well connected by public transport. Having a rental car for Alicante may be more of a hassle than anything. Also, consider the fact that you have to pay extra for parking if it’s not included with your accommodation.
Planning on spending some time in the city of Alicante before exploring the beautiful coastline? Then we recommend waiting to pick up your car. This is another way to save some cash as you won’t need to get one until you leave.
An Alicante Airport rental car can be much cheaper than renting one locally. Even if you have to go back to the airport to get a better price, it’s only 12km away. You can easily take the bus back or jump in a taxi to get the lowest prices.
5. Road Trip With Your Alicante Airport Rental Car
If you’re thinking about renting a car in Alicante then you’re probably planning a road trip. There are so many incredible places to see in Costa Blanca, from the beach towns to the mountain villages. A few of our favorite coastal towns are Calpe, Javea, and Moraira which we can’t get enough of!
Having a car will give you the freedom to get around and experience Spain on your own terms. We’ve spent a lot of time in this part of the country and our favorite area is the towns along the coast. Here’s are some of the most popular places to visit with your Alicante Airport rental car.
- Alicante
- Benidorm
- Calpe
- Javea
- Valencia
- Altea
- Barcelona
6. One Way Alicante Airport Car Rentals
If you don’t want to make the return trip then you can look into a one way rental. A popular route is to fly into Alicante, pick up your car, and return it to Valencia or Barcelona before flying out.
Just know that one way rental cars do come with an additional cost! Still, it could save you money in the long run if there are much cheaper flights from a different airport in Spain. Be sure to check with different companies as the one way fees can vary.
7. Alicante Airport Rental Car vs Local Company
So is it cheaper to rent a car from an airport or a local location? From our experience, we’ve almost always found lower prices at airports in Europe (you can check them here).
With the heavy competition between companies and sheer availibilty, comes better deals! This is why we have consistently rented from airport locations when looking for longterm rentals.
However, a local company can be a great choice if you’re just renting a car in Alicante for a day trip. After asking around in some of the smaller towns we were quoted 60-75 Euros per day which is quite more then the airport. We also enjoy renting a motorbike locally to hop around to the different beaches.
8. Insurance & Checking For Damage
One of the most important steps for car rentals at Alicante Airport is scanning for damage. Before leaving, it’s extremely important to take a good walk around the vehicle.
The company will assure you it’s a new car and they have every inch of it documented. Nevertheless, you should always do your due diligence to be safe!
A good way to ruin your vacation is to get a bill for damage that wasn’t your doing after returning. We even go as far as taking pictures and a video circling the car before driving away.
Remember that the parking area is in a dark garage so you’ll want to use a light as well. Our Alicante Airport car rental was pretty scratched up so we took extra time with photos for peace of mind.
If you don’t have insurance that carries over from your home country, it’s a good idea to purchase the extra coverage from the car hire company. Avoid buying it from third party websites if this is the case, and get it directly from who you’re renting with. Trust us when we say this can save you a lot of headaches if something were to happen.
Most Alicante Airport Rental Cars will be given with a full tank of gas. Be sure sure to return it that way to avoid an additional charges.
9. Driving With Alicante Airport Car Rentals
Now that you know all about how to get an Alicante car rental, we should tell you a little bit about the roads. The highways which go between the major towns and cities are smooth and as nice as you’d find anywhere in Spain.
Yet, once you get out into the mountains and coastal towns it’s a different story! Here the roads can be much tighter and difficult to drive on. There are also many cyclists around the area to watch out for. Not just one or two, but large groups that completely overtake the streets!
Due to this, you may want to consider the car category when picking out your Alicante Airport rental car. We much prefer a smaller vehicle for the narrow streets and winding mountain passes.
We completely understand if you want that dream convertible or luxury car for your trip! Just know that a smaller car will be more helpful for parking and fuel efficiency.
Make sure to follow the speed limit and stay patient with the local drivers who may be going faster. If you’re coming from the United Kingdom, they drive on the right-hand side of the road in Spain. It’s also a good idea to carry an international driving permit with you when renting a car in Alicante.
10. More Alicante Transportation Options
Not feeling an Alicante Airport car rental after reading this article? No worries! There are plenty of other easy ways to get where you need to go after your flight.
Our favorite option when we haven’t needed a car is to use the Beniconnect shuttle bus (read about our experience here). They offer rides from Alicante, Valencia, and even Murcia airport. You’re able to input your stop to any of the towns in Costa Blanca, and can arrange a return trip back with them when it’s time to leave.
There are also taxi services right outside the arrivals hall and other private transfer companies ready to take you. It’s simple enough to do this and find a local rental office when you get to your final destination.
Should You Get an Alicante Airport Car Rental?
Yes! Alicante Airport car rentals are such a great way get out of the airport and start your adventures immediately. The prices are affordable most of the year (check the current rates here), and during the off-season the low rates can almost feel like stealing!
We completely get it if you don’t think you need a car for your entire trip. If you’re planning a relaxing beach vacation and staying at the same hotel, then maybe it’s easier to rent one locally just for one or two days.
However, taking a road trip starting in Alicante will be a once in a lifetime experience. It’s certainly worth looking into renting a car in Alicante for an unforgettable holiday.
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own tips for car rentals at Alicante Airport? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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Spain Travel Planning
Flights: We always find the best flights using Skyscanner. Sometimes it’s even cheaper to fly between cities in Spain than driving or taking the train.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars to get around with a vehicle. Consider renting a car in one city and dropping it off in another for an epic Spain road trip!
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for thousands of activities around Spain. You can book a tour of the Madrid Royal Palace, skip the line entry at Alhambra de Granada, or even jump on a Tenerife Dolphin cruise.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been customers of SafetyWing for the last few years and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
I never considered an electric car rental before, but it sounds like it worked out well for you. I’m excited for my upcoming vacation and I’ll be sure to check out those coastal towns you recommended.
Author
Great to hear! Having an electric car was such a fun experience. Thanks for reading and best of luck with your Alicante Airport rental car.