Car Hire Alicante Airport — Your Gateway to the Costa Blanca

Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is the Costa Blanca’s main hub, and for good reason—within an hour’s drive you’ve got 200 kilometres of coastline, mountain villages, and some of Spain’s best-kept secrets. Whether you’re heading to Benidorm’s beaches, the coves of Jávea, or inland to the palm groves of Elche, picking up a car here just makes sense.

The airport itself is efficient and compact. Most international flights land at the main terminal, where the rental car desks are located on the ground floor. From touchdown to driving away, you’re looking at 30-40 minutes if everything goes smoothly—longer in July and August when every family in northern Europe seems to arrive at once.

Picking Up Your Rental Car at Alicante Airport

All the major players are here: Goldcar, Centauro, Record Go, Firefly, plus the usual suspects like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar. The budget operators cluster in a separate building a short shuttle ride away, while the premium brands have desks right in the terminal.

Here’s the thing about Alicante: it’s one of Europe’s busiest seasonal airports. Prices spike in July and August, and availability can get tight. Book at least 2-3 weeks ahead in summer. Outside peak season, you’ll find deals from €10-15 per day if you’re flexible on vehicle type.

When you book through our search, we show you the actual total price—no nasty surprises at the desk. Some cheaper quotes look great online but hit you with €50-100 in fees for fuel policies or insurance excess that only becomes clear when you’re standing at the counter tired after a flight.

Where to Go with Your Rental Car from Alicante

Benidorm (45 minutes): The obvious choice, and for good reason. Two superb beaches, a vibrant old town, and enough nightlife to keep anyone entertained. Parking can be tricky in summer—use the underground lots near the beaches.

Jávea/Xàbia (1 hour): A different vibe entirely. Rocky coves, crystal-clear water, and a charming old town perched on a hill. The drive along the coast road (CV-734) is gorgeous.

Elche (20 minutes): UNESCO-listed palm grove with over 200,000 trees. It’s like a little oasis and completely unexpected for most visitors. The Huerto del Cura garden is worth an hour.

Guadalest (1.5 hours): A castle clinging to a rock face above a turquoise reservoir. The drive takes you through dramatic mountain scenery, and the village itself is tiny but fascinating.

Calpe (45 minutes): Famous for the Peñón de Ifach, a massive rock jutting out of the sea. Good hiking, decent beaches, and less frantic than Benidorm.

Tips for Driving on the Costa Blanca

The AP-7 motorway runs the length of the coast—toll-free between Alicante and Valencia, which is a nice bonus. The N-332 is the free coastal road, slower but scenic. Inland roads can be winding, especially around the mountains north of Benidorm.

Speed limits: 120km/h on motorways, 90km/h on open roads, 50km/h in towns. Spanish police use mobile speed cameras, particularly on the approach roads to tourist areas.

Parking in coastal towns: blue zones mean paid parking (get tickets from machines), white zones are free. In August, even white zones fill by 10am. Arrive early or resign yourself to paid parking.

Fuel stations are plentiful. The ones right at the airport charge premium prices—better to fill up at a supermarket station in town before returning. Diesel (gasóleo) is popular for rentals and cheaper than petrol.

Compare all providers through our search above—no hidden fees, just honest prices and a car ready when you land at Alicante Airport.