Car rental at Alicante Airport (ALC)

Compare car hire at Alicante Airport for the Costa Blanca, from Jávea and Benidorm to Torrevieja.

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Renting a car at ALC

Alicante–Elche Airport serves the whole Costa Blanca, from Dénia and Jávea in the north to Torrevieja and the Murcia border in the south. It sits a short drive from the A-7 and the coast road, about 15 minutes from Alicante city, and Benidorm is typically under an hour away. With a car you can mix beach days with trips inland to Guadalest, Elche's palm groves and the wine villages of the Vinalopó valley, or head up to Valencia for the day.

Alicante has a huge range of rental companies, from global brands to Spanish and local budget firms, many of them based off-airport. That competition keeps the choice wide, but terms vary a lot: fuel policies, deposits, cover for tyres and glass, and how long you'll wait for a shuttle. Comparing offers side by side, and reading the rental conditions before paying, is the best way to avoid surprises at the desk.

Where to pick up your car

ALCAlicante–Elche Airport

On-airport rental companies at Alicante have desks in the ground-floor arrivals hall, straight ahead once you leave baggage reclaim, and keep their cars in the multi-storey car park next to the terminal, reached on foot. Off-airport companies collect customers by shuttle from a pick-up point on a lower level of the terminal building, reached by lift or stairs from arrivals; your voucher will confirm the exact spot and give a phone number. Shuttles to nearby depots are usually short, but at peak times you may wait for a bus and then queue again at the depot, so allow extra time if you have a long drive ahead.

Driving around Alicante: what to know

  • The AP-7 north of Alicante towards Benidorm, Dénia and Valencia has been toll-free since 2020, and the Alicante ring-road section is now free too. The AP-7 south towards Cartagena is still tolled, with booths that take cards; the A-7 and N-332 are free alternatives.
  • Benidorm and the coastal towns have limited street parking, much of it in paid blue zones with time limits, and enforcement is strict in summer. Check whether your hotel or apartment includes parking before you arrive, and use public car parks rather than circling the seafront.
  • Alicante, Elche and other large towns have introduced low-emission zones; Spanish-registered rental cars carry a DGT environmental label, and modern cars generally qualify. Spanish cars must also now carry a connected V-16 emergency beacon in place of warning triangles, so check it's in the car before you set off.
  • Spanish towns have a 30 km/h limit on most streets with a single lane in each direction. Mountain roads to Guadalest and the inland villages are winding and narrow, so take them slowly and give cyclists at least 1.5 metres when overtaking.

Tips to avoid extra charges

  • Check what the basic cover excludes: tyres, glass, the underside of the car and lost keys are often outside the standard excess cover in Spain, which matters when comparing a basic rate with a fully inclusive one.
  • Expect a credit card hold for the excess unless you buy the company's own cover, and note that many companies won't accept debit cards for the deposit, so check the payment terms before booking.
  • Tell the company at booking if you're thinking of taking the car on a ferry to Ibiza or Mallorca from Dénia or Alicante: most don't allow it, and the insurance won't cover the crossing.
  • Check opening hours if your flight lands late. Some off-airport depots close overnight or charge an out-of-hours fee, and missing the last shuttle can leave you stranded at the terminal.

Alicante Airport on the map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Car rental at Alicante Airport: questions and answers

Where do I pick up my rental car at Alicante Airport?

If you've booked an on-airport company, its desk is in the ground-floor arrivals hall and the car is in the adjacent multi-storey car park. Off-airport companies pick you up by shuttle from a signed point on a lower level of the terminal. Your voucher states which applies and gives a phone number for the shuttle.

Is the AP-7 still a toll road near Alicante?

North of Alicante, no: the stretch towards Benidorm and Valencia has been free since 2020, and the Alicante ring road is now free as well. South towards Cartagena, the AP-7 is still tolled, payable by card or cash at booths. The free A-7 and N-332 cover similar ground more slowly.

How far is Benidorm from Alicante Airport?

About 60 kilometres, usually around 45 minutes to an hour by car via the A-7 or AP-7, depending on traffic. Summer weekends and holiday changeover days are the busiest. Check whether your Benidorm hotel has parking, and whether it charges for it, before booking a car for your whole stay.

Which fuel policy should I choose at Alicante Airport?

Full-to-full is usually the fairest: you collect the car full and return it full, paying only for the fuel you use at normal pump prices. With full-to-empty, you pay the rental company for a whole tank, often with a service charge, and get nothing back for any fuel left when you return.

Can I take my Alicante rental car to Ibiza or Mallorca?

Most rental companies don't allow their cars on ferries to the Balearic Islands, and the car's insurance wouldn't cover it. If you're planning an island trip from Dénia or Alicante, travel as a foot passenger and arrange a separate rental on the island if you need one there.

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Before you pick up: the airport car rental checklist

Deposits, excess, fuel policy and the photos to take before you drive off.

Read the checklist