- Temperatures between April and November can soar to 40C, so, when you rent a car from Alicante Airport, be sure to secure a model with air conditioning. With heat this scorching, opening the windows just won’t cut it.
- Don’t be tempted to skip the tolls. It is possible to navigate the Costa Blanca from Alicante without using the toll roads – but you’d need to be a map-reading ninja with plenty of time on your hands. The A7 offers the fastest, easiest and most direct route between the main resorts. It may not be dirt cheap (the car toll in 2016 stands at 16.95 euros to travel between Valencia and Alicante), but the ease of travel is worth the extra outlay.
- Google might give you an accurate journey time for the faster coastal routes, but if you’re venturing into the mountains then expect progress to be more leisurely. The inland roads can be nauseatingly windy, and streets in towns like Sella were designed with horses in mind, not cars. Take it slowly, and just enjoy the more relaxed pace of life.
Search for the best car hire deals in Alicante
The Costa Blanca’s network of public transport might be as comprehensive as they come, but there’s no real substitute for hiring a car when you land in Alicante – the Costa Blanca’s main gateway airport.
With Alicante car rental, you’ll be able to explore hidden beaches and secret coves, venture into the spectacular mountain range that marches inland from the coast, and escape the hustle and bustle of the big resorts.
Even if you plan on spending most of your time chilling by the pool, it’s still nice to have a run-around for getting to and from the shops and the airport.
With Alicante car rental, you’ll be able to explore hidden beaches and secret coves, venture into the spectacular mountain range that marches inland from the coast, and escape the hustle and bustle of the big resorts.
Even if you plan on spending most of your time chilling by the pool, it’s still nice to have a run-around for getting to and from the shops and the airport.
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Car hire at Alicante Airport
Most of the big firms, including Avis, Hertz and SIXT, offer Alicante car hire at the airport.
Once you’ve touched down and passed through customs, head over to the arrivals area where you’ll find the main desks of half a dozen international companies. Don’t wait until you touch down to book however, as the best deals on Alicante car rental are available in advance online.
As with flights and accommodation, you’ll inevitably pay less outside of summer and the school holidays for car hire on the Costa Blanca.
Where to visit with your hire car
Rent a car from Alicante Airport in 2016 or 2017 and the scenic secrets of the coast will be yours to uncover.
Why not mosey north to discover the Orba Valley, which winds inwards from Denia and hides a smattering of gloriously unspoiled villages? Pedreguer, Tormos, Rafol, Benidoleig and Sagra - together known as the ‘Rectoria’ – represent southern Spain at its most traditional and atmospheric.
Outdoorsy types who take advantage of Alicante car hire can get off the beaten track to explore miles of mountain tracks and remote, rocky coastlines. Walk the jutting headland that stretches between Cala Blanca and La Barraca, traverse the stunning Guadalest Reservoir, or enjoy the climb up to the Cabo de San Antonio lighthouse.
If the prospect of a gentle stroll doesn’t sound exciting enough, know that the Costa Blanca is also home to some of the best climbing in Europe, with famous crags at Sella, Forada and Marin.
Find hidden beaches
If it’s relaxation rather than adrenaline you’re after on your holiday, then rent a car in Alicante in 2016 or 2017 to escape the crowds and discover some of the coast’s lesser-known beaches.
Cala Moraig on the Cumbre del Sol and beautiful El Portet are both sandy, family-friendly and far less busy than their more accessible neighbours.
Top tips for car hire in...
Alicante
Find out more about other forms of transport on Spain’s White Coast on our getting around Costa Blanca page.