Car Rental in Alicante: Airport, Costa Blanca Roads and What to Know
Renting a car in Alicante? The AP-7 is free since 2020, the N-332 is the scenic coastal alternative, and a car unlocks Benidorm, Murcia, Valencia and Elche easily. Here's what to know.
Alicante is one of Spain’s most popular arrival points for Costa Blanca holidays — the airport serves routes from across Europe, and the region stretches north towards Valencia and south towards Murcia. A rental car from Alicante Airport is the most practical way to explore the Costa Blanca’s north-south divide, reach inland towns, and move between beach areas without depending on buses. Here’s what you need before you pick up.
Alicante Airport (ALC)
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is one of Spain’s busiest airports. All major rental companies have desks in the arrivals terminal. Pickup is straightforward — the rental car lot is a short walk or shuttle from the terminal.
ALC is approximately 9 km from Alicante city centre. Most Costa Blanca resorts are 30–60 minutes by car depending on direction.
AP-7: free since January 2020
The AP-7 coastal motorway — the main route connecting Alicante to Murcia in the south and to Benidorm, Valencia and the French border in the north — was completely free as of January 2020. Previously it was one of the most expensive tolled roads in Spain.
This changes the economics of travelling the Costa Blanca significantly. The AP-7 is now the fastest and cheapest way to move along the coast, alongside the parallel A-7 (also free, slightly slower).
N-332: the coastal scenic road
The N-332 national road runs parallel to the AP-7 but passes through coastal towns — Torrevieja, Guardamar, Santa Pola, and the stretch through Altea, Calpe, and Dénia in the north. It’s slower than the motorway but better if you’re making stops.
From Alicante north to Benidorm: 50 km, about 1 hour on the N-332 vs. 40 minutes on the AP-7. The N-332 through Altea and Calpe is particularly scenic — white villages against the sea.
Costa Blanca north vs south
Alicante sits roughly in the middle of the Costa Blanca. The north and south have different characters:
Costa Blanca Norte (north): Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Dénia, Jávea. More mountainous terrain, smaller coves, older tourism infrastructure. Calpe’s Peñón de Ifach rock formation and Jávea’s beach-and-cape landscape are highlights.
Costa Blanca Sur (south): Torrevieja, Guardamar, Santa Pola, Pilar de la Horadada. Flatter coastline, longer beaches, lower prices, more residential international communities.
A rental car lets you combine both in one trip.
Day trips from Alicante
| Destination | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Benidorm | 50 km | 40 min |
| Murcia | 75 km | 50 min |
| Valencia | 165 km | 1h 30min |
| Elche (Palmeral, mystery play) | 25 km | 20 min |
| Villena (castle) | 55 km | 50 min |
| Guadalest (mountain village) | 65 km | 1h |
| Cartagena | 115 km | 1h 15min |
Elche is an easy afternoon trip from Alicante — the UNESCO-listed palm grove (Palmeral) and the old town are 20 minutes away. No motorway needed.
Murcia is under an hour on the AP-7/A-30 — a good half-day from Alicante.
Valencia is feasible as a day trip from Alicante but long (3 hours round trip driving). Better as an overnight.
Parking in Alicante old town
The old town (Barrio Santa Cruz below the castle) and the Explanada de España seafront are easily walkable from parking. The main issue is on-street parking — blue zone paid parking applies throughout the city centre.
Parking garages are the practical option for a few hours of sightseeing. The AP-7 off-ramp into Alicante city delivers you close to the Zona Azul area.
Average car rental prices in Alicante (2026)
Alicante is a competitive airport market — high volume means prices are reasonable compared to smaller Costa Blanca airports.
| Category | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | €16–26/day | €32–52/day |
| Compact | €22–34/day | €40–62/day |
| Midsize SUV | €38–58/day | €65–100/day |
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Practical tips
Minimum age. 18 at most Spanish companies, but young driver surcharges apply under 25. Confirm at booking.
ZBE. Alicante city currently does not operate a ZBE (Zona de Bajas Emisiones) as strict as Madrid or Barcelona. No DGT label concerns for standard city driving in Alicante — but check before driving into major cities like Valencia.
Fuel. Full-to-full is standard. Fill up before returning — fuel stations on the N-332 and AP-7 are plentiful.
Off-airport pickup. Some agencies have offices on the N-332 near the airport industrial area. These are outside the airport concession zone and can be 10–15% cheaper. Shuttle or taxi needed for a few minutes. Worth checking for rentals of 5+ days.
Speed cameras. The AP-7 has fixed cameras between Alicante and Murcia. Keep to posted limits.
Alicante’s free motorways and central Costa Blanca position make it one of the most practical car rental bases in Spain.
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