Car rentals in Alicante

Part of our guide to car hire in Spain.

Reviewed by the eCarBookers Editorial Team. Last updated 25 October 2026.

Driving and Parking in Alicante: What You Need to Know

• City centre driving: The centre is compact and built around three reference points. The Explanada de España promenade runs beside the port, the Rambla de Méndez Núñez leads inland from it, and Avenida Alfonso el Sabio links the top of the Rambla to Plaza de los Luceros. Most visitors reach all three on foot once the car is parked, so there is little reason to drive between them.
• The old town: The Casco Antiguo, the old quarter, has controlled access for residents and authorised vehicles, a system in place since 2011. Cameras that read licence plates now cover the entrances. The old town includes the Barrio de Santa Cruz, a popular area for evening dining. Do not drive into the old town in a hire car, and park outside it, then walk in.
• Low emission zone: Alicante's low emission zone (ZBE) is set in three rings. Only the first ring, the old town, carries permanent restrictions. The traditional centre and the area inside the Gran Vía are open to all vehicles, with no label checks, unless air quality triggers temporary measures. The council publishes current notices, so check them before a long city stay.
• Parking garages: Three underground garages serve the centre, and all three list height limits that matter for SUVs and vans. Parking Alfonso el Sabio (Avenida Alfonso el Sabio) has 620 spaces, a 2.20 m height limit and sits beside the Mercado Central. Parking Plaza del Puerto (Muelle de Levante) is listed with 355 spaces and a 2.0 m limit, close to the Explanada and Postiguet beach. Parking Plaza San Cristóbal, just off the Rambla de Méndez Núñez, is listed with 386 spaces and a 1.85 m limit, which may rule out taller vehicles. Take a ticket at the barrier and pay at the self-service machine before returning to the car.
• Park and ride: One listing describes the San Gabriel park-and-ride as free and linked to public transport, which suits a day in the old town.
• Toll roads: The AP-7 ring road around Alicante is toll-free, and the toll on the El Campello section has also been removed. Further south, the AP-7 between Los Montesinos and Villamartín–La Zenia near Orihuela Costa still charges a toll, so check the route if you plan to head that way.
• From the airport: Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is about 8 km from the centre, a drive of about 15 minutes and up to 30 at rush hour, via the A-7 and the N-332.
• Best time to drive: Early morning is the easiest time for the coast roads and for parking at the smaller towns. On summer Friday afternoons the AP-7 towards Altea can slow because of holiday traffic.

Top Places to Visit from Alicante by Car

• Elche — about 21 km south-west, in roughly 30 minutes. The Palmeral, a palm grove of more than 200,000 date palms, holds UNESCO status, and the Huerto del Cura garden, at Carrer Porta de la Morera 49, sits in the same part of town. Parking in the centre can be difficult at busy times, so leave the car at the edge and walk. The La Alcudia archaeological site lies on the CV-855 outside the town, and Elche is only about 13 to 14 km from the airport, which makes it an easy stop on the way to or from your flight.
• Santa Pola and Tabarca — Santa Pola is about 25 km south. Boats cross to the island of Tabarca in about 20 minutes from Santa Pola, and seasonal sailings also run from Alicante harbour. The island is a marine reserve with good snorkelling and it has no cars, so park at the port and allow three to four hours for the visit.
• Altea — about 57 km north-east, in roughly 45 minutes via the AP-7, the A-70 and the N-332. The old town starts at the Portal Vell, and its main street is cobbled and stepped. One listing gives exit 64 of the AP-7 for the town. Parking near the old town and the seafront promenade can be difficult in high season.
• Guadalest — about 60 to 65 km north, in roughly 1 hour. The hilltop village has castle ruins and small museums, and the Algar waterfalls lie about 15 minutes further on. Organised day trips often combine Guadalest, Altea and the waterfalls, and with your own car you can take them in the order that suits the crowds. Arrive before 10 am to avoid the coach tours.

When is the Best Time to Hire a Car in Alicante?

Peak season: July and August are the busiest months, with the highest prices and the most traffic on the coast roads. The Hogueras de San Juan, in the days around 20 to 24 June, add a second peak: the final night of bonfires falls at midnight on 24 June, and parade routes pass through the centre, including the Rambla de Méndez Núñez and Alfonso el Sabio. Bonfire structures go up in the streets of the city districts from the night of 19 to 20 June, and the nightly fireworks competition from 25 to 29 June is held by the beaches, close to the Plaza del Puerto garage. Check the council's traffic notices if you are driving in the city during those days.

Shoulder season: April to May and September to October bring quieter roads and easier parking at Altea and Guadalest. These months suit the longer day trips.

Low season: November to March is the quietest period. Daylight is shorter, so plan inland drives to leave and return in daylight.

Advance booking: Book several weeks ahead for the summer, and earlier for the Hogueras and for automatic cars or larger vehicles. Free cancellation means booking early carries no penalty.

How Payment Works for Car Hire in Alicante

A rental prepayment confirms your booking online with Instant Confirmation, and you pay the balance directly to the supplier on arrival, when you collect the car. The price and vehicle class shown at booking are the terms you receive at the desk, and cancellation is free. The supplier may place an excess hold on the main driver's credit card, so check that the card in the driver's name has enough available limit.

Car Hire Pick-Up Locations in Alicante

Surprice supplies car hire in Alicante through eCarBookers. Your booking confirmation from eCarBookers locks in your price and your vehicle class before you arrive. You pay the balance at the car rental desk on collection, and the terms confirmed at booking are the terms you receive. Zero-excess cover is an option you can select from the supplier at the desk, and you should always confirm your hire in advance to guarantee your price from the moment you collect the keys. Photograph the vehicle thoroughly at collection and again at return, so that you hold a dated record of its condition.

• Alicante Airport (ALC) — the main collection point for Alicante, about 8 km from the city centre. Your booking voucher confirms where the desk is and how to reach it.