Alicante car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Alicante
The best car rental companies in Alicante are Sixt, Avis, Hertz. Prices start from €19/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 13%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Alicante
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Record go
Local pick — dominant in AlicanteFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€18/day
base rate
View Record go deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-20 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Alicante
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €19 | Hyundai i10 | 4 |
| Compact | €24 | Seat Ibiza | 5 |
| SUV | €38 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €54 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €76 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Alicante
Airport — Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC)
There is no direct tram from ALC into the city — the C6 bus (35 minutes, €4.60, every 20–30 minutes) runs to Luceros station, or a taxi costs roughly €20–25. Many visitors expect a tram link and are surprised there isn’t one.
Downtown — Alicante city center (Luceros / El Ensanche)
Desks near Luceros put you on the coastal tram line to Benidorm, Altea and Calpe — useful if you only need a car for inland day trips, not for getting around the city itself.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | ALC airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–12/day | Per extra driver |
| Refundable deposit | €90–500 (varies widely by company) | Standard hold at pickup — read the fine print even on "zero excess" offers |
| Zero-excess insurance (optional) | €6–12/day | Recommended in local forums to cut deposit exposure |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Alicante
- Alicante’s low-emission zone, AlicanTeCuida, launched in January 2025 — its Ring I (the historic core) is restricted to residents and registered permit-holders only, regardless of your rental car’s DGT environmental sticker.
- There is no direct tram from ALC airport to the city center — only the C6 bus (35 minutes, €4.60) or a taxi (€20–25); the coastal tram to Benidorm and Altea starts from Luceros station in town, not the airport.
- City-center parking runs on a three-color system: blue zones are paid (~€2 per 2 hours), white zones are free but fill up fast, and covered garages like Parking Plaza Luceros charge €1.50–2/hour.
- TripAdvisor’s Alicante forum repeatedly warns about Gold car and OK Mobility for pre-marking damage and charging after return, and about Budget for strict fuel-receipt requirements — read your contract carefully regardless of which company you book.
- Inland Costa Blanca villages like Guadalest, La Nucía and the Jalón Valley have essentially no public transport — a car is genuinely necessary there, even though the city and coastal towns (Benidorm, Altea, Calpe) are well served by tram and bus.
- Rental prices swing sharply by season: November is the cheapest month (~€13/day), while July is the most expensive (~€29/day) — booking 1–6 weeks ahead is the local recommendation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Alicante
Do I need a car in Alicante city?
No — the city and nearby coastal towns (Benidorm, Altea, Calpe) are well connected by tram and bus. A car becomes worthwhile once you head inland to Costa Blanca villages like Guadalest or the Jalón Valley, which have little to no public transport.
How do I get from Alicante airport to the city center?
The C6 bus runs every 20–30 minutes, takes about 35 minutes and costs €4.60 to Luceros station. There’s no direct tram from the airport, despite what many visitors expect — a taxi costs roughly €20–25.
What is the AlicanTeCuida low emission zone?
It’s Alicante’s low-emission zone, active since January 2025. Ring I (the historic core) is limited to residents and registered permit-holders regardless of environmental sticker; Rings II and III (the traditional center and Gran Vía) are currently open to all traffic, though the rules could tighten over time.
Where should I park in Alicante?
Blue zones are paid (~€2 for 2 hours), white zones are free but hard to find a spot in, and covered garages like Parking Alfonso el Sabio or Plaza Luceros charge around €1.50–2/hour or ~€12/24 hours.
Which car rental companies should I be cautious with at Alicante airport?
TripAdvisor’s local forum repeatedly flags Gold car and OK Mobility for disputes over pre-existing damage, and Budget for strict fuel-receipt policies. Photograph the car at pickup and read the contract regardless of which company you choose.
What’s the cheapest month to rent a car in Alicante?
November is typically the cheapest (~€13/day on average), while July is the most expensive (~€29/day) due to peak summer demand. Booking 1–6 weeks in advance is the local rule of thumb.
