Alicante Airport Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC) is about 75 kilometres from Calpe, with a typical drive time of 50 to 60 minutes via the AP-7 and N-332. Calpe sits beneath Peñón de Ifach, and airport pickup is the fastest way to keep that first day flexible. Booking before arrival usually secures better rates and a wider choice of automatics, especially from June to September. At Alicante Airport, comparison sites such as Kayak, Skyscanner, and Auto Europe can help you benchmark prices, but direct checks with Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Goldcar, Centauro, and Firefly are still useful. In Spain, manual cars remain the standard, so automatic availability is limited on busy dates. The driving in Costa Blanca guide covers the road rules and toll status you will face on the AP-7 north to Calpe. 💡 Tip: Reserve an automatic as soon as your flights are confirmed if anyone in the group cannot drive a manual. ⚠️ Warning: Basic CDW often comes with an excess of €1,000 or more, so read the deposit and insurance terms before paying. 🚗 Local insight: Calpe’s older streets are narrow in places, so a compact car is usually easier to park than a large SUV. When booking, check these points carefully: Checkpoint What to confirm Why it matters Vehicle size Compact or medium models for most Calpe trips Easier on narrow streets and in underground car parks Transmission Automatic if needed, booked in advance Automatics are less common and cost more Fuel policy Full-to-full is usually the cleanest option Avoids prepaid fuel mark-ups Insurance Excess amount, not just “included cover” CDW does not always remove the liability Driver rules Main driver name, age limits, and card type Prevents desk refusals and extra fees Alicante Airport uses two main pickup formats: desks inside the terminal and shuttle-based collection outside the terminal. In-terminal brands are generally the quickest option, while off-site operators often trade convenience for a lower headline rate. The difference usually shows up in the first 30 minutes after landing, not just the price. Pickup type Typical location Usual time impact On-site desks Arrivals hall and adjacent car park Fastest, often 10 to 20 minutes after paperwork Off-site shuttle Near the airport, reached by minibus Often 20 to 40 minutes longer, depending on queue Best for Travellers prioritising speed Travellers prioritising lower rates Common brands Hertz, Avis, Europcar Centauro, Dickmanns, Firefly For the smoothest start, compare the total cost, not only the base rate. Some low advertised prices rise once insurance, deposit handling, and shuttle time are added. For collection, bring your driving licence, passport, booking confirmation, and a credit card in the main driver’s name. The old UK paper counterpart is not needed, and the card must usually be a true credit card rather than a debit card. If the rental desk places a deposit hold, that amount can remain unavailable on your card until the vehicle is returned. Present your licence, passport, booking reference, and payment card. Review the contract for mileage, fuel policy, excess, and additional-driver charges. Decline duplicate insurance if you already arranged cover elsewhere. Inspect the car before leaving the bay. Photograph every panel, wheel, and the windscreen. Take time to match every scratch, scuff, and dent to the condition report before signing. A short video is useful, but clear still photos are better if you need to challenge a damage claim later. Document Required? Notes Driving licence Yes Photocard licence is standard for UK drivers Passport Yes Used for identity verification Credit card Usually yes Must be in the main driver’s name Booking confirmation Yes Digital or printed copy both work Additional driver licence If applicable Bring it if the booking includes more than one driver Full-to-full is the most transparent fuel policy for Calpe rentals. You collect the car with a full tank and return it full, which makes the final cost easier to control. There are petrol stations on the approach roads to Alicante Airport, so refuelling shortly before return is practical. 💡 Tip: Keep the last fuel receipt until the rental company has completed the return check. ⚠️ Warning: Full-to-empty deals often include a refuelling fee and unused fuel is rarely refunded. 🚗 Local insight: A full-to-full policy is usually best if your stay in Calpe is under 7 days and your driving is limited to the coast. Fuel policy How it works Best for Full-to-full Return the tank at the same level as collection Most drivers Full-to-empty Pay for a full tank in advance and return it near empty Very specific long-use trips Prepaid fuel + fee Fuel is charged upfront plus a service surcharge Rarely the best value The airport-to-Calpe route is direct: exit Alicante–Elche Airport, join the A-70, continue onto the AP-7, and leave at Exit 64 for Altea, Calpe, and the N-332. In normal traffic, the trip takes 50 to 60 minutes and covers roughly 75 kilometres. On summer Fridays and Saturday arrivals, allow extra time for traffic near the coast. Leave the airport following signs for the A-70 and Valencia. Merge onto the A-70 and continue north. Follow signs onto the AP-7. Take Exit 64 for Altea / Calpe / N-332. Join the N-332 and follow signs into Calpe. The AP-7 is the main motorway corridor on this stretch of the Costa Blanca. Road signage is clear, and the final approach on the N-332 brings you directly into town. Route segment Road Approximate time Airport to A-70 Local airport roads 5 to 10 minutes A-70 to AP-7 Motorway link 10 to 15 minutes AP-7 to Exit 64 Toll motorway section 20 to 30 minutes Exit 64 to Calpe centre N-332 coastal road 10 to 15 minutes Driving on the right is the main adjustment for UK and Irish visitors. Roundabouts run anti-clockwise in Spain, and traffic already on the roundabout has priority unless signs say otherwise. Speed enforcement is common on the AP-7 and the N-332, so check local limits rather than relying on road feel. Drive on the right and look left at junctions. Observe 120 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on main roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas unless signs show otherwise. Treat a solid white line as no overtaking. Read “Ceda el Paso” as give way. Expect speed cameras on major roads around Alicante and the Costa Blanca. 🚗 Local insight: The AP-7 is usually calmer than the N-332, but summer traffic can still slow the final stretch into Calpe. ⚠️ Warning: In Spain, mobile phone use while driving is tightly enforced, and holding a phone can lead to fines. Parking gets noticeably tighter in July and August, especially near the beaches and the town centre. The full colour-zone breakdown is in our parking in Calpe guide. Blue-zone spaces are paid, white lines usually indicate free parking, and underground car parks are the safest option for keeping a hire car out of the sun. If your hotel offers dedicated parking, that is often the simplest choice. Parking type Cost Best use Blue zone (“Zona Azul”) Paid by ticket or app Short stays near beaches and shops White zone Usually free Residential streets away from the centre Underground car park Paid, generally higher than street parking Shade, security, and longer stays Hotel or apartment parking Often included or reserved Best for hassle-free overnight parking Look for the machine or app instructions before leaving the car, and display the ticket clearly if required. In peak season, it is common to park a few streets back from the promenade and walk the final distance. Plan the return leg with extra time for traffic, refuelling, and the final inspection. If you booked a full-to-full policy, fill up near the airport and keep the receipt. Most companies direct you to the same car park or return area used for pickup. Follow airport signs for “Car Rental Return” or Alquiler de Coches - Devoluciones. Park in the space assigned to your rental company. Hand over the keys and wait for the inspection. Keep your photos available if any damage is questioned. Collect the return confirmation before leaving. Return step What to do Why it matters Refuel Fill the tank before reaching the airport Avoids refuelling charges Park Use the company’s marked return bay Speeds up handover Inspect Wait for the agent’s sign-off Confirms the condition at return Confirm Request a receipt or return record Helps with later billing disputes With a clean fuel receipt, clear photos, and the correct return bay, the handback at Alicante Airport is usually quick and straightforward. Compare Car Rental Deals