Car rental at Alicante Airport: what you should know in advance
Alicante Airport is a convenient starting point for a trip around the Costa Blanca. Many travellers land, collect their rental car and drive straight to Alicante, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Torrevieja, Guadalest, Elche, Denia, Javea or further along the coast. On paper, everything looks simple: plane landed, suitcase collected, car waiting, holiday begins. Reality, as usual, brings the rental agreement, deposit, card and the question “are you ready to come to the shuttle?”.
To make collecting your car at Alicante Airport smooth, it is important to understand the process in advance. You need to know where to find the instructions, how to contact the company after landing, which documents to prepare, which card is needed for the deposit, how the meeting point or transfer to the office works and what to check before driving away.
In this article, we explain how to collect your rental car after arriving at Alicante Airport, why the flight number matters, what to do in case of delay, which documents and card are required, how the rental agreement is completed and which mistakes most often prevent a normal start to the trip. Because a holiday should begin on the road, not with a dramatic conversation at the terminal.
Why it is better to book the car before arrival
It is better to book a rental car at Alicante Airport in advance, especially if you are travelling in summer, during public holidays, in high season, for several weeks or with family. The Costa Blanca is popular with tourists, so available cars and suitable categories may disappear faster than the optimism of someone who landed without the right card.
Booking in advance helps you:
- choose a suitable vehicle category;
- understand the final rental price;
- clarify the deposit amount;
- check card requirements;
- choose a coverage package;
- add a child seat;
- add an additional driver;
- provide the flight number;
- receive meeting point or shuttle instructions;
- avoid searching for a car at the last minute.
If you arrive late in the evening, with children, with a lot of luggage or for a longer rental period, booking in advance is especially important. Looking for a car after a flight, when everyone wants to eat, sleep and “just finally get there”, is not travel freedom. It is a small experiment on the nervous system.
What to provide when booking
When booking a rental car at Alicante Airport, it is important to provide accurate details. The clearer the information, the easier it is for the company to prepare the car, plan the pick-up time, organise the meeting point or shuttle and avoid confusion after arrival.
When booking, you usually need to provide:
- pick-up date and time;
- return date and time;
- pick-up location;
- return location;
- main driver’s name;
- flight number;
- contact phone number with WhatsApp or another messenger;
- email address;
- number of passengers;
- amount of luggage;
- whether child seats are needed;
- whether an additional driver is needed;
- which coverage package is selected;
- any special vehicle preferences.
The pick-up time should be realistic. If the plane lands at 18:30, it does not mean that at 18:32 the customer is already standing next to the car with documents in hand and an enlightened expression. Passport control, luggage, children, toilets, phone signal, finding the exit and post-flight human disorientation also exist. Unfortunately, very actively.
Why the flight number is important
The flight number helps the rental company understand the customer’s real arrival time. This is especially important if the flight is delayed, arrives early, changes schedule or if the customer takes longer to leave the arrivals area because of luggage or control procedures.
The flight number is useful because the company can:
- see the estimated arrival time;
- better understand a possible delay;
- plan the meeting point or shuttle;
- adjust waiting time;
- contact the customer after landing;
- avoid confusion with the booking time;
- understand that the customer is actually on the way;
- react faster to changes.
If no flight number is provided, the company can only rely on the booking time. And the booking time and the real exit of a human from the airport after landing are two different worlds. One lives in the calendar, the other stands at the luggage belt watching other people’s suitcases go round for the third time.
What to do after the plane lands
After landing, there is no need to immediately send a series of messages saying “we have landed” while the plane is still taxiing to the terminal. It is better to act calmly: leave the plane, pass the necessary procedures, collect luggage and contact the company according to the instructions.
After landing:
- switch on your phone;
- check messages from the rental company;
- go through passport control if required;
- collect your luggage;
- make sure all passengers are ready;
- find the meeting point or shuttle instructions;
- contact the office if instructed;
- say that you are ready to come out;
- follow the route to the meeting point;
- keep your documents and card ready.
If you travel with hand luggage only, getting out may take less time. If there are suitcases, children, a stroller or a queue, everything may take longer. That is normal. What is not normal is disappearing without contact and then wondering why the employee, shuttle and vehicle did not freeze in space waiting for your heroic appearance.
Passport control, luggage and contact with the office
The time needed to leave Alicante Airport depends on the flight, queues, luggage, documents, season and number of passengers. Sometimes the customer comes out quickly, sometimes it takes an hour or more. That is exactly why contact with the company is almost as important as the booking number itself.
Exit time can be affected by:
- country of departure;
- passport control;
- luggage belt waiting time;
- delayed baggage delivery;
- travelling with children;
- number of passengers;
- finding the correct exit;
- mobile signal and internet;
- late arrival;
- airport crowding.
If luggage is delayed, it is better to inform the company immediately. A short message is enough: “We have landed, we are waiting for luggage and will message when we are ready to come out.” It takes ten seconds and saves more nerves than later explaining “we thought you would understand”. People often overestimate telepathy in car rental.
How the meeting point or shuttle works
When collecting a rental car at Alicante Airport, the process may differ depending on booking conditions, office, time, vehicle category and specific instructions. In some cases, the customer needs to go to a stated meeting point. In other cases, a shuttle is used to take the customer to the office, where the agreement is completed and the vehicle is handed over.
The main rule is simple: always check the instructions in the voucher, booking confirmation or message from the company. Do not rely on a previous trip, a random review or an internet video. Airports and meeting systems like to change, apparently so tourists do not relax too much.
The instructions may usually explain:
- where to go after leaving the arrivals area;
- where the meeting point is located;
- whether to call or message after collecting luggage;
- how to find the shuttle;
- which phone number to use;
- until what time the office is open;
- how long the transfer may take;
- where the agreement is completed;
- where the customer receives the car;
- what to do in case of flight delay.
If the instruction is unclear, it is better to ask in advance. Not after you have already left the terminal, your family has gone one way, the suitcase another, and you are standing there trying to understand whether the word shuttle is a philosophical concept or an actual vehicle.
Which documents are needed to collect the car
To collect a rental car at Alicante Airport, the main driver must present the required original documents. Photos of documents on a phone, copies, scans and the phrase “I sent everything by email already” usually do not replace originals at vehicle pick-up.
You usually need to prepare:
- passport or identity document;
- valid driving licence;
- international driving permit, if required in your situation;
- voucher or booking confirmation;
- physical bank card in the main driver’s name;
- documents for additional drivers;
- contact phone number;
- email address;
- additional documents if required by the booking conditions.
All documents must be valid at the time of rental. If the driving licence has expired, the card is not suitable, the name does not match or the driver does not meet the rental conditions, the vehicle may not be provided. As usual, the agreement does not cry over the phrase “but we already paid for the flights”. It simply waits for correct documents.
Which card is needed for the deposit
For the deposit, a physical bank card in the main driver’s name is usually required. The card type, deposit amount and processing method depend on rental duration, vehicle category, selected coverage package and company conditions.
For the deposit, the following are usually not suitable:
- virtual cards;
- Apple Pay;
- Google Pay;
- cards on a phone without the physical card;
- third-party cards;
- cards belonging to relatives or friends;
- prepaid cards;
- cash;
- bank transfer;
- payment link.
The main requirement is that the card must be physical and issued in the main driver’s name. If the main driver is one person and the card belongs to another, this may create a problem at pick-up. Family, love and trust are wonderful, but sadly, a payment terminal does not feed on romance.
Credit card or debit card
Before collecting the vehicle, it is important to understand which card type is required for your rental. A credit card is usually more convenient for the deposit, especially if the deposit is processed as a pre-authorisation. A debit card, if accepted under the conditions, often means the deposit is charged rather than simply blocked.
At SOLO rent a car, conditions may depend on rental duration, vehicle category and selected package:
- for rentals of up to 12 days inclusive, the deposit on a credit card is usually blocked;
- for rentals from 13 days, the deposit may be charged;
- when using a debit card, if it is accepted, the deposit is usually charged;
- some categories and packages may specifically require a credit card;
- for Select, a physical credit card in the main driver’s name is usually required;
- for Luxury Elite, two physical credit cards in the main driver’s name may be required;
- conditions should be checked before booking;
- the card must be valid and have enough limit or balance.
The most unpleasant situation is landing at Alicante Airport with a card that “works everywhere” and discovering that it is not suitable specifically for the deposit. Car rental is its own small reality, where the word “everywhere” quickly loses confidence.
Rental payment and deposit: what is the difference?
Rental payment and deposit are two different transactions. The rental payment is charged for using the vehicle. The deposit is a financial guarantee under the agreement and may be used to cover possible costs if they arise.
The deposit may be connected with:
- vehicle damage;
- missing fuel;
- fines;
- administrative fees;
- late return;
- excess mileage;
- lost key;
- damage to tyres or rims;
- breach of rental conditions;
- additional services.
For rentals of up to 12 days inclusive, the deposit on a credit card is usually processed as a block. For rentals from 13 days, the deposit may be charged. If a debit card is accepted under the rental conditions, the deposit is usually charged rather than simply blocked. Banking apps may show these operations differently, because banks also seem to enjoy the game “guess where your money is”.
How the rental agreement is completed
Completing the rental agreement usually includes checking documents, card, booking conditions, selected coverage package, additional services and vehicle condition. If the customer has prepared everything needed in advance, the process is noticeably calmer.
During the agreement process, the company usually checks:
- passport or ID;
- driving licence;
- driver’s age and experience;
- booking details;
- rental period;
- return location;
- vehicle category;
- coverage package;
- additional services;
- child seats;
- additional drivers;
- card for the deposit;
- deposit amount;
- fuel policy;
- mileage conditions;
- permitted territory of use.
Before signing, it is worth calmly checking the main points of the agreement: return date and time, deposit amount, insurance, mileage, fuel, permitted territory and conditions in case of damage. This is not the most entertaining part of the trip, but it is cheaper than later writing a long email asking “why was this not obvious?”.
Inspecting the car before driving away
Before leaving the office or pick-up area, inspect the vehicle carefully. After a flight, you may want to reach the hotel, beach or apartment quickly, but five minutes of inspection can save a lot of nerves. The hotel will wait. A scratch on the bumper will become surprisingly talkative later.
During the inspection, check:
- front bumper;
- rear bumper;
- doors;
- wings;
- bonnet;
- boot;
- roof and pillars, if practical;
- mirrors;
- windows;
- lights;
- rims;
- tyres;
- interior;
- inside the boot;
- keys;
- fuel level;
- mileage.
If you see damage that is not recorded in the documents or that causes doubt, inform the staff member before leaving and take photos. It is better to spend a little time immediately than later conduct an investigation called “was this mark there before us or did it appear after parking at the supermarket?”.
Photos and videos at pick-up
Photos and videos at vehicle pick-up help record the car’s condition, fuel level, mileage and already existing damage. This is especially important if the vehicle is collected in the evening, in poor lighting, after a long flight or in a hurry.
Record:
- general view of the car from all sides;
- front and rear bumper;
- doors and wings;
- mirrors;
- windows;
- rims and tyres;
- close-ups of existing damage;
- dashboard with mileage;
- fuel level;
- interior;
- boot;
- child seats, if any.
A video walking around the car is often more useful than separate photos if it is recorded calmly and close enough. A video in the style of “night, suitcase, shaking hand and something unknown in frame” also has artistic value, but the agreement prefers boring clarity.
What to check in the car before the trip
Before leaving the office or pick-up location, check not only the bodywork but also basic things inside the car. This is especially important if you are driving straight to another city, onto the motorway, into the mountains or collecting the vehicle late in the evening.
Before the trip, check:
- fuel type;
- fuel level;
- mileage;
- headlights;
- indicators;
- mirrors;
- seat adjustment;
- steering wheel adjustment;
- air conditioning;
- navigation or phone connection;
- vehicle documents;
- key set;
- child seat;
- gearbox mode;
- dashboard warning messages.
If the vehicle is unfamiliar, do not drive straight into heavy traffic before understanding the gearbox, lights, mirrors and parking brake. Especially if you are used to manual and receive an automatic, or the other way around. The car is patient, but sometimes it sends an invoice for the lesson.
What to do if the flight is delayed
If the flight is delayed, inform the rental company as early as possible. Even if you provided the flight number, a short message helps avoid confusion, especially if the delay is significant or arrival may fall outside office hours.
In case of flight delay, provide:
- booking number;
- main driver’s name;
- flight number;
- new estimated arrival time;
- whether you have luggage;
- whether you expect to leave the airport before the office closes;
- whether new pick-up instructions are needed;
- whether you are available by phone or WhatsApp.
A flight delay does not always mean the car can be collected at any time of night. Late pick-up depends on opening hours, booking conditions, office and company confirmation. The airport may operate late, but that does not mean every rental office lives there around the clock with keys in hand and eternal faith in humanity.
What to do if luggage is delayed
If luggage is delayed and you have already landed, it is important to stay in contact with the rental company. Sometimes the customer comes out later because they are waiting for suitcases, filing a baggage claim or completing other airport procedures.
If luggage is delayed:
- tell the company that the plane has already landed;
- write that you are waiting for luggage;
- estimate your approximate exit time;
- inform them if you are reporting lost luggage;
- clarify where you will be met;
- do not disappear without contact;
- save the meeting instructions;
- send a message when you are ready to come out.
The company cannot endlessly guess whether you are standing at the luggage belt, filling in documents, drinking coffee or have already left by taxi in mysterious silence. One short message sometimes works better than a long explanation an hour and a half later.
Late arrival at Alicante Airport
If your flight arrives late in the evening, check the office opening hours, possibility of vehicle pick-up, meeting point or shuttle procedure and waiting conditions in advance. Late arrival requires more precision because even the most patient instructions end where a closed office begins.
Before a late arrival, check:
- until what time the office is open;
- whether pick-up after standard hours is possible;
- whether there is a late pick-up fee;
- what to do if the flight is delayed;
- who to message after landing;
- where the meeting point is located;
- how the shuttle works;
- what happens if you arrive after closing time;
- whether the car can be collected the next day;
- how to keep the booking.
If you realise you may not arrive in time for pick-up, inform the company in advance. Hope is a beautiful feeling, but it is not very good at opening offices after closing time. For that, confirmed conditions, staff and actual working hours are usually required.
How to choose a car for the Costa Blanca
The choice of car at Alicante Airport depends on the route, number of passengers, luggage, season, parking and travel plans. A car that is comfortable for a couple with hand luggage may be a poor choice for a family with suitcases, a child seat and a plan to visit half of the Costa Blanca.
When choosing a car, consider:
- number of passengers;
- number of suitcases;
- whether child seats are needed;
- whether you will drive in the city;
- whether you will drive on motorways;
- whether mountain routes are planned;
- whether automatic transmission is needed;
- whether fuel consumption is important;
- whether long routes are planned;
- where you will park;
- whether a large boot is needed;
- which deposit amount works for you;
- which coverage package is needed.
For city driving and short trips, a compact car may be enough. For families, long rentals and coastal routes, an SUV, estate car, minivan or car with a larger boot is often more practical. A small car looks cute until three suitcases and a child seat appear beside it. Then physics begins, and as usual, it is not on your side.
Where it is convenient to drive from Alicante Airport
Alicante Airport is conveniently located for trips around the Costa Blanca and other destinations in eastern Spain. After collecting the car, you can drive to the sea, the city, an apartment, a hotel, the mountains or a weekend route.
From Alicante Airport, it is convenient to drive to:
- Alicante;
- Elche;
- Benidorm;
- Altea;
- Calpe;
- Villajoyosa;
- Torrevieja;
- Guadalest;
- Javea;
- Denia;
- Murcia;
- Valencia, if you plan a longer route.
Before leaving, check the route, parking at your hotel or apartment and approximate travel time. If you have just landed, are tired and are driving an unfamiliar car for the first time, it is better to start with a simple route. Narrow streets, underground car parks and mountain roads do not have to become your first quest in Spain.
Permitted territory of use
If you rent a car at Alicante Airport, check in advance where you may drive under the agreement. This is especially important for longer rentals, routes around the Costa Blanca, trips to other regions of Spain or plans to “just go somewhere else too”. Geography likes to tempt. The agreement likes restrictions.
At SOLO rent a car, vehicles may be used within mainland Spain and Gibraltar. Trips to Portugal, France, Andorra, Morocco, islands, ferry routes, Ceuta, Melilla and other territories outside the permitted area are not allowed unless this is expressly confirmed in the agreement conditions.
Before the trip, clarify:
- whether your travel area is permitted;
- whether driving to Gibraltar is allowed;
- whether ferries are allowed;
- whether islands are allowed;
- how breaching the territory condition affects insurance;
- how breaching the territory condition affects roadside assistance;
- how breaching the territory condition affects the deposit;
- what the agreement says.
Breaching the permitted territory may affect insurance, roadside assistance, replacement vehicle and customer responsibility. The map of Europe looks beautiful, but the rental agreement usually looks at it like an accountant looking at a receipt with missing details.
Common mistakes when collecting a car at Alicante Airport
Most problems at vehicle pick-up are not caused by complicated rules, but by simple mistakes. Not reading the voucher, not providing the flight number, forgetting the physical card, bringing another person’s card, not checking the deposit, not ordering a child seat or disappearing without contact after landing. A classic collection, almost museum quality.
Common mistakes include:
- not providing the flight number;
- giving a pick-up time that is too early;
- not reading the meeting point instructions;
- looking for the vehicle in the wrong place;
- not being reachable after landing;
- not reporting luggage delay;
- arriving without the original driving licence;
- arriving without a suitable physical card;
- trying to use Apple Pay or Google Pay for the deposit;
- presenting another person’s card;
- not having enough limit or balance for the deposit;
- not checking insurance conditions;
- not adding an additional driver;
- not ordering a child seat in advance;
- not inspecting the car before driving away;
- not taking photos and videos at pick-up;
- not clarifying return time and location.
Almost all of these mistakes can be prevented before the trip. But humans often choose another path: land, get tired, open the voucher for the first time at the airport and start being surprised that a document contains conditions. An incredible plot, repeated every season.
What to check before leaving the car park or office
Do not rush before driving away. Collecting the vehicle is not only the moment when you receive the keys. It is the moment when you should make sure you understand the agreement, vehicle, deposit, fuel, mileage, territory and return conditions.
Before leaving, check:
- the agreement is signed;
- return date and time are correct;
- return location is correct;
- deposit has been processed;
- coverage package matches the booking;
- additional services have been added;
- child seat has been installed or provided;
- additional driver is included in the agreement;
- fuel level is recorded;
- mileage is recorded;
- damage is marked;
- photos and videos have been taken;
- you know the fuel type;
- you know who to contact in case of a problem;
- you know the return rules.
It is better to ask before leaving than twenty minutes later on the road, when the navigation is arguing with the junction, the child wants water and you suddenly realise you do not know which fuel the car needs. Technically, that is an adventure. Practically, better without it.
Returning the car at Alicante Airport
Even though this article is about collecting the car, it is better to think about return in advance. Especially if you have an early flight, a late flight, a lot of luggage, after-hours return or a tight schedule, as people like to say when they are already almost late.
Before return, clarify:
- exact return location;
- return time;
- how after-hours return works;
- whether the car must be returned with a full tank;
- where to refuel before the airport;
- how to return the keys;
- whether a parking ticket must be left;
- when the vehicle will be inspected;
- how the agreement is closed;
- when the deposit is processed.
If the conditions require returning the car with a full tank, refuel in advance. Do not rely on “there will definitely be something near the airport”, especially if you are already running late. In moments like that, petrol stations, parking spaces and correct exits start disappearing from the map with almost artistic cruelty.
Car rental at SOLO rent a car in Alicante
SOLO rent a car offers car rental in Alicante and also works with customers in Malaga, Malaga Airport and Marbella. If you plan to collect a vehicle after arriving at Alicante Airport, it is important to complete the booking in advance, provide the flight number, check the meeting point or shuttle instructions and prepare the documents.
To collect the vehicle, the main driver must have valid documents and a suitable physical card in their own name for the deposit. Deposit conditions depend on rental duration, vehicle category, card and selected coverage package. For rentals of up to 12 days inclusive, the deposit on a credit card is usually blocked. For rentals from 13 days, the deposit may be charged. When using a debit card, if it is accepted, the deposit is usually charged.
Before driving away, it is important to inspect the vehicle, take photos and videos, check fuel level, mileage, damage, documents, keys and return conditions. If the flight is delayed or luggage is not delivered on time, the company should be informed immediately. One short WhatsApp message can save more time than a long human pantomime at the terminal exit.
Car rental at Alicante Airport can be a convenient start to a trip around the Costa Blanca if everything is prepared in advance: documents, card, time, flight number, contact, instructions, deposit and careful vehicle inspection. A boring list, but it works. And in car rental, “boring and clear” is almost always better than “exciting and unexpected”.
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