Car Hire and Motoring in Torrevieja, Spain

We hope that you've decided on your villa or apartment to rent in Spain for your next holiday in Torrevieja.  The next step in your planning arrangements, to prepare for your self catering holiday on the Costa Blanca in Spain, is searching for the most affordable Car Hire available to get you to your destination.  Cheap car hire companies for your self-catering holiday to Alicante and Torrevieja abound, it's therefore well worth the effort to check out as many deals as you can.  There are many car hire firms operating in the Torrevieja/Alicante area.  Most provide facilities for collecting the car from the airport and returning it there at the end of your stay.   (See below for some of our suggestions)

Car Hire Collection at the Airport

If you intend to hire a car with a view to driving to your destination directly from Alicante airport, ensure that you book your car hire on-line, or through your travel agent - before your planned departure date.  This is important because you may find that there are no cars available if you try and book on arrival at Alicante - or worse still, you may find that you will pay more than you would have on-line.  Most car hire companies operating out of Alicante airport do not require you to pay in advance, and will allow you to cancel within 24 hours of departure at no extra charge (but read each car hire company's terms and conditions for more information).

Tip!  During peak periods i.e. summer holidays, you can avoid the queues at the car hire desks by making your way to the car hire desks while your partner waits at the luggage carousel for your luggage.  (The car hire desks are located at the bottom of the ramp on your way out of the arrivals area).

Documents Required

When arriving at the car hire company's desk, you will require:

• The email sent to you by the hire car company (with booking reference)
• Passport
• Driving License (for each driver)
• If you require an additional driver, make a point of telling the booking clerk (there should be no additional charge for extra drivers, providing they are over 21 - but they must appear on your hire agreement to be legal in Spain)
• The address of your accommodation in Torrevieja
• A contact telephone number

N.B. The charge will be some €40-50 more than originally quoted, because you will be charged for a full tank of fuel - you will be expected to return the vehicle EMPTY. Location of Hire Cars: The hire cars are located at the far right hand corner of the car park opposite where you exit the arrivals lounge. They are parked in bays marked with the hire company's name. When you find your car, the exit from this car park is off to the right.

Have you booked your flights yet?

Suggested Car Hire Companies

Here are some of our 'on-line' suggestions to get you started - no obligation quotes are available:

General Motoring Info

When driving a vehicle in Spain, it is essential to carry all the original relevant documents at all times - driving license, insurance policy and receipt, technical card (logbook), current local tax receipt, car hire contract, etc.  The Spanish speed limits are similar to the UK i.e. based around 120 kph (70 mph) on toll motorways and dual carriageways, 90 kph (55 mph) on "other" roads, and 50 kph (30 mph) in built up areas. If these do not apply then there will be signs, for example some very narrow streets in villages are only 40 kph (24 mph).  The use of seat belts is compulsory, children under 12 cannot travel in the front seat.

Motorways - A7

If you choose to take the motorway route to your destination, make sure that you have some Euros before picking up your car from the airport - the motorway tolls from San Javier /Alicante airports can cost up to €3 one way.   The alternative route to Torrevieja is the N232 (coast road), this runs parallel with the motorway.   You will however find this road very busy during the peak season.

Parking in Torrevieja

Parking can be quite difficult in busy resorts and city centres, Torrevieja and Alicante are no exception, most towns operate a Blue Zone system with parking meters.  Purchase a ticket from the nearby machines and display the ticket on the dashboard. Torrevieja has a large underground car park near the sea front, and also has a very large open car park near the African Craft Market.  If your car is badly parked on the public highway (especially in a 'RED' zone), you run the risk of having it towed away by the police who will take it to the municipal car pound.  You will then have to pay a fine and also a fee for the tow truck.