Villa keys in Benidorm at 18:00? Private car is how locals do it.
At Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), most second‑home owners and repeat Costa Blanca visitors land in NAT, walk straight to car hire, and drive their own or rented car to villas scattered 20–60 km away. A family of four doing resort buses and taxis for Benidorm plus supermarket runs can easily blow past €100 in transfers in a week, which is why many TripAdvisor villa renters say they “always hire a car at ALC.”
Private car here really means two things: your own car left long‑term nearby, or a standard rental picked up at NAT. On‑airport desks sit in arrivals in the main terminal, and the car park is a short walk from baggage claim, so frequent visitors report “keys in hand and out of the car park in 10 minutes” when they use the same company every trip. That 10‑minute exit often beats waiting around for shared transfers to Orihuela Costa or Calpe.
Off‑airport rentals are cheaper but slower. Several budget brands run shuttles from outside NAT, and multiple reviews mention waiting long enough that the transfer plus paperwork adds 20–30 minutes in busy periods. If you land on a Saturday around midday from the UK, queues at some counters can hit an hour when three or four flights arrive together, so build the buffer before promising anyone a 16:00 meet‑up in Javea.
Costs swing a lot by season: in July and August, a basic compact can jump past €40–€60 per day, while in November mid‑week you may see sub‑€15 day rates from off‑airport firms. Many complaints target aggressive fuel and damage policies, especially with rock‑bottom brokers that push full‑to‑empty fuel deals and later “scratch” photos with €200+ charges. That’s why regulars often pay a few extra euros per day for mid‑tier local companies with clearer terms.
What regulars do at ALC: they pre‑book with the same company, join the loyalty scheme where available, and keep a photo habit. They take detailed pictures of every panel, wheel and the fuel gauge at pick‑up and again at drop‑off, then ask for a signed check‑in slip before leaving NAT car parks. Some also skip the last petrol station right by the airport, filling up 10–20 km earlier on the AP‑7 or N‑332 to dodge queues that can back up at peak Saturday return times.
Step-by-step: using private car from ALC
- 1. Pre‑book your car: Reserve online with a company that lists Alicante Airport (ALC) explicitly and read fuel and damage terms; for August Saturdays, book at least 2–3 weeks ahead.
- 2. Land and clear arrivals at NAT: After baggage claim in NAT, follow “Car rental” signs; on‑airport desks sit landside on the arrivals level, typically within a 2–3 minute walk.
- 3. Collect keys and inspect the car: Once you have keys, walk to the rental area in the multi‑storey car park, usually level‑signed by company; take 10–15 photos of the car, including close‑ups of any marks.
- 4. Drive out toward the Costa Blanca: Exit the car park and follow signs to the A‑70/AP‑7 for Benidorm, Calpe, or Torrevieja; most coastal towns sit 40–60 minutes away in normal traffic.
- 5. Plan your return smartly: On the way back, fill up 10–20 km before the airport to dodge reported fuel‑station queues, aim to be back at NAT car park 2 hours before departure, and get a signed drop‑off receipt before heading to departures.
One last tip: if your villa change‑over is on a Saturday in high season, avoid arriving on the packed late‑morning UK flights when you can; a 09:00 landing often means far shorter rental queues than 12:00.