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Are you looking to hire a car for your Javea trip? Having a car in Javea means you can travel directly to all the local spots at your own pace, which is especially helpful if you’re visiting as a group of friends or with your family. You can simply pack up your beach gear and head to any of Javea’s stunning beaches, pop to the supermarkets for supplies, or take amazing day trips from Javea to nearby towns.
I’ve updated this guide to help you find and book the perfect car for your Javea holiday, with information on the best rental companies and which type of vehicle might work best for your needs.
My personal tip – book your hire car before you arrive!
My top tip – don’t wait until you land at the airport to sort your car!
I highly recommend booking a car online before arriving in Spain rather than wait to hire a car when you have landed at Alicante or Valencia Airport.
Pre-booking your car online before flying to Spain will save you:
- Money (prices are almost always lower when booking in advance)
- Time (no waiting in long airport queues)
- Stress (knowing your transport is sorted)
- Disappointment (getting the car size and type you actually want)
You can easily book car rentals for your Javea trip through RentalCars.com, which will show you multiple car providers around Javea, or Alicante/Valencia Airport and find the best prices available as soon as possible before your trip. It’ll give you peace of mind, and save a lot of hassle and waiting time at the airport, which you will likely experience if leaving until the last minute!
You can pick up the car directly from the airport terminal for your Javea trip and return it when back to Valencia airport on your way home.
What documents you’ll need to hire a car
When picking up your car in Spain, you’ll need:
- A valid driving licence (held for at least 1-2 years, depending on the company)
- Your passport
- A credit or debit card in the main driver’s name (for the deposit)
- If you’re from outside the EU, you might need an International Driving Permit alongside your normal licence
Airport vs local car hire
You’ve got two main options for hiring a car in Javea:
1. Airport pickup: Most visitors grab their rental car straight from Alicante or Valencia airport. This is super handy as you can drive directly to your accommodation without faffing about with transfers.
2. Local rental in Javea: If you’re not planning on driving much, or you’re staying for a longer period, you might prefer to arrange a local pickup in Javea itself.
I’ve used both options and find airport pickup most convenient for shorter stays up to a week, while local rental often works out better value for longer holidays.
The price difference is massive!
I recently compared prices on RentalCars between Alicante Airport car rentals and Javea town car rentals for a 6-day period in June, looking at about 50 listings for each location. The results were rather eye-opening:
- Average price at Alicante Airport: €75 for 6 days
- Average price in Javea town: €223 for 6 days
That’s nearly triple the price when renting locally in Javea! This huge difference likely comes down to more competition between rental companies at the airport, plus they operate at much higher volumes.
My advice? If you’re comfortable driving from the airport, booking your car there will save you significant money. The drive from Alicante to Javea is straightforward (mostly on the AP-7 motorway), and the savings could pay for several nice meals out during your holiday!
The only time I’d recommend booking locally in Javea is if you’re staying for 2+ weeks and only need a car for a few specific days, or if you really don’t want to drive immediately after your flight.
Local car hire companies in Javea
While online comparison sites are brilliant for finding deals, these local companies are worth checking out too:
Victoria Cars Javea
Victoria Cars is a car rental company offering services in Javea, Spain. Known for its competitive prices and convenient services, it’s a popular choice for travellers exploring the Costa Blanca region. They offer a range of modern cars and minivans.
They accept drivers who are 21 years old, with a minimum license of 2 years.
They also have extras such as:
- Free additional driver
- Refund of unused fuel
- Free theft insurance with no excess
- Free cancellation
- Offer young drivers from 19-21 (with license of 2 years) at a cost of $50
- Free mileage 200km per day
Address: Ctra. del Cap de la Nau Pla, 90, 03730 Xàbia, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 687 53 50 87
Site: https://victoriacars.com/en/car-hire-in-javea/
Blanca Cars
Blanca Cars is a car rental company based in Javea, Spain, offering a wide range of vehicles for rent, including small economy cars, large family cars, automatic cars, SUVs, and premium cars.
They offer pickup and drop off at major airports. They also offer free home delivery and pickup anywhere in Costa Blanca north.
Accepting drivers from 25+ years.
- English customer service
- Free additional driver
- Full cover insurance
- No deposit
- No cancellation fee
- Free 200km mileage a day
Phone: +34 653 22 13 33
Address: Av. Arenal, 1, Local C, 03730 Xàbia, Alicante, Spain
Site: https://www.blancacars.com/
Javea Cars
Offer a range of modern cars and vans. Manual and automatic cars available. Car pickup and dropoff at all major airports
Must have a license of 2 years minimum.
- Full insurance
- Theft protection without excess
- Additional drivers free of charge
- Roadside assistance coverage
- Free baby seats
Address: Ctra. del Cap de la Nau Pla, 93, 03730 Xàbia, Alicante
Number: +34 965 793 312
Site: https://www.javeacars.com/
My tips for car hire in Javea
Consider car size carefully: The streets in Javea’s old town are quite narrow. While a bigger car might be comfy for family trips, a smaller car is much easier to park in town.
Check fuel policy: Some companies have a “full-to-full” policy (my favourite), while others might charge for a full tank upfront. Make sure you understand what’s expected.
Inspect the car thoroughly: Before driving away, check for any scratches or dents and make sure they’re noted on your paperwork. Take photos with your phone as backup.
Book an automatic if you need one: Most rental cars in Spain are manual. If you need an automatic, book well in advance as they’re limited and cost more.
Ask about tolls: Some routes around Javea use toll roads. Ask your rental company about toll payment options.
Having a car in Javea really opens up this amazing area for you. You’ll be able to visit places like Moraira, Calpe and even Valencia for day trips – plus find those secret little beaches that aren’t on the tourist maps!
Watch out for these extra costs
Car hire can come with some sneaky extra charges. Keep an eye out for:
- Additional drivers: Some companies charge extra for this (though the local ones I’ve listed often include one free additional driver)
- Limited mileage: Check if there’s a daily limit and what charges apply if you go over
- Young driver surcharges: Under 25s usually pay more
- Child seats: These can cost €5-10 per day, so factor this in if travelling with little ones
- Insurance excess: The amount you’re liable for if something happens (can be €600-1,000)
Seasonal price differences
Car rental prices in Javea vary massively throughout the year:
- July-August: Prices can be double the off-season rates
- May, June, September: Still sunny but much better value
- Winter months: The absolute cheapest time (but many tourists spots might be closed)
I’ve found booking 2-3 months in advance for summer visits can save you up to 30% compared to last-minute bookings.
Petrol stations around Javea
It’s always good to know where to fill up:
- There’s a Repsol station just off the main road into Javea (N-332)
- Another petrol station near Arenal Beach on Avenida del Pla
- BP station on the road towards Jávea Park
Most are self-service, and some close overnight, so plan accordingly if you have an early departure.
Parking in Javea
Parking is worth mentioning, as it can be tricky in busy periods:
- Arenal Beach area: There’s a big free car park near the beach, but it fills up quickly in summer (especially after 11am). There are also blue zone parking spaces (paid), but they’re time-limited.
- Old Town (Casco Antiguo): Parking can be tight with narrow streets. The underground car park at Plaza de la Constitución is handy for visiting the old town.
- Port area: Several free parking areas, but they get busy during peak season.
During July and August, I’d suggest arriving early to popular spots or using the free parking areas slightly further out and walking in.
Is hiring a car essential in Javea?
While I strongly recommend having a car, it’s not absolutely essential if:
- You’re staying near the centre of the Port area or the Arenal Beach area and don’t plan to leave
- You’re happy using Javea taxis for occasional trips
However, to truly see the best of the area and have freedom to find those amazing hidden spots, a car makes your holiday so much better!
