Car Rental at Valencia Airport (VLC)

Compare car hire at Valencia Airport (VLC) and collect your vehicle from the terminal on arrival. Full prices — including taxes and fees — are shown before you book, with no charges added at the counter beyond what is shown.

Quick Answer: Yes. Most major international and Spanish rental companies operate from the arrivals hall at Valencia Airport (VLC). Vehicles can usually be collected within 20 to 40 minutes of landing if your documents are ready. You need a valid driving licence, a passport or national ID, and a physical credit card for the security deposit. Book ahead — July and August see the highest demand and lowest vehicle availability across all categories.

Can You Rent a Car at Valencia Airport?

Yes, and for most journeys beyond Valencia city itself, it is the most practical choice. Valencia Airport (VLC), also known as Manises Airport, is the primary international gateway serving Valencia and the surrounding Costa del Azahar. The airport handles domestic Spanish routes alongside international flights across Europe, making it one of Spain's busiest regional airports.

The terminal is compact and well-organised. Car rental desks are on the ground floor of the arrivals hall — reachable within minutes of clearing baggage claim — which means the process from landing to driving away is faster here than at larger Spanish airports.

Airport code: VLC Official name: Aeropuerto de Valencia (Manises) Address: Carrer Aeropuerto, s/n, 46940 Manises, Valencia, Spain Distance to Valencia city centre: approximately 8 km Typical drive time to the city: 15 to 20 minutes via the V-30 ring road

Is Renting a Car Worth It at Valencia?

It depends entirely on where you are going.

You probably do not need a car if you are spending your whole trip in Valencia city. The metro, tram, and bus network covers the centre well, and Malvarrosa Beach is served by the tram directly from the city.

A rental car makes a real difference if any of these are on your itinerary:

• Albufera Natural Park — 20 km south, with rice paddies and lagoon routes inaccessible by public transport
• El Saler beach and dunes — 15 km south; quieter than Malvarrosa and easier by car
• Peñíscola — 135 km north along the coast; a dramatic castle-topped fishing village
• Morella — 175 km inland; one of Spain's best-preserved medieval walled towns, with no practical rail connection
• Costa Blanca — Benidorm is 140 km south, Alicante 170 km; the A-7 coastline is straightforward to drive but slow by public transport
• Inland Valencia (Xàtiva, Requena, wine country) — all within 60 to 80 km and best explored independently

For day trips along the coast or into the interior, collecting a car at the airport on arrival and returning it on your last day is almost always the most efficient approach.

Where to Collect Your Car at Valencia Airport

Car rental desks are on the ground floor of the arrivals hall, accessible immediately after baggage claim. All major on-airport suppliers share the same desk area, which keeps the collection process straightforward.

After completing paperwork at the desk, vehicles are collected from the adjacent rental car park — a short walk from the terminal exit. Your booking confirmation will specify the exact desk location and, for any off-airport supplier, the shuttle bus boarding point.

If you arrive outside normal hours, check operating hours for your chosen supplier before booking. Most on-airport desks at VLC are open from early morning to late evening; some operate 24 hours. Off-airport suppliers typically have more restricted hours.

Car Rental Suppliers at Valencia Airport

Hertz – International | Premium and standard fleet; strong for business travel
Europcar – International | Wide vehicle range; good for longer rentals
Sixt – International | Includes electric and larger vehicle categories
Avis – International | Reliable choice for both leisure and business
Centauro – Spanish | Well-regarded locally; competitive rates with clear terms
Goldcar – Spanish | Often the lowest headline price; review fuel policy carefully
Record Go – Spanish | Economy-focused; read full terms on extras
Drivalia – Spanish | Growing fleet; competitive during summer peak

Spanish-based operators such as Centauro, Goldcar, and Record Go are established companies with significant market share at Spanish airports. They often undercut international brands on daily rates. Centauro in particular has a reputation for clear terms, while Goldcar's low headline prices sometimes come with fuel and extras policies that catch out travellers who have not read the booking carefully. The comparison on CarRentalChoice shows the full price — including any mandatory extras — before you confirm.

Car Rental Prices at Valencia Airport

Prices at VLC follow a clear seasonal pattern shaped by Mediterranean tourism and domestic Spanish travel demand.

January – February | Lowest of the year
March | Moderate; rises sharply during Las Fallas (15–19 March)
April – May | Moderate and rising
June – August | Peak season; book as early as possible
September – October | Prices ease; weather remains excellent
November – December | Low to moderate; rises around Christmas

Rates from publicly available market data. Actual prices vary by supplier, vehicle category, and booking lead time.

Las Fallas — Valencia's famous March festival — is one of the largest events in Spain and creates a significant spike in both hotel and car rental demand. If your trip coincides with Fallas week, two to three months of advance booking is not excessive.

Midweek pickups — Tuesday to Thursday — consistently return lower rates than Friday and weekend collection. If your arrival date has any flexibility, checking both options at search takes seconds and can make a noticeable difference to the daily rate.

Which Car Should You Rent at Valencia Airport?

Valencia city only, couple | Small hatchback (e.g. Fiat 500, VW Polo)
Beach holiday, couple | Economy or compact
Family with luggage | Compact SUV (e.g. Seat Ateca, Nissan Qashqai)
Costa Blanca road trip | Mid-size or compact SUV
Albufera and rural routes | Compact — narrow roads, easy parking
Morella or mountain routes | SUV or mid-size
Business travel | Automatic compact or saloon
Group of 5–7 | People carrier or 7-seat SUV

Automatics are available from most suppliers at VLC but stock is more limited than manual. If you need an automatic, book as early as possible — they are the first category to sell out in summer.

Electric vehicles are available from Sixt and Europcar at VLC. Valencia city has good charging infrastructure, and the A-7 south to Alicante has charging stations at regular intervals. For rural routes inland, confirm charging availability before selecting an EV.

Driving from Valencia Airport

Key Routes and Destinations

Valencia city centre — 8 km via the V-30 ring road; 15 to 20 minutes in normal traffic. The V-21 is the direct airport access road connecting to the V-30.

Malvarrosa Beach and the port — 12 km; follow the V-30 east then the V-21 north toward the seafront. Beach parking is available but limited in summer — arrive early.

Albufera Natural Park — 20 km south via the V-31. The road through the park narrows considerably; a compact car handles it more comfortably than a large SUV.

El Saler — 17 km south on the V-31; a quieter alternative to Malvarrosa with pine forest backing the beach.

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias — 10 km from the airport via the V-30; the drive is straightforward and parking is available in the surrounding area.

Costa Blanca (Benidorm, Alicante) — head south on the A-7. The AP-7 motorway runs parallel; most sections of the AP-7 are now toll-free following Spain's removal of motorway concessions from 2020 onwards. Check the current status for your specific section before travel, as a small number of stretches may still apply charges. The A-7 national road is an alternative that is slower but entirely free.

Peñíscola and the north — take the A-7 or V-21 north. The coastal drive through Sagunto and Castellón is scenic on the N-340 if you are not in a hurry.

Driving Rules and Local Tips

• Drive on the right. Speed limits: 30 km/h in residential streets, 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on main roads, 120 km/h on motorways.
• ZBE low-emission zones: Valencia city has introduced restricted access zones in parts of the historic centre. Rental cars are generally compliant with newer fleets, but confirm with your supplier if you plan to drive into the old town (Barrio del Carmen or the area around the Mercado Central).
• Las Fallas road closures: During mid-March, central Valencia streets are closed for monument installations. If you are visiting during Fallas, plan your route around the closures and allow significantly more time for any city-centre driving.
• Summer beach traffic: The A-7 south to El Saler and the coastal road to Malvarrosa can become heavily congested on summer weekend mornings. Leaving before 09:00 makes a noticeable difference.
• Parking in Valencia: Underground car parks around the Mercado Central, Ciudad de las Artes, and the Palau de la Música are the most practical options. Historic centre streets are narrow — a compact car is a genuine advantage.

Before You Leave the Counter

Once you have signed the rental agreement, take five minutes before leaving the car park.

• Walk around the vehicle and photograph every panel, bumper, wheel arch, and windscreen with timestamped photos. This protects you against any disputed damage on return.
• Check the fuel gauge and confirm it matches what is noted on the agreement.
• Check for warning lights on the dashboard before moving.
• Ask how tolls work — confirm whether the vehicle has a toll transponder and how any charges will be billed.
• Ask where the nearest petrol station is relative to your return route — particularly important under a Full-to-Full fuel policy.
• Confirm the return location and process — some suppliers use different car parks for collection and return at VLC.

Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by: CarRentalChoice Editorial Team

Supplier policies, desk locations, and rental requirements may change. Confirm current terms with your supplier before travel.