How to Get to Oliva (and What to Know Once You’re Here)
So, you’ve either booked your stay with us at Oliva Rentals (yay!) — or you’re this close to booking and wondering:
“How easy is it to get there?”
“Do I need to rent a car?”
“Can I get around without driving?”
Great questions. This blog post has all the answers — so you can travel here with ease, settle in stress-free, and enjoy the beauty of Oliva without surprises.
We want you to feel confident, excited, and fully prepared — not confused or stuck in paradise with no way to explore it. So let’s start with the real talk:
Do You Need a Car in Oliva?
Yes. 100%. No question.
Now let’s break it down into three common situations so you know exactly what to do next.
Situation 1: You’re Driving Here in Your Own Car
Perfect! You’re golden.
All you’ll need is the address of your Oliva Rentals apartment, which we’ll send to you a few days before your arrival. Type it into Google Maps, and you’re good to go.
No need to keep reading — unless you're curious or want tips on what to do once you're here.
Situation 2: You’re Flying, Then Renting a Car
Amazing. That’s the second-best option and what most guests do.
This blog post will be super helpful — you’ll probably come back to it a few times as your trip gets closer, so bookmark it now.
Yes, we’ll send you the apartment address a few days before arrival so you can plug it into your GPS and get here stress-free.
Situation 3: You Don’t Drive or Can’t Drive
Not all is lost. There’s a workaround — but it requires more planning.
This blog post is going to be vital for you. If you want to enjoy your time here, please read this carefully and bookmark it now so you can refer to it again.
Yes, you’ll get your Oliva Rentals address a few days before your stay — but without a car, getting here and getting around will be very limited.
Let’s first dive into the details of Situation 2: You’re Flying, Then Renting a Car. Then talk about Situation 3 below that.
Situation 2: You’re Flying, Then Renting a Car - THE HOW
Step 1: Fly Into Valencia or Alicante
Oliva is located on Spain’s eastern coast, right between two major airports:
Valencia Airport (VLC) — about 1 hour north
Alicante Airport (ALC) — about 1 hour 10 minutes south
Both are great options — choose the one with the better flights for you.
Step 2: Rent a Car — Inside the Airport Terminal
Immediately after booking your flight, book a rental car from a company inside the terminal — not one that requires a shuttle.
Shuttles are confusing, inconvenient, and can eat up hours of your time. It’s not worth saving €50.
In-Terminal Car Rentals at Valencia Airport (VLC):
→ Valencia Airport Car Rentals
In-Terminal Car Rentals at Alicante Airport (ALC):
→ Alicante Airport Car Rentals
Don’t Get Stranded — Let’s Talk GPS
This part is important. When booking your rental car, remember:
🚫 Not all cars have built-in GPS.
✅ The best option — always — is using your smartphone with internet access.
Here’s why:
If your car’s built-in GPS stops working, you’ll be completely stuck.
You might not even know how to get back to the rental agency to fix it.
And you’ll be awkwardly asking for WiFi passwords every time you stop somewhere. Not ideal.
📱 The Smart Move? Contact your phone provider before your trip and check if:
You already have international roaming in Spain
You can add a short-term plan that includes unlimited data while you travel
Yes, it might cost a little more up front — but it’s worth it for the convenience, peace of mind, and freedom to:
Use Google Maps
Look up restaurants
Check the Oliva Rentals website
Text your friends
Not get lost
Otherwise? You’re one GPS failure away from turning your beach fantasy into a road rage nightmare. Don’t risk it. Make sure you can use your phone’s internet while you’re here.
Why You Really Need a Car in Oliva
Oliva is spread out between Oliva Town and Oliva Beach, and the beach itself is massive — over 20 km long.
Yes, walking sounds romantic... but the Spanish sun is unforgiving.
☀️ There is no shade between the town and the beach. None.
🥵 Walking in full heat, on foot, without cover, is dangerous.
🕶️ We’re talking dehydration, sunstroke, exhaustion.
🚘 An air-conditioned car is not a luxury here — it’s a necessity.
Even short errands or beach trips quickly become overwhelming on foot. And let’s be honest — no one wants to be dripping in sweat before lunch.
Situation 3: You Don’t Drive or Can’t Drive - THE HOW
Maybe you’ve lived your whole life in cities without needing a license — or driving just isn’t your thing. That’s totally fine. But in Oliva, everything happens by car. If you're relying on others to drive you, consider asking a friend to chauffeur you—it makes exploring so much easier. Still want to do this without a car? Here are two possible ways to reach Oliva — with some effort and patience:
Option A: Fly into Valencia (Best No‑Car Route)
Fly into Valencia Airport (VLC)
Take the metro or a taxi to Valencia Nord Station
Take the Renfe train to Gandia (approx. 1 hour)
Catch a taxi from Gandia Station to Oliva (~15 min)
Gandia Station address:
Estación de Tren de Gandia
Carrer de Alacant, 46701 Gandia, Valencia, Spain
This route takes about 2 hours total but is much smoother than through Alicante.
Option B: Fly into Alicante (More Complex, But Possible)
Fly into Alicante Airport (ALC)
Take an ALSA bus to Denia (approx. 2 hours via transfers)
Transfer in Denia to an ALSA bus to Gandia (another ~30 min)
From Gandia, grab a taxi to Oliva (~15 min)
This journey takes around 3–3½ hours total, may cost €10–17 for buses, and requires close attention to schedules.
Important to Know (Both Options)
No bike rentals exist in Oliva — so you’ll be walking almost everywhere from here on.
No Uber, no Bolt, and very few taxis (only 5 in town).
We’re not your chauffeurs — you're responsible for your own transport.
Final Word (Gentle Reminder ❤️)
We adore Oliva — its peaceful, slow-paced charm is what makes it special. If the idea of no car still excites you, great! But experiencing Oliva without a car means:
Slower travel
No flexibility to choose beach spots or restaurants
Long walks under intense sun in the summer heat
Dependency on rarely running taxis or buses
And let’s be honest: Awkward, uncomfortable travel days are just not fun.
So, if you want freedom, comfort, and ease, get the car. It’ll make your trip safer, smoother, and way more enjoyable.
We’re so excited to welcome you to Oliva — and we want your time here to be as wonderful as possible. Now… which option will help you fall in love with this place? 😊
Situation 1: You’re driving here in your own car
Situation 2: You’re flying, then renting a car
Situation 3: You don’t drive or can’t drive
I don’t know about you, but I’d choose situation 1 or 2 😉
