Car Rental in Alicante, Spain: Our Experience with Centauro and wiBER

Car Rental in Alicante, Spain: Our Experience with Centauro and wiBER – car rental alicante spain

Booking Our Rental Car Through DiscoverCars

For our trip to Spain, we used DiscoverCars to compare rental offers from different car hire companies rather than booking directly with one supplier.

The offer we selected was provided by Centauro at Alicante Airport. Our reservation was for a compact Hyundai i30 or similar, with five seats, five doors, air conditioning and a manual gearbox.

The booking also included unlimited mileage and a full-to-full fuel policy, which was important for us because we planned to explore Spain by car rather than stay in one place.

One thing worth remembering is the wording “or similar”. You are booking a vehicle category rather than necessarily the exact model shown during the search. In our case, the booking showed a Hyundai i30 or similar, but the car we actually received was a Ford.

The car we actually received after booking a Hyundai i30 or similar category.

Why We Used DiscoverCars

The main reason was simple: we wanted to compare different rental companies, prices and conditions in one place.

When choosing a car, don’t look only at the cheapest headline price. Check the security deposit, insurance excess, fuel policy, mileage and pick-up location as well. These details can make a significant difference to the final cost and overall rental experience.

For anyone looking for a reliable option, we highly recommend considering car rental alicante spain for your travels.

Comparing Car Rental Companies in Spain

One of the biggest advantages of using a comparison website such as DiscoverCars is that you don’t have to choose a rental company before you start searching. You can compare offers from different suppliers and look beyond the headline price.

At Alicante Airport alone, travellers can find companies including Centauro, Avis, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz/Firefly, OK Mobility, Record Go and Sixt.

When comparing offers, we recommend looking at:

Total rental price
Security deposit and excess
Insurance and what is actually included
Fuel policy
Mileage allowance
Airport or off-airport collection
Customer rating
Cancellation conditions

Our Experience with Centauro

For our trip, the best option we found through DiscoverCars was supplied by Centauro.

There were several things we liked. Collection at Alicante Airport was extremely convenient, there was no queue when we arrived, and we collected the car very quickly. Returning the vehicle was also simple.

However, there was one part of the experience we didn’t like: the pressure to purchase additional insurance at the rental desk.

Our booking already included basic insurance, while the rental had a €1,500 security deposit/excess. We felt there was considerable pressure to take additional cover.

This is something we would pay much more attention to next time.

The cheapest-looking rental is not necessarily the cheapest overall. Before booking, check the deposit, excess and insurance conditions carefully and decide what level of cover you want before arriving at the rental desk.

Don’t Compare Only the Daily Price

A €10-per-day rental isn’t necessarily better than a €15-per-day rental.

One company may require a large deposit or have a high insurance excess, while another may offer more comprehensive cover or more convenient airport collection.

That’s why we prefer comparing several suppliers before choosing a car.

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Collecting Our Rental Car at Alicante Airport

Collecting our rental car at Alicante Airport was surprisingly easy.

Our booking confirmation instructed us to go to the Centauro Rent a Car desk in the Arrivals Hall, so there was no need to take a shuttle bus to an off-airport rental office.

The Centauro rental desk inside Alicante Airport.

When we arrived, there was no queue, and the paperwork was completed very quickly.

Another thing we particularly liked was how easy it was to reach the car after leaving the rental desk. The car collection area was conveniently located, and we didn’t have to drive down through several levels of a complicated multi-storey car park before leaving the airport.

The clearly marked Centauro pick-up and drop-off area at Alicante Airport.

For us, this made a big difference after a flight. Within a short time of arriving at the rental desk, our luggage was in the car and we were ready to start our journey.

Our Tip

Before travelling, always check whether your chosen rental company is inside the airport terminal or requires a shuttle to an off-airport office. A slightly cheaper rental may be less convenient if you have to wait for transport to another location.

Insurance and the €1,500 Security Deposit

This was the part of our rental experience that we liked the least.

Our Centauro booking came with basic insurance, including Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection, Roadside Assistance and Third Party Liability. However, the booking also had a €1,500 security deposit and €1,500 excess.

At the rental desk, we felt considerable pressure to purchase additional insurance. This was frustrating because we had already arranged the rental and expected the collection process to be straightforward.

It is important to understand that additional insurance and the security deposit are not the same thing. According to our booking conditions, additional cover could be declined, but the required security deposit still had to be left with the rental company.

Check the Insurance Conditions Before You Book

Our experience taught us not to compare rental cars by price alone.

Before choosing any rental company in Spain, check:

How large is the security deposit?
What is the insurance excess?
What does the basic insurance actually cover?
Is additional insurance optional?
Which credit or debit cards are accepted for the deposit?
How long will it take for the deposit to be released after returning the car?

A rental offer that initially looks cheaper can become much less attractive once you compare the insurance and deposit conditions.

This is one reason we recommend comparing several rental companies before booking rather than automatically choosing the lowest advertised price.

Centauro vs Wiber: Our Real Car Rental Experience in Spain

We’ve rented cars in Spain several times, so our experience isn’t based on just one booking. Two companies we’ve personally used at Alicante Airport are Centauro and Wiber, booked through different comparison websites.

Our Centauro rental was booked through DiscoverCars, while our previous Wiber rentals were booked through DoYouSpain.

Both worked for us, but there was one major difference: airport convenience.

Centauro – Much More Convenient at Alicante Airport

With our Centauro booking, the rental desk was inside Alicante Airport’s Arrivals Hall.

There was no queue when we arrived, the paperwork was completed quickly, and we didn’t need to wait for a shuttle bus to another rental location.

The car collection area was also easy to access. We didn’t have to navigate through several levels of a complicated multi-storey car park before starting our journey.

For convenience, Centauro was clearly better for us.

The main negative was the insurance experience. We felt considerable pressure at the desk to purchase additional cover, and our booking had a €1,500 security deposit/excess.

Wiber – Good Experience, but Allow Extra Time for the Shuttle

We’ve used Wiber more than once, booking through DoYouSpain.

Unlike our Centauro rental, Wiber’s Alicante location is outside the airport terminal, so you need to use their shuttle transfer.

In our experience, we waited around 30 minutes for the transfer when collecting the car. After a flight, this is worth considering when comparing a cheaper off-airport rental with an in-terminal option.

Returning the car was much easier. We dropped it off at the Wiber location and were transferred back to Alicante Airport quickly, without having to wait around.

Our Wiber documentation also shows a €1,000 excess, which was released after the car was returned.

Which Did We Prefer?

For airport convenience, we preferred Centauro. Walking to the rental desk inside the terminal and collecting the car without waiting for a shuttle saved time.

However, our overall experience with Wiber was also positive, especially when returning the car. We’ve used them on several occasions, and we would consider them again.

The lesson for us is simple: don’t choose a rental car based on price alone.

A cheaper off-airport deal may still be worthwhile, but check the shuttle arrangements, deposit or excess, insurance conditions and fuel policy before booking.

When comparing cars through a comparison website, these details can matter just as much as the advertised daily rental price.

What Happened When We Had an Accident in a Rental Car

Unfortunately, during one of our previous Wiber rentals in Spain, we had an accident – and we were responsible for it.

It wasn’t a major accident, but our rental car, a Citroën C3, suffered damage to the front bumper and the right front wing.

This gave us first-hand experience of something most travellers hopefully never need to deal with: what happens when you damage a rental car in Spain.

We Waited Around Two Hours for the Police – and Missed Our Flight

The damage itself wasn’t the biggest problem.

After the accident, we had to wait around two hours for the police to arrive. Because of the delay, we missed our flight home.

What initially seemed like a relatively minor accident therefore turned into a much bigger travel disruption.

This taught us an important lesson: if you’ve had an accident with a rental car and still need to catch a flight, allow much more time than you would for a normal car return. Even a relatively minor accident can take hours to deal with.

How Much Did the Damage Cost?

The official damage assessment listed:

Front bumper: €193.60
Right front wing: €197.64
Damage assessment before tax: €391.24
Assessment including tax: €473.40

Wiber’s final invoice also included a damage management charge, bringing the total bill to €523.40.

What We Learned From the Accident

The experience changed the way we look at rental car insurance.

Before booking, check exactly what is covered, how large the excess is, what happens if you cause an accident, and whether additional administration or damage-management fees can be charged.

We also recommend photographing or filming the entire vehicle when you collect it.

Having experienced an accident ourselves, insurance and excess are now among the first things we check when comparing rental cars in Spain.

Getting a Speeding Fine in a Rental Car in Spain

We’ve also learned another lesson while driving a rental car in Spain: watch your speed carefully, especially on roads where the limit changes.

During one of our Wiber rentals, a speed camera recorded our rental car travelling at 93 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N-332.

The fine was €100, with the possibility of paying €50 with the 50% early-payment reduction. The offence did not carry any penalty points.

What Happens When the Car Is Rented?

Because the vehicle belongs to the rental company, the original notification was sent to Wiber.

The authorities then required the rental company to identify the person who had been driving the vehicle at the time of the offence.

This is worth remembering when renting a car in Spain: returning the vehicle doesn’t mean a later traffic fine disappears. A speeding camera may record the vehicle during your trip, with the notification arriving after the rental has finished.

Our Advice After Getting a Fine

Pay particular attention to changing speed limits, even when you’re driving on a road that appears suitable for a higher speed.

In our case, we were only 13 km/h above the posted limit, but that was enough to result in a speeding fine.

It’s another small detail that can make a supposedly cheap car rental considerably more expensive.

How to Compare Car Rental Companies in Spain

After renting cars in Spain several times, we’ve learned that the cheapest advertised price isn’t always the best deal.

Whether you’re comparing Centauro, Wiber or another rental company, there are several things worth checking before you book.

1. Airport Location

Check whether the rental desk is inside the airport terminal or off-airport.

This made a noticeable difference in our own experience. With Centauro at Alicante Airport, we could go directly to the desk in the Arrivals Hall. With Wiber, we needed a shuttle transfer and waited around 30 minutes when collecting the car.

An off-airport rental can still be a good deal – just include the extra transfer time when comparing your options.

2. Security Deposit and Excess

Don’t look only at the rental price.

Check how much money may be blocked on your card and how much you could be responsible for if the vehicle is damaged.

For example, our Centauro booking had a €1,500 security deposit/excess, while one of our Wiber rentals showed a €1,000 excess.

3. Insurance

Read what the basic insurance actually covers before arriving at the rental desk.

Pay particular attention to the excess and exclusions. Wheels, tyres, windows, mirrors and other parts of the vehicle may have different conditions depending on the rental and insurance package.

After having an accident ourselves, this is now one of the first things we check.

4. Fuel Policy

We prefer full-to-full.

You collect the car with a full tank and return it full. This makes the cost easier to understand and avoids paying a rental company for fuel you may not use.

Both our Centauro and Wiber rentals used a full-to-full fuel policy.

5. Mileage

Check whether the rental includes unlimited mileage, especially if you’re planning a road trip.

Our Centauro and Wiber bookings included unlimited mileage, which meant we didn’t have to worry about additional kilometre charges while exploring Spain.

6. Don’t Forget the Small Print

Before booking, compare:

airport or off-airport collection
shuttle arrangements
security deposit
insurance excess
fuel policy
mileage allowance
additional driver fees
late-return charges
cancellation conditions
possible damage administration fees

Spending a few extra minutes comparing these conditions can be more valuable than simply choosing the cheapest car on the results page.

Compare Before You Book

A comparison website makes it easier to see offers from different rental companies in one search, but always compare the conditions as well as the price.

Affiliate disclosure: If you book through this link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Final Verdict: Is Renting a Car in Spain Worth It?

For us, renting a car in Spain is absolutely worth it, especially if you want to explore beyond the main tourist resorts.

We’ve rented cars in Spain several times and used different rental companies and comparison websites. We’ve had very easy collections and returns, waited for airport shuttles, dealt with large security deposits, received a speeding fine and even experienced an accident that caused us to miss our flight.

Those experiences have changed the way we choose rental cars.

We no longer look for the cheapest price alone. We compare the airport location, shuttle arrangements, security deposit, insurance excess, fuel policy, mileage and rental conditions before making a decision.

Would We Use DiscoverCars Again?

Yes.

We like being able to compare offers from different rental companies in one place rather than checking individual companies separately.

However, DiscoverCars is a comparison and booking platform – the actual rental experience still depends heavily on the rental company you choose.

That’s why our advice is simple: use the comparison results to find suitable offers, but read the conditions of each offer before booking.

For our Alicante rental, the convenience of an in-terminal collection was particularly valuable. On other trips, an off-airport company such as Wiber could still make sense if the price and conditions were better – as long as you’re prepared for the shuttle transfer.

Our Most Important Advice

Compare the total deal, not just the daily rental price.

A slightly more expensive car with a convenient airport location, reasonable excess and good rental conditions may ultimately be a much better choice than the cheapest offer on the screen.