After ten years living on the Costa Blanca, I've watched thousands of holiday-makers arrive in Jávea flustered and confused — wrong airport, no idea where to park, not realising there's no train. I've also watched people sail in smoothly, keys in hand, cold beer on the terrace within two hours of landing. The difference? Knowing the basics before you go. This guide covers everything: which airport to fly into, how to get from the airport to Jávea, parking at the beaches and in the old town, and how to get around once you're here.
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
This is the single most important decision you'll make, and it surprises a lot of first-timers. Jávea (Xàbia in Valencian) sits almost exactly between two international airports, and both are viable depending on your airline.
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is the most popular choice. It's roughly 110km from Jávea — about 75 minutes by car in normal traffic, more like 90 minutes in July and August when the AP-7 motorway gets congested around Benidorm. Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and Vueling all fly here from dozens of UK and European cities. The motorway journey is genuinely easy: join the AP-7 northbound and exit at Ondara or Gata de Gorgos for Jávea. The toll costs around €8-10 depending on your entry point.
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Find rentals →Valencia Airport (VLC) is about 120km to the north and takes around 90 minutes by car. It has excellent connections from northern Europe, particularly Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Lufthansa, KLM, and Transavia use it regularly. I actually prefer this drive — you come down the A-7 through the orange grove plains of the Valencian interior and join the coast road near Oliva. Stunning on a clear day.
Which is better? For most British travellers, Alicante wins on flight frequency and price. For Germans and Dutch, Valencia is often cheaper and more direct. Check both when you search — the price difference often more than covers the fuel or taxi cost either way.
Getting from the Airport to Jávea
By rental car (strongly recommended): Jávea has no train station and limited bus connections, so a rental car is almost essential unless you're staying exclusively in the port area and planning to walk everywhere. Book in advance through the airport's rental desks or online — prices spike significantly if you walk up on the day. Returning along the AP-7, expect to pay around €12-15 in tolls from Alicante or €8-10 from Valencia.
By taxi/transfer: A private transfer from Alicante Airport costs around €90-110 one way for up to 4 people. From Valencia it's similar — around €100-120. Several reputable companies operate this route, including Alicante Transfers and Costa Blanca Taxis. Book in advance, especially in peak season. It's worth it for families with luggage who don't want the stress of an unfamiliar motorway.
By bus: There is a bus connection, but it requires patience. From Alicante, ALSA runs services to Dénia via the coast, and from Dénia you can get a local bus (VECTALIA Line 18) to Jávea. Total journey time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours, often more. I wouldn't recommend it with luggage or children.
Driving in Jávea: What to Know
Jávea is split into three distinct areas: the Old Town (Pueblo), the Port (El Puerto), and the beach zones (Arenal and Granadella/La Barraca coastline). Each sits 2-5km apart, and walking between them isn't really practical in the heat. Having your own car genuinely transforms your holiday here.
The roads are generally good, though some of the lanes down to smaller coves like Cala del Portixol or Granadella get extremely narrow and steep. If you're in a larger vehicle or towing anything, stick to the main beaches. Don't attempt Granadella in a large SUV in August — I've seen them wedged.
Speed limits: 50km/h in town, 90km/h on local roads, 120km/h on motorways. Speed cameras are present on the main Javea-Dénia road (CV-734). Don't risk it.
Parking in Jávea: The Honest Guide
Parking is one of the most-Googled topics about Jávea, and rightly so. Here's the honest picture:
Arenal Beach: The large blue-zone car park on Avenida del Mediterráneo fills up by 9:30am in July and August. It costs around €1.50/hour. There's overflow parking further back near the football pitch (free, but a 10-minute walk). The paid underground car park at Arenal costs around €2/hour but is almost always available.
The Port: Street parking around the port is blue zone (paid) during the day. There's a free car park about 400m back from the marina near Carrer dels Pins — locals know this one.
Old Town/Pueblo: Largely free, but the streets are medieval-narrow. Park at the edge of the old town near the church of Sant Bertomeu and walk in. Never try to drive into the very centre.
Granadella Beach: The car park costs €5/day in peak season and fills by 10am on weekends. Get there by 9am or take the summer shuttle bus from Arenal (runs July-August, check current timetables with the Jávea tourist office).
Getting Around Jávea Without a Car
If you're staying centrally, the summer shuttle bus (Bús Playa) runs between the port, Arenal, and the Old Town in July and August. It's free or very cheap and popular with families. Outside those months, it doesn't run.
Cycling is genuinely pleasant here — I've covered the routes in detail in our cycling guide for Jávea. A bike hire from companies like Bike Costa Blanca or Javea Bikes costs around €15/day for a standard bike.
Taxis in Jávea are reliable. The main rank is at the port. A taxi from Arenal to the Old Town costs around €8-10.
September Specifically: What Changes?
Since you're reading this in September — perfect timing. The roads are significantly calmer than August, parking is infinitely easier (Arenal rarely fills before 11am), and the August shuttle buses are still running into the first couple of weeks. Rental car prices drop noticeably from the school-holiday peak. It's genuinely the best month to travel here logistically.
Plan Your Stay with JV Properties
Once you've sorted the logistics, the next step is finding the right place to stay. Booking directly through JV Properties' Jávea holiday rentals saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com — no platform fees, direct contact with the property manager, and flexible terms. Browse our full range of villas and apartments in Jávea and get in touch with any questions. We'll even help you figure out the best route from your airport.
