Calasparra

San Javier airport (or sometimes called Murcia Airport) is much smaller in size than Alicante, so if you prefer a less bustling airport environment then it might well be worth considering using for your next trip to Calasparra or the Murcia region. We found that arrival, passport control and baggage collection were all completed in less than 30 minutes and it all seemed so much less stressful than Alicante.

Be warned though if you’re picking up a hire car at San Javier. You can hire cars through Avis and Auriga Crown, but in order to get your car you have to go off to their offices a kilometre or two from the airport. The good news is that they both provide shuttles to and from the airport, but this does add 15 to 30 minutes on to your journey time, depending on whether you’re lucky enough to get the shuttle as you exit the airport. Unfortunately sign posts explaining where to wait aren’t exactly in abundance and we missed the first shuttles.

If you are waiting to collect a car from Avis or Auriga Crown then the best thing to do is wait on the left hand side of the first door, or the the right hand side of the second door as you leave the airport terminal. Then watch out for the vans! Other hire car firms have their offices inside the airport which means you can pick up your car and head off asap!

As Avis and Auriga Crown are away from the airport, do remember when returning your hire car to leave enough time for the shuttle bus to get you back to the airport!