Considering a move to the Costa Blanca? Alicante and its surrounding coastline have one of the largest, longest-established British communities in Spain, drawn by around 350 days of sunshine a year and an easy two-hour flight home when family visits. We provide professional door-to-door pet transport from anywhere in the UK to Alicante via the Eurotunnel — no cargo hold, no kennels, no separation.
UK to Alicante: Route & Journey
The drive from Folkestone to Alicante is approximately 1050 miles and takes 15-16 hours driving + Eurotunnel. Unlike one-way coastal hops to France, a Alicante run is a two-day journey with one overnight in southern France or Catalonia, so route planning matters. Our typical road route is:
Calais → A26 → A6/A7 down the Rhône → A9 past Perpignan → AP-7 through Catalonia past Barcelona, Tarragona and Valencia → AP-7 south to Alicante.
We run this corridor every week, so our drivers already know exactly where to stop for fuel, shade, and a proper pet break before the final push south to the coast.
Areas We Serve Around Alicante
We deliver to all neighborhoods in and around Alicante, including Albir, Altea, La Nucia, Jávea (Xàbia), Dénia, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, San Juan Playa, plus the wider catchment of Alicante city, Albir, Altea, La Nucia, Benidorm, Jávea, Dénia, Calpe, Moraira, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Cabo Roig, San Juan Playa, Elche, Murcia (extension). If your address is just outside this list, we usually still cover it — just ask.
The British Community in Alicante
The Costa Blanca has one of Europe's longest-established British communities, especially around Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and the Northern Costa Blanca towns of Jávea, Dénia and Altea. Many residents are retirees, but the work-from-home wave has added younger families.
Climate & When to Travel
Alicante gets one of the highest sunshine counts in Europe (around 350 days/year). Summers are hot (30-32°C) but coastal, winters are exceptionally mild (15-18°C in January). Inland areas (La Nucia, Pinoso) cool faster after sunset.
Vets & Documentation in Alicante
Costa Blanca clinics are very experienced with British paperwork: practices in Albir, Jávea and Torrevieja issue UK-bound AHCs almost weekly. We can recommend specific Anglophone vets in your town if you don't already have one.
If you still need to sort UK-side paperwork, our 2026 moving guide and pet passport explainer cover it in full.
Living in Alicante with a Dog or Cat
Costa Blanca life is dog-saturated: most urbanizations have dog parks, the Northern Costa Blanca cliff walks (Cap de la Nau, Granadella) are popular off-leash hikes, and the inland Sierra de Aitana offers cooler summer trails.
What's Included in a Alicante Pet Transport
- Door-to-door pickup from your UK home anywhere on the mainland
- Climate-controlled vehicle — essential for the lower stages of the Spanish leg
- Eurotunnel pet reception handled by our handler at Folkestone
- Overnight stop in pet-friendly accommodation with proper walks
- Regular relief breaks every 2-3 hours with shaded rest areas
- Direct delivery to your Alicante address — no transfers, no kennels
- Real-time updates via WhatsApp throughout
- One handler the whole way — your pet bonds with one person, not a chain of strangers
How Long is the Alicante Journey for a Pet?
London → Alicante is a comfortable two-day run. We usually overnight near Avignon or Tarragona depending on collection time, and arrive on the Costa Blanca by mid-afternoon on day two.
Nervous travellers do best with a calm, well-fed start to the day and a familiar blanket or toy on board. We never sedate pets for the journey — the British Veterinary Association advises that sedation on the road can lower blood pressure and worsen travel sickness. Instead, our handlers keep the cabin dim, the music soft, and the rhythm predictable throughout.
Local Tip for Alicante
Costa Blanca urbanizations often have similar street names and confusing numbering. Drop us your what3words location or a Google Maps pin in advance to save 30+ minutes on delivery day.
UK to Alicante: Documents Checklist
As an EU member state, Spain follows the standard EU pet entry requirements for outbound travel:
- ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip (almost all UK pets already have this)
- Valid rabies vaccination — at least 21 days old at the time of travel, never lapsed
- GB Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel — covers Spain plus onward EU travel for up to 6 months
- Tapeworm treatment is not required to enter Spain (only to return to the UK), but we still note it on the file for the return leg
Every document is checked before departure, so any gaps get flagged early rather than costing you a missed Eurotunnel slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you serve Northern Costa Blanca (Jávea, Dénia, Altea)?
Yes — these towns are among our most-requested Costa Blanca destinations and are on the same route as Alicante itself.
Can you find my urbanization if multiple have the same name?
Drop us your what3words location or a Google Maps pin at booking — we have caught duplicate-named urbanizations near Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa before.
How long is delivery from Alicante airport area to Torrevieja?
On a normal afternoon about 45 minutes via the AP-7. We always confirm a 30-minute delivery window so you can be home and ready.
Is the route hotter than the Costa del Sol in summer?
No — Alicante is more moderated by the Mediterranean than the Andalusian inland section. The AP-7 corridor is generally easier on pets in July/August than the southern interior.
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