Has anyone driven this route before? Would appreciate any advice regarding terrain/tolls, etc. Staying at Ubeda & Alarcon Paradors. Need to get to Valencia airport for 11.10am flight, dropping hire car off at airport first. What time would we need to safely leave Alarcon? Tks in anticipation.

ttt for jilda

Jilda: A search on Mappy shows that the distance between Alancon and Valencia airport is 158km (no tolls), which is a 2-hour drive. I hope this helps.
Ginny

there are no tolls between those towns.
you have not mentioned what day of the week, or when you will be going to airport.
keep in mind that in the summer many people move out of town, but commute up to an hour to work in morning on all major routes, the madrid road from alarcon included.

you might be coinciding with them.it is a divided highway so unless there is an accident.. since the airport is before you hit the city, giving yourself 2-2.5 hours will be fine.

the valencia airport is not large at all, just carefully find where you drive the rental car in to park it. it is not teh first parking entrance. follow "LLEGADAS" to hit the parking level, and you will see entrances.

also, if you are flying with iberia/air mostrum, be sure to check the number on your flight as a few flights ONLY leave from the lower level of airport. ( most starting with an "8". other companies and other IB flights are upstairs).

terrain on this journey is non-problematic. just pay attention to cautionary changes in speed limits.

you will enjoy the paradors. be sure to go out at night in alarcon and see the castle from a bit of a distance .. it is so impressive when lit up.(as they all are)
enjoy your trip.

Many thanks for taking time to respond.
Further detail for lincasanova. We will look at leaving Alarcon Parador around 7am on Tuesday 21 Sept to catch the 11.10am flight from Valencia Airport. Unfortunately we'll miss the breakfast that is included in our night's stay (180 euros plus 7%). Tks to travginny also. Cigalechanta - can you explain to the top pls?

Has anyone heard from Maribel? I have sent email many weeks ago but no response

There was a posting here awhile back that Maribel's mother died. You can find her guides on her website: http://maribelsguides.com

"to the top" or "ttt" or "topping" is just to put the message to the top of the Fodor's list.

- Sharon

maybe the hotel will prepare you a nice breakfast tray and thermos coffee if you ask them for your room.

you have given yourself plenty of time i think.

car return desks are on lower level of airport and have key drops i think.
free luggage carts upstairs at departures.

enjoy your trip. i see you are also going to be in ubeda. how lovely.

To lincasanova. Again many tks for your advice. As we don't speak Spanish we were concerned about where to drop hire car off at airport. We will post a trip report on our return.
FYI, this is our itinerary:

Barcelona 5 nts
Girona - Roses (Hotel Vistabella) 2 nts
Posada Mayor de Migueloa, Laguardia 4 nts
Parador Hondarribia 4 nts
Fly Bilboa/Seville
Seville (Hotel San Gil) 3 nts
Ronda (Parador) 2 nts
Granada (Hotel Plazanueva) 2 nts
Ubeda (Parador) 1 nt
Ibiza 3 nts
Homeward bound (Australia) via Dubai

you will be at alarcon one night, right?

also, is your car company a well known one? they are all in same area at second parking entrance, just get into service lane on left at Llegadas level, and continue and you will see it. but if it is a small company.. i cannot guarantee that. there are a few companies that rent space inside regular parking area.
ask when you pick up the car so they can verify.

lincasanova - sorry, I meant to include the one night stop at Alarcon Parador after Ubeda. And yes, our hire car is through Avis. Appreciate your advice. Many tks,