The quickest and easiest way is to fly to Almeria Airport, hire a car and drive to the apartment. That said we drove down though France this year and took our dog. We made the drive down part of the holiday. We have also flown from different airports with different airlines and hired our car from different firms. Hopefully the information below will help you plan your trip.

By Air

Almeria Airport (LEI) 49 minutes
Malaga Airport (AGP) 140 minutes but reducing as new sections of dual carriageway are added near Malaga
Granada Airport (GRX)120 minutes
Murcia Airport (MJV)180 minutes
Alicante Airport (ALC) 217 minutes

http://www.low-cost-airline-guide.com helps with different airline options but doesn't cover all the airlines.

From the Midlands :

Birmingham International (BMIbaby; FlyMonarch; MyTravel Lite (www.mytravellite.com); flythomascook.com; Thomsonfly.com),

Coventry (ThompsonFly),

East Midlands, Stanstead (Easyjet), & Luton (FlyMonarch)

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Glasgow Intl (GLA) to Almeria (LEI) with flythomascook (flythomascook.com)

Leeds Bradford (LBA) to Almeria (LEI) with Jet2.com (www.jet2.com)

London Gatwick (LGW) to Almeria (LEI) Easyjet (www.easyjet.com);
flythomascook (flythomascook.com); Thomsonfly.com (www.thomsonfly.com)

London LUTON (LTN) to Almeria (LEI) with Thomsonfly.com (www.thomsonfly.com)

London Stansted (STN) to Almeria (LEI) Easyjet (www.easyjet.com);
Ryanair (www.ryanair.com)

Manchester (MAN) to Almeria (LEI) with Monarch (www.flymonarch.com);
flythomascook (flythomascook.com); Thomsonfly.com (www.thomsonfly.com)

From South West try Bristol (Easyjet), & Newquay(Cornwall) (Ryanair from March08)

Car Hire in Spain

!! Check terms and conditions - while I hope the information below is accurate I cannot guarantee it, it may become out of date and you may have different priorities and opinions. Please feedback your comments if you have different experiences or new information.

I have found you get better rates if you collect your car at the airport, so given the convenience of driving to Almerimar an airport collection is the better option.
I have always pre-booked from UK and I think this is the cheapest way, certainly cheaper than renting from the resort.

Compare sites:
www.doyouspain.com Have used twice - site works well and the selected hire company has performed well. For short period hires you can ask to return car full (of petrol/diesel), which is less stressful than trying to return it empty. But for over three / five days hire generally you will have to return it empty.
You might be asked to insure for a damaged wheel/tyre; but all the rest is usually covered - I’ve not bothered as I don’t go “off-road” or drive up kerbs, at least not intentionally ?.

www.carjet.com is another similar site - I have met people who use this and they are happy with them - I have found them marginally more expensive, but it may depend on the time and vehicle you want

Both the above use the “in-airport” car rental companies and often the same ones.

What you may need to collect your car:
Payment - credit card
Passport - identification for drivers (usually 2 drivers allowed ) so if the other driver is getting the baggage take their Passport & Driving License with you)
Driving license - for (both) drivers (usually they only require the plastic ID part, but I take the paper counterpart too, although never been asked for it).

DIRECTIONS and traveling information will be sent with your apartment booking confirmation details.

Flying to Almeria ? - Car Rental Offices are 50 yards from baggage collection within the airport side of customs (such as it is); - I suggest one of the party get the car hire forms completed and others collect the baggage, otherwise you can be queuing for 20-30 mins. (Take 1 Euro coin with you for the luggage trolley - its worth it and you get it back when you return it - just like some supermarkets in UK)
Then just head for the door, if customs want to check your luggage they will stop you.
Cars are just across the road outside. (Except AURIGA CROWN RENT A CAR a representative, will be waiting for you in Arrivals or with a Minibus at the bus stop just in front of the arrivals exit; -OR turn right out of arrivals, continue walking to the main road (20 metres away; turn right, then right again after 50m and the compound is on the left. i.e. its around the back of the airport building.)

Almeria Airport Facilities
There is a restaurant/shop in Departure (before customs) ideal for drinks, snacks and some hot meal options. If you want to eat before boarding or you arrive hungry, just enter Departure and try here.
Boarding? You will not be allowed to take (water) bottles through, but there is a food/drink kiosk usually open in the Departure Lounge (after customs). There is also an open veranda area accessible from the Departure Lounge for smokers, or just to watch the planes.

Birmingham Airport
Car parking:

On-airport parking by NCP only - e.g. Long Stay 1/2 - 5 min by bus (allow 15 min) £6/day; others minimum 15 minutes away 4.5 miles (allow 30-50 minutes) £3/day [prices Mar08]
click for links

Luton Airport
Car parking:

Compare sites:
www.airport-parking-shop.co.uk

Airport CarParkz http://www.airportcarparkz.com/contact.asp

Email: general@airportcarparkz.com
Tel: 01582 728585 - 07968 550863
Address: Airport Way
Luton
LU2 9NH

Located about 1 mile from the airport. From All directions follow the signs for Luton airport. After leaving the Vauxhall roundabout, as you drive up the steep hill which is Airport Way, the car park is located on the right hand side 50 meters before the Boeing building and the Ibis Hotel. There is a courtesy mini-bus service to and from the airport on demand.

Our quote 5 days £40 (£8 per day)*

NCP Car Park www.ncp.co.uk

Short-term (closest parking) 5 days £75 (discounted)*

Mid-term (½ mile; bus transfer every 10 min) The airport is clearly signed off the A505. On arrival follow the green coloured signs for Mid Term Parking 5 days £40 (discounted)*

Long-term (estimated1½ mile; frequent short-transfer courtesy coach) 5 days £35 (discounted)*

Airparks car park link to www.airparks.co.uk (Luton page)
Located 4 miles from the airport “FREE transfers operate all day, taking just 15 minutes to reach the terminal” £30 (£6 per day)* Doesn't say how long you have to wait for the bus before it starts its 15 minutes

* Nb: internet prices indicated (for June 07) may not be current - check before booking

BCP car park www.parkbcp.co.uk
Locations appear similar to NCP but internet map & instructions poor

Long-term 5 days £30* Conveniently located on-airport, minutes from the Terminal
Regular courtesy transport to the airport

Mid-term 5 days £40* “Conveniently located minutes from the Terminal. Frequent Terminal Transfer Included in the Price”

Short-term 5 days £75* The closest car park to the Terminal. Only a short walk to the Terminal Building

* Nb: internet prices indicated (for June 07, booked 4 weeks in advance) may not be current - check before booking

By Car (from UK)

Click here to see details about our trip by car & our timed itinerary. See also details on pet passport