Air Travel: Benidorm

Major Airport & Airlines

Alicante-Elche Airport ALC

This is the nearest and most convenient airport for Benidorm, located approximately 58 km (36 miles) south of the city. It is a modern, well-equipped airport handling millions of passengers annually.

Facilities & Services

Duty-free stores, fashion boutiques, souvenir shops.
Numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Car rental desks (DiscoverCars.com, Avis, Hertz).

Airlines & Routes

Alicante Airport is a major hub for both low-cost and full-service airlines, connecting Benidorm to various cities across Europe.

Flight Information

Low-cost carriers: Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, Jet2.com, TUI Airways.
Direct flights mainly from major European cities (London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin). Dollar Flight Club for deals.
Travelers from other continents generally require a connection via a major European hub (Madrid, Barcelona, London).

High Season Prices

Prices peak due to high demand in June-August, Easter, Christmas/New Year.

Shoulder Season Value

Good balance, more reasonable prices in April-May, September-October.

Low Season Savings

Lowest prices in November-March, except holidays.

Transfer Options from Alicante Airport

Cost-Effective & Direct

Alsa Bus: Direct service to Benidorm bus station (Estación de Autobuses de Benidorm).
Journey Time: ~45 minutes to 1 hour.
Cost: ~€9-€10 one way. Tickets at Alsa desk or from driver.
Convenience: Reliable and cost-effective with frequent departures.

Private & Flexible

Taxi: Readily available outside terminal. Fixed fare (~€70-€80). Journey ~40-50 minutes. Direct door-to-door.
Private Shuttle/Transfer: Pre-booked shared or private services. Shared ~€15-€25/person. Private ~€60-€80+.
Car Rental: Companies like Avis, Hertz, Goldcar at airport. Most flexibility for region exploration. Consider Benidorm parking.
Skyscanner can help find flight options.

Airport Facilities

Shopping

Duty-free stores, fashion, souvenirs.

Food & Drink

Numerous restaurants, cafes, bars.

Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal.

Land Transportation

Train Connections

Benidorm lacks a direct national train station connected to Spain's main RENFE network. The nearest major RENFE station is in Alicante.

From Alicante to Benidorm

RENFE in Alicante: High-speed trains (AVE) link Alicante to major Spanish cities (Madrid, Valencia).
Connect to Benidorm via TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante Line L1 from Luceros tram station.
Tram Journey Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes.

Long-Distance Bus Options

Long-distance buses offer an efficient way to travel within Spain, often with direct connections to Benidorm.

Alsa Bus Services

Main company: Alsa.
Direct services to major Spanish cities: Madrid (~5-6 hrs), Valencia (~2 hrs), Barcelona (~7-8 hrs).
Benidorm Bus Station: Estación de Autobuses de Benidorm, with local bus and taxi links.

Self-Driving Requirements

Driving offers flexibility, but be aware of requirements.

Necessary Documents

Valid national driver's license (held for 1-2 years).
International Driving Permit (IDP) for non-EU citizens.
Credit card in main driver's name for deposit.

Road Conditions & Safety

Roads are generally well-maintained, but be mindful of traffic and parking.

Driving Notes

Motorways (AP-) are tolled, autovías (A-) are free.
Speed limits enforced: 120 km/h (motorways), 90-100 km/h (national), 50 km/h (urban).
Parking in Benidorm can be challenging/expensive. Look for underground garages; blue zones need payment.

Sea/River Arrivals & Departure Info

Benidorm has no cruise port or major international ferry services.
Nearest major port is Alicante for Balearic Islands ferries.
No significant river systems for transport.

No specific exit fees levied directly on travelers.
Airport departure: 2-3 hours before for international, 1.5-2 for Schengen/domestic.
Bus/Train departure: 30 minutes before.

Departure Reminder

Reconfirm your flight or bus schedule the day before departure. Traffic to Alicante Airport can be heavy during peak times, so allow extra travel time.

Air Travel