Transport in Benidorm

The vast majority of visitors travelling to Benidorm arrive by air, and the city is mainly serviced by Alicante International Airport which offers a variety of transport options. Other visitors, especially large families or those wishing to do a lot of travelling during their stay choose to bring their own vehicle and either take a ferry to Santander and drive through Spain, or take a ferry to Calais and enjoy a leisurely drive through France and Spain. Many Spanish residents visiting Benidorm, especially from Madrid also choose to use their own transport, one reason being is they have family living here and are bringing a car full of gifts and goodies for their loved ones.

Airports

Benidorm sits almost equidistant between Valencia in the north and Murcia in the south, making it feasible to fly into a choice of airports. The obvious choice, being just 40 minutes drive from the city is Alicante airport which is large, modern and very efficient. It receives flights from all over the world and is also serviced by a good number of budget European airlines, making it a popular choice with visitors from Britain, Ireland and northern Europe. It boasts a good selection of international car hire companies and regular coaches to Benidorm.

Murcia-San Javier Airport is about 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Benidorm and is a delightful little airport where visitors don't often spend more than 15 minutes from stepping off the plane to walking out the terminal doors, often stopping for a cold drink or coffee at the quaint wooden bar just outside the terminal. Also about 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Benidorm, Valencia Airport receives slightly less traffic than Alicante but still boasts flight connections to about 15 European countries.

Vehicle Hire

Most visitors wishing to hire a car for their Benidorm holiday will do so from the airport they arrive at, although there are a number of car hire companies in the city. Visitors can choose from international companies such as Enterprise, Centauro or Europcar which offers peace of mind knowing you are hiring your vehicle from a reputable international company. If choosing an independent car hire company, you may get a better price but it's always advisable to thoroughly check all the paperwork as well as the vehicle itself before signing your contract.

There are various other modes of transport available in Benidorm and a common sight on the city streets are an abundance of electric mobility scooters, unfortunately for other pedestrians, not always used by people with a disability and causing congestion wherever they go. Scooters and bicycles are a popular transport option and there are also nifty electric powerboards, self balancing Segways, electric bicycles and limousine hire.

Buses & Coaches

Alsa bus service from Alicante Airport is by far the cheapest transport option to Benidorm and it arrives and leaves from outside departures on level 2. The bus is comfortable, air conditioned and takes between 40-50 minutes at the price of 9.45€. Passengers wishing to use this service should look for Alsa Bus route CV-403 which stops at the far end of the car and bus pick up points. Unless you're being picked up by helicopter, limousine, friends or family, a taxi is the only other transport option and will cost in the region of 70€ to central Benidorm.

Benidorm has a main bus terminal located near the N-332 and AP-7 motorway and there are local bus stops throughout the city and residential areas. The most handy bus stops for visitors are located along Av. del Mediterráneo and Av. de Europa. Bear in mind, although the local buses are regular and efficient, all timetables are in Spanish and not many bus drivers speak English. Benidorm's double decker, sightseeing buses are a good way to familiarise yourself with the city and they provide an audio city guide in a variety of languages.

Visitors wishing to get out the city for a day and explore further afield can take one of several Alsa coaches that travel to a number of destinations along the Costa Blanca and depart from the main bus terminus. There are also private coach companies that offer a number of tour options to destinations throughout Spain, some as part of a holiday package.

Bike & Hike

Bicycle hire is available throughout the city and many hotels offer a bike rental service. This is a great value transport option and also a good way to clear the cobwebs after a night in Benidorm's legendary bars! The city is quite hilly though and in peak summer the heat can be oppressive, so you may wish to pay that bit extra and opt for an electric bicycle.

Wearing out the shoe leather is definitely the cheapest option for getting around Benidorm, and the entire width of the city and much of the residential areas can be reached by walking along the picturesque beach promenades. These provide for pleasant and relatively flat walking conditions but if you have a destination in mind, don't be surprised if you never reach it as the promenades are home to many of Benidorm's most buzzing bars and the lure of ice cold beer 🙂