Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) sits around 9 km south-west of the city centre, and while there's no train station at the airport itself, a round-the-clock bus service into town connects directly with the coastal TRAM network, making the whole south-east coast — Benidorm, Villajoyosa, Altea — reachable without ever needing a car.
The standard way: the C-6 bus
The C-6 bus, run by TAM, departs from the arrivals area and runs directly into central Alicante, calling at the Renfe railway station, Plaza de los Luceros and Plaza Puerta del Mar. The journey takes around 20–25 minutes, and unusually for an airport bus, it runs 24 hours a day — departures every 20 minutes for most of the day, thinning to roughly hourly overnight, so there's no dead period where public transport simply isn't running.
Fares are paid on board or via the operator's app, and no reservation is required — simply board at the marked stop and pay as you go.
Connecting to the TRAM for the Costa Blanca
If you're heading up the coast rather than staying in Alicante itself, the C-6 bus stop at Plaza de los Luceros puts you right next to the Luceros TRAM station, where line L1 of Alicante's light rail network runs north along the coast, calling at towns including Villajoyosa, Benidorm and Altea. This makes the C-6-to-TRAM combination a genuinely practical way to reach the Costa Blanca's resort towns without hiring a car, changing once in central Alicante rather than needing a separate transfer.
The TRAM also has a stop at Mercado, a short walk from Luceros, giving a second option for boarding if the first platform is crowded.
Taxis and rideshare
An official taxi rank operates outside arrivals, with metered fares to the city centre taking around 15–20 minutes outside peak traffic — similar to or a little faster than the bus, at a noticeably higher price. Ride-hailing apps also operate in the Alicante area — see our guide to ride-hailing apps around the world for which service works where in Spain. For late-night arrivals with heavy luggage, or a hotel well away from the C-6's route, a taxi remains the most convenient door-to-door option.
Car hire at the airport
Alicante-Elche has extensive car hire facilities in the terminal, genuinely useful if you're planning to explore beyond the coast — inland towns such as Guadalest, the Vega Baja countryside, or a wider road trip along the Costa Blanca are all easier with a car than relying on the coastal TRAM alone. Driving into and parking within central Alicante itself is less convenient than the bus, given the cost of city parking. See our guide to driving in Spain for motorway tolls and the rules for visiting drivers.
Luggage, timing and first-timer tips
Alicante-Elche is a well-organised airport, and the C-6 bus stop is clearly signposted a short walk from arrivals. The 24-hour schedule is a genuine advantage for anyone landing on a late or early flight — there's no need to plan around a last-bus cutoff the way many airport transfers require. Ticket payment on board accepts cards as well as cash, so there's no need to arrive with local currency purely for the transfer.
Because the airport itself has no train station, don't assume you can walk to a platform the way you might at some other Spanish airports — the C-6 bus genuinely is the connection, not an alternative to a nearby station.
Early flights and returning to the airport
Alicante-Elche is a popular gateway for early-morning charter and low-cost flights, and the C-6's round-the-clock schedule genuinely earns its keep here — there's no need to book an expensive taxi purely because your flight leaves before the buses start, since the C-6 simply doesn't stop overnight the way most airport buses do. If you're catching a very early departure, it's still worth building in a little extra buffer, since the hourly overnight frequency means missing one departure can mean a longer wait than you'd like with a flight to catch.
Returning to the airport works the same way in reverse: board the C-6 from Plaza Puerta del Mar, Plaza de los Luceros or the Renfe station, and allow the same 20–25 minutes plus a margin for Alicante's city traffic.
Which option should you choose?
For most visitors heading to central Alicante or onward up the coast, the C-6 bus is the simplest and most reliable option, helped considerably by running around the clock. Anyone continuing straight to Benidorm or another Costa Blanca resort should change onto the TRAM at Luceros rather than booking a separate coach. Taxis or rideshare suit late arrivals with heavy luggage or a hotel the bus doesn't reach well.
If you're continuing down the coast, see our guide to Alicante to Murcia, or Valencia to Alicante if you're arriving from the north. For entry rules if you're visiting from outside the EU, see our guide to the Schengen 90/180-day rule. If you're passing through on a longer layover, see our guide to leaving the airport during a layover.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Alicante Airport to the city centre?
The C-6 bus runs directly from arrivals to central Alicante, including Plaza de los Luceros, in around 20–25 minutes, operating 24 hours a day. Taxis are also available for a door-to-door option.
Is there a train from Alicante Airport to the city?
No — Alicante-Elche Airport has no train or tram station of its own. The C-6 bus is the public transport connection into the city, where you can then join the rail or TRAM network.
How do I reach Benidorm from Alicante Airport?
Take the C-6 bus to Plaza de los Luceros, then change onto TRAM line L1, which runs up the coast calling at Villajoyosa, Benidorm and Altea.
Does the C-6 bus run at night?
Yes — it's one of the few airport buses in Spain to run 24 hours a day, with departures roughly every 20 minutes during the day and about hourly overnight.
Sources and further reading:
- Airport transport information: Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (Aena) official site.
- Bus and TRAM routes and fares: TAM and TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante (FGV).