The Alicante International Airport is the main airport used for those traveling to the Alicante and Murcia areas. It is located in Elche, approximately five to six miles southwest of the city of Alicante, Spain. It is also a widely used airport by travelers visiting the Costa Blanca area and the number of flyers is continually increasing. Nearly nine million travelers fly into Alicante annually with eighty percent as international travel. Many of the flights are from the United Kingdom, Germany and Holland but this area is particularly a popular tourist destination for British travelers. The airport has come a long way since its inception in 1967. To meet the demand of its travelers, construction of its new terminal is projected to be completed in 2009.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will need to determine the best transportation method for you depending on where you are staying, how long you are staying and how much you anticipate traveling during your stay. You can choose the bus or a taxi, but you will not find a train since there is currently no train connecting at the Alicante airport. The bus, however, can take you to several destinations throughout Alicante and is reasonably priced. Buses operate from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and run every forty-five minutes, with each ride lasting around forty minutes. Fortunately, the buses are air conditioned which will be appreciated during the hot summer weather. Many drivers do not speak English at all, but you will find that they are friendly and eager to help you get where you need to go.
Beyond Alicante, you can take the bus to northern Costa Blanca towns such as Benidorm which is approximately twenty-eight miles northeast of Alicante. From the airport, a bus ride to Benidorm takes about an hour and fifteen minutes and is more expensive because of the longer distance. This bus to Benidorm generally runs from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with each trip leaving every hour. You can also find bus routes available to Torrevieja, Denia and Murcia.
If you do not want to wait for a bus or prefer a car, there are taxis available. Some of the drivers also speak English, but all are very helpful. Obviously, the fare depends on how far your destination is, but another option is to have the taxi take you to the train station in Alicante. Though the train ride takes longer than other methods of transportation, it is a beautiful ride and a great opportunity to see the beautiful surroundings of Spain’s Costa Blanca region.
