Getting Around Alicante
Alicante is a compact, Mediterranean city, and much of what a visitor wants to see sits close together. If you base yourself in the old town, most areas of interest are within walking distance, so you may not need transport at all for sightseeing. For everything else — the beaches, the airport, and the towns along the coast — the city has a straightforward mix of trams, buses, and taxis.
Trams and the Coastal Light Rail
The tram network, run as Tram Alicante and known locally as el Trenet, is a light rail system that connects the major settlements along the coast between Alicante and Dénia. Benidorm acts as a changeover point for destinations further north. The main tram station is at Plaza de los Luceros in the city centre.
- Fares are distance-based, so a short hop within the city costs far less than a long run up the coast.
- Automatic vending machines at stations have an English-language interface if you'd rather not practise your Spanish.
- If you plan to return the same working day, buy a round-trip ticket up front for a small discount.
- Keep your ticket until the end of the journey — at some stations, including all stations in Alicante, you need it to exit the system.
- Guide dogs and small pets in carriers are permitted.
- There is an official app for iPhone and Android with a route planner and timetables.
The coastal run is enjoyable and reasonably priced. On the stretch from Alicante toward Benidorm, sit on the right-hand side for a sea view.
City Buses
Subus Alicante operates an expansive network of bus routes, with stops at key locations including the train station, the airport, shopping centres, and major sights. On most routes buses run through the day from early morning until late evening, with extended hours at weekends, and there are also a number of night routes.
- A single ride is payable in cash directly to the driver on entry; drivers can give change for bills of €20 or less.
- Maps and schedules for all routes can be downloaded, and the Alicante Bus app (iOS and Android) offers a route planner and timetables.
- Two city lines start and terminate at the main bus station, which is handy if you're arriving by coach.
Tickets and the Móbilis Card
If you intend to use both trams and buses, the rechargeable Bono Móbilis Multiviaje card is the practical option: it covers a set number of rides and is valid on both bus and tram within zone A, with discounted youth and senior versions also available. Note that a discount on the full price has been in effect, so it's worth checking the current rate when you buy.
- Buy the card at the main TAM office on C/ Díaz Moreu, at the central bus station, or at a number of shops around the city.
- The TAM office is open weekday daytime hours plus Saturday mornings; the bus station sales point keeps shorter split hours on weekdays.
- A zone map for the tram is published, which helps you work out whether your journey stays within the cheapest zone.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxi rates are regulated and most visitors find them affordable. Taxi stands (paradas de taxi) are scattered around convenient spots, including by the bus station, the train station, and the Explanada de España. Several local companies operate, and some charge set rates for certain destinations.
- Some firms take bookings by phone, WhatsApp, or online, which is useful for early departures or late nights.
- At least one operator runs 24 hours and quotes fixed rates for particular destinations — worth asking about before you set off.
Arriving at Alicante–Elche Airport
The airport, also known as L'Altet, sits south of the city centre and is served by a single terminal, the newer one; the older terminals are no longer in use. Two main options get you into town.
- Bus C6 connects the airport with the city, departing roughly every twenty minutes from a stop at the departure level (level +2) of the new terminal. Don't confuse this with the bus level (level −2), which is used by charter buses. The ride into the centre takes about twenty minutes and follows a circular route, stopping near the Alicante bus station, at Plaza Puerta del Mar near the Archaeological Museum, next to the central market, and at Plaza Luceros, then heading back toward the airport past the train station. Buses run around the clock. Tickets can be bought from an attendant on the platform, by card or cash.
- Taxi ranks are at the arrival level (level 0) of the new terminal, and a cab into the city is a modest fixed-ish cost that most travellers find reasonable.
- Around a dozen car rental agencies, including the well-known international names, operate at the airport if you'd rather drive.
- Coach services also link the airport to towns in the region, most notably Benidorm and Elche, though their frequency is erratic at best.
Arriving by Train or Coach
The main train station, Alicante Terminal, is on Avenida de Salamanca. Renfe runs services from Madrid and Barcelona, and regional Cercanías trains connect nearby towns such as Elche and Murcia. Rather than wrestling with the ticket machines, you can often use a contactless bank card at the barriers. The station has a tourist information office, storage lockers, a café, a bookshop, a car rental office, and bicycle rental.
The city's bus station sits by Avenida de Loring and handles long-distance coaches, including services to Valencia, Barcelona, and Granada. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Be attentive with your bags here — the station is well known for baggage thieves.
Arriving by Sea
The Port of Alicante handles the many cruise ships that call at the city, as well as ferries to Algeria. A local agent represents the ferry operator running services to and from Oran and Algiers.
Practical Tips
- Stay in the old town and you can walk to most sights — save the transport for the coast and the airport.
- Keep your tram ticket until you've exited the station, as barriers require it.
- Buy a round-trip tram ticket if you're returning the same working day.
- Cash is fine on city buses, but drivers only give change for bills of €20 or less.
- Download the official tram app and the Alicante Bus app for route planning and timetables.