Getting to Albir is easier than most people expect — and once you're here, you'll quickly understand why so many visitors keep coming back year after year. Tucked between Altea and Benidorm on the Costa Blanca, this compact, walkable town is brilliantly positioned for arrivals by plane, car, bus or even train. After a decade of living here, I've worked out every shortcut, every parking trap, and every transport hack worth knowing. This guide covers everything.
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
The vast majority of visitors to Albir fly into Alicante Airport (ALC), officially called Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport. It's the obvious choice — just 68 km south of Albir, and on a good run you can be pulling into your holiday apartment within 55 minutes of landing.
Valencia Airport (VLC) is a viable alternative if you find a better deal or you're combining your trip with a few days in Valencia. It's about 130 km north, so roughly 90 minutes by car depending on traffic around the city.
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Find rentals →I'd recommend Alicante for most visitors — more direct flights from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia, and the transfer is simply less stressful.
Getting from Alicante Airport to Albir
By Hire Car
This is what most people do, and it genuinely makes sense for Albir. All the major rental companies operate at Alicante Airport — Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and the budget options like Goldcar and Centauro. Book in advance, especially in summer and into September when availability tightens.
The drive from Alicante Airport to Albir is straightforward: take the AP-7 motorway north (there's a toll — budget around €5–8 each way), or you can use the free N-332 coastal road if you're not in a hurry and want the scenic route through Villajoyosa.
By Private Transfer
If you'd rather skip the driving, a private transfer from Alicante Airport to Albir costs roughly €55–75 for up to 4 people (one way). Several reputable operators run this route — search for transfers in advance and you'll find much better prices than grabbing a taxi at arrivals. It's a particularly good option if you're arriving late at night.
By Public Bus
This is where it gets a little more complicated, but it's very doable and costs a fraction of a transfer. You'll need to take two legs:
- ALSA bus from Alicante Airport to Benidorm (Line A7 / C6 — check current schedules at alsa.es). Journey time is around 1.5–2 hours, dropping you at Benidorm bus station.
- From Benidorm, take the local ALSA bus towards Altea and ask to stop at L'Albir / Playa del Albir. Total cost is under €15 per person.
It's not the fastest option, but if you're travelling light, it works perfectly well.
By Tram (TRAM Metropolitano)
Here's a tip that surprises many visitors: Albir has its own tram stop. The TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante runs along the coast from Alicante city centre all the way to Denia. The stop you want is L'Albir, right in the centre of town.
However — and this is important — the tram doesn't serve Alicante Airport directly. You'd need to take the ALSA bus or a taxi to Alicante's central TRAM stop (Luceros or Mercado) first. But for day trips from your base in Albir to Altea, El Campello or Alicante itself, the tram is absolutely excellent. A day pass costs around €5 and the journey to Altea takes about 8 minutes.
Getting Around Once You're in Albir
Honestly? In Albir itself, you don't need a car. The town centre is tiny and flat, with the beach, the restaurants, the market square and most holiday rentals all within 10–15 minutes' walk of each other. It's one of Albir's biggest selling points for families and older visitors.
For exploring the wider Costa Blanca — Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Jávea — a hire car gives you maximum flexibility. You can also use the tram for destinations on the line, and ALSA buses serve Benidorm (10 minutes) and Calpe (around 30 minutes) regularly.
Parking in Albir: What You Need to Know
This is where I save you a genuinely painful experience. Parking in Albir in peak season can be very frustrating if you don't know where to look.
The Blue Zone
Albir's town centre operates a blue zone (zona azul) paid parking system. Machines are spread around the streets near the beach and the main strip. You'll pay around €0.80–1.20 per hour. Maximum stay is usually 2–3 hours. Police do enforce this — I've seen plenty of fines issued to unsuspecting visitors.
Free Parking Options
The best free parking in Albir is along Avenida de la Marina and the side streets further back from the seafront (roughly 10–15 minutes' walk to the beach). On weekdays outside peak season, this is straightforward. In July and August it fills up fast — get there before 10am.
There's also a larger free car park near the entrance to the Sierra Helada Natural Park at the northern end of town. Great if you're heading for a hike, and a 15-minute walk back to the beach.
Parking at Your Holiday Rental
This is the simplest solution of all. Many holiday apartments and villas in Albir come with private parking included — and it makes an enormous difference. When you're browsing holiday rentals in Albir, filter specifically for properties with parking if you're planning to hire a car. It will save you daily stress.
Tips for Arriving in September
September is actually one of the best months to visit Albir (something we've written about in depth elsewhere). From a transport perspective, the big advantage is that the roads and car parks are noticeably quieter than in July and August. You'll find:
- Easier parking, even in the blue zone
- Less competition for hire cars (though still book ahead)
- Lower transfer prices from the airport
- The tram is less crowded and more pleasant
The weather is still gorgeous — 27–29°C most days, warm sea, and the Sierra Helada hiking trails are far more comfortable than in the scorching summer heat.
Getting There from Within Spain
Driving from Madrid? It's about 4.5 hours via the A-3 motorway towards Valencia, then the AP-7 south. From Barcelona, plan for 4 hours along the A-7/AP-7 coastal route — and the drive through the mountains above Calpe is genuinely spectacular.
Alternatively, Renfe trains run to nearby Benidorm station (on the FGV narrow-gauge line), connecting to the TRAM network.
Book Direct and Save
Once you're sorted on the logistics, the next step is locking in your accommodation. View our holiday rentals in Albir and browse all available properties — booking direct with JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com, and you'll deal with people who actually know Albir rather than a call centre in another country. We can also answer any specific questions about parking, transfers or getting around once you've booked.
Albir is waiting. Getting here is the easy part.
