Every year I watch the same scene play out on Benidorm's Avenida del Mediterráneo: a family dragging suitcases in 35-degree heat, having just paid €80 for a taxi they didn't need to take. Getting to Benidorm shouldn't be expensive, stressful or complicated — and with ten years of living here under my belt, I can tell you it genuinely isn't, once you know the options.
This guide covers every realistic way to reach Benidorm: by plane, by road, by bus and even by train (yes, there's a train). I'll also tackle the eternal question of whether to rent a car — and where on earth to park it if you do.
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Find rentals →Which Airport Do You Fly Into for Benidorm?
Your airport is Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC), full stop. Murcia (MJV) is possible but adds an extra hour and a half to your transfer. Valencia (VLC) is even further — I'd only recommend it if you're combining Benidorm with Valencia city.
Alicante Airport is around 55–60 km from Benidorm. In good traffic (mid-morning, mid-week), that's 40 minutes on the AP-7 motorway. During peak season Friday afternoons? Budget 75–90 minutes and a sense of humour.
Airlines flying direct to Alicante from the UK and Northern Europe: - Ryanair from London Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin, Brussels Charleroi, Frankfurt Hahn, Eindhoven - easyJet from London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Berlin - Jet2 from most UK regional airports - Vueling from multiple European cities - TUI and Corendon for package-adjacent routes
In September, you'll often find better fares than peak July/August — another reason autumn is Benidorm's sweet spot.
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From Alicante Airport to Benidorm: Your Options
1. Taxi or Private Transfer (~€75–95 one way)
2. Airport Bus (ALSA) — The Smart Budget Option (~€10–15 per person)
- Buy tickets online at alsa.es (cheaper than the counter)
- Runs roughly every 1–2 hours throughout the day
- Luggage goes under the bus — no stress
- Drops you right in the centre of Benidorm
My honest opinion: for couples or solo travellers without mountains of luggage, this is the winner every time.
3. Hire Car (from ~€30/day in September)
My verdict: only hire a car if you plan day trips. Within Benidorm itself, you won't need it — parking is expensive and the resort is very walkable. If you're planning to explore the Sierra Helada, Guadalest reservoir or the villages of the Marina Baixa, a car for 2–3 days of your trip makes sense.
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Getting to Benidorm by Road
Driving from elsewhere in Spain or from a European cross-channel trip? The main route is the AP-7 (Autopista del Mediterráneo), which becomes toll-free from January 2026 (a welcome change for those of us who've been paying since the 1990s). The A-7 free motorway runs parallel if you prefer to avoid the former tolls.
Approximate driving distances to Benidorm: - Alicante city: 55 km (40 min) - Valencia: 150 km (1h 30min) - Murcia: 115 km (1h 10min) - Barcelona: 480 km (4h 30min) - Madrid: 430 km (4h) - Calpe: 20 km (20 min)
The AP-7 exit for Benidorm is junction 65 (Benidorm Norte) or junction 66 (Benidorm Sur) depending on where you're staying. Norte brings you into the new town area; Sur is better for the old town, Levante Beach end and Rincón de Loix.
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Parking in Benidorm: The Honest Truth
I'm not going to sugarcoat this: parking in central Benidorm in summer is genuinely difficult. The resort is dense, the streets in the old town are narrow and many apartment buildings don't have private parking. Here's what actually works:
Paid Car Parks (Recommended): - Parking Plaza de la Hispanidad — central, near Levante Beach, around €2–3/hour or €15–18/day - Parking Avenida del Mediterráneo — convenient for the main strip - Parking Terra Mítica — if you're going to the theme park, obviously
Free Parking Areas: - The area around Parque de l'Aigüera has some free street parking but it fills fast - Calle Metge Ramón Sapena area (western residential streets) sometimes has spaces on weekday mornings - Playa de Mal Pas access roads — limited free spaces, first come first served
Pro tip from a local: If your holiday rental doesn't include parking, call ahead and ask your host or agency where the nearest season deal car park is. Many offer weekly rates of €70–90 — far cheaper than paying per day.
At JV Properties holiday rentals in Benidorm, we always tell our guests exactly which parking option works best for their specific property location before they arrive. It's one of those details that genuinely makes a difference.
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The TRAM: Benidorm's Secret Train
Here's something many visitors don't know: Benidorm has a narrow-gauge railway (the TRAM). It runs along the coast connecting Alicante city with Dénia, stopping at Benidorm, Altea, Calpe and Benissa along the way.
The TRAM is brilliant for: - Day trips to Altea (get off at Altea station and walk 10 minutes up to the old town) - Day trips to Calpe (Ifach rock views from the train are spectacular) - Getting into Alicante city for a day without driving
Benidorm TRAM station is on Calle Murcia, a 10-minute walk from Levante Beach. Trains run roughly hourly. Single to Altea is about €2.50; to Alicante city (via the intermodal interchange at Luceros) around €5. Buy tickets from the machine at the station or the Moovit/TRAM app.
The stretch between Altea and Calpe, where the train hugs the cliff edge above the sea, is genuinely one of the most beautiful short rail journeys in Spain. I've done it dozens of times and I still look up from my phone for it.
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Local Transport Within Benidorm
Once you're in Benidorm, you largely don't need anything but your feet. The resort is compact — Levante to Poniente Beach is about 25 minutes on foot along the seafront promenade.
Local bus (VIBUS): Covers routes within Benidorm and to nearby towns like La Nucía, Altea, Finestrat and the theme parks. Single fares from €1.45. Useful for getting to Terra Mítica or Aquanatura if you don't have a car.
Taxis: Plentiful and not expensive for short journeys (€5–8 within the resort). The main taxi rank is on Calle Gambo near the old town.
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Book Your Base First, Then Plan Transport
The single best travel tip I can give is this: lock in your accommodation first, then plan how you're getting there. Where you're staying in Benidorm will determine whether you need a car, whether parking is a stress point, and which bus stops are most useful to you.
Browse our Benidorm holiday apartments and villas — all with direct-booking rates that are up to 18% cheaper than you'll find on Airbnb or Booking.com. We charge no guest fees and our local team is on hand to help with transfer recommendations, parking advice and everything else before you arrive.
September is still warm, still sunny and significantly cheaper than August — it really is the best time to come. Whether you're flying in from Manchester, driving down from Valencia or jumping on the TRAM from Alicante, Benidorm is more accessible than most people think.
Safe travels — and we'll see you on the Levante promenade.
