Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport ground transportation
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC) is the main airport for the Costa Blanca. It handled a record 19,950,394 passengers in 2025, and almost nine in ten flew internationally. The terminal sits in the municipality of Elche, near the coast at El Altet, about 12 km south-west of central Alicante and 13 km east of Elche city. Benidorm is about 60 km to the north-east and Torrevieja about 45 km to the south.
The most important layout detail is that buses do not leave from the arrivals floor. Arrivals and baggage reclaim are on Level 0, but every scheduled bus (the Alicante C-6, the Elche lines, Alsa coaches and Costa Azul to Torrevieja) boards from the bays on Level 2, the departures level, across the road from the check-in hall. Taxis and car-hire desks are on Level 0.
For Alicante city, Vectalia's C-6 runs 24 hours a day for €4.70 (fare in force since 24 July 2026). It goes every 11–12 minutes in the daytime and about every 30 minutes overnight, and it serves the bus station, Puerta del Mar, Luceros and the train station. For Elche, Avanza's R11 costs €1.35 and runs frequently on weekdays.
Alsa runs most of the coaches up the coast. The direct coach to Benidorm costs €7.99 and runs hourly. Four buses a day go to Altea (€8.75) and Calpe (€11.11), and there are also lines to Dénia (€15.42) and Jávea (€14.17). To the south and west, Costa Azul's direct bus to Torrevieja costs €7 and runs up to 23 times a day, and Alsa has a non-stop coach to Murcia in 55 minutes. For Valencia there is no direct link; take the C-6 into Alicante and continue by train or coach.
The official taxis are Elche taxis, run by Radio Taxi Elche and Servitaxi Elche. They use the meter, with an airport supplement on top (Aena lists €4.25; Elche's 2026 tariff sets €4.55). Expect about €24.50–27 to central Alicante, €66–76 to Torrevieja and €83–99 to Benidorm. Pre-booked private cars and shared shuttles such as Beniconnect cover hotels along the coast, which helps when you land after the last coach. The last Benidorm coach leaves at 23:00 on weekdays, and Calpe and Altea lose their direct service after 17:00.
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport to Alicante city centre
Alicante City Centre (Luceros / Explanada) is 12 km from ALC, about 20 min at the quickest. Central Alicante is about 12 km from the airport. The cheapest way is the 24-hour Vectalia C-6 bus at €4.70, taking 25–35 minutes. The fastest is a metered taxi, about 20 minutes and roughly €24.50–27.
| Option | Time | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vectalia line C-6 (Alicante–Aeropuerto) Cheapest | 30 min | €4.7 | Every 11–12 min by day; every 30 min overnight · 24 hours, every day. From airport: ~every 30 min 00:10–04:40, then 05:40, 06:04, every 11–12 min until ~21:00, then 21:26, 21:38, 22:00, 22:10, 22:35, 23:10, 23:40 |
| Taxi Fastest | 20 min | €25–27 | On demand at the rank · 24 hours |
| Private transfer | 20 min | €42–55 | Book in advance · 24 hours |
Full guide: ALC to Alicante City Centre (Luceros / Explanada)
Where are you heading?
Every destination from ALC: cheapest way and taxi fare
| Destination | Distance | Cheapest way | Taxi | Fastest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alicante City Centre (Luceros / Explanada) | 12 km | Vectalia line C-6 (Alicante–Aeropuerto) · €4.7 | €25–27 | 20 min |
| Benidorm | 60 km | Alsa L520 Aeropuerto–Benidorm (direct) · €8 | €83–99 | 45 min |
| Torrevieja | 45 km | Bus / shuttle · €7 | €66–76 | 40 min |
| Calpe (Calp) | 80 km | Alsa L527 Aeropuerto–Alicante–Altea–Calp · €11 | €110–129 | 1h |
| Elche (Elx) City Centre | 13 km | Bus / shuttle · €1.4 | €20–31 | 20 min |
| Altea | 70 km | Alsa L520 to Benidorm + TRAM L9 or taxi · €8 | €97–110 | 55 min |
| Murcia (city) | 75 km | Alsa Aeropuerto de Alicante–Murcia (direct) · €6 | €115–135 | 55 min |
| Dénia | 105 km | Bus / shuttle · €15 | €140–172 | 1h 10m |
| Valencia (city centre) | 175 km | Train · €17 | €260–300 | 1h 50m |
Buying tickets in Alicante
C-6 to Alicante: a single costs €4.70 (from 24 July 2026). Buy it for the trip on board, or as a QR ticket in the Vectalia app. Vectalia also sells a 10-trip bono at €8.10, which is of interest mainly to residents.
Alsa coaches (Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Dénia, Jávea, Murcia): buy in the Alsa app, at the Alsa sales point in the airport, or on board where the service allows it. Cash is accepted only at Alsa sales points, ticket machines and on the bus. Cards, PayPal and Apple Pay work in the app. The basic fare includes one suitcase in the hold (20 kg on Básica). If a flight delay makes you miss your coach, Alsa will move you to its next service free of charge within 12 hours; arrange this at the airport sales point or by phone.
Costa Azul to Torrevieja: €7.00 one way, sold online through the operator's sales page (regular.autobusing.com), which also handles changes and cancellations.
Elche R11/R10: Elche urban fare, €1.35 ordinary single in 2026.
All scheduled buses board on Level 2 (Departures). Arrivals passengers need to go upstairs first.
Taxi scams & safety in Alicante
The only taxis licensed to pick up at the airport rank are Elche taxis from Radio Taxi Elche (about 85% of the fleet) and Servitaxi Elche. They are white with a green stripe along the side and the Elche coat of arms on the front doors. The rank is outside arrivals on Level 0. Radio Taxi Elche has an information point in the arrivals hall, open 09:00–01:00.
Fares are metered. Trips within Elche use the city tariff (2026: €1.77 flag fall and €1.01/km on tariff 1). Longer trips use the regional interurban tariff (2026: €2.25 plus €1.46/km, or €2.80 plus €1.68/km on the special rate). An airport supplement is added: Aena states €4.25, and Elche's 2026 ordinance sets €4.55. Tolls are charged on top. Rough guides: central Alicante €24.50–27, Benidorm €83–99, Torrevieja €66–76.
- Ignore anyone in the arrivals hall offering a ride who is not at the rank or holding your booking.
- For long trips (Calpe, Dénia, Murcia, Valencia), ask for an estimate before you set off, or pre-book on the operators' websites, where the price is shown in advance.
- If you have pre-booked a taxi through an operator, Servitaxi Elche explains that the driver must still run the meter by law, but you pay the agreed booking price.
- Ask for a receipt (recibo). It shows the licence number if you need to complain or trace lost property.
Step-free access in Alicante
Aena runs the "Sin Barreras" (Barrier Free) assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility at Alicante-Elche. Request it at least 48 hours before your flight through your airline or travel agent, the Aena website or app, or by phone on +34 91 321 10 00 (07:00–00:00) or email at [email protected].
- Signposted meeting points are located inside and outside the terminal, including the car park, the arrivals forecourt and the check-in area.
- On departure, be at a meeting point at least 2 hours before the flight. An assistant takes you through check-in, security and boarding to your seat.
- On arrival, staff help you leave the aircraft, collect your luggage if needed, and take you to the meeting point you choose.
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport transport — FAQ
How do I get from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport to Alicante city centre?
How far is Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport from Alicante city centre?
What is the cheapest way from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport into Alicante?
How much is a taxi from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport to Alicante centre?
Is there public transport from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport late at night?
Which places can I reach directly from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport?
Other airports in Spain
Flying into a different gateway? These hubs are covered too.
Plan your arrival with confidence
Every option compared
Public transport, taxi, private transfer and car hire side by side — we don't sell any of them.
Real prices & times
Indicative fares, journey times and how often each service runs — so there are no surprises at arrivals.
No sales pitch
We tell you when the bus is the smart choice — and when a transfer is worth it. Honest guidance first.