Are you wondering how to get from Alicante Airport to the city centre of Alicante? There are several transportation methods. The most common are the taxi and the C-6 bus line. Private transfers are a good option with reasonable prices.
Alicante, the tourism jewel of the Valencia region, is a coastal city that begs to be discovered. In recent years, Alicante has emerged as a top destination among travelers who wish to make their tourism dollars or euros last longer; this explains why the Alicante International Airport has turned into a major hub for budget airlines such as Ryanair, Air Europa, and many others.
Until about a decade ago, the pleasant beaches of the Costa Cálida, the Warm Coast, were mostly frequented by Spanish families and by some tourists who landed at international airports in Madrid or Barcelona; in other words, Alicante was mostly a railway destination.
These days, the Warm Coast is more accessible thanks to the ongoing expansion of the Alicante-Elche International Airport, also known as El Altet.
How to get from Alicante Airport to city centre
If you intend to visit Alicante, you will invariably land at El Altet. Upon arrival, you will notice that there is just one thing missing from this new and modern airport: a railway terminal. The city of Alicante enjoys robust transportation in terms of tram and train connections, but El Altet has not yet been linked.
Getting from Alicante Airport to city centre and nearby beaches by means of the TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante will be a great convenience once the underground terminal is completed, but for the time being your best bet is to choose one of the following ground transportation options:
1. Aerobus Service from Alicante Airport to City Centre
If you are a fan of public transportation, you will be pleased to know that Vectalia, a respected Spanish business consortium, offers 24-hour bus service from El Altet to downtown Alicante.
While the idea of waiting on a bus after a long flight may not sound too enticing, the Vectalia route C6 leaves every 20 minutes from the second level of the airport, and the modern terminal is quite comfortable.
After 10:00 pm, you will have to wait an hour for the bus to arrive, but 20-minute service resumes at 7:00 am. Buses are equipped with luggage compartments and offer amenities such as Wi-Fi service.
Riding the Aerobus will cost you less than 4 euros (3.85 euros) per person, but you can inquire about special discounts for senior citizens, travelers with disabilities, and families. While there is a bus travel card you can purchase for 10 trips, most passengers pay for their ticket when they come aboard, and this transaction is handled by the bus driver.
It should be noted that the Aerobus route stops at the railway station and two other bus terminals in case you need to travel to other spots in Valencia. The final stop is Puerta del Mar, right in the heart of the Alicante downtown district.
Depending on traffic conditions, this ride takes about 30 minutes.
Cost: 3,85 €
Travel time: 20 – 30 minutes
Frequency: 20 minutes from 7 am – 22 pm., 1 hour from 22 pm – 7 am
Web: https://aerobusalicante.es/
Check out our article on the best places to stay in Alicante!
2. Taxicab Service from Alicante Airport to City Centre
At El Altet, Radio Taxi Elche is the official concessionary for this type of ground transportation.
The modern vehicle fleet is painted white and is decorated with a green stripe running from front to back; the front doors display the coat of arms of Elche, which features a medieval fort above an altar overlooked by a female Roman figure dressed in a blue tunic.
Keep this vehicle description in mind when boarding a taxi at El Altet; even though this service is carefully guarded by Alicante airport authorities, impostors will sometimes attempt to sneak into the terminal and offer their illicit services to unsuspecting air travelers.
A taxi ride from Alicante Airport to city centre will take about 15 minutes, and it will cost about 25 euros; however, rates are a little higher from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am from Monday to Friday and from 3:00 pm on weekends and holidays.
There is a discount if you book a taxi service in advance at the website of Radio Taxi Elche, but this option is mostly used by local residents because it is a little complicated.
“Bajar la bandera,” which means turning on the rate meter, is mandatory for all drivers, and this is something you can demand in case you run into a situation whereby you are offered a “special rate” to Postiguet, Benidorm or other beach destinations.
Price: 25 euros
Frequency: 24 hours
Travel time: 15 – 20 minutes
Web: http://www.aena.es/es/aeropuerto-alicante/taxi.html
3. Private Transfers from Alicante Airport to City Centre
This is the smartest, most convenient and comfortable way to get from El Altet to downtown Alicante or directly to your hotel by the beach.
A private transfer will cost you a bit more than a taxi service, but you will have a friendly Civitatis driver waiting at a pre-arranged meeting point, which can be the arrivals terminal if you so wish.
Reservations can be made online or through a dedicated mobile app, and drivers will monitor flight status in case they have to wait longer when there are delays.A Civitatis airport transfer is highly recommended for families and others who are traveling as a group.
Four passengers can expect to pay about 55 euros from Alicante Airport to city centre. In case you are traveling as part of a larger group, a seven-passenger van will cost 74 euros.
In addition to private airport transfers, Civitatis also offers interesting and affordable tours and special activities; for example, you can learn to cook paella the Valencian way, which is the only way, for just 50 euros and this includes quality ingredients as well as guidance from professional chefs plus coffee and dessert.
Price: 55 euros – 4 pax, 74 euros – 7 pax
Frequency: 24 hours
Travel time: 15 – 20 minutes
Web: Private transfers