What bus from Benidorm to Alicante Airport?
The direct Alsa coach (route ALC ↔ Benidorm) is the only scheduled bus that runs non-stop between Benidorm bus station and Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC). It's the cheapest, most frequent and most reliable way to get between the two — typically €11–€14 one-way, 45–60 minutes on the AP-7 motorway, with departures roughly every 30–60 minutes from before dawn until after midnight, plus a reduced overnight service for early and late flights.
This guide covers the full 2026 timetable, fares for adults, children and seniors, every pick-up and drop-off point in Benidorm and at the airport, luggage allowance, on-board facilities, how the night service works around early or late flights, where to buy tickets (and which method is cheapest), how the bus compares to a taxi or private transfer, plus the local tips most first-time travellers wish they'd known before setting off. Whether you've just landed at ALC and want the easiest way into Benidorm, or you're heading home and need to time your departure to make check-in, everything you need is below.
Fare (one-way)
€11–€14
Journey time
45–60 min
Operator
Alsa (direct)
Distance
~55 km
The direct Alsa coach — everything in one place
Alsa is Spain's largest intercity coach operator and runs the only direct scheduled bus between Benidorm and Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC). The route is branded simply as "Alicante Aeropuerto – Benidorm" and uses modern Supra and Premium-class coaches — reclining leather seats with extra legroom, individual reading lights, air-conditioning, free on-board Wi-Fi, USB charging at every seat, an on-board WC, and tinted panoramic windows. On most departures you'll also find the Alsa Play in-seat entertainment app (bring your own earphones).
Departures run roughly every 30 minutes in peak hours (around 07:00–11:00 and 15:00–20:00) and every 60 minutes off-peak, from about 05:00 to 23:30. A reduced overnight service operates roughly hourly through the night to cover early-morning departures and late arrivals — handy for the Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI flights that dominate the ALC schedule.
The coach runs directly onto the AP-7 motorway with no intermediate stops once it leaves Benidorm, so journey time is consistent — usually 50 minutes door-to-door in normal traffic, occasionally stretching to 65–70 minutes during summer Saturday changeovers or after Valencia CF home games. The total distance is roughly 55 km along one of Spain's best-maintained toll-free motorway sections.
Why most travellers choose the bus over a taxi: it's five to ten times cheaper per person, frequent enough that missing one isn't a disaster, has guaranteed luggage space, and drops you literally outside Arrivals at ALC — no shuttle, no terminal change, no walking with cases through a car park.
Benidorm → Airport (outbound)
- +50 minBenidorm — Estación de Autobuses (main bus station, Avenida Beniardà)
- +45 minBenidorm — Avenida de Europa (Rincón de Loix)
- +25 minVillajoyosa — Avenida Pais Valencià (request stop)
- DepartureAlicante Airport — bus station, ground floor (outside Arrivals)
Airport → Benidorm (return)
- DepartureAlicante Airport — bus station, ground floor (outside Arrivals)
- +25 minVillajoyosa — Avenida Pais Valencià (request stop)
- +45 minBenidorm — Avenida de Europa (Rincón de Loix)
- +50 minBenidorm — Estación de Autobuses (main bus station, Avenida Beniardà)
2026 timetable (summary)
- First bus from Benidorm: ~05:00
- Last bus from Benidorm: ~23:30 (limited overnight service)
- First bus from the Airport: ~07:30 (with overnight services from 01:00)
- Last bus from the Airport: ~01:00
- Frequency: every 30 minutes in peak hours, every 60 minutes off-peak
- Live times: always confirm on alsa.com or the Alsa app — timetables shift with season and bank holidays.
Tickets & prices
One-way €11–€14; return €20–€24. Cheapest on alsa.com or the Alsa app. Also sold at Alsa desks in Benidorm bus station and Alicante Airport, and on board (contactless OK). Under-4s free, ages 4–11 get ~30% off, over-60s ~20% off.
Luggage
Two hold bags up to a combined 30 kg + one hand bag included. Oversized items (bikes, surfboards, golf bags) should be declared and pre-booked. Hold luggage tags are issued by the driver.
On-board comfort
Free Wi-Fi, USB charging at every seat, reclining seats, air-conditioning, on-board WC. Some services also have on-screen entertainment via the Alsa Play app (bring earphones).
Bus vs taxi vs transfer
Bus €11–€14pp, ~50 min, frequent. Official taxi €85–€110 (4 pax max), ~40 min, fixed tariff. Private transfer from €60 (door-to-door). For groups of 4+ a transfer often beats the bus on total cost.
Tips before you travel
- Allow 3 hours before a Schengen flight and 3.5–4 hours for UK / non-Schengen.
- Saturdays in July and August are the busiest — book the bus in advance.
- If you're staying in the Rincón de Loix (eastern Benidorm), the Avenida de Europa stop saves a walk to the main bus station.
- Use the Alsa app for QR-code tickets — no printing needed.
- For early-morning flights (pre-06:00) book a private transfer or taxi; the night bus isn't always reliable for tight check-ins.
- The Benidorm bus station has a 24-hour café, ATMs and a left-luggage office (€5–€8 per bag).
Step-by-step: catching the bus from Benidorm to ALC
- Book online the night before. Open the Alsa app or alsa.com, search "Benidorm → Alicante Aeropuerto", pick a departure that lands you at ALC 2.5–3 hours before a Schengen flight (3.5+ hours for UK flights). You'll get a QR-code ticket by email and in-app.
- Get to Benidorm Estación de Autobuses (Avenida de Beniardà 1) about 15 minutes before departure. From the Old Town it's a 20-min walk or a €6–€8 taxi; from Rincón de Loix use the Avenida de Europa stop instead.
- Find your bay. Departure bays are shown on the screens inside the station and on a paper print-out by the Alsa desk — the airport bus is usually bay 6, 7 or 8.
- Hand luggage to the driver. Large bags go in the hold and you'll be given a numbered tag. Keep valuables and travel documents with you in the cabin.
- Scan and board. The driver scans your QR code from your phone screen. Seats are not assigned — pick any free seat.
- Arrive at ALC. The bus stops directly outside the Arrivals hall (ground floor). Departures (check-in) is one level up via escalator or lift, signed in English.
Bus vs taxi vs private transfer — 2026 comparison
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alsa direct bus | €11–€14 per person | 45–60 min | Solo travellers, couples, budget trips |
| Official taxi | €85–€110 total (fixed tariff) | ~40 min | Late nights, families with lots of luggage |
| Private transfer | From €60 (car) / €90 (minibus) | ~40 min | Groups of 4+, early flights, door-to-door |
| Hire car | From €25/day + ~€8 fuel + parking | ~45 min | Longer stays with day trips planned |
For a couple with two suitcases the bus is roughly €25 return vs €170–€220 in a taxi. For a family of four with luggage, a private transfer often works out cheaper than two taxis and removes the lift-luggage-into-the-hold step.
Accessibility, families and large groups
All Alsa coaches on this route are wheelchair accessible with a hydraulic lift and two dedicated wheelchair spaces. Free Atendo assistance is available if you pre-book at least 12 hours ahead through alsa.com or by calling 902 422 242 — staff will meet you at both ends and help with boarding and luggage.
Children under 4 travel free (on a lap, no seat). Ages 4–11 get roughly 30% off, and over-60s with a valid Tarjeta Dorada (or passport showing age) get 20% off. Pushchairs go in the hold free of charge — you don't need to fold them at the kerb. Assistance dogs travel free; other dogs need a carrier and a €5 ticket.
Groups of 10+ get a discounted group rate if booked through Alsa's group desk (grupos@alsa.es). Stag and hen parties tend to use this route in both directions — Alsa is strict about visibly drunk passengers being refused boarding, so save the celebrations for arrival.
Local knowledge most guides skip
- The Avenida de Europa stop in Rincón de Loix is request-only — flag the driver clearly or you may sail past it. Coming from the airport, press the stop button as you exit the AP-7.
- On a hot summer day, sit on the left-hand side heading to the airport (right-hand side coming back) — you'll be in the shade for most of the journey.
- ALC arrivals can have long taxi queues at midnight; the bus is often quicker than waiting for a cab even if you arrive after midnight.
- The Benidorm bus station's left-luggage office (€5–€8 per bag per day) lets you check out of your hotel at 10am and still hit the beach until an evening flight.
- Buying on board is fine but costs €1–€2 more and you risk a sold-out seat at peak times — the Alsa app is always the cheapest route.
- Bus stops at ALC are at the far end of Arrivals (Door 21–24). Follow the green "Autobús" signs out of the baggage hall.