Alicante from Benidorm: TRAM, Bus and What to See
Updated 12/10/2026 by the onbenidorm team · Timetables and prices checked October 2026
From Benidorm, TRAM line L1 reaches Alicante Luceros in about 72 minutes. Trams leave at :05 and :35 past each hour, and the last one is at 22:05. The direct Alsa bus is quicker at about 40–45 minutes. In the city, Santa Bárbara Castle is free to enter, and a lift from opposite Postiguet beach costs €2.70 one way.
- TRAM
- Line L1 to Luceros, about 72 minutes, every 30 minutes
- Bus
- Alsa, about 40–45 minutes to Alicante bus station
- Last tram back
- 22:05 from Benidorm; check the Alicante end
- Santa Bárbara Castle
- Free entry, including the MUSA museum
- Castle lift
- €2.70 one way; free for pensioners
- Castle hours
- 10:00–20:00 until 14 Nov, then 10:00–18:00
Benidorm to Alicante by TRAM
TRAM line L1 runs from Benidorm to Alicante Luceros in about 72 minutes, with no change needed. It is the most scenic route in our day trips from Benidorm guide, running along the coast through Villajoyosa.
Trams leave Benidorm every 30 minutes, at :05 and :35 past the hour. The first leaves at 06:35 on weekdays and 07:05 at weekends, and the last leaves Benidorm at 22:05. You only change trams if you are going beyond L1.
Your fare depends on the zones you cross, and the exact count was not confirmed. A single is €2.90 for two zones or €4 for three, and a return €5 or €6.80. Check at the machine in Benidorm station, which is gated and sells travel cards.
| Detail | Weekdays | Weekends |
|---|---|---|
| First tram from Benidorm | 06:35 | 07:05 |
| Frequency | Every 30 minutes (:05 and :35) | Every 30 minutes (:05 and :35) |
| Last tram from Benidorm | 22:05 | 22:05 |
| Journey time to Luceros | About 72 minutes | About 72 minutes |
Benidorm to Alicante by bus
The Alsa bus is the faster choice. It leaves from Benidorm bus station and takes about 40–45 minutes on the direct service to Alicante bus station.
The fare could not be confirmed on Alsa's own site, so check when booking. Benidorm bus station is next to the Benidorm Intermodal TRAM stop, so you can go one way by bus and come back by tram if the timings suit.
- Choose the TRAM for sea views, frequent departures and a stop in Villajoyosa.
- Choose the bus for the quickest trip into the city.
- For the airport rather than the city, see our Benidorm to Alicante airport bus guide.
Santa Bárbara Castle
Santa Bárbara Castle is Alicante's headline sight, and it is free to enter, as is the MUSA museum inside. It sits high above the city and the seafront, so the lift is the easiest way up.
The lift entrance is on Av. Juan Bautista Lafora, opposite Postiguet beach. It costs €2.70 one way and is free for pensioners. A shuttle bus also runs to the castle for €1.45.
| Period | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 September – 14 November | 10:00–20:00 | Last lift up 40 minutes before closing |
| 15 November – 27 February | 10:00–18:00 | Last lift up 40 minutes before closing |
| 24, 25 and 31 December; 1 and 6 January | Closed | Plan another sight on these dates |
Mercado Central and the city centre
The Mercado Central on Av. Alfonso el Sabio is Alicante's main food market. It opens on Monday to Saturday mornings, though exact hours were not confirmed, so go before lunch.
There is a "Mercado" TRAM stop, which makes the market an easy first or last stop on L1. Combining the castle in the morning with the market before it closes makes a full but manageable day.
Stop at Villajoyosa on the way
Villajoyosa is only about 15–18 minutes from Benidorm on the same L1 line, so you can split the trip. The Valor Chocolate Museum on C/ Pianista Gonzalo Soriano 13 runs guided tours of about 45 minutes.
English tours run on weekdays at 10:00, 15:00 and 16:00 and on Saturdays at 10:00, and must be booked online, up to two months ahead. The museum is closed on Sundays and holidays and has no parking, so the tram is the easy way to get there.
Tips for your Alicante day trip
Alicante is the best all-weather day out from Benidorm, because the castle museum and the market are both indoors.
- Go up to the castle early in summer, when average highs reach 30–31°C in July and August.
- Check the last lift time: it is 40 minutes before the castle closes.
- Use the last tram from Benidorm (22:05) as a guide, then check the return times from Luceros, so you can stay for dinner.
- If rain is forecast for your holiday, keep Alicante for that day. Our rainy day in Benidorm guide has more ideas.
- Times are Spanish time, one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland.
Alicante airport and getting home
Many visitors only pass through Alicante on the way to the airport. If you are heading to your flight rather than the city, our Alicante airport guide and airport bus guide cover the direct routes, and Benidorm taxis covers the metered fare.
For other trips by public transport, compare Altea on L9, or the inland villages of Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls.
More day trips and travel pages
| Name | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Day trips from Benidorm | Hub | All trips compared |
| Benidorm to Altea | North on L9 | Old town and church dome |
| Alicante airport bus | Airport | Direct bus to your flight |
| Getting around Benidorm | Benidorm | Buses, TRAM and taxis |
Alicante from Benidorm: TRAM, Bus and What to See — FAQs
How long is the TRAM from Benidorm to Alicante?
About 72 minutes on line L1 to Luceros, with no change. Trams leave Benidorm at :05 and :35 past each hour. The first leaves at 06:35 on weekdays and 07:05 at weekends, and the last leaves at 22:05.
Is the bus or TRAM quicker from Benidorm to Alicante?
The bus. The direct Alsa service from Benidorm bus station takes about 40–45 minutes to Alicante bus station, against about 72 minutes on the TRAM. The tram runs more often and follows the coast, so many visitors use one each way.
How much is the TRAM from Benidorm to Alicante?
From 1 October 2026 a single costs €2.90 for two zones or €4 for three, and a return €5 or €6.80. The exact number of zones was not confirmed, so check at the machine in Benidorm station. Under-14s travel free until 31 December 2026.
Is Santa Bárbara Castle free?
Yes. Entry to the castle and the MUSA museum inside is free, according to Alicante city council. The lift up from Av. Juan Bautista Lafora, opposite Postiguet beach, costs €2.70 one way and is free for pensioners. A shuttle bus costs €1.45.
What are Santa Bárbara Castle's opening hours?
10:00–20:00 from 5 September to 14 November, and 10:00–18:00 from 15 November to 27 February. The last lift up is 40 minutes before closing. The castle is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 and 6 January.
Can I get the TRAM from Benidorm to Alicante airport?
The TRAM goes to Alicante city, not the airport. For flights, the direct bus from Benidorm is simpler. See our Benidorm to Alicante airport bus guide for the route and fares.
What else is on the way to Alicante?
Villajoyosa, about 15–18 minutes from Benidorm on L1. The Valor Chocolate Museum there runs 45-minute guided tours, with English tours on weekdays at 10:00, 15:00 and 16:00 and on Saturdays at 10:00, booked online.
Related guides
Sources and how we checked
Last updated 12 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.