Leaving behind the skyscrapers of Benidorm to head into the provincial capital is a short but intense journey, where the Mediterranean light bathes a coastline that changes pace in just half an hour of driving.
How to get from Benidorm to Alicante: a quick summary
The most balanced option for this route is the direct bus if you are looking for affordability, while a private car offers the ultimate freedom to explore the intermediate coves without being tied to fixed schedules.
This journey of barely 45 kilometers connects two of the most important tourist spots on the Costa Blanca. You mainly have two ways to make this trip: public transport, which is surprisingly efficient and economical, or a private vehicle, which allows you to be in total control of your time. If you are traveling solo or as a couple and your only goal is to get from point A to point B, the bus is the winning recommendation for its value for money. However, if you are traveling with family, have bulky luggage, or plan to explore the coastal towns before entering the city, renting a car or using your own becomes essential. There is no direct rail connection, so your options are exclusively by road, whether by private vehicle or coach.
From Benidorm to Alicante by car
The route by car is mainly via the A-31 motorway, a quick 35-minute drive with no tolls at any point.
Behind the wheel, the experience is smooth and direct. The main road to take is the A-31, officially known as the Autovía de Alicante. This highway is designed to handle constant traffic and connects Benidorm with the capital in an almost linear fashion. The best part of this route is that it is a free motorway; you will not have to stop at any toll booths, which speeds up the journey and cuts unexpected costs. The total distance to cover is 45 kilometers, a very manageable figure that makes the trip feasible even for a quick lunch or dinner.
The estimated driving time is 35 minutes under normal traffic conditions. This means you can leave Benidorm after breakfast and be enjoying a coffee on Alicante’s Explanada de España (Esplanade of Spain) before the morning is over. The motorway offers changing views, transitioning from the urban density of Benidorm to the more open landscapes of the Alicante countryside and coastline. It is important to pay attention to the exits, as on such a short journey, the turn-offs for Alicante city can come up quickly once you pass the Sant Vicent del Raspeig area.
From Benidorm to Alicante by bus
The bus is the most economical option, with tickets ranging from 3 to 8 euros and a journey time of just 40 minutes.
For travelers who prefer not to worry about parking in central Alicante or the cost of fuel, the bus network is an excellent solution. Established companies operate this route frequently, with Alsa and BlaBlaCar Bus being the main ones. The great advantage of this means of transport is that it offers a direct service, meaning you won’t have to deal with transfers or complicated station changes. You get on in Benidorm and get off in the heart of Alicante.
The bus journey takes 40 minutes, just 5 minutes more than by private car, which highlights the efficiency of the connection. In terms of cost, prices are very competitive, ranging from 3 to 8 euros per trip. This price may vary slightly depending on how far in advance you book or the specific company you choose, but it always remains within a very affordable range for any budget. It is the ideal option for students, backpackers, or travelers looking to maximize their budget for gastronomy and leisure once they arrive in the city.
Recommended stops along the way
If you decide to drive, the route is dotted with charming towns that are well worth a technical stop or a sightseeing visit before reaching your final destination.
Below, we detail the key points you’ll find along the verified route, logically ordered from Benidorm towards Alicante so you can plan your journey:
- la Vila Joiosa / Villajoyosa: This is probably the most picturesque stop before arriving in the capital. Known for its colorful houses lining the seafront and its chocolate-making tradition, it’s a strategic spot to stretch your legs. Situated right on the coast, it offers a perfect visual transition between Benidorm’s mass tourism and Alicante’s tranquility.
- el Campello: Continuing south along the coast, we come to el Campello. This town is famous for its marina and seafront promenade, ideal for a leisurely stroll. It’s a perfect halfway point if you want to enjoy the sea without the crowds of central Alicante.
- Sant Joan d’Alacant: Right next to el Campello, this area is known for its spacious residential zones and family-friendly beaches. It’s a recommended stop if you’re looking for a more local, less touristy atmosphere, perfect for observing daily life in the province.
- Mutxamel: As you approach the outskirts of Alicante, Mutxamel emerges as an important communications hub. Although it’s more inland, it’s a key municipality connecting the coast with the interior areas of the province.
- Sant Vicent del Raspeig / San Vicente del Raspeig: This is the gateway to Alicante city. Known for its university atmosphere due to the University of Alicante campuses, it’s the last significant stop before entering the capital’s urban core. This is the point where the A-31 motorway begins to transform into the city’s main avenues.
Where to stay in Alicante
For an overnight stay in Alicante, the most recommended areas are the Old Town (Centro Histórico) for culture, Playa de San Juan for relaxation, and the Explanada for sea views, with prices varying according to the season.
Alicante offers a diversity of accommodation to suit different travel styles. If your priority is to be close to historical monuments, like the Castle of Santa Bárbara (Castillo de Santa Bárbara), and the nightlife, the Old Town is the area to choose. Here you’ll find a mix of charming hotels in old buildings and modern hostels. On the other hand, if you’re traveling in summer and looking for sun and beach, the Playa de San Juan area is the ideal alternative, though you’ll need transport to reach the city center if you don’t have a car.
For lovers of promenades and views, the area around the Explanada de España and the port is unbeatable. Staying here allows you to wake up to views of the Mediterranean and be just a few meters from the best tapas restaurants. In terms of price ranges, Alicante is a versatile city. You can find budget hostels ideal for backpackers, tourist apartments perfect for families who want to cook, and 4- and 5-star hotels for those seeking luxury. Prices fluctuate significantly between the low winter season and the peak summer months, so booking in advance is always advisable.
Where to eat along the route
The cuisine of the province of Alicante is the real star of this trip, with standout dishes such as arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock), coca amb tonyina (tuna pie) and esgarrat (salted cod and pepper salad).
You cannot travel through these lands without trying their culinary specialities, which reflect the richness of its orchards and sea. Here are the essential dishes to look out for on menus along the route:
- Arroz a banda: This is the king of rice dishes in the area. It is a rice cooked in a concentrated stock of rock fish and seafood, giving it an intense flavour of the sea. It is traditionally served with alioli. Its main ingredients are rice, rock fish, prawns and squid. It is a hearty, flavour-packed dish that defines Alicante’s cuisine.
- Coca amb tonyina: Especially typical in the city of Alicante during the Hogueras de San Juan (Bonfires of Saint John festival), this savoury pie is a delight. It is filled with atún de sorra (a very characteristic type of salted tuna), caramelised onion and pine nuts. It is the perfect appetiser to accompany a cold drink.
- Esgarrat: If you are looking for something lighter but full of flavour, esgarrat is a traditional cold salad. It combines roasted red peppers, flaked salt cod, black olives and garlic. The secret is in the dressing, which must include a generous amount of local extra virgin olive oil.
- Fondillón de Alicante: For drinking, nothing beats Fondillón. It is a generous, naturally sweet wine made from very ripe Monastrell grapes. It ages in soleras for at least 10 years, giving it complex notes of nuts, raisins and wood. It is the ideal companion for desserts or to be enjoyed on its own as a digestif.
- Turrón de Jijona: Although it is an emblematic Christmas sweet, it can be found all year round in the Jijona area, within the province. It is a soft nougat made with toasted and ground Marcona almonds, pure orange blossom honey and egg white. Its texture is smooth and creamy, making it the quintessential sweet souvenir.
Frequently asked questions about the Benidorm-Alicante route
How long does it take to get from Benidorm to Alicante?
The journey time is very short: by car it takes approximately 35 minutes via the A-31 motorway, while the direct bus journey takes about 40 minutes.
Which is cheaper, the train or the bus?
The bus is the most economical and viable option, with prices between 3 and 8 euros, as there is no direct train line or train station in Benidorm for this specific route.
Is it worth renting a car?
Yes, it is worth it if you plan to make tourist stops in towns like La Vila Joiosa or El Campello, as it gives you total freedom, although the bus is sufficient if you are just going from point to point.
When is the best time to travel?
Given that it is a short 45 km journey along the coast, it can be done at any time of year, although the gastronomic and beach experience is more complete in the months of good weather.