Alicante Airport

Most foreign visitors to sunny Costa Blanca arrive by air and the area is conveniently serviced by both Alicante Airport and Murcia-San Javier Airport. Originally named El Altet, Alicante Airport is the 6th busiest in Spain with the majority of passenger flights being international. The largest number of passengers travelling through the airport are from Ryanair followed by EasyJet, and there are a whole host of other airlines that fly into Alicante including Monarch, British Airways, Jet2.com, Air Nostrum and Vueling just to name a few.

Alicante Airport
Source: Flickr / Benji Carter

Getting To The Airport

Also referred to as Alicante-Elche Airport as it is located in the municipality of Elche, it is easily reached from most of the Costa Blanca's towns and cities via the national roads, N-332 that mainly runs along the coast and the N-340 that runs inland from the city of Murcia to Alicante Airport and City. From parts of the Costa Blanca it is quicker to use the AP-7 and A-70 motorways but these do have tolls.

Alicante Airport Facilities

With ever increasing air traffic, a new and modern terminal area was opened in 2011 featuring updated facilities, extra check-ins and services and most importantly, a capacity for greater air traffic. Passengers now using Alicante Airport can enjoy a good selection of shops, duty free shops, bars, restaurants, comfortable lounge areas, VIP lounges and a choice of onward travel options including car hire, taxis, coaches and local buses.

Duty Free Shops – As with duty free shops worldwide, these are only available for passengers and are always located in passenger only areas after check-in (airside). There are three choices when airside, The Shop located on level 2, The Express Shop also on level 2 and Arrivals Shop on the lower level. All offer a good selection of foodstuff, beverages, confectionery, tobacco, cosmetics, fragrances, clothing, accessories and gift ideas.

Terminal Shops – Gift ideas can be found in Swarovski, Superskunk, LOL Kids and Encanto Alicante. A good selection of fashion & accessories are available from The Fashion Place, Trucco, Parfois, Desigual, Weekend, Victoria's Secret and Sunglass Hut. Books, magazines, newspapers, stationery, photographic material and convenience foods and snacks are available from Relay, The Market, Petra Mora and WHSmith. A pharmacy is available on the lower level of the terminal and there is a tobacconist on the lower level outside the terminal.

Cafes & Restaurants – Burger King, Ars-Rodilla, Costa Coffee and Caffriccio offer drinks and snacks in the airports public areas. Drinks and snacks in passenger only areas include Burger King, Il Caffé di Roma, Farggi, Subway, Valor, Canas y Tapas, Carling Pub, La Pausa and Starbucks. For main meals there is Saboramar Gastrobar in the public area and The Air Food Court in the passenger only areas.

VIP Lounge – Located in the Planta 3. boarding zone is the exclusive Sala Ifach VIP lounge that is available to holders of business class tickets from associated airlines, holders of associated club cards and regular passengers paying at the lounge's reception desk.

VIP Services

  • Customer Service & Reception
  • Two Meeting Rooms
  • Comfortable Seating
  • Catering
  • Air Traffic Information
  • Internet Access & Free WiFi
  • Telephone & Fax
  • Computer Terminals
  • Newspapers & Magazines
  • TV & Children's Games
  • Pets Allowed

Alicante Airport Transport

International Car Hire Companies – Alicante Airport has a sizeable choice of international hire car companies within the terminal that offer a good selection of vehicles and a variety of services. Passengers wishing to hire a vehicle can choose from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Goldcar Rental, Sixt, Record, Centauro and Enterprise.

Independent Car Hire Companies –  Passengers wishing to use the services of an independent car hire company, who's representatives can usually be found in the terminal may find a cheaper deal than the international companies, however there are factors to consider.

Vehicle choice may be limited and vehicles may be in disrepair so a thorough vehicle check in the presence of a company representative is highly advised. Make sure all insurances and paperwork are in order and always check if 24 hour roadside assistance is included. At costablancainsider.com we always recommend using an independent company with a good reputation and they don't get more reputable than the well established COYS RENT-A-CAR.

Taxis – Within the airport arrivals terminal there is a company information desk for Radio Taxi Elche which is Alicante Airport's official taxi service, recognised by the City of Elche coat of arms on the doors and a green strip running along the side of the vehicles. These taxi's are based on the roadway outside both arrival and departure terminals. You may find other taxis touting for fares outside but unless you want to end up in the middle of a heated argument that will quite often end in violence (Spaniards are known for their fiery tempers) it is best to stick to the official taxis.

City Buses – There are several city buses connecting the airport to Alicante and Elche including Route 1A: Airport-Elche, Route 1B: Airport-Elche-Arenales del Sol and Route C-6: Airport-Alicante City.

Intercity Buses – Reachable by intercity bus from the airport are Benidorm, Torrevieja, Elche, Calpe, Santa Pola, Murcia City, Guardamar and Torrelano. The buses servicing these areas are:

  • Airport-Benidorm-Calpe
  • Airport-Torrevieja
  • Airport-Santa Pola
  • Airport-Murcia

Alicante Airport Parking

General Car Park P1 – Official car park located just a few metres from the terminal with covered parking spaces, security and management personnel.

Long Stay Car Park PL – Official car park located a few minutes from the terminal with covered parking spaces, spaces for vehicles over 2.10m tall and campers as well as security and management personnel.

First Class Car Park – Official car park located on the 4th floor of the general car park that is connected directly to the terminal and has covered parking spaces, security and management personnel.

Express Car Park – Official car park located on the approach road to the departures terminal that offers a convenient collection for passengers.

Torrevieja Tourist Train

The popular coastal city of Torrevieja no longer has a rail service, and as is the case in many parts of Spain its old railway tracks have cleverly been converted into a ‘greenway' hiking trail for walking, cycling and horse riding