Alicante Airport is the international airport nearest to the tourist areas of Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. Nearly 80% of its traffic is international traffic, due to the convenient flight schedules and location. The airport itself is one of the busiest airports in Spain, with nine million travelers passing through its marble halls each year.
The airport has grown dramatically since 1967, the year it opened. Over the years it's grown to see the addition of duty-free shops, restaurants and now a new terminal slated to open in 2009.
The majority of flights are international, but of those, the bulk of them are from Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, Germany and Holland. The east coast of Spain is very popular with English visitors, and the bulk of the traffic through the Alicante airport heads for the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol.
From the Airport
Once you land in Alicante, you can choose from several modes of transportation. It's a good idea to consider what your needs will be during your stay. You may only need to be transported to and from your hotel or lodging, in which case, a taxi or bus would suffice. If you're interested in traveling throughout the region on day trips or other excursions, you might consider renting a car. You can rent a car at the airport or take an airport shuttle to your destination, and rent a car when you arrive. In some cases, it's less expensive to rent in the city rather than at the airport. Just be sure to secure transportation from the car rental location back to the airport on your return.
The airport bus is a convenient and inexpensive option. It runs on a regular schedule from early morning (8am) to late at night (11pm). You can catch a bus every forty-five minutes. Generally, the bus drivers only speak Spanish, but they're friendly and, if possible, will help with any questions you have.
You can also take a bus to Benidorm. As Benidorm is further up the Costa Blanca, it's more expensive. The ride is about an hour and a quarter to the popular resort area. There are also bus routes to other tourist locations, such as Calpe, Torrevieja and Denia.
If the bus isn't your thing, taxis are easily accessible. The drivers may not all be bilingual, but they'll take you where you want to go. The fare is based on the distance you travel.
