Quick answer:
No, there is no direct train from Alicante Airport to Benidorm, and Alicante Airport has no train station of its own. There is, however, a light rail TRAM line connecting central Alicante to Benidorm, reachable by taking a connecting bus from the airport first. The full journey by public transport takes around 2 hours and costs roughly €7 to €8 in total.
This question, is there a train from Alicante Airport to Benidorm, comes up constantly, and the confusion is understandable: Alicante has two separate rail networks with different operators, and neither one starts at the airport. Here’s exactly how the pieces fit together.
Does Alicante Airport have a train station?
No. Alicante Airport (ALC) does not have a train or tram station on site. To reach any rail network, you first need to get into Alicante city, most commonly by the C6 airport bus, which runs every 20 minutes and takes about 25 to 30 minutes to reach the city centre, stopping near the Luceros tram hub. A taxi covers the same distance in around 10 to 15 minutes.
This surprises a lot of first-time visitors, since many European airports have a train station built into the terminal. Alicante Airport doesn’t, at least not yet, there is a longer-term FGV infrastructure project aiming to extend the tram network toward the airport and the Renfe station, but it remains under construction with no confirmed completion date as of this writing.
Alicante RENFE to Benidorm: why this isn’t the route you want
Here’s the detail that trips up most people searching for this: Alicante’s Renfe train station (the national rail network, used for AVE high-speed and long-distance trains) does not run trains to Benidorm at all. Renfe services from Alicante connect to cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Murcia, not to coastal Costa Blanca towns.
Benidorm is served by an entirely different network, the Alicante TRAM, operated by FGV rather than Renfe. If you search for an Alicante RENFE to Benidorm connection expecting a mainline train, you won’t find one, because it doesn’t exist. The route you actually want is the TRAM.
The TRAM: your actual train-like option to Benidorm
The TRAM Line 1 (red line) connects Luceros station in central Alicante directly to Benidorm. It’s best described as a light rail or tram-train rather than a conventional train, but it runs on its own dedicated track for most of the route and functions much like a regional train would.
Key details:
- Departure point: Luceros station, central Alicante (not the Renfe station, though the two are roughly 350 metres apart)
- Journey time: approximately 70 to 78 minutes to Benidorm
- Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes, with extended summer services
- Price: around €2.80 to €3.75 for a single ticket
- Stops: the coastal route also passes El Campello and Villajoyosa on the way to Benidorm
If you’re continuing further up the coast, Line 9 connects onward from Benidorm to Altea, Calpe, and Dénia, with a change of tram at Benidorm station.
Full journey: Alicante Airport to Benidorm by public transport
Putting the pieces together, here’s what the complete public transport route looks like:
| Step | Mode | Approx. time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport to Luceros | C6 bus | 25-30 min | €3.85 |
| Luceros to Benidorm | TRAM Line 1 | 70-78 min | €2.80-3.75 |
| Total | ~2 hours | ~€7-8 |
That compares with around 45 minutes by taxi or a fixed-price private transfer covering the same Alicante Airport to Benidorm route directly, with no bus-to-tram transfer to manage and no walking between stations with luggage.
Which option actually makes sense?
- Budget is the top priority and you’re travelling light: the bus-plus-TRAM combination is the cheapest way to make this journey, at roughly €7 to €8 total.
- You’re travelling with a lot of luggage, young kids, or landing late at night: a taxi or private transfer avoids two separate legs and a station transfer, worth the extra cost for most people.
- You want a fixed price agreed before you travel: a private transfer removes both the taxi meter and the need to plan two separate tickets and timings.
For more on the airport itself, see our full Alicante Airport guide, including terminal layout and where to meet a private transfer driver. For every fixed price route from the airport, check the popular routes page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Alicante Airport to Benidorm? No. There is no train station at Alicante Airport, and no single train service connects the airport directly to Benidorm. A connecting bus plus the TRAM light rail line is the closest public transport equivalent.
Does the Alicante RENFE train go to Benidorm? No. Renfe operates Alicante’s mainline and high-speed rail network, connecting to cities like Madrid and Barcelona, not to Benidorm. Benidorm is served by the separate FGV TRAM network instead.
How do I get from Alicante Airport train station to Benidorm? Since there is no Alicante Airport train station, you first need to reach central Alicante by bus or taxi, then board TRAM Line 1 from Luceros station to Benidorm. The full trip takes around 2 hours.
Is the TRAM the same as a train? The TRAM is a light rail or tram-train system, distinct from Renfe’s national train network. It runs on dedicated track for most of its route and functions similarly to a regional train, but it’s operated separately and doesn’t connect to Renfe stations directly.
What’s faster, the TRAM or a private transfer? A private transfer is significantly faster, around 45 minutes door to door, compared to roughly 2 hours for the bus-plus-TRAM combination once the airport connection is included.