Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport
Also known as: Alicante Airport, Alicante-Elche Airport, El Altet Airport.
Private transfer from ALCSee pricesSee pricesAbout Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is the airport for Alicante, Elche and the Costa Blanca, in the Valencian Community, Spain. It sits at El Altet, in the countryside of Elche, about 9 km (5.5 miles) southwest of Alicante city and about 10 km east of Elche, close to the coast.
Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, Vueling, Norwegian and Wizz Air fly most of the routes. The biggest market is the United Kingdom, followed by the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Norway and Sweden, and domestic flights go to Madrid, Barcelona, Palma, Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela. In 2025 the airport handled almost 20 million passengers.
All flights use a single terminal, opened in March 2011; the two older terminals have been closed since then. The terminal was built with space for a future railway station and tram stop, but there is no rail link yet.
From the airport, most travelers head into Alicante, south to Santa Pola, Torrevieja and the Orihuela Costa, north to Benidorm, Altea and Calpe, or inland to Elche and Murcia.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Aena
- Runways
One (10/28)
- Passengers per year
About 20 million in 2025
- Terminal
One terminal, opened in March 2011
Arrival tips for Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport
Flights from other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. If you come from outside the Schengen area, as many passengers here do from the UK, you queue at passport control, where non-EU visitors are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System. Queues can build in summer when several UK flights land together.
After baggage claim, follow the signs out to the arrivals roadway. Official taxis, white with a green stripe, board on the right side of the roadway, and Uber and Cabify pick up on the left. Bus C6 runs to Alicante city center around the clock, every 15 minutes from 6:00 to 23:00 and hourly overnight. Hourly buses also run to Benidorm, Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Guardamar and Murcia, and local buses serve Elche and the nearby beaches. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.
There is no train or tram to the airport yet.
Spain is on Central European Time (CET), one hour ahead of the UK, and uses the euro.
Ground transportation
Bus C6 is the cheap way into Alicante; for Benidorm, Torrevieja and the rest of the Costa Blanca a pre-booked car or taxi is quicker.
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Book a transfer from ALCPrivate transfer
A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, the easiest option for Benidorm, Torrevieja, Calpe and villas along the coast.
Taxi from Alicante airport
Official white taxis with a green stripe board on the right side of the arrivals roadway. Door to door, but fares add up on longer trips.
Uber and Cabify
Ride-hailing pickups are on the left side of the arrivals roadway.
Bus C6 to Alicante
Runs 24 hours, every 15 minutes by day and hourly at night, to Alicante city center. The cheapest option.
Buses to Benidorm and Torrevieja
Hourly buses run to Benidorm, Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Guardamar and Murcia. Cheap, but slow and less frequent than a car.
Terminals
Terminal
The only terminal in use, opened in March 2011, for all domestic and international flights.
Airlines and destinations
Parking
Terminal parking lots
Opened with the new terminal in 2011, connected directly to the building, with sensor displays showing free spaces.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Alicante airport from Alicante city?
Alicante-Elche Airport is about 9 km (5.5 miles) southwest of Alicante city, at El Altet. Bus C6 runs from the terminal to the city center 24 hours a day, every 15 minutes by day, and taxis and pre-booked cars go door to door.
How do I get from Alicante airport to Benidorm?
Benidorm lies north of Alicante along the coast. Hourly buses run from the airport to Benidorm, and a taxi or pre-booked transfer goes direct, which is easier with luggage or for hotels and villas outside the town center.
Is there a train from Alicante airport?
No. The terminal was built with space for a railway station and tram stop, and a rail link has been studied, but there is no train or tram to the airport yet. Buses, taxis and pre-booked cars are the ways to leave the airport.
How many terminals does Alicante airport have?
Alicante has one terminal in use, opened in March 2011. The two older terminals closed when it opened and are due to be demolished as the airport expands.
Where are the taxis at Alicante airport?
Official taxis, white with a green stripe, board on the right side of the arrivals roadway outside the terminal. Uber and Cabify have their own pickup area on the left side.
Is Alicante airport the same as Elche airport?
Yes. Its full name is Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport. It sits at El Altet, which belongs to Elche, about 10 km east of Elche and 9 km southwest of Alicante, so it serves both cities and the whole Costa Blanca.