Alicante, Spain — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Airlines operating direct flights to Alicante from the UK include easyJet, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Flybe and Jet2.com.
El Altet International Airport (ALC)
Tel: 902 404 704 or (96) 691 9000.
Website: www.aena.es
El Altet airport is located 9km (5 miles) south of Alicante and has two passenger terminals.
Airport facilities
Facilities include bureau de change, ATMs and a post office. Car hire is available from Auriga, Avis, Centauro, Europcar and Goldcar Rental. Other facilities include a tourist information desk, duty-free shopping, local police, post box, pharmacy, first-aid center, shops, restaurants and bars. There is no business center but Ifach VIP Lounge, on Departure level 1 in the main terminal, offers phone, fax, photocopying, catering and internet access for business-class passengers.
Transport to the city
Bus C6 runs to Plaza del Mar via Alicante Central Bus Station every 40 minutes. Other services run to Benidorm and Murcia. Taxis are also available: ranks are located opposite both terminals.
Getting There By Road
In Alicante, traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years. Speed limits are 120kph (74mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways, 90kph (56mph) on roads outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) within towns, unless otherwise stated. A valid driving license and third-party insurance are required to drive in Spain. National licenses from EU countries are accepted, although drivers are advised to obtain an International Driving Permit. A Green Card is strongly recommended for all visitors and is compulsory for those from outside the EU. * The speed limit on motorways in Spain has temporarily been reduced to 110kph (68mph). The new limit will remain in effect until the end of June 2011 at the earliest. The slowdown is intended to save energy in response to the surge in oil prices sparked by the unrest in Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world.
Emergency breakdown services
Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) (tel: 902 300 505).
Coach services
Eurolines international coach services (tel: (96) 512 1455; www.eurolines.es) operate from Alicante's bus station, Calle Portugal 17 (tel: (96) 513 0700), linking Alicante to many other parts of Spain and also to destinations in Morocco and Europe. The Alsa coach company (tel: (91) 327 0540; www.alsa.es) also operates out of the same station, with routes throughout the rest of Spain in addition to services to other European cities.
Getting There By Rail
Rail Services
Estación de Tren de Alicante, in Avenida de Salamanca, is the city's main railway station. Alicante has good rail links to Madrid (Altaria Trains) and Barcelona (Euromed Trains). Other trains, such as the Talgo, link Alicante with Asturias, Castilla, the Basque Country, Valencia and Montpellier (France).
Rail Operators
The Spanish rail network is operated by RENFE (tel: 902 240 202; www.renfe.es).
Getting Around in Alicante, Spain
Public Transport
Public transport in Alicante is operated by TAM (tel: (96) 514 0936; www.subus.es). Alicante is a relatively compact city and its major attractions are all within walking distance. However, a reliable bus service does operate in and around the city. Bus 9 goes to San Juan Beach every 20 minutes from the train station. You can buy single tickets from the driver or passes for discounted travel from kiosks, Caja Rural de Alicante offices and TAM ticket offices.
Public transport in Alicante also includes four tram lines (tel: 900 720 472; www.fgvalicante.com/tram) that connect all the main areas of Alicante and its suburbs with Benidorm, Altea and Denia.
Taxis
Reliable companies include Tele Taxi (tel: (96) 510 1611), Radio Taxi (tel: (96) 591 0111) and Area Taxi (tel: (96) 591 0591).
Car Hire
Supplements are often charged for drivers under the age of 25 wishing to hire a car in Spain. A valid passport is required as proof of identity. Along with several smaller agencies, the following major companies provide car hire in Alicante: Atesa (tel: (96) 512 3396; www.atesa.es), Avis (tel: (96) 513 6258; www.avis.es), Europcar (tel: (96) 598 2218; www.europcar.es) and Hertz (tel: (96) 592 2587; www.hertz.es).
Bicycle Hire
You can hire bicycles and scooters from Rent and Go!, Avenida de Costa Blanca 95, San Juan beach (tel: (96) 515 0914; www.rentandgo.es). They also offer skateboards, rollerblades and quad bikes.
