Public Transport in Alicante 2026 — Bus, TRAM & Train Guide
Ticket prices, routes, and how to get from the airport to Gran Alacant
TL;DR — The Quick Answer
TRAM does NOT reach Gran Alacant — it only serves routes north of the city centre (Benidorm, El Campello). Gran Alacant ↔ Alicante: Vectalia bus routes 1/3, ~35 min, ~2 €, every 60 min (weekends every 2 h). Airport ALC → Gran Alacant: taxi 25–35 € / 12 min or private transfer from 25 €. Single city bus ticket: 1.45 €; BonoBús 10 journeys: 5.25 € (from 01.07.2025). Renfe from Alicante to Madrid: from 9 € (Avlo), ~2h 20min.
TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante — Routes and Fares
The TRAM Metropolitano is a light rail/tram network operated by Generalitat Valenciana (FGV). It connects Alicante city centre with coastal and inland towns — but exclusively to the north and west of the centre.
TRAM lines overview
| Line | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | Luceros (centre) ↔ Benidorm Intermodal | ~70 min |
| L2 | Luceros ↔ Sant Vicent del Raspeig (University) | ~28 min |
| L3 | Luceros ↔ El Campello | ~31 min |
| L4/L5 | Luceros ↔ Playa de San Juan (loop) | ~27 min |
| L9 | Benidorm ↔ Denia (diesel, via Altea, Calpe) | ~90 min |
Source: tramalacant.es
TRAM does not reach Gran Alacant
All TRAM lines run north of the city centre. Gran Alacant lies to the south — about 8 km past the airport. Gran Alacant is served exclusively by Vectalia Movilidad regional buses.
TRAM ticket prices 2025/2026
| Ticket | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (sencillo) | 1.45 € | 2.80 € | 3.90 € |
| Return (ida y vuelta) | 2.50 € | 4.60 € | — |
| 10-journey Bono | 8.70 € | 12.00 € | — |
| Monthly pass | 40.00 € | — | — |
Current fares: tramalacant.es/en/fares/ — verify before travelling.
City Buses Alicante (TAM / Vectalia)
The TAM urban bus network (Transport d'Alacant Municipal), operated by Vectalia Alicante, has over 25 lines. For tourists the key route is line C-6 — the only bus connecting Alicante city centre with ALC airport (24h service, every ~20 min, ticket approx. 4.50 €).
TAM city bus fares (from 1 July 2025)
- Single ticket: 1.45–1.50 €
- BonoBús 10 journeys (with 40% subsidy): 5.25 € = 0.52 €/trip
- Card holder (one-time purchase): 2 €
- Children under 14: free
- Youth 15–30: 50% discount
Buses to Gran Alacant — Vectalia Movilidad
Gran Alacant is a residential urbanisation ~12 km south of Alicante city centre — if you're considering moving here, read our Gran Alacant expat guide. Public transport is provided by Vectalia Movilidad regional lines:
Santa Pola ↔ Gran Alacant ↔ Airport ALC ↔ Alicante centre
Time: ~35–55 min to Alicante centre | Fare: ~2–3 € | Every ~60 min (weekends every 2 h)
Gran Alacant stops: Consum supermarket, Avenida del Mediterrani, Carabassi beach
Current timetables and full route list: movilidad.vectalia.es/rutas/ — always check before travelling.
Weekend warning: On Sundays and public holidays buses to Gran Alacant run every 2 hours (instead of every hour). Last bus to Alicante around 20:00 — after that you will need a taxi or Cabify. Current timetables: movilidad.vectalia.es
Getting from Alicante Airport (ALC) to Gran Alacant
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is just ~10 km from Gran Alacant — one of Europe's most conveniently positioned airports relative to its main resort area.
- 💶 25–35 € (flat rate, 3–4 people)
- ⏱️ approx. 11–14 min
- 📍 Rank at arrivals exit
- 💳 Card payment accepted
Source: taxisantapolagranalacant.com
- 💶 from 25 € (saloon, 1–4 people)
- ⏱️ approx. 12–15 min
- 📱 Book online, driver with sign
- ✈️ Waits for delayed flights
Beniconnect, Shuttle Direct, Suntransfers
- 💶 approx. 2–3 €
- ⏱️ approx. 15–20 min
- 🔄 Vectalia route towards Santa Pola
- ⚠️ Check timetable — infrequent
Source: movilidad.vectalia.es
- 💶 approx. 4.50 € (airport supplement TAE — higher than standard 1.45 € city ticket)
- ⏱️ ~20 min to city centre
- 🕐 Every ~20 min, 24h service
- ❌ Does NOT go to Gran Alacant
Source: aena.es
Renfe Trains from Alicante
Alicante-Terminal station (Estación de Madrid) is the main rail hub. It serves both high-speed AVE trains and the budget Avlo (Renfe low-cost). From the airport to the station: C-6 bus (~35 min, 4.50 €) or taxi (~20 €, 15 min).
| Route | Time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Alicante → Madrid | ~2h 20min | 9 € (Avlo) |
| Alicante → Valencia | ~1h 40min | from 15 € |
| Alicante → Barcelona | ~4h 30min | from 39 € |
Book at: renfe.com — Avlo tickets sell fast, book in advance.
ALSA Long-distance Buses from Alicante
In addition to Renfe trains, ALSA — Spain's leading coach operator — runs long-distance services from Alicante Bus Station (Estación de Autobuses, C/ Portugal 17). Coaches are a good alternative to AVE trains, especially for last-minute bookings.
| ALSA Route | Time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Alicante → Madrid | ~5h | ~25 € |
| Alicante → Valencia | ~2h 30min | ~10 € |
| Alicante → Barcelona | ~6h | ~30 € |
Timetables and tickets: alsa.com — prices vary, book online for best fares.
Useful Apps and Practical Tips
📱 TRAM d'Alacant (official)
Real-time timetables and alerts for TRAM lines L1–L9. Best for TRAM travel.
📱 Moovit
Best for tourists — covers TRAM + TAM + Vectalia, door-to-door planning, offline maps.
📱 Google Maps
Good in Alicante centre. Weaker for smaller Vectalia routes (Gran Alacant, Santa Pola).
🚕 PideTaxi / Cabify
PideTaxi — official taxis with regulated fares. Cabify minimum 24 €. Uber available since 2024.
Top 5 tips
- Always validate your ticket — fines up to 200 € for missing validation, inspectors travel in plain clothes.
- Buy BonoBús at a tobacconist (estanco), not on the bus — single tickets cost full price on board.
- For 3–4 people with luggage, a taxi from the airport to Gran Alacant (~7–9 €/person) beats a 2-hour journey with a change.
- C-6 bus runs 24h — safe for late-night flights to/from city centre.
- Weekends in Gran Alacant: last bus to Alicante around 20:00 — plan accordingly or use Cabify.
Useful links
- 🚌 Vectalia Gran Alacant timetables: movilidad.vectalia.es/rutas/
- 🚊 TRAM routes and timetables: tramalacant.es
- ✈️ Transport from ALC airport: aena.es
- 🚄 Renfe train tickets: renfe.com
- 🚌 ALSA long-distance buses: alsa.com
- 🗺️ Google Maps — Alicante transport: maps.google.com
- 🏡 Cost of living in Gran Alacant 2026: cost-of-living-gran-alacant-2026
- 📍 Expat guide to Gran Alacant: expat-life-gran-alacant-relocation-guide
- 🅿️ Parking guide for Spain: parking-spain-guide
Rafał Prońko
Owner of Brisa Alacant
Owner of the Brisa Alacant long-term rental apartment since 2023, I regularly visit Costa Blanca and know the region from personal experience. All the places described on this blog I have visited myself — photos and tips come from my own visits. I help guests discover the best attractions in the Alicante region.