On a sunny day, there’s a lot to be said for travelling along the Costa Blanca with your nose practically pressed against the window. The tram from Alicante to Benidorm makes the journey part of the day, particularly if you’ve left time for a stop by the sea. The Alicante to Benidorm tram is a handy way to see a stretch of coast that’s easy to miss on the road.
The quick answer: Start at Luceros in Alicante city and search for the L1 to Benidorm using the TRAM d’Alacant planner. Check the exact end stop and any replacement service for your date. If you’re starting at the airport, allow for a separate airport bus or take the direct airport coach to Benidorm.
Where to board in Alicante
Luceros is a useful starting point from central Alicante. Follow signs down to the TRAM station and check the platform display for the L1 towards Benidorm. Several services share the city section, so check the line number and destination rather than hopping onto the first vehicle that appears. If you’re starting nearer the old town, check whether boarding at Mercado works better for your date.
Tickets, zones and the timetable
Use the operator’s current zone map or journey planner to price the whole trip. A ticket that covers a short trip in Alicante may cover fewer zones than you need for Benidorm. Buy and validate the ticket as instructed and keep it until you’ve left the station. If you’re making several trips, compare the available passes and check which zones they include.
Check the tram timetable in both directions. Leave a buffer if you’re connecting from a mainline train, and look for notices about engineering work. If the app shows a replacement bus, check where it boards and allow extra time.
Make the last leg to Benidorm part of the plan
Search using your actual destination as well as the word Benidorm. The tram arrival and the beach are separate legs of the journey. Check a walking or local bus route from the stop the planner gives you. If you’re heading for the old town, Levante or Poniente, each has a different onward route. A taxi for that last stretch can be useful with bags or if walking in the heat is a concern.
Fancy a stop along the way?
El Campello makes a tempting break if you have the time. Check your fare before getting off and confirm how you’ll continue from there. If you’d rather keep the afternoon free for Benidorm, stay on board, enjoy the views and aim for a walk along the waterfront once you arrive.
Use the network map to choose your stop
Open the official TRAM d’Alacant journey planner and check the L1 against the operator’s network and fare-zone map. The map helps explain why a city ticket may be different from the one you’ll need farther up the coast. Use the live planner for the final answer on services and stopping patterns, particularly if you are travelling around holidays or during works.
Save the location of Luceros and your Benidorm stop on your phone. In Alicante, look for the TRAM entrance rather than following signs to the mainline railway station. In Benidorm, decide whether you want the old town, the Levante side or Poniente before working out the last leg. Check the walking route for slopes and busy roads. If it’s a day trip, make sure you know how to get back to the same platform or where a replacement bus would leave.
What to see on a day trip to Benidorm
Start with the old town and the Balcón del Mediterráneo. It’s a good way to see how the town sits between its two beaches before deciding where to go next. Give yourself time around the upper square and look down towards the lower viewing platform. You can enjoy the coastal view from above if the stairs are a concern.
From there, go east along Levante for the livelier promenade or west towards Poniente and Parque de Elche for a slower walk. If you’ve brought children or someone who prefers shorter stretches, pick one waterfront and build in a stop for lunch. A day spent trying to walk both bays end to end can feel suspiciously like exercise with an ice cream in the middle.
The municipal visitor information page is useful for local contacts and assistance. If you’re spending the night, map the hotel entrance from the tram stop before assuming you can wheel a case down the shortest line on the screen.
How to make El Campello a worthwhile stop
Leave enough time to walk down to the waterfront, stretch your legs and have a look at the beach and harbour area before heading back to the station. If you only have time for a quick dash to the water and back, enjoy the view from the tram instead. Check whether your ticket allows a break of journey or whether you need to buy the next leg separately.
Useful checks for families and step-free travel
Check the operator’s current station access, lift status and boarding information before setting off. If you’re taking the tram after a flight, factor in the walk and wait between the airport bus and the underground platforms at Luceros. From the city, leave extra time if a weekend event or a hot afternoon makes the stops busy. For an evening return, note a practical service as well as the last one and decide in advance how you’ll get back up from the seafront.
If your dates are fixed, recheck the journey planner the evening before travel. A saved map is helpful for finding stations, but current notices are what tell you whether the tram, platform or boarding arrangement has changed. That’s a five-minute check worth doing before you’re already halfway to the stop.
When the coach may suit you better
Compare Alicante city departures with ALSA’s Alicante–Benidorm route if you’re starting close to a coach stop or need a different return time. Put the exact pickup and drop-off in your map. A faster journey on paper can lose its advantage if you need to cross town at both ends. For a scenic outing with a flexible schedule, the tram is still the one I’d look at first.
Plan your journey: TRAM d’Alacant journey planner and service updates · Aena airport bus and tram connection.
Keep planning: Alicante Airport to Benidorm guide.
For more itineraries, browse our car-free destination guides.
