Benidorm is one of Spain’s easiest destinations for international visitors, with well-established infrastructure built around mass tourism. English is widely spoken in the tourist zones, payments are straightforward, and the city is compact enough to walk. Here is the practical information you need for a smooth trip. For a complete overview, read our Benidorm travel guide.
Benidorm Travel Tips: Getting There and From the Airport
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is the main gateway, located 58km south of Benidorm. It handles flights from most European cities with Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and Vueling as the dominant carriers. The ALSA bus runs direct from the airport to Benidorm bus station (Calle Francisco Llorca Anton 6) roughly every 1 to 2 hours from 8am to 11pm. The journey takes 50 minutes and costs EUR 9.45 one-way. Buy tickets from the ALSA desk in arrivals or the self-service machines. A taxi from the airport ranks costs EUR 75 to 85 and takes 35 to 40 minutes. Pre-booked private transfers run EUR 60 to 77 for up to 3 passengers. For more detail, see our Benidorm weather by month. Valencia Airport (VLC), 140km north, is an alternative with fewer flight options; the ALSA bus from Valencia to Benidorm takes 2 hours and costs EUR 18 to 25.
Benidorm Travel Tips: Getting Around the City
Benidorm is walkable end to end. Levante Beach to Poniente Beach via the Old Town is roughly 3km on foot. The local bus network (Llorente Bus, blue and white buses) runs routes connecting the bus station, Levante, Poniente, Rincon de Loix and La Cala. Single fares cost EUR 1.50, payable in cash to the driver. Bus L1 runs along Levante to the centre and is the most useful for tourists. Taxis are plentiful with ranks at the bus station, both beaches and the Old Town. A short hop within the city costs EUR 5 to 8. Uber and Cabify do not operate in Benidorm; local taxis only. If you are staying in central Levante, Poniente or the Old Town, you do not need a rental car and parking is scarce and expensive (EUR 15 to 25 per day at hotel car parks). For more detail, see our best time to visit Benidorm. A car is useful if you plan day trips to Guadalest, Altea or Alicante.
Benidorm Travel Tips: Money, Tipping and Costs
Spain uses the euro. Cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and larger shops. Carry some cash for small tapas bars, market stalls and bus fares. ATMs are widespread but avoid the standalone Euronet machines on the Levante promenade which charge high fees and poor exchange rates. Use bank ATMs (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank). Tipping is not expected in Spain but is appreciated. Leave small change or round up to the nearest euro at casual bars and cafes. For sit-down restaurant meals, 5 to 10 percent is standard for good service. Budget roughly EUR 80 to 120 per day for a mid-range couple including a 3-star hotel, two meals out, drinks and a small activity budget. For more detail, see our things to do in Benidorm. A pint of local beer costs EUR 2.50 to 4 depending on location (cheaper in Old Town, pricier on the Levante front), a menu del dia (3-course lunch) runs EUR 10 to 15, and a evening meal for two with wine costs EUR 40 to 60 at a mid-range Spanish restaurant.
Benidorm Travel Tips: Safety
Benidorm is generally safe with low violent crime rates. The main risks are pickpocketing in crowded areas (particularly the Levante promenade, the Old Town during festivals, and the outdoor markets) and drinks spiking in the English Zone bars. Keep valuables in your hotel safe and carry only what you need for the day. Avoid walking alone on the beach at night. The Spanish emergency number is 112 and operators speak English. There is a 24-hour medical centre (Centro de Salud de Benidorm, Avenida de Europa 1), and the nearest hospital with A&E is Hospital Clinica Benidorm on Avenida Alfonso Puchades 8. For more detail, see our Benidorm events and festivals. Tap water in Benidorm is technically safe to drink but is heavily chlorinated and most locals and visitors drink bottled water (EUR 0.50 for a 1.5-litre bottle at supermarkets).
Benidorm Travel Tips: Visas, Passports and Entry
Spain is part of the Schengen Area. EU citizens need only a valid national ID card or passport. UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. From 2025, non-EU citizens from visa-exempt countries need an ETIAS authorisation (EUR 7, valid for 3 years, applied online before travel). Check your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from Spain. For more detail, see our Benidorm neighborhoods. Post-Brexit, UK citizens must ensure their passport was issued within the last 10 years on the day of entry.
Benidorm Travel Tips: Language and Communication
In the Levante tourist zone, you can get by entirely in English. Menus are bilingual, bar staff speak English, and British-run businesses are common. In the Old Town, Poniente and La Cala, basic Spanish is more useful though many hospitality workers still speak some English. Valencian (a variant of Catalan) is co-official in the region alongside Spanish and you will see it on street signs. A few Spanish phrases go a long way: “por favor” (please), “gracias” (thank you), “la cuenta” (the bill), “una caña” (a small draught beer). Free Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and many bars. For more detail, see our where to stay in Benidorm. The main mobile networks (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange) have good coverage throughout the city.
Benidorm Travel Tips: Day Trips Worth Taking
Guadalest, a hilltop village 25km inland, sits perched on a rocky pinnacle with a castle, museums, and a turquoise reservoir below. Buses run from Benidorm but a guided tour (EUR 35 to 45 per person including Algar Waterfalls) is easier. The Algar Waterfalls (Fonts de l’Algar), 15km from Benidorm, are natural spring-fed pools and cascades where you can swim in summer. Entry costs EUR 5 for adults. Altea, 10km north, is a whitewashed artists’ town with a blue-domed church on a hilltop, cobbled streets and Mediterranean views. Bus L10 from Benidorm takes 30 minutes for EUR 1.50. Alicante city is 45 minutes south by bus (EUR 5) or tram (L1 from Benidorm, EUR 3 to 5, 70 minutes) with a castle, marina, and excellent tapas scene. Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, is 1.5 hours north by Alsa bus (EUR 18 to 25) with the City of Arts and Sciences, a huge old town and the birthplace of paella.
Suggested Hotels in Benidorm
Meliá Villaitana
Luxury golf and spa resort 3km from central Benidorm designed as a Mediterranean village, with two Jack Nicklaus golf courses, multiple pools and six restaurants. Best for golfers, couples and spa lovers seeking a resort escape within reach of the coast. Check rates and availability
Flash Hotel Benidorm
Adults-only 4-star hotel 300 metres from Levante Beach with a rooftop pool, modern design, king-size beds and a spa. Best for couples wanting a stylish adults-only base near the Levante action. Check rates and availability
Apartamentos Oasis Benidorm
Budget apartments directly on the Levante promenade 50 metres from the sand, with kitchenettes and sea-view balconies. Rated 9.5 for location from over 2,400 reviews. Best for budget travellers who want a prime spot without the resort price tag. Check rates and availability
