Why Base Yourself in Benissa?

Beyond its postcard‑worthy old stone façades, Benissa delivers a two‑for‑one: authentic inland Spain and instant beach access. Wander gothic streets scented with orange blossom, hike the rugged Sierra de Bèrnia in the morning, then swim at Cala Fustera by late afternoon. Even in high summer you’ll escape the louder nightlife of Calpe or Benidorm while keeping them within 15–30 minutes for day‑trips. That balance explains why holidaymakers increasingly search for Benissa holiday rentals (yes, that’s your cue to bookmark the link above) as an alternative to hotel chains further down the coast.

Benissa on the Map: Distances at a Glance

  • Alicante‑Elche Airport → Benissa  ≈ 80 km, about one hour by AP‑7.

  • Valencia Airport → Benissa  ≈ 120 km, about one hour fifteen minutes by AP‑7.

  • Benidorm → Benissa  ≈ 38 km, forty minutes via the N‑332 coast road.

  • Dénia → Benissa  ≈ 28 km, twenty‑five minutes via AP‑7.

Forget the old toll booths: since January 2020 the Costa Blanca section of the AP‑7 has been free, trimming both cost and stress for self‑drivers.

catedral de benissa

Flying into Alicante‑Elche (ALC)

Car Hire & Easy Driving Directions

  1. Exit the terminal following A‑70 / A‑31 green signs.

  2. Merge onto the A‑70 ring road, then choose the AP‑7 North towards Benidorm/Valencia.

  3. Cruise for roughly 65 km; mountain silhouettes rise inland while the Mediterranean flashes to your right.

  4. Take Exit 63 “Benissa/Teulada.” From here the N‑332 rolls three relaxed kilometres into town.

Allow an hour gate‑to‑door in light traffic. A compact rental with basic insurance often costs less than two intercity bus tickets, especially if two or more of you are travelling.

Shared Shuttle: Beniconnect Costa Connect

Beniconnect’s lime‑green minibuses depart up to seven times a day in high season (three in winter). Advance online booking (48 h+) is compulsory. Travel time averages 75 minutes thanks to a limited‑stop itinerary that drops you on Avenida País Valencià, steps from cafés and car‑hire offices. Prices hover around €13 pp, luggage included.

Local tip: Choose the early‑bird service—usually around 09 : 00—and you’ll skirt the midday jam near Calpe’s Peñón d’Ifac roundabout.

Direct ALSA Coach

ALSA’s turquoise coaches leave from the airport bus plaza (floor 0). The non‑stop run to Benissa hovers at 90 minutes and costs €13–15. Download the ALSA app for mobile boarding passes and real‑time seat selection; Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons sell out fastest.

TRAM + Bus Combo (Scenic Route)

For travellers who’d rather trade speed for sea views:

  1. Take the C‑6 airport bus to Alicante‑Luceros (every 20 minutes, 20 minutes’ ride).

  2. Board TRAM Line 1 to Benidorm (70 minutes).

  3. Change to Line 9 for Benissa (45 minutes).

  4. From the Benissa TRAM halt, hop a ten‑minute taxi or the micro ALSA bus into the historic centre.

Line 9 has just reopened end‑to‑end after multi‑year viaduct refurbishments, making this one of Spain’s prettiest coastal rail hops again.

Private Transfers & Taxis

Metered cabs outside arrivals display fixed fares—about €120 to Benissa. Still, pre‑booked sedans often shave €20–30 off that figure and guarantee child seats or oversize‑luggage space. For families or a late‑night touchdown it’s worth the click.

playa de benissa

Flying into Valencia (VLC)

Self‑Drive Essentials

Pick up the A‑3 for nine kilometres, switch briefly to V‑30, then sink onto the southbound AP‑7. You’ll gorge on citrus‑grove scenery before the motorway kisses the sea near Oliva. Exit 63 repeats itself and Benissa unfurls after a final three‑kilometre slide along the N‑332.

Direct ALSA Coach

Two daily services—morning and late afternoon—cover VLC → Benissa in just under two hours for €15–20. Buy tickets in the Arrivals hall kiosk or via the app (QR codes accepted on board). If your flight lands midday, a short hop on metro line 3 into downtown Valencia lets you catch additional departures from the main bus station.

Private Transfer

Expect around €125 for a four‑door sedan, €160–170 for an eight‑seat minivan. Drivers meet you at Arrivals with a sign and, better still, speak enough English to share roadside tapas tips.

Arriving Overland from Other Spanish Cities

  • Madrid: 480 km — four and a half hours by the A‑3 + A‑31 + AP‑7. ALSA’s executive coach Madrid → Benidorm then local bus to Benissa is the easiest no‑car combo.

  • Barcelona: 475 km — five hours on the AP‑7. Or ride a high‑speed AVE to Valencia, stretch your legs, then continue with the coach.

  • Murcia & Cartagena: Under two hours by car or by ALSA’s coastal coach, which threads Torrevieja, Guardamar, Altea and Calpe en route.

If you’re planning a road‑trip, bookmark our upcoming Costa Blanca itinerary (check the Vamdays blog next month) and pair it with a restful base—like one of those Benissa holiday rentals we mentioned earlier.

The Coastal TRAM Line 9: Railway with a View

Line 9—the narrow‑gauge link from Benidorm to Dénia—earns Instagram hearts thanks to cliff‑edge viaducts and pine‑framed sea glimpses. After a decade‑long rebuild finished in early 2025, the service now runs hourly in high season, every two hours off‑peak. Tickets cost €5.80 from Alicante to Benissa; under‑30s ride half‑price with Spain’s Free Youth Pass (extended through summer 2025).

Getting Around Benissa Once You Arrive

Benissa’s old town is walkable end‑to‑end in ten leisurely minutes, but the municipality also looks after car drivers:

  • Blue‑lined bays are free during siesta (14 : 00–16 : 00) and after 20 : 00.

  • A public car park behind the sports centre rarely fills—even in August.

  • An electric‑charging point hides in Calle Escoto for hybrid‑renters.

Meanwhile, the Benibús Beach Shuttle—a free municipal loop—zips locals and visitors between town and coves like Cala Fustera, Cala Pinets and Cala l’Advocat every 30 minutes from mid‑June to mid‑September, 09 : 00–19 : 30.

And remember: if the pull of turquoise water makes you extend your stay, browse those Benissa apartment rentals once more; many offer last‑minute discounts for low‑season hikers or remote‑workers.

Travel FAQs

Is the AP‑7 definitely toll‑free?
Yes. Spain’s Transport Ministry extended the toll suspension for the Costa Blanca section until at least February 2026.

Do I need to pre‑book the ALSA coach?
Weekdays outside summer, walk‑up tickets are fine, but Fridays and Sundays (and all of August) sell out. Use the app for a guaranteed seat and choose the left‑hand side for sea views.

Any current TRAM disruptions?
Line 9 is fully open. Line 1 sometimes runs bus replacements between Hospital de la Vila and Benidorm until late April 2025—check the TRAM d’Alacant app 24 hours before you ride.

Cheapest option for solo travellers?
ALSA coach from Alicante Airport: around €13, no transfers, free Wi‑Fi, and power sockets that actually work.

Most scenic option?
TRAM Line 9 wins by a country mile—picture serrated cliffs, terraced vineyards and the Mediterranean lighting up like liquid chrome each time you cross a viaduct.

Is parking tricky inside the old town?
Only on Friday morning when the weekly produce market blocks Avenida País Valencià. Otherwise you’ll usually find a spot within five minutes.