Overview
Alicante is the sunny capital of the Costa Blanca, a relaxed Mediterranean city where a working harbour, a hilltop castle and long sandy beaches sit within walking distance of each other. It is one of the most popular short-haul escapes for UK travellers, whether you want a city break, a family beach holiday or a spring golf trip. Direct flights run from airports right across the UK, and this page shows live fares so you can see how prices are moving before you book cheap flights to Alicante.
Best time to fly to Alicante
Alicante has one of the mildest climates in mainland Europe, with hot, dry summers and gentle winters. May, June, September and early October are the sweet spot: a warm sea, comfortable sightseeing temperatures and lower prices than the school holidays. July and August are hot and busy, while winter stays mild and quiet, which suits golf and walking breaks. Check the When to book chart above to compare months before you commit.
Airlines and routes
Alicante is very well served from the UK. easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2.com, British Airways and TUI all operate direct flights, with routes from London Gatwick, Luton and Stansted plus Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, East Midlands and Belfast, among others. Flights are almost always non-stop; typical flight time is around 2 hours 25 minutes from London and roughly 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours from northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Connecting options via Madrid exist but are rarely needed.
Things to do in Alicante
Compact and walkable, Alicante rewards a wander between its old town, seafront and museums.
- Santa Bárbara Castle: a hilltop fortress of medieval origin with sweeping views over the bay.
- Explanada de España: the palm-lined promenade paved with millions of marble tiles, best at dusk.
- Barrio de la Santa Cruz: the historic quarter of narrow lanes, flower-filled balconies and tiny bars.
- Postiguet Beach: a golden city-centre beach right below the castle.
- MARQ Archaeological Museum: an award-winning museum tracing the region from prehistory to the Moors.
At Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC)
The airport sits about 9km south-west of the city, a 15 to 20 minute drive. The C-6 airport bus runs frequently to the centre and main bus station in around 20 to 30 minutes for a couple of pounds. Metered taxis take roughly 15 minutes. Car hire is popular for reaching Costa Blanca resorts such as Benidorm, Calpe and Jávea; there is no rail link directly from the terminal.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Alicante
- Book roughly six to twelve weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares, and earlier for peak summer and half-term.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
- Use flexible date search and compare nearby UK airports; a short drive can pay off.
- Compare airlines on this page and shape your dates around the price charts rather than fixed days.
Travel essentials
UK travellers do not need a visa for holidays in Spain of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter and valid for at least three months after your planned departure. The currency is the euro, so budget for exchange from pounds, though cards are widely accepted. Carry a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) alongside travel insurance, and check the latest Foreign Office advice before you fly.
