Book Flights to the Costa Blanca
If you’re planning a trip to the Costa Blanca, the first thing you need to work out is where you’re flying to.
For most people, Alicante-Elche Airport will be the obvious choice. It’s the main airport for the Costa Blanca and has a huge number of flights arriving from across the UK and Europe. Murcia Airport is another option and can sometimes work out better depending on where you’re staying and which flights are available.
Use the flight search below to compare your options, then take a look at the information further down the page before you book.
Find flights to the Costa Blanca
Enter your departure airport and travel dates to see what’s available.
Don’t just look at the cheapest ticket, though. The flight that saves you €20 might arrive at a much less convenient time or leave you with a more expensive journey at the other end.
It’s worth checking the baggage allowance, flight times and how you’re going to get from the airport to your accommodation before making your final choice.
Which airport should you fly to?
There are two airports that are likely to come up when you’re looking for flights to the Costa Blanca.
Alicante Airport
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is the main airport for the Costa Blanca and will usually be the first one to check.
It’s particularly convenient for places such as Alicante, Santa Pola, Guardamar, Torrevieja, Benidorm and much of the Orihuela Costa.
Alicante Airport currently has a very large range of routes, with Aena listing 144 destinations served by 44 airlines.
That means you’re likely to have plenty of choice when comparing flight times and prices. If you’re not sure which airport to use, start by checking Alicante.
Murcia Airport
Murcia International Airport is worth checking as well, particularly if you’re staying towards the southern end of the Costa Blanca or around the Mar Menor.
It has fewer routes than Alicante, so there may not always be a flight that works for your dates. At the moment, Aena lists 16 destinations and eight airlines operating from Murcia.
If you find a much better flight time or price, it can be worth comparing the complete journey from the airport to where you’re staying.
Alicante or Murcia – Which is better?
There isn’t really one answer that works for everyone. If you’re staying in Torrevieja, Benidorm, Quesarda Guardamar or most of the Orihuela Costa, Alicante will normally be the airport I’d check first.
If you’re staying further south, Murcia could be worth a look. But your accommodation address matters more than the name of the airport. For example, saving €30 on a flight isn’t much of a saving if it means paying considerably more for a taxi or transfer afterwards.
When comparing the two airports, look at:
- Flight price
- Departure and arrival times
- Baggage costs
- Transfer or taxi costs
- Car hire prices
- How long the journey to your accommodation will take
Sometimes the slightly more expensive flight is actually the cheaper option once you’ve added everything together.
What is the best airport for Torrevieja?
For most trips to Torrevieja, Alicante Airport is the one I’d check first. It’s a straightforward option for getting down to Torrevieja and there are normally plenty of flights to choose from.
Murcia Airport can also be an option, particularly if the flight price or arrival time is much better for your dates. The same applies if you’re staying around the Orihuela Costa. Check both airports if you’re happy to use either, rather than assuming one will always be cheaper.
Don’t forget about your flight times
This is something that’s easy to overlook when you’re concentrating on getting the cheapest flight. A flight arriving at 11pm might look like a bargain until you start thinking about how you’re getting to your accommodation.
You’ll also want to check the check-in arrangements for wherever you’re staying. If you’re staying in an apartment, for example, find out whether there is a key safe, reception or someone available to meet you if your flight arrives late.
The same applies to car hire. Check when the rental desk is open and what happens if your flight is delayed. A cheap flight isn’t quite as useful if you spend the first few hours of your holiday trying to work out how to get through the door.
How much luggage are you taking?
This is another one where the cheapest flight isn’t necessarily the cheapest trip. Airlines have different rules for hand luggage and checked bags, and adding a suitcase after you’ve chosen your flight can change the price quite a bit.
Before you book, think about what you’re actually going to take.
For a few days in Spain, you might be fine with hand luggage. If you’re coming for two or three weeks, travelling with children or bringing things for a longer stay, you’ll probably want to factor checked baggage into the price from the start.
But if push comes to shove pack light and buy some cheap cloths when you are here. There is a Primark in La Zenia and other city’s in the area, so you can get stuff cheaper than what it could cost you for an additional bag as luggage. If you have to get rid of them at the end of the trip put them in a cloths bin and they will go to a local charity.
Driving to the airport? Compare your parking options
If you’re driving to the airport, remember to factor in the cost of parking when you’re working out the overall cost of your trip. Airport parking can vary quite a bit depending on how long you’re away, which airport you’re using and how close you want to park to the terminal.
There are usually a few different options. On-site parking is often the most convenient, with some car parks within walking distance of the terminal and others using a shuttle bus. Park and Ride can be cheaper, although you’ll need to allow extra time to leave your car and catch the shuttle to the airport.
Another option is Meet and Greet, where you drive to a designated meeting point at the airport, hand over your car and make your way into the terminal. Your car is then collected and returned to you when you come back.
Prices can vary between providers, so it’s worth comparing the different options before booking. Also check exactly where the car park is, how long the transfer to the terminal takes and what happens if your flight is delayed or you arrive back later than expected.
If you’re not driving, you could also look at getting a taxi, arranging an airport transfer or using public transport, depending on where you live and which airport you’re flying from.
How will you get from the airport?
Once you’ve found your flight, you still need to get from the airport to where you’re staying. There are several options depending on where you’re going.
Airport transfer the other end.
A pre-booked transfer can be a good choice if you’re travelling with family, have lots of luggage or simply want someone waiting for you when you arrive.
It’s also useful if you’re staying somewhere where public transport isn’t particularly convenient.
Hire a car
If you’re planning on visiting several places during your stay, hiring a car can make life considerably easier. This is especially useful if you’re not staying right in the centre of a town or if you want to explore different parts of the Costa Blanca.
It’s worth comparing the complete hire price rather than just the advertised daily rate. Check the deposit, excess, fuel policy and any extra charges before booking.
Compare car rental prices
Public transport
Depending on where you’re staying, public transport may be perfectly practical. It’s worth checking the route before you travel rather than assuming there will be a direct bus or train from the airport to your accommodation. If you are staying in Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa we have put together a a page for all the bus routes in the area should you need it.
You can find the full list of routes here.
Where are you staying?
The Costa Blanca covers a large area, and the best airport and transport option can change depending on where you’re going. If you haven’t decided on your destination yet, have a look at some of the places around the coast before booking your flight.
Torrevieja
Torrevieja is one of the most popular places on the southern Costa Blanca and has plenty going on throughout the year.
It’s a good base if you want beaches, restaurants, bars and plenty of everyday amenities close by.
Orihuela Costa
The Orihuela Costa stretches along the coast south of Torrevieja and includes places such as La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Campoamor and Playa Flamenca.
Each area has its own feel, so it’s worth looking at where you’re actually staying rather than just searching for “Orihuela Costa”.
Guardamar del Segura
Guardamar is another popular option, particularly if you’re looking for a beach town with a slightly different feel from Torrevieja.
Alicante
If you’re looking for more of a city break, Alicante itself is worth considering.
You have the city, beaches, restaurants and plenty to see without needing to travel anywhere else. It has a tram net work and good reliable buses that travel all around the city.
Benidorm
This is the Party capital of Alicante. There is everything you could possible want in a holiday here.
There are theme and waterparks, a busy city centre, an old town and beaches. this is best known for its bars and nightlife.
Find your flight
Once you know which airport works best for your trip, you can compare the available flights and choose the one that suits you.
Remember to look at the complete cost, including baggage and getting from the airport to your accommodation, rather than simply choosing the lowest ticket price.