Alicante Airport to Benidorm by Car
When you land at Alicante Airport (ALC) and are heading to Benidorm, a hire car is one of the easiest ways to get there. The drive is short, the signs are clear, and you are normally in Benidorm in around three quarters of an hour.
The only part that tends to confuse people is the toll question. A lot of information online is out of date, and some guides mix up different sections of the AP-7. For the route from Alicante Airport to Benidorm, the answer in 2026 is simple: you can take the motorway without paying a toll.
Distance and Drive Time
From the terminal area at Alicante Airport to central Benidorm, the distance is roughly 58 kilometers. In normal traffic, the drive takes about 40 to 45 minutes. In peak summer or if you hit traffic around Alicante, it can take a little longer, but this is still one of the easier airport-to-resort drives on the Costa Blanca.
The fastest route is via the AP-7. It is wide, modern and easy to follow. You leave the airport, follow signs for Valencia and Benidorm, and stay on the motorway until you are close to Benidorm.
Are There Tolls on the AP-7 to Benidorm?
No. Driving on the AP-7 between Alicante Airport and Benidorm is free of charge.
That is worth saying plainly because the AP-7 used to be a toll road on several stretches. The tolls north toward Benidorm were removed in 2020. The last part that still caused confusion in the Alicante area was the Alicante bypass near El Campello. It was made temporarily free in 2024, and in December 2025 the Spanish government approved making that bypass permanently toll-free.
In practice, you get the best route without an extra charge: a fast four-lane motorway, no toll booth, and no reason to force yourself onto smaller roads just to save money.
Driving South? Stay Alert:
While the route heading north to Benidorm is completely free, this is not the case if you drive south from the airport toward Torrevieja and Cartagena on the AP-7. In that direction, you will still encounter toll booths (such as at Los Montesinos and La Zenia) which require payment.
AP-7 or N-332?
For most visitors, the AP-7 is the right choice. You get motorway-standard roads, a 120 km/h limit where conditions allow, and very little to think about once you are on it. After a flight, that is usually exactly what you want.
The N-332 is the coastal road. It runs more or less parallel to the motorway and passes places such as El Campello and Villajoyosa. It can be a pleasant drive if you have time, want a glimpse of the coast, or plan to stop somewhere along the way. As a pure transfer route, though, it is slower. You will meet lower speed limits, more roundabouts, and more local traffic through built-up areas.
A good compromise is to use the AP-7 on arrival and save the N-332 for another day, when you are not juggling luggage, flight fatigue and check-in times.
Driving Out of Alicante Airport
The traffic immediately outside the airport can feel busy for the first few minutes, especially if you are not used to Spanish signage and roundabouts. Take it calmly and follow signs for A-70, AP-7, Valencia and Benidorm. The main thing is not to follow the direction for Murcia if you are heading north.
Once you are on the correct road, the drive settles down quickly. Keep right unless overtaking, follow the Benidorm signs, and avoid unnecessary lane changes. The motorway does most of the work for you.
Skip the Airport Queues and Pressure:
With RentaCarBestPrice, you complete your check-in online before you travel. We meet you directly and hand you the keys, with 100% full coverage included in the price and no need to spend the start of your holiday at a car hire counter.
The Short Version
The drive from Alicante Airport to Benidorm is short, simple and toll-free. Choose the AP-7 if you want the easiest route. Choose the N-332 only if you have time and want a slower coastal drive.
Planning your trip? See our options for Alicante Airport car hire. You can start the holiday with the car ready, the route clear, and the usual rental surprises removed before you arrive.