Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport
Alicante, Spain
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport
Gateway to Spain's Costa Blanca and southeastern coast.
- ›Renamed Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport in 2021 in honor of the Spanish poet Miguel Hernández.
- ›Managed by AENA, Spain's national airport operator.
- ›Consistently ranks among Spain's top five busiest airports by passenger traffic.
- ›The current terminal building opened in 2011, modernizing and consolidating airport infrastructure.
- ›Located approximately 9 km southwest of Alicante city centre, near Elche.
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, named after the renowned Spanish poet born in nearby Orihuela, is the primary international gateway to the Costa Blanca region of southeastern Spain. Opened in 1967 and substantially expanded over the decades, it ranks among Spain's busiest airports, handling millions of tourists and residents each year. Its strategic location between Alicante and Elche makes it a vital hub for both leisure travel and regional connectivity.
- Terminal 1 — The main passenger terminal handling all commercial flights, featuring check-in, arrivals, departures, shopping, and dining facilities across a modern, well-organized layout.
- TRAM-L1 tram line connecting the airport to Alicante city centre and Benidorm
- ALSA and local bus services operating routes to Alicante, Benidorm, and surrounding towns
- Licensed taxis available at the designated rank outside the arrivals hall
- Car rental desks from major providers including Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Enterprise located in the arrivals area
- Private transfer and shuttle services bookable to Costa Blanca resorts
- Meliá Alicante
- Hotel Spa Porta Maris & Suites del Mar
- Senator Spa Elche
- Ibis Alicante
- NH Collection Alicante
Inside the terminal, travellers will find a range of cafés, fast-food outlets, and sit-down restaurants offering everything from Spanish tapas to international fare, with several options airside past security. The surrounding area near the airport has limited standalone dining, so most visitors head into Alicante city or Elche, both roughly 10–15 minutes away, for authentic local cuisine including the region's famous rice dishes and fresh seafood.
- Book the TRAM-L1 tram in advance or purchase tickets at the airport station — it is by far the most affordable way to reach Alicante city centre.
- Arrive early during July and August as the airport becomes extremely busy with summer tourist traffic and security queues can be lengthy.
- The airport uses a single terminal, so all arrivals and departures are in the same building — follow signage carefully for your specific zone.
- Currency exchange rates at airport bureaux de change are typically unfavourable; use an ATM or arrange currency before arrival for better rates.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is an international airport located about nine kilometres southwest of the city of Alicante and about ten kilometres east of the city of Elche in Spain. Alicante–Elche is the busiest airport in south-eastern Spain and serves both the southern part of the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia.
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