Quick answer: Alicante is one of the cheapest sun destinations from the UK, with a walkable centre, a beach in town and a tram along the coast — good value from March to November.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Alicante from the UK”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/destinations/alicante/
Alicante is what people mean when they say the Costa Blanca is underrated. A palm-lined esplanade, a castle on the hill, a city beach you can walk to from the hotel, and a tram that runs up the coast to Altea and Calpe for a few euros.
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When to go
- Best months: April to June, and September to October
- Cheapest months: November to February
- Avoid: Mid-August, when the Spanish coast is at capacity
What it costs
| Return flights from the UK | £40–£120 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel, per night | £70–£120 |
| Car hire, per week | £80–£160 |
| Tram to Benidorm or Altea | £2–£4 |
Typical ranges from our partner searches, 2026-11-12. Both the season and the booking window shift these figures.
Getting there
Alicante is one of the best-served airports in Spain from the UK, with direct flights from most regional airports and a tram stop at the terminal. The city centre is 10 km away and the C6 bus runs every 20 minutes.
Flights to Alicante from the UK
10 UK airports have non-stop flights to Alicante, landing at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC). The full month-by-month fare bands are on the cheapest month page, and a two-night budget is on what a weekend costs.
| From | Flight time | Cheapest month | Returns from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 2h 35m | February | £30 |
| London Gatwick | 2h 35m | February | £30 |
| London Luton | 2h 35m | February | £30 |
| London Stansted | 2h 35m | February | £30 |
| Birmingham | 2h 55m | February | £35 |
| Edinburgh | 2h 55m | February | £35 |
| Glasgow | 2h 55m | February | £35 |
| Leeds Bradford | 2h 55m | February | £35 |
| Manchester | 2h 55m | February | £35 |
| Newcastle | 2h 55m | February | £35 |
Indicative return bands from our partner searches, city airport to arrival. The full month-by-month table is on each route page.
All 149 UK flight routes we cover
What to see
- Santa Bárbara castle, reached by lift from the beachfront
- Explanada de España and the old town around Santa María
- Playa del Postiguet, the city beach
- A day on the tram to Altea, Calpe or Benidorm
Where to stay
The centre around the Explanada gives you the beach and the restaurants on foot. Staying in Altea or Calpe suits people who want a quieter base and do not mind the tram.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alicante cheaper than Málaga?
Usually yes, by around 15–20% on hotels in the same category.
Can I get by without a car?
Yes. The tram covers the coast and the city is walkable.
Is the beach in the city?
Yes — Playa del Postiguet is five minutes from the old town.
Also worth a look
- Tenerife: The one Canary Island that works all year.
- Faro & the Algarve: Cheap flights, big beaches, short transfers.
- Palma & Majorca: A real city with an island attached.