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Benidorm has no mainline train station. That is the most important fact before you start planning this journey. There is no Benidorm-Valencia ticket on Renfe, and no platform in Benidorm where a long-distance train departs. What exists are two or three legs to reach Valencia by rail, or a direct coach that most travellers find simpler.
The practical routes are: take the TRAM light rail from Benidorm to Alicante, then a Renfe Avant train from Alicante to Valencia; or take a coach to Alicante and connect with Renfe there; or take a direct ALSA coach all the way to Valencia.
Your options at a glance
Route | Approximate journey time | Tickets needed |
|---|---|---|
Direct bus: Benidorm to Valencia (ALSA) | 2h 30m to 2h 45m | 1 |
Bus Benidorm to Alicante + Renfe Avant | 2h 45m to 3h 15m | 2 |
TRAM Benidorm to Alicante + Renfe Avant | 3h to 3h 45m | 2 |
For most people, the direct ALSA coach is the sensible default. Choose the Renfe route if you are using a rail pass, prefer the long-distance train experience into Valencia, or plan to continue by train from Valencia onward.
Getting from Benidorm to Alicante
By TRAM
The TRAM Metropolità d’Alacant is a coastal tram/light rail network run by FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana). It is not Renfe. Line 1 runs from Benidorm through Villajoyosa, Altea, and other coast towns to Alicante. The Benidorm TRAM stop is in the town centre.
The journey from Benidorm to Alicante-Terminal takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day. The TRAM schedule changes seasonally, so check the live timetable at trammetropolita.com before you travel.
Your TRAM ticket is bought separately from any Renfe ticket. Use the machines at the Benidorm stop or the TRAM Metropolitano app. No Interrail or Eurail Pass covers this leg -- FGV is not in either network.
By bus to Alicante
ALSA runs frequent coaches from Benidorm bus station to Alicante. The trip takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour and is usually more frequent than the TRAM. It also tends to be easier with large luggage. If your main goal is reaching Alicante ADIF to catch a Renfe train, the bus to Alicante is often the simpler first leg.
Alicante: two stations, not one
This is the transfer most likely to catch you out. Alicante has two separate stations, and they are not in the same place.
Alicante-Terminal is the TRAM terminus, in the harbour area on Avenida de Villajoyosa. Your light rail journey ends here.
Alicante Estación (ADIF) is the Renfe mainline station, on Avenida de Salamanca. This is where your train to Valencia departs.
The two stations are approximately 10 to 15 minutes’ walk apart, or about 5 minutes by taxi. If you arrive at Alicante-Terminal by TRAM, you still need to get to ADIF before you board. Allow at least 30 minutes between your TRAM arrival and your Renfe departure. That gives you time to walk, take a taxi if needed, and find the platform without stress.
If you arrive by ALSA bus, the Alicante bus station is also a short taxi ride from ADIF.
Renfe Avant from Alicante to Valencia
Renfe Avant services run between Alicante (ALC) and Valencia Joaquín Sorolla (VLC) throughout the day. The journey takes around 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. Typically around six to ten departures per day run in each direction, spread across morning, midday, and afternoon. Check the current timetable at renfe.com before you plan your connection.
Which Valencia station? Your Renfe Avant or AVE train from Alicante arrives at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla, not the photogenic Estació del Nord. Nord handles some Cercanías commuter services; long-distance Renfe arrivals from Alicante go to Joaquín Sorolla, which sits in the city centre.
Tickets and prices
TRAM ticket (Benidorm to Alicante-Terminal)
Buy at the Benidorm station machine or via the TRAM app. The fare is a few euros for the full Benidorm to Alicante run. Check current fares at trammetropolita.com.
Renfe ticket (Alicante to Valencia)
Renfe Avant tickets for the Alicante to Valencia run can start from around €15 in Turista class. Preferente (first class) is available at a higher fare. Prices vary by departure and booking window, so buying a few days ahead usually gives better options than leaving it to the day before. Book at renfe.com or via the Renfe app with no booking fee. Trainline and Raileurope also cover this route but may add a booking fee of 1 to 5%.
Direct coach (Benidorm to Valencia)
ALSA coaches from Benidorm to Valencia typically cost €12 to €22. Book at alsa.com or at the Benidorm bus station. Several daily services run on this corridor; check the live schedule for the most useful departures.
Rail passes
Interrail and Eurail Passes cover the Renfe Avant leg between Alicante and Valencia. You still need a seat reservation, which costs a few euros and can be booked via Interrail, Eurail, or directly on renfe.com.
The TRAM Metropolitano is not covered by either pass. Buy a separate TRAM ticket regardless of what pass you hold.
If you are making multiple long-distance Renfe journeys, compare the Renfe Spain Pass against individual tickets at renfe.com.
Practical tips
Book both legs as separate tickets. The TRAM and Renfe are different operators. Confirm both timetables before committing to a connection.
Build in 30 minutes at Alicante. The walk between Alicante-Terminal and ADIF is 10 to 15 minutes. Add that to any queue time and possible TRAM delays.
Accessibility. Renfe’s Atendo assistance service operates at Alicante and Valencia Joaquín Sorolla. Book at least 12 hours ahead at renfe.com.
Luggage. The TRAM is a light rail vehicle. Large suitcases are manageable but bulky. Renfe Avant trains have standard luggage racks. ALSA coaches store luggage in the undercarriage.
Which option is right for you?
The direct ALSA coach is faster and simpler for most trips. It avoids the Alicante transfer entirely and leaves Benidorm bus station without requiring two separate tickets.
The TRAM plus Renfe route makes most sense if you hold a rail pass (which covers the Renfe Avant leg with a reservation), or if you are continuing by train from Valencia. Use the bus to Alicante rather than the TRAM if you want to minimise total journey time on the Renfe route. The bus-to-ADIF connection is usually quicker to organise than the TRAM-to-ADIF walk.
Save the TRAM for the coastal scenery. It runs along the cliff-edge between Benidorm and Altea, and the views are genuinely good. If that is part of the appeal, build in the extra time it requires.
Mode | Approximate time | Approximate cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
ALSA coach direct | 2h 30m to 2h 45m | €12 to €22 | Simplest; no transfer |
Bus to Alicante + Renfe Avant | 2h 45m to 3h 15m | €5 to €8 + from €15 | Good for pass holders |
TRAM to Alicante + Renfe Avant | 3h to 3h 45m | ~€5 to €6 + from €15 | Scenic coast; more complex transfer |
Car | 1h 45m to 2h 30m | Fuel + tolls; parking ~€15 to €25/day | Door-to-door |
Fares are approximate. Check live prices before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Benidorm to Valencia?
No. Benidorm has no mainline Renfe train station, so there is no direct Benidorm to Valencia train service. The standard rail route combines two legs: first, the TRAM Metropolità d’Alacant (operated by FGV) from Benidorm to Alicante-Terminal, then a Renfe Avant train from Alicante ADIF station to Valencia Joaquín Sorolla. Total journey time is roughly 3 to 3 hours 45 minutes including the transfer. A direct ALSA coach from Benidorm to Valencia takes around 2 hours 30 to 45 minutes and is the simpler option for most travellers.
How long does it take to get from Benidorm to Valencia by train?
If you travel via the TRAM and Renfe, expect around 3 to 3 hours 45 minutes in total. The TRAM from Benidorm to Alicante-Terminal takes approximately 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes, and the Renfe Avant from Alicante to Valencia Joaquín Sorolla takes around 1 hour 25 to 1 hour 35 minutes. You also need to allow around 30 minutes for the transfer between Alicante-Terminal and Alicante ADIF station, which are separate stations about 10 to 15 minutes apart on foot. If you take a bus to Alicante instead of the TRAM, the total can be closer to 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. A direct ALSA coach from Benidorm to Valencia is typically the fastest at around 2 hours 30 to 45 minutes.
How much does it cost to travel from Benidorm to Valencia by train?
The journey requires two separate tickets from two different operators. A TRAM ticket from Benidorm to Alicante-Terminal costs a few euros; check the current fare at trammetropolita.com. A Renfe Avant ticket from Alicante to Valencia in Turista class can start from around €15, though prices vary by departure and booking window. Book at renfe.com for the best fares with no booking fee. If you use a third-party booking platform such as Trainline or Raileurope, a booking fee of 1 to 5% may apply. A direct ALSA coach from Benidorm to Valencia typically costs €12 to €22.
Do I need to change trains at Alicante, and how does the transfer work?
Yes, you change in Alicante, and the transfer requires attention because there are two separate stations. The TRAM from Benidorm terminates at Alicante-Terminal in the harbour area. The Renfe train to Valencia departs from Alicante Estación (ADIF), on Avenida de Salamanca. These two stations are about 10 to 15 minutes walk apart, or around 5 minutes by taxi. Always allow at least 30 minutes between your TRAM arrival and your Renfe departure to comfortably make the transfer.
Is the TRAM covered by an Interrail or Eurail Pass?
No. The TRAM Metropolità d’Alacant is operated by FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana), which is not a participating operator in either the Interrail or Eurail networks. You need to buy a separate TRAM ticket regardless of which pass you hold. The Renfe Avant leg from Alicante to Valencia Joaquín Sorolla is covered by Interrail and Eurail Passes, but a seat reservation is still required and costs a few euros. Book the reservation via the Interrail or Eurail app, or directly on renfe.com.
Which Valencia station does the train from Alicante arrive at?
Renfe Avant and AVE trains from Alicante arrive at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla. This is not the same as Valencia Estació del Nord, which handles Cercanías commuter services. Joaquín Sorolla is the station for long-distance Renfe arrivals from Alicante. It is in the city centre, within walking distance of many hotels and the historic core.
