I’ve been frequently traveling between Alicante and Valencia for work lately, so I’ve become quite familiar with Alicante train station and would like to share some practical information with you.
Station Location & Transport
Alicante train station is located northeast of the city center at Plaza de la Estación, approximately 2 kilometers from the beach. You can take the C6 bus from the city center, which takes about 15 minutes. If you’re staying near Mercado Central, it’s about a 20-minute walk. There’s a taxi stand in front of the station, and a ride to the beach typically costs 8-10 euros. For those interested in train travel from Alicante to France, there are convenient connections available.
Basic Station Facilities
The train station isn’t particularly large, but it has all the essentials. The ground floor lobby has automatic ticket machines and staffed ticket windows. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance through the RENFE website or app, especially for popular routes to Madrid and Barcelona. The waiting area has a coffee shop and convenience store with prices slightly higher than outside but still reasonable. Restrooms require a 0.50 euro coin, so remember to bring change.
The station also offers luggage storage service at 4 euros/day for small lockers and 6 euros/day for large ones. If you need to charge devices, there are several USB charging seats in the waiting area, though they’re often occupied. I suggest bringing a power bank. More details about Alicante train station facilities and nearby amenities are available.
Main Train Routes
Major routes departing from Alicante include:
| Destination | Travel Time | Train Type |
|---|
| Valencia | 1.5-2 hours | Euromed/Intercity |
| Madrid | 2-2.5 hours | AVE high-speed |
| Barcelona | 4.5-5.5 hours | Euromed |
| Murcia | 1-1.5 hours | Media Distancia |
For weekends and holidays, I recommend booking at least one week in advance. AVE high-speed train prices fluctuate significantly, and early booking can save you quite a bit. Last time I booked Madrid tickets three weeks ahead, the round trip cost just over 60 euros.
Nearby Practical Information
There’s a Mercadona supermarket across from the station, open until 9 PM, convenient for grabbing food before early trains. A 5-minute walk behind the station brings you to El Corte Inglés department store, perfect if you have extra waiting time.
Regarding parking, the underground car park in front of the station charges 2.50 euros for the first hour, then 1.80 euros per hour, with a daily maximum of 18 euros. If you need long-term parking, consider finding free street parking in surrounding areas, though you’ll need to walk a bit further. For a comprehensive guide to Alicante train station including transport connections and all surrounding facilities, additional resources are available.
While Alicante train station has relatively simple facilities, it covers all the basics, and the staff are quite helpful. Feel free to ask the information desk if you have questions—their English is decent. The only downside is that the waiting hall’s air conditioning sometimes struggles in summer, so be prepared.
