Flights to Alicante from the UK over the Costa Blanca

Flights to Alicante from the UK: Airlines, Routes & Booking Guide

Flights to Alicante from the UK | Find Your Best Fare

Compare flights to Alicante from the UK, including direct routes, airlines, UK departure airports, flight times, baggage rules and tips for finding the right fare.

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About Flights to Alicante

Direct flights from the UK to Alicante take around 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours, depending on where you fly from. A London to Alicante flight takes around 2 hours 30 minutes. Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Vueling and Wizz Air all fly direct from UK airports to Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), the main airport for the Costa Blanca.

Alicante is one of the best-connected holiday airports for UK travellers. You can fly direct from London, most large regional airports and several smaller ones too. That gives you plenty of choice.

It also means plenty to compare. Fares, baggage rules and flight times change from one airline to the next. TravelApp can compare routes, airlines and baggage options around your dates, so you can choose the flight that suits your trip.

Already know your dates? Send them to the team and get options from your nearest airports.

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Flights to Alicante from the UK at a Glance

Main airport

Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC)

Direct flights from the UK

Yes, from London and over 20 regional airports

Main airlines

Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways

Other direct airlines

Vueling, Wizz Air

Direct flight time

Around 2h 20m to 3h

One-stop options

Rarely needed, but available via Spanish hubs

Airport code

ALC

Costa Blanca access

Alicante city around 9 km, Benidorm around 60 km, Torrevieja around 40 km

Alicante is one of the busiest routes from the UK to Spain. Manchester and London Gatwick have been the airport's busiest European routes. Most UK travellers can fly direct from an airport close to home.

The UK to Alicante Flight Route Map

You can fly direct to Alicante from every main region of the UK. London has the most choice. Regional airports also have strong direct routes.

  • London: Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Southend

  • Midlands: Birmingham and East Midlands

  • North West: Manchester and Liverpool

  • North East: Newcastle and Teesside

  • Yorkshire: Leeds Bradford

  • South and South West: Bristol, Bournemouth, Southampton, Exeter, Newquay and Cardiff

  • East of England: Norwich

  • Scotland: Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Edinburgh

  • Northern Ireland: Belfast International

Regional airports matter because they save time. They can also save money once you add trains, parking or hotels in London.

The nearest airport is not always the cheapest. Two airports an hour apart can have very different fares on the same day. It is worth comparing both.

UK to Alicante Direct Flights

UK departure airport

Airline(s)

Direct or connecting

Typical flight time

Seasonal or year-round

London Gatwick

British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Vueling, Jet2

Direct

Around 2h 30m

Year-round (Jet2 seasonal)

London Luton

easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Jet2

Direct

Around 2h 30m

Year-round (Jet2 seasonal)

London Stansted

Jet2

Direct

Around 2h 30m

Check current timetable

London Southend

easyJet

Direct

Around 2h 30m

Check current timetable

Manchester

easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI

Direct

Around 2h 40m

Year-round

Birmingham

easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI

Direct

Around 2h 35m

Year-round

East Midlands

Jet2, Ryanair, TUI

Direct

Around 2h 35m

Year-round

Bristol

easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair

Direct

Around 2h 20m

Year-round

Leeds Bradford

Jet2, Ryanair

Direct

Around 2h 45m

Year-round

Liverpool

easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair

Direct

Around 2h 40m

Year-round

Newcastle

easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI

Direct

Around 2h 50m

Year-round (easyJet seasonal)

Glasgow

easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI

Direct

Around 3h

Year-round

Edinburgh

easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair

Direct

Around 3h

Year-round

Belfast International

easyJet, Jet2

Direct

Around 2h 50m

Check current timetable

Cardiff

Ryanair, TUI, Vueling

Direct

Around 2h 25m

Varies by season

Bournemouth

Ryanair, Jet2

Direct

Around 2h 20m

Jet2 seasonal

Southampton

easyJet

Direct

Around 2h 20m

Check current timetable

Smaller airports (Exeter, Newquay, Norwich, Teesside, Glasgow Prestwick)

Ryanair

Direct

Around 2h 20m to 3h

Often seasonal

London Heathrow

No regular direct service

Connecting

Varies

Not applicable

Schedules change between summer and winter. Some routes run less often in winter, and a few stop completely. Always check the timetable for your dates.

Travellers in Yorkshire can compare flights from Leeds to Alicante, and those in the North East can check Newcastle to Alicante flights.

Comparing this many airports and airlines takes time. Tell TravelApp your two or three nearest airports and your dates. The team will line up the direct options side by side, so you can see which airport works best for your trip.

Check Alicante Flight Options

Which Airlines Fly to Alicante from the UK?

Ryanair Flights to Alicante

Ryanair flies to Alicante from more UK airports than any other airline. It covers large airports like Manchester and Gatwick, plus smaller ones like Exeter, Newquay and Norwich.

Ryanair uses a low-cost model. The basic fare usually includes only a small personal bag. A larger cabin bag, checked bags and seat selection cost extra. Check the cabin baggage allowance rules on Ryanair's website before you book.

easyJet Flights to Alicante

easyJet flies to Alicante from London Gatwick, Luton and Southend, plus many regional airports. These include Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Southampton and Belfast.

easyJet's standard fare includes a small under-seat bag. Larger cabin bags, hold bags and seats are usually extra unless you choose a higher fare. Some routes run more often in summer.

Jet2 Flights to Alicante

Jet2 is strong at regional airports in the North, Midlands and Scotland. It flies to Alicante from Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bristol, Stansted and Belfast. It also has seasonal flights from Gatwick, Luton and Bournemouth.

Jet2 is popular with families and holidaymakers. Its fares usually include a cabin bag, and it links closely to Jet2holidays packages. Checked baggage is usually an add-on.

TUI Airways Flights to Alicante

TUI flies to Alicante from Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Newcastle, Glasgow and Cardiff.

TUI focuses on holidays. Many TUI seats are sold as part of package holidays, though flight-only seats are often available. Flights usually run on set days of the week, and availability varies by season.

British Airways Flights to Alicante

British Airways flies to Alicante from London Gatwick. There is no regular BA flight from Heathrow.

BA is a full-service airline. Its fares include a cabin bag and handbag. Checked baggage depends on the fare you choose. BA can suit travellers who want a more traditional airline experience or collect Avios.

Vueling and Wizz Air

Vueling flies to Alicante from Gatwick and Cardiff. Wizz Air flies from London Luton. Both are low-cost airlines, so check what your fare includes before you book.

Airline Comparison: Which Is Best for Your Trip?

Airline

Typical UK airport type

Fare style

Cabin baggage

Checked baggage

Best for

Ryanair

London and many regional and smaller airports

Low-cost

Small bag included, larger bag extra

Extra

Light packers and widest airport choice

easyJet

London and large regional airports

Low-cost

Small bag included, larger bag depends on fare

Depends on fare

Flexible city and holiday trips

Jet2

Regional airports

Low-cost holiday airline

Cabin bag usually included

Usually extra

Families and northern travellers

TUI

Regional and London airports

Holiday airline

Depends on fare

Often included with packages

Package holidays

British Airways

London Gatwick

Full-service

Cabin bag included

Depends on fare

Full-service travel and Avios

Vueling / Wizz Air

Gatwick, Cardiff, Luton

Low-cost

Depends on fare

Extra

Specific routes and price checks

The cheapest airline depends on what you need. A low fare with no bags suits a short trip. A fare with bags included often works out better for a family holiday.

Not sure which airline gives the best value once bags and seats are added? Tell the TravelApp team how many people are travelling and what luggage you need. They can compare the full price across airlines for your dates.

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How to Find Cheap Flights to Alicante from the UK

The cheapest flight to Alicante is not always the one with the lowest headline price. Compare airports, dates and baggage to find the best total cost.

Compare Different UK Airports

London is not always cheapest. A flight from Bristol, Birmingham or Manchester can cost less once you add travel to London. Compare two or three airports if you can.

Check Regional Departure Hubs

Regional departure hubs like Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds Bradford have strong Alicante routes. Several airlines compete on these routes, which can help keep fares down.

Try Mid-Week Flights

Mid-week travel savings are possible on some dates. Flights on Tuesday or Wednesday can cost less than weekend flights. Check a few days either side of your preferred dates.

Book Ahead for Busy Dates

There is no fixed best time to book. For summer and school holidays, booking earlier usually gives you more choice. Airline sales can also bring prices down at different times.

Watch Summer Pricing

July and August are the busiest months for Alicante. Demand is high, so fares usually rise. These peak summer flight surcharges come from demand, not a set fee. If you can travel in June or September, compare those dates too.

Compare Baggage Before You Book

Each airline has its own cabin baggage allowance rules. A low fare can become expensive once you add bags. Check the hand luggage sizes by airline before you choose.

Compare the Total Trip Cost

When comparing flights, include:

  • baggage

  • seat selection

  • travel to the UK airport

  • airport parking or train fares

  • flight times

  • airport transfer in Spain

The guide to the best budget airlines for UK travellers explains how low-cost fares compare once extras are added. Travellers with flexible dates can also look at last-minute flight deals.

This is the part that takes the most time. Tell the TravelApp team your dates, airports and baggage needs. They will compare the total cost for you, so you are not adding up extras across several airline websites.

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How Long Is the Flight from the UK to Alicante?

Direct flights from the UK to Alicante take between around 2 hours 20 minutes and 3 hours.

UK airport

Approximate direct flight time

London

Around 2h 30m

Manchester

Around 2h 40m

Birmingham

Around 2h 35m

Bristol

Around 2h 20m

Leeds Bradford

Around 2h 45m

Glasgow

Around 3h

Edinburgh

Around 3h

Actual times depend on the airline, route and winds. Spain is one hour ahead of the UK all year.

Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC)

Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is the busiest airport in south-east Spain and the main gateway to the Costa Blanca. It is around 9 km south-west of Alicante city centre.

The airport has one main passenger terminal, which keeps arrivals simple. UK passengers go through passport control, then baggage collection.

Outside arrivals, you will find:

  • Buses to Alicante city, Elche, Benidorm, Torrevieja and other towns

  • Taxis (white with a green stripe)

  • Uber and Cabify pick-up areas

  • Car hire desks and parking

For the latest airport information, see the official Alicante-Elche Airport website.

How to Get from Alicante Airport to the Costa Blanca

Most Costa Blanca resorts are within an hour of Alicante Airport by road. Your best option depends on where you are staying and how much luggage you have.

Destination

Approximate distance

Main options

Alicante city

Around 9 km

C-6 bus, taxi, ride-hailing

Torrevieja

Around 40 km

Direct bus, taxi, car hire, transfer

Benidorm

Around 60 km

Direct bus, taxi, car hire, transfer

Calpe

Around 80 km

Car hire, transfer, taxi

Alicante city: The C-6 bus runs to the city centre, port, bus station and railway station. It runs around every 15 minutes in the day, with a less frequent service overnight.

Benidorm and Torrevieja: Direct buses run from the airport, usually around once an hour. Journeys take around 45 minutes to an hour.

Calpe and northern resorts: Car hire or a pre-booked transfer is usually easiest.

Families and late arrivals: A private transfer can be simpler, especially with heavy bags.

Bus times change by season, so check before you travel.

Arriving late, travelling with children or heading to a resort further up the coast? A transfer can be arranged alongside your flights, so you are not searching for a taxi after landing.

Enquire Now

When Is the Best Time to Fly to Alicante?

Alicante is a year-round destination, but the best time to fly depends on your budget and the weather you want.

  • Spring (March to May): Warm, pleasant days. Fares are usually moderate outside Easter.

  • Summer (June to August): Hot and busy, with the most flights. Fares are usually highest, especially in school holidays.

  • Autumn (September to October): Still warm, with sea temperatures at their best. Fares often drop after school holidays end.

  • Winter (November to February): Mild and sunny compared with the UK. Fewer flights run on some routes, but fares can be lower.

Easter, summer half-term and the October half-term are busy times. Book early if your dates are fixed.

What Baggage Do Airlines Allow on Flights to Alicante?

Baggage depends on the airline and the fare you choose. Always check the cabin baggage allowance rules before you pack.

  • Ryanair: The basic fare includes a small personal bag. A larger cabin bag and checked bags cost extra.

  • easyJet: The basic fare includes a small under-seat bag. Larger cabin bags and hold bags depend on your fare or are extra.

  • Jet2: Fares usually include a cabin bag. Checked bags are usually extra.

  • TUI: Baggage depends on the fare. Package holidays often include checked bags.

  • British Airways: Fares include a cabin bag and handbag. Checked bags depend on the fare.

Rules and sizes change, so check the airline's website before you travel. For a family trip, compare fares with bags included, not just the basic price.

Should You Book a Flight or an Alicante Holiday Package?

A flight-only booking suits some trips. A package suits others.

Flight Only

A flight-only booking can work well if you:

  • own a property on the Costa Blanca

  • already have accommodation booked

  • are visiting friends or family

  • want to arrange your own stay

Holiday Package

A package can be simpler if you want:

  • flights and hotel in one booking

  • airport transfers included

  • one point of contact

  • fewer things to arrange yourself

Eligible flight-inclusive packages also come with ATOL protection, which flight-only bookings made directly with an airline usually do not.

TravelApp can compare flight-only and package options for your dates. Browse holiday packages from the UK for ideas. Or tell the team where on the Costa Blanca you want to stay, and they will put together options with flights, hotel and transfers included.

Explore Alicante Holiday Packages Enquire Now

Before You Fly to Alicante from the UK

Spain is in the Schengen area, so UK passport rules apply.

  • Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive.

  • It must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave.

  • You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) now records your entry and exit with biometric checks. It is worth knowing what to expect at European border control after Brexit.

Check the latest Spain entry requirements on GOV.UK before you travel. The travel documents checklist and guide to travel insurance for UK travellers can also help you prepare.

Ready to Compare Flights to Alicante?

The right flight to Alicante depends on your airport, dates, baggage and how you want to travel.

TravelApp can help you compare:

  • UK departure airports

  • airlines and flight times

  • nearby dates

  • baggage options

  • direct and connecting flights

  • flight-only and holiday package options

To get started, send the team:

  • your departure airport

  • travel dates

  • number of travellers

  • baggage needs

  • any hotel or transfer requirements

The team will come back with options that fit your trip, so you can choose and book with confidence.

Prefer to speak to someone? Call TravelApp on +44 20 3137 0990. You can also compare flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow or Edinburgh, or browse more flights to Spain.

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Things to Check Before Booking Your Flight to Alicante

Time zone

Alicante uses Central European Time, which is one hour ahead of the UK all year round. Spain and the UK change their clocks on the same dates, so the one-hour difference stays the same in summer and winter.

Currency

The euro (EUR) is the local currency. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and public transport, although carrying a small amount of cash can be useful for markets, smaller cafés and tips.

Language

Spanish is the main official language in Alicante, while Valencian is also an official language in the Valencian Community. English is widely used in hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist areas, particularly around the Costa Blanca.

Transportation

Alicante has buses, trams, trains and taxis, making it relatively easy to travel around the city and nearby Costa Blanca destinations. Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is around 10 km south-west of Alicante city centre, with buses and taxis available for onward travel.

Weather

Alicante has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant, while summer is popular for beach holidays. Check the Alicante weather before choosing your travel dates, particularly if you plan to spend most of your time outdoors.

Baggage allowances

Baggage rules depend on the airline, fare type and cabin you book. Check both cabin and checked baggage allowances before comparing flights to Alicante from the UK, as a cheaper fare may include less baggage or charge separately for extras.

Pre-booking options

Seat selection, checked baggage, airport transfers, travel insurance and other extras may be available when booking. Compare the total flight and holiday cost with the extras you actually need rather than comparing the basic airfare alone.

Airport and flight options

UK flights to Alicante arrive at Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), the main airport serving Alicante and the Costa Blanca. When comparing flights from the UK, check the departure airport, airline, flight time, baggage allowance and transfer to your accommodation.

Schedule flexibility

Checking nearby travel dates and different UK departure airports can give you more flight and holiday options. This is particularly useful during summer, Easter, Christmas and UK school holidays, when demand for flights to Alicante can be higher.

Entry requirements

British citizens can visit Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Passports must meet Schengen issue and expiry rules, and border checks apply when entering Spain. Requirements can change, so confirm the latest information with GOV.UK before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Alicante

Find answers to common questions about traveling to Alicante

More than 20 UK airports have direct flights to Alicante, including Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Glasgow. Airlines include Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Vueling and Wizz Air, although routes can change by season. Heathrow does not currently have a regular direct service to Alicante. Not sure which airport or airline works best for you? Simply contact TravelApp and let the team check the options around your dates.

A direct flight from London to Alicante takes around 2 hours 30 minutes, while flights from Scotland and the North East usually take around 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours. Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is the main airport for the Costa Blanca. Benidorm is around 60 km from the airport, with the journey usually taking 45 minutes to an hour by road. If you are travelling with family or lots of luggage, TravelApp can also help arrange a transfer alongside your flight or holiday package.

There is no single cheapest month for Alicante flights because fares change with demand, school holidays, airline sales and your departure airport. Late autumn, winter and early spring can be worth checking, while September and October may also offer better value after the busy summer period. Tuesday and Wednesday flights can sometimes be cheaper than weekend departures, but this is not guaranteed. Rather than checking several airports yourself, send your dates through the TravelApp flight enquiry, and the team can help compare nearby dates and flight options.

Usually, basic fares with airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet include only a small personal bag that fits under the seat. Larger cabin bags and checked luggage are normally charged separately, depending on the airline and fare you choose. That means a flight that looks cheapest at first may not be the cheapest once you add the bags you actually need. When you request a flight quote from TravelApp, tell the team how much luggage you need so they can compare the options with your trip in mind.

Flight-only makes sense if you already have a hotel, own a property in Spain, or are staying with friends or family. A holiday package can be easier when you want your flights, hotel and transfers arranged together. It also means you have one travel team to contact if you need help with your booking. TravelApp can compare flight options and Alicante holiday packages, so you can choose what works better for your dates, budget and plans.