Your Costa Blanca journey starts here.
A genuinely practical guide to getting to the Costa Blanca, choosing the right airport, arranging your onward journey and exploring the places you might soon call home.
Plan the whole journey, not just the flight.
Whether you are coming for a holiday, looking at property, visiting family or thinking about a permanent move, the smoothest trips start with four straightforward decisions.
Choose your base
Decide which part of the Costa Blanca actually suits the reason for your visit.
Find the right flight
Compare airports, arrival times, baggage and the complete journey cost.
Sort your transport
Choose between a pre-booked airport transfer and the freedom of a hire car.
Leave room to look around
Give yourself time to see the neighbourhoods beyond the online photographs.
Flights and airports: start with where you are staying.
Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is the natural starting point for much of the Costa Blanca. Región de Murcia International Airport may also make sense for some southern destinations, depending on routes and dates.
Alicante Airport: the flexible all-round option
Alicante works particularly well for Alicante city, Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura, Orihuela Costa and many other Costa Blanca destinations. It offers a practical starting point if you want to compare airport transfers, collect a hire car or explore more than one area.
Murcia Airport: worth checking for southern stays
If you are staying towards the Mar Menor, Murcia or the southern end of Orihuela Costa, compare the whole door-to-door journey before dismissing Murcia. A convenient flight time can matter more than the lowest advertised fare.
Look beyond the headline ticket price
Add checked baggage, airport parking, seat selection where relevant and the cost of getting from the airport to your accommodation. An awkward late arrival can quickly cancel out the saving on a cheaper flight.
Do you need an airport transfer or a hire car?
The answer depends on where you are staying, whether you intend to explore and how comfortable you are driving somewhere unfamiliar.
Pre-booked transfer
Useful if you are heading straight to one accommodation, arriving with family or luggage, or simply do not want to drive after a flight.
Good fit: short breaks, beach holidays, relaxed arrivals.Airport car hire
Useful if you want to explore different towns, reach less-connected areas or move between several property-viewing appointments.
Good fit: exploring, longer stays, viewing trips.Public transport or taxi
Potentially suitable when connections line up and your destination is straightforward. Check current timetables and your full onward journey first.
Good fit: light luggage and well-connected destinations.Check an airport transfer with Suntransfers.
Compare a pre-booked ride to Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa or your accommodation before deciding whether you really need a car.
Check airport transfers- Use the exact accommodation address.
- Include every passenger and larger luggage.
- Check the meeting point and cancellation terms.
Car hire without the expensive surprises.
A hire car can transform a Costa Blanca trip, especially when you want to visit several towns or compare potential places to live. The important part is understanding the complete deal before you book.
Compare the real cost, not just the daily rate
Check the deposit, excess, fuel policy, mileage conditions and whether additional drivers cost extra. Confirm whether you are collecting the car directly at the airport or taking a shuttle to an off-site depot.
Match the car to your actual plans
A smaller car is often easier for town parking, while families and longer-stay visitors may need more boot space. If you are travelling with children, check child-seat availability and the provider’s fitting arrangements.
Photograph the car at collection
Record existing marks, check the fuel level and keep the collection paperwork. Before returning the vehicle, confirm the agreed return location and the rules for handing it back outside normal opening hours.
Stay somewhere that matches the reason you are coming.
The Costa Blanca is not one interchangeable resort. A walkable town, a beachside neighbourhood and a quieter residential area can deliver completely different experiences.
Torrevieja
A practical choice if you want a substantial coastal town, everyday amenities, places to eat and a useful base for exploring nearby areas.
Consider it for: town life, longer stays and exploring.Orihuela Costa
A varied stretch of coastal communities including areas around Cabo Roig, La Zenia and Playa Flamenca, with different atmospheres from one neighbourhood to the next.
Consider it for: beaches, family trips and property visits.Guardamar
Worth comparing if beach access and a more defined town setting appeal. As anywhere, check the exact accommodation location rather than relying only on the town name.
Consider it for: beach-focused stays and relaxed exploring.Alicante
Useful if you prefer a city environment, restaurants and a convenient starting point before heading further along the coast.
Consider it for: short breaks and a city-based arrival.Inland towns
Places such as San Miguel de Salinas can be interesting if you are researching everyday life rather than choosing a traditional beach holiday.
Consider it for: property research and a different pace.Property-viewing trips
Stay close enough to the areas you want to compare, leave gaps between appointments and explore each neighbourhood at more than one time of day.
Consider it for: informed choices, not rushed commitments.- Check the precise accommodation address, not just the town name.
- Look at walking distances to the places you will actually use.
- Check parking if you are collecting a hire car.
- Confirm check-in times against your flight arrival.
- Read cancellation and payment terms before committing.
- Use local walking-tour videos to understand the surroundings.
Your simple Costa Blanca travel checklist.
You do not need to book everything at once. Get the important decisions in the right order and avoid paying for services you do not actually need.
Choose the area
Decide why you are coming and identify the places you genuinely want to spend time in.
Compare flights
Check the most suitable airport, arrival time, baggage rules and complete door-to-door journey.
Pick your transport
Decide between an airport transfer and car hire based on your itinerary, not habit.
Take time to explore
Visit different neighbourhoods, check practical distances and leave space for unexpected discoveries.
A few useful answers before you book.
Which airport is best for Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa?
Alicante Airport is a practical starting point for many Costa Blanca trips because it works for a wide range of destinations and onward-travel options. Murcia Airport may also suit some southern locations. Compare your actual destination, available flights and transfer arrangements rather than choosing by airport name alone.
Do I need to hire a car for the Costa Blanca?
Not necessarily. If you are staying in one convenient location and do not plan to travel around much, a pre-booked transfer may be simpler. A hire car becomes more useful when you want to compare towns, visit less-connected areas or attend several property appointments.
Is an airport transfer better than taking a taxi?
A pre-booked transfer can be reassuring when travelling with family, arriving late or carrying more luggage. Whether it offers better value depends on your destination, group size, provider conditions and the price available for your dates.
What should I check before booking a hire car?
Check the total price, security deposit, excess, fuel policy, mileage rules, collection location, additional-driver charges and the arrangements for late arrival. Photograph the vehicle at collection and keep the rental paperwork.
Where should I stay for a property-viewing trip?
Choose a base that gives sensible access to the areas you want to compare. Leave enough time to explore local streets, amenities and transport connections independently, rather than filling every hour with scheduled viewings.
Does using these booking tools cost me more?
The affiliate relationship does not normally add an extra charge to your booking. Paradise World Videos may receive a commission from a qualifying booking, while the external provider handles prices, availability, payment, changes and customer service.
Can I use the page without booking anything?
Of course. The guide is designed to help you make better travel decisions first. Use the flight, transfer or car-hire tools only when they are genuinely relevant to your plans.