Getting around Orihuela Costa
Located on Spain’s Costa Blanca coast, Orihuela Costa offers visitors a great mixture of options for both relaxation and exploration. The well-tended sandy beaches invite you and your family to (sun)bathe, play in the sand and enjoy sporting activities. Discover charming towns full of history and culture during your stay, or explore picturesque mountains ideal for hiking and cycling. Orihuela Costa truly offers something for everyone. Whether you’re planning day trips to nearby cities such as Alicante or Elche, challenging cycle routes through the mountains or simply visiting the charming coastal towns, finding the right means of transport is a crucial factor in getting the most out of your stay and enjoying your time to the full. There’s hardly anything worse than arriving at your holiday destination and having to spend three days figuring out how to get from A to B. I’d like to spare you this nerve-wracking task, so I’ll give you a few options below.
Which means of transport are there in Orihuela Costa?
Orihuela Costa offers a variety of transportation options to suit your needs, whether you’re a resident or a visitor.
Here’s a quick breakdown before we take a closer look at the individual options
🚗 Car: The most convenient way to explore the region freely. Several car rental agencies are located at airports and around major towns.
🚲 Bicycle: Orihuela Costa is a cyclist’s haven with dedicated lanes, beautiful coastal paths, and challenging mountain routes. Bike rentals are readily available.
🚌 Public Buses: A reliable and affordable public bus network connects the major towns and cities within Orihuela Costa. It’s a budget-friendly option for shorter trips.
🚕 Taxis: Taxis are readily available for hire in most areas, offering a convenient way to get around, especially at night or with luggage.
🚃 Train: While there are no train stations within Orihuela Costa itself, the nearby city of Alicante has a train station with connections to major Spanish cities.
🚂 Orihuela Costa Tourist Train: The Orihuela Costa Tourist Train is a fun and easy way to see the coast of Orihuela Costa in Spain.
🛫 For longer journeys beyond the region, Alicante-Elche Airport is the closest major airport.
🗺️ Exploring Orihuela Costa by car
Exploring Orihuela Costa by car is a convenient and flexible option, especially if you’re planning on visiting multiple towns, beaches or venturing off the beaten path. Here’s what to consider:
Some general conderations to make
🧭 Navigation: Having a GPS or using a navigation app like Google Maps is highly recommended, as some areas might have signage only in Spanish.
🅿️ Parking: Parking regulations can vary depending on the location. Be mindful of blue zones (paid parking) and white zones (free parking with time limits). Look for signs indicating parking restrictions.
⚠️ Driving Etiquette: When it comes to driving, Spaniards are generally not squeamish. You tend to see dents in cars more often here than anywhere else, so it makes sense to keep your eyes open even more in Spanish traffic. It is particularly important to pay attention when entering or leaving roundabouts, as accidents often occur here due to carelessness.
💰 Tolls: There are no tolls on the main roads around Orihuela Costa itself. However, if you’re planning on venturing further afield on highways, there might be toll roads. You’ll see signs indicating peaje (toll).
Car rental vs. Public transport
Renting a car on vacation offers a tempting taste of freedom and flexibility. You can explore at your own pace, create your own itinerary, and avoid the limitations of public transportation. However, car rentals come with their own set of considerations.
The initial rental fee can be pricey, especially during peak seasons. Adding on insurance, gas, tolls, and parking can significantly inflate the total cost. Navigating unfamiliar roads in a foreign country can be stressful. So, should you rent a car? It depends on your travel style and budget. Consider the length of your trip and planned activities. If you’re staying in one location with good public transport for a short period, a rental car might be unnecessary. Sharing the cost with multiple people makes it more economical. Finally, assess your comfort level driving in a new location. If navigating unfamiliar roads and traffic signs stresses you out, a car rental might not be the best choice.
By weighing the pros and cons, you can decide if a rental car unlocks the perfect vacation experience in Orihuela Costa, or if a relaxed approach using public transportation is a better fit for you.
🚙 Car Rentals Orihuela Costa
Here are some options for renting a car in Orihuela Costa or Alicante Airport:
Option 1 – Local Orihuela Costa Agencies: Several local car rental companies operate in Orihuela Costa. They often offer competitive rates and might be more flexible with pick-up and drop-off locations. Here are a two examples:
➡️ Luzcars: Luzcars is a car rental company with two offices, one between Cabo Roig and La Zenia, and one south of Torrevieja. They offer car rentals for various needs, with a variety of modern vehicles ranging from small city cars to larger SUVs and even 7-seater options. Thanks to their collection and car drop-off service at the Alicante Airport, you can easily pick up your rental car upon arrival and return it before your departure flight.
➡️ Gray´s Car Rental: Gray’s Car Rental is a local, family-run car rental company operating in Orihuela Costa. They offer two pick-up options: collect your car locally in Playa Flamenca or get picked up from Alicante Airport and taken directly to their car yard in Punta Prima. A variety of cars is available for rent, ranging from budget-friendly options to spacious and comfortable vehicles.
Option 2 – Major Car Rental Companies at Alicante Airport: Many major car rental companies have offices at Alicante Airport (ALC). This offers the advantage of picking up your car upon arrival and dropping it off before your departure flight. Among them you will find Goldcar, Europcar or Centauro. Consider factors like price, car type (automatic vs. manual transmission), customer reviews, and the ease of pick-up and drop-off locations when making your choice.
Cycling in Orihuela Costa – Scenic Routes & Year-Round Sunshine
Orihuela Costa is a fantastic destination for cycling, offering a mix of coastal paths, scenic countryside, and challenging mountain trails. Whether you’re a casual rider or a seasoned cyclist, the region provides diverse routes suited to all skill levels. With a Mediterranean climate and over 300 days of sunshine per year, cycling is a year-round activity. The area features dedicated bike lanes, traffic-calmed roads, and bike-friendly infrastructure, making it safe and enjoyable for all. Cycling is an integral part of local culture, with numerous cycling clubs, group rides, and events taking place regularly. Along the way, riders can enjoy stunning sea views, lush valleys, and charming Spanish villages.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing coastal ride or an adventurous mountain trail, Orihuela Costa offers the perfect setting for an unforgettable cycling experience.
Bike Rentals Orihuela Costa 🚴☀️
There are several reputable bike dealers in Orihuela Costa and the surrounding area where you can buy or hire bikes and accessories. You can find a selection here:
➡️ I Love Bike: This family business has stores located in La Zenia (Orihuela Costa) and Benijofar. They offer a variety of bicycles for rent and sale, including a “great choice of Electric Bikes, MTB, E-bikes, City bikes, Road bikes, Trekking bikes, Hybrids, Gravel, BMX, Tricycles, scooters, junior-bikes, folding bikes, components, parts and accessories“. I Love Bike scores with 20 years of experience, a large number of different bikes for every need and a repair and maintenance service for all types of bikes. The pricing is transparent and staggered, and the daily price is reduced for longer rental periods. To rent a bicycle in I ♥ BIKE you need to present a passport or ID and to pay a deposit.
➡️ Lammertink Bikes: This bike rental specializes in “high quality e-bike, Speedpedelec, race bike, gravel and mountainbike rental and the sale of high-end e-bikes from the brands Riese & Müller, Stromer and Focus“. At Lammertink Bikes, great importance is attached to full all-round service, so that the customer can always feel well looked after, from the initial consultation, tailored to individual needs, through sales or rentals, to maintenance and assistance with questions or problems. For bike rentals, a valid id/passport and cash/credit card is required to pay the set security deposit.
➡️ Bike Experience Orihuela Costa: Bike Experience Orihuela Costa is run by a friendly trio who bring with them a good mix of expertise and love for the bike. They offer rentals for road bikes, e-race bikes, gravel bikes, and urban e-bikes. The overall selection is somewhat smaller than at other bike dealers, but the bikes are customised to suit individual needs. It is not possible to buy a bike here – rentals only. The deposit must be paid on site in cash. An identity card is mandatory.
Getting Around by Bus in Orihuela Costa 🚌
From Alicante Airport to Orihuela Costa:
The Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is located about 50 km north of Orihuela Costa. While there is no direct bus connection, this is how you can still easily reach your destination:
1️⃣ Bus from Alicante Airport to Torrevieja:
➡️ The Costa Azul bus service runs non-stop from Alicante Airport to Torrevieja Bus Station, 365 days a year. The journey takes around 50 minutes. There is only one bus stop at Alicante Airport for both arriving and departing passengers. It is located directly in front of the departures area of the terminal building on level 2. You can purchase the ticket directly from the driver. Make sure that you have the right amount of money at hand, as large notes may not be exchanged. More information can be found here.
2️⃣ Bus from Torrevieja to Orihuela Costa:
➡️ From Torrevieja, take the C.C. La Zenia Boulevard – Hospital de Torrevieja bus, which has several stops in Orihuela Costa. The buses run every 90 minutes – check the timetable here.
☀️ In order to reach Cabo Roig directly, the most convenient (+ and economic) way, if you’re not planning on getting a rental car, is to take the bus from the airport to Torrevieja and then take a taxi to get to Cabo Roig.
🚃 Train Stations in the area of Orihuela Costa
There are actually no regular train stations directly within the Orihuela Costa area itself. However, there are a couple of stations in nearby locations that you can consider for train travel.
➡️ First of all, there is the Orihuela Train Station (Estación de Tren de Orihuela – Miguel Hernández). This station is located approximately 37 kilometers inland from Orihuela Costa, in the city of Orihuela. It offers connections to regional destinations like Murcia and Alicante, which can then connect you to other major Spanish cities via high-speed AVE trains.
➡️ Secondly, the Alicante Terminal Station is located about 81 kilometers away in Alicante city. This station provides a wider range of train connections. You’ll find high-speed AVE trains to major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, along with long-distance services to other destinations in Spain.
The Orihuela Costa Tourist Train runs from Playa Flamenca to Campoamor, stopping at several popular tourist destinations, including Playa Flamenca, Zenia Boulevard, La Zenia Beach, Campoamor.
💰 The journey on the tourist train takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from the Playa Flamenca train station or on board the train. Tickets cost €6 for adults and €3 for children. Children under 3 years old travel for free.
🗓️ The tourist train operates from July 1 to August 31 and runs from Monday to Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
The Orihuela Costa Tourist Train is a great way to get around the area, relax and enjoy the scenery without having to drive. It is also a good option for families with young children. Make sure to arrive early though. The train can get crowded in the summer months, so it is a good idea to arrive early to get a seat. That said, sit back and enjoy the ride!
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