- Must visit
MARQ Museo Arqueológico de Alicante
Award-winning archaeological museum with immersive exhibits on Alicante and Mediterranean history; one of the city’s strongest museum visits.
Cheapest price
$48
Average price
$53
Fastest journey
4 h 55 m
Average duration
5 h 37 m
Buses per day
18
Distance
360 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Alicante is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Alicante will cost around $53 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
Of the 18 buses that leave Madrid for Alicante on Fri, Jun 19, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 19 the direct buses cover the 360 km distance in an average of 5 h 37 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 55 m .
On Fri, Jun 19 the slowest buses will take 6 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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Normal · NormalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Alicante among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 8m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a flight costs an average of $44.
Distance: 223 miles (360 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$37 Average price Cheapest | $46 Average price | $205 Average price | $85 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 39m Average total duration 3h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 3m Average total duration 2h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 8m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Alicante:
A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Alicante costing on average $46 (€38).
A bus is $168 (€138) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Alicante costing on average $205 (€168).
Other travel options to Alicante take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 33m.
Bus takes on average 3h 9m.
You'll arrive about 45m sooner (3h 9m by bus vs 3h 54m by car) and save roughly $48 (€39) compared to fuel and tolls ($37 (€30) vs $85 (€70)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Alsa, BlaBlaCar, Alsa Supra.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 05:20AM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 04:55PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $81 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 9h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:20AM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Alicante buses for today, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:00 PM Madrid | 4h00 | 12:00 AM Alicante | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:00 PM Madrid | 4h20 | 12:20 AM Alicante | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, June 19 | |||||
Normal · Normal | 7:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h05 | 2:50 PM El Altet, Aeroport d'Alacant (Salidas - Estación de autobuses) | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 7:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h50 | 2:35 PM Alicante, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 8:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 6h20 | 2:50 PM El Altet, Aeroport d'Alacant (Salidas - Estación de autobuses) | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 10:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 7h20 | 5:50 PM El Altet, Aeroport d'Alacant (Salidas - Estación de autobuses) | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 12:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 4h55 | 5:25 PM Alicante, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 12:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 7h20 | 7:50 PM El Altet, Aeroport d'Alacant (Salidas - Estación de autobuses) | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 12:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h25 | 8:55 PM El Altet, Aeroport d'Alacant (Salidas - Estación de autobuses) | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 1:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 6h20 | 7:50 PM El Altet, Aeroport d'Alacant (Salidas - Estación de autobuses) | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 1:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h15 | 8:00 PM Alicante, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Supra Economy · Normal | 3:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 7h20 | 11:05 PM Alicante, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 4:30 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 6h35 | 11:05 PM Alicante, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 5:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 5h35 | 11:05 PM Alicante, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Madrid to Alicante run on average 31 times per day, taking around 3h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $11 (€9) if you book in advance.
There are 12 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 223 miles (360 km) distance in 4h 55m.
Distance 223 miles (360 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price $11 (€9) |
Buses per day 31 |
Direct buses 12 |
Fastest bus 4h 55m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Alicante — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Alicante trip today.
Award-winning archaeological museum with immersive exhibits on Alicante and Mediterranean history; one of the city’s strongest museum visits.
Contemporary art museum in the old town with notable 20th-century Spanish art and a strong permanent collection in a historic building.
Fine arts museum focused on 19th- and 20th-century painting from Alicante and the Valencian region, housed in a restored palace.
Alicante’s signature palm-lined promenade with its famous mosaic paving; a must for walking by the marina.
Picturesque old quarter of whitewashed houses, steps, flowers, and viewpoints; highly photogenic and popular online.
Central city beach area below Santa Bárbara Castle, popular for sea views, strolling, and easy access from downtown.
Traditional Alicante rice cooked in fish stock and usually served with alioli. It is one of the city’s most emblematic seafood rice dishes.
Rice dish made with cuttlefish or squid and squid ink, giving it a deep black color and rich Mediterranean flavor.
A coastal rice and fish specialty from the Alicante area, prepared with robust fish broth and served as a comforting traditional meal.
Well-known hilltop restaurant with modern Mediterranean cuisine, tasting menus, and excellent views over Alicante and Santa Bárbara Castle.
Classic Alicante restaurant and tapas bar known for high-quality seafood, rice dishes, and a lively, polished atmosphere.
Stylish central venue popular for creative tapas, rice dishes, cocktails, and an energetic upscale dining scene.
Generally cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona. Good value for meals and coffee, while summer hotels near the beach can cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change for cafés; round up taxis. Tipping is appreciated, not obligatory.
Official public transport app
Alicante, Estación de Autobuses -> Mercado Central, Alicante
Buses offer a convenient, direct way to travel from Madrid to Alicante - the gateway to the popular Costa Blanca region. There's a single direct service between the two Spanish cities, every day of the week. Buses run all year-round, so there's no need to worry about seasonal disruption. Journey times will be around 5 hours 50 minutes.
Only Alsa currently provides services from Madrid to Alicante, providing direct buses complete with plenty of legroom and air conditioning, along with space for luggage, and onboard wifi.
Travelers can expect a relatively long bus journey from Madrid to Alicante. Journey times will generally be 5 hours 50 minutes, with no changes required at any stage.
Buses depart every day from central Madrid to Alicante. However, there aren't many choices, with just a single direct bus on any given day. Services tend to leave in the late afternoon, not long after 5:00 p.m.
Departure Bus Station: Buses from Madrid to Alicante will leave from Madrid's Estacion Sur. Estacion Sur can be found in the southern part of the Spanish capital, approximately 2.5 miles south-east of Centro - the location of most hotels and tourist attractions. Getting to the coach station isn't hard, though. The best option is to catch the Madrid Metro to Mendez Alvaro Estacion Sur. Mendez Alvaro is on Metro Line 6, along with various Cercanias overground lines, which provide links to Atocha Station. Expect Metro journeys from Barajas Airport to take 30-40 minutes at least.
Arrival Bus Station: Buses to Alicante from Madrid will arrive at the Plaza de Coruna, in Playa de San Juan, a suburb in the north-eastern part of the city. The Alsa stop is very close to a range of beaches, and offers ready access to resorts to the north of Alicante via Costa Blanca Station - about 200 meters north of the coach stop. From there, travelers can catch trains north or head south into Alicante itself. The journey from Playa de San Juan to Alicante Station will take about 30 minutes, with various stops along the way. So those headed to the city may want to consider taxis, which are almost certainly the fastest transfer option.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Alicante by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Alicante, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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