Do you need a hire car in Benidorm?
Updated October 19, 2026 · 6 min read
The short answer: most visitors staying near Levante, Poniente or the Old Town do not need a car every day. Walking covers the beach-and-centre routine, while local buses and the TRAM handle many trips along the coast. Hire one when your holiday includes several inland villages, rural trailheads or small coves on your own timetable. A family with bulky equipment may also value door-to-door transport, but central parking can turn that convenience into a chore.
What works without a car
Benidorm is unusually easy to use as a pedestrian resort. The two main beaches, the Old Town and a large share of the accommodation sit in one continuous urban area. For an evening meal, a beach day or a walk to the Balcó del Mediterrani, collecting a car from a garage usually adds work rather than removing it.
TRAM d’Alacant connects Benidorm with places including Altea, Calp and Alicante, although some journeys require a change and service alterations do occur. Local and interurban buses fill many of the gaps. Check the operator’s live planner and fare before travelling; a timetable copied into an article ages faster than the route itself. A taxi is useful for an occasional awkward final leg and can cost less overall than hiring a vehicle for a week merely to leave it parked.
Where the car changes the holiday
A car earns its keep when the day is built around several stops rather than one destination. Guadalest, Les Fonts de l’Algar and a coastal viewpoint can become one flexible outing, with no fixed group departure. It is also useful for accommodation outside the dense centre or for walkers whose route begins away from a tram stop.
That freedom is not free of friction. Central parking is decided street by street: kerbside spaces may be time-limited, paid or reserved for residents, and car parks cost extra. Read the sign on the exact street and settle before booking where the car will spend the night.
Who should say no
For a couple spending a long weekend between the beaches, Old Town and Altea, the honest answer is no. A visitor without a driving licence can build an excellent trip around walking, TRAM, bus and one organised excursion. A day visitor also gains little from taking on a rental contract and central parking for a few hours.
Families are less clear-cut. A car can simplify pushchairs, beach gear and tired children, but only if the accommodation provides a realistic parking option. Request a child seat during booking and wait for confirmation; never assume it will be available at the desk. Compare the total rental, fuel and parking burden with transfers and a few taxi journeys, not just the headline daily rate.
Airport arrival is a separate decision
Alicante Airport being outside Benidorm does not by itself justify a car. A direct coach, taxi or pre-booked transfer can solve the airport journey without leaving you responsible for a vehicle all week. Read our Alicante Airport to Benidorm comparison before tying the arrival transfer to the rest of the holiday.
Verdict
Stay car-free for a central, beach-led visit with one or two straightforward day trips. Hire for selected days when independent inland touring is a real part of the plan, rather than keeping a vehicle idle beside the hotel. If you do rent, compare the fuel policy, deposit, excess, CDW cover, additional-driver charge and collection hours before paying.
