TRAM Metropolità d'Alacant
TRAM Metropolità d'Alacant is the branded metropolitan rail network serving Alicante and neighboring coastal and inland communities in Spain's Valencian Community.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
TRAM Metropolità d'Alacant, also known in Spanish as TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante and in English as the Alicante Tram, is the public transport brand used for the metropolitan rail network serving Alicante and surrounding municipalities in the Valencian Community of Spain. The system is operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV), the railway authority of the regional government, and combines several forms of rail transport rather than functioning solely as a conventional street-running tramway. Its services include an urban light-rail system with underground stations in central Alicante, a tram-train service linking Alicante with Benidorm, and a diesel-operated regional railway extending from Benidorm through important coastal towns to Dénia. The modern network opened on 15 August 2003, replacing the narrow-gauge diesel railway between Alicante and El Campello with a more integrated metropolitan rail service. It was part of a wider attempt to restore and modernize electric urban rail in an area with a long tramway tradition. Alicante's original street tramway began operation on 13 July 1893. The early network expanded to places including Mutxamel, Elche, Crevillent and Sant Vicent del Raspeig. Horse-drawn vehicles were initially used, steam traction appeared from 1903, and electrification began in 1923. After decades of competition from automobiles and buses, the original street tram system disappeared on 14 November 1969. Rail service returned under a modernized concept on 13 March 1999, when FGV opened an experimental route between Plaza del Mar and Albufereta. That route was subsequently extended to El Campello and became the foundation for the modern TRAM network. Central Alicante was progressively transformed through underground infrastructure: Mercado station opened on 10 May 2007 and Luceros station opened on 18 June 2010. Lines L1, L2, L3 and L4 use the central underground section between MARQ and Luceros, allowing regional, suburban and urban services to be integrated through the city center. The network's principal services have distinct roles. L1 provides limited-stop service between Alicante and Benidorm, while L2 connects the city center with Plaza Mar 2, Alicante General Hospital, the University of Alicante and Sant Vicent del Raspeig. L3 provides stopping service to El Campello, and L4 serves the Playa de San Juan loop. L5 uses the former alignment between Porta del Mar and Sangueta before continuing through the Playa de San Juan loop. L9 is a conventional, currently diesel-operated coastal commuter service from Benidorm to Dénia, stopping at towns such as Altea and Calpe; its operation has been affected by engineering works connected with planned electrification. TRAM Metropolità d'Alacant serves both everyday metropolitan travel and tourism along the Costa Blanca. In 2022, the system carried more than 13 million passengers. Luceros was the busiest station listed for that year, followed by Mercado, Benidorm, Sant Vicent del Raspeig and El Campello. Planned and discussed improvements have included extending the underground section westward to a multimodal station serving Alicante's main railway station and potentially the bus station, as well as possible future lines to Sant Vicent del Raspeig, southern Alicante neighborhoods, the San Juan area and Mutxamel, Torrevieja and Orihuela, and Elche and Alicante Airport. These proposals represent development plans rather than confirmed completed lines.
History
Alicante has had urban rail service since the late nineteenth century. The first tramway began on 13 July 1893 and expanded during the following decades to Mutxamel, Elche, Crevillent and Sant Vicent del Raspeig. The original system began with horse-drawn vehicles. Steam traction was introduced from 1903, eliminating horse operation by 1924, while electrification began in 1923. The network was heavily used during the 1940s and continued to serve the city through the middle of the twentieth century. The rise of private cars and motorbus services, together with the cost of electricity, weakened the tramway's position during the 1950s. The historic street-running system finally ceased operation on 14 November 1969. Alicante therefore remained without a conventional urban tram service for roughly three decades, although narrow-gauge railway infrastructure continued to connect the city with communities along the northern coast. The modern return of electric urban rail began on 13 March 1999, when an experimental FGV service opened between Plaza del Mar and Albufereta. This initial route demonstrated the potential for a renewed metropolitan rail system and was later extended toward El Campello. On 15 August 2003, the modern Alicante Tram network was formally inaugurated, replacing the narrow-gauge diesel service between Alicante and El Campello and introducing a branded system capable of combining urban and regional functions. The network developed through a mixture of surface railway, tramway and underground infrastructure. Mercado station opened on 10 May 2007, followed by Luceros station on 18 June 2010. These additions created a central underground section through Alicante, shared by lines L1, L2, L3 and L4 between MARQ and Luceros. The arrangement allowed longer-distance tram-train services and local city services to use the same central corridor while reducing conflicts with road traffic. The line structure has changed over time. L1 became the principal limited-stop connection between Alicante and Benidorm. L2 was developed as a city and university corridor serving the General Hospital of Alicante and Sant Vicent del Raspeig. L3 retained a stopping pattern toward El Campello, while L4 served the Playa de San Juan area. The short 4L shuttle between Porta del Mar and Sangueta was discontinued in 2013. Its former alignment later became part of L5, which opened in 2019 and continued through the Playa de San Juan loop. The system also incorporates the former regional railway to Dénia. FGV took over the Benidorm–Dénia railway in 1987, and it became associated with the Alicante Tram network after the modern system opened. Today, L9 provides coastal service through towns including Altea and Calpe. This section has remained diesel-operated and has experienced service disruption related to engineering works and preparations for electrification. By 2022, the network carried more than 13 million passengers, confirming its importance as both a metropolitan commuter system and a transport option for visitors traveling along the Costa Blanca. Future development proposals have included a westward extension of the central underground section to a multimodal station connected with Alicante's main railway station, along with possible new corridors toward San Blas, San Agustín, southern Alicante, San Juan, Benimagrell, Mutxamel, Torrevieja, Orihuela, Elche and Alicante Airport. The proposals have not all been completed or formally commissioned.
- 2022
Passenger use exceeds 13 million
[1]The network serves more than 13 million passengers during the year.
- 2019
L5 opens
[1]L5 begins service from Porta del Mar through Sangueta and onward via the Playa de San Juan loop.
- 2013
4L shuttle service ends
[1]The short Porta del Mar–Sangueta 4L service ceases operation; its alignment is later incorporated into L5.
- 2010
Luceros underground station opens
[1]Luceros station opens on 18 June, extending the central underground route and strengthening the city's main urban rail corridor.
- 2007
Mercado underground station opens
[1]Mercado station opens on 10 May as part of Alicante's central underground rail section.
- 2003
Modern Alicante Tram network inaugurated
[1]The present metropolitan system opens on 15 August, replacing the narrow-gauge diesel service between Alicante and El Campello.
- 1999
Modern tram service returns
[1]An experimental route between Plaza del Mar and Albufereta opens on 13 March and later forms part of the modern network.
- 1969
Historic street tramway closes
[1]The original street tram network ends operation on 14 November after prolonged competition from road-based transport.
- 1923
Electrification begins
[1]Electrification of Alicante's tram routes starts as the system moves toward modern electric operation.
- 1903
Steam traction introduced
[1]Steam-powered trams enter service, beginning the replacement of the original horse-drawn operation.
Products and positioning
A multimodal metropolitan rail system combining city-center light rail, tram-train operation and coastal regional rail under one public transport brand.
tram-train
L1
A limited-stop service linking Alicante city center with Benidorm in approximately 70 minutes. At Benidorm, passengers can connect with L9 toward Dénia.
urban light rail
L2
A city and suburban route connecting central Alicante with Plaza Mar 2, Alicante General Hospital, the University of Alicante and Sant Vicent del Raspeig, with a stated journey time of about 28 minutes.
urban and suburban tram · 1999
L3
A stopping service running from Alicante toward El Campello and sharing the central underground section with other metropolitan lines.
urban light rail
L4
A route from Alicante city center serving a loop in the Playa de San Juan district.
urban light rail · 2019
L5
Opened in 2019, L5 runs from Porta del Mar through Sangueta and then follows the former L4 loop in Playa de San Juan. It incorporates infrastructure previously associated with the 4L shuttle.
regional commuter rail
L9
A diesel-operated coastal railway between Benidorm and Dénia, serving towns including Altea and Calpe. The line has been subject to engineering works associated with planned electrification.
Brand decisions
2022
Progress toward a westward central extensionStrategyBackground
The central underground section has been proposed for extension toward Alicante's multimodal transport interchange and main railway station.
Action taken
The president of the Valencian Government committed funding to advance the proposed extension.
Aftermath
The extension remained a development proposal rather than an operating line in the cited material.
2019
Introduction of L5Generation changeBackground
The former 4L shuttle alignment between Porta del Mar and Sangueta had ceased operating as a standalone service in 2013.
Action taken
A new L5 service opened in 2019, extending from Porta del Mar and Sangueta through the Playa de San Juan loop.
Aftermath
The former alignment was integrated into a longer route rather than retained as a short shuttle.
2003
Replacement of the Alicante–El Campello diesel railwayStrategyBackground
The modern metropolitan system was developed to replace the narrow-gauge diesel service between Alicante and El Campello and to reintroduce modern electric urban rail.
Action taken
FGV inaugurated the branded Alicante metropolitan tram network on 15 August 2003, combining urban light rail with longer-distance tram-train operation.
Aftermath
The opening established the operating model that later connected Alicante city services with Benidorm and the wider coastal railway.
Recent events
- 2022
Alicante metropolitan tram network carries more than 13 million passengers[1]
Other
The network recorded more than 13 million passenger journeys in 2022. Luceros was the most-used station, followed by Mercado, Benidorm, Sant Vicent del Raspeig and El Campello.
- 2022
Funding commitment reported for Alicante central rail extension[1]
Other
The president of the Valencian Government, Ximo Puig, committed funding to advance the planned westward extension from the central underground section toward a multimodal station serving Alicante's main railway interchange.
Sources2 sources
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