The journey with a child does not start in the car — it starts back on the plane, and what you keep within reach the moment you land often decides whether the next hour is calm or chaotic. Below is a working checklist for parents flying into Alicante or Valencia and continuing by transfer to Calpe, Benidorm, or another Costa Blanca town — just what actually helps between the airplane seat and the hotel door.
What to pack in your hand luggage
Pack the bag for the whole trip, not just the flight — the flight plus roughly another hour in the car afterward. Here is what usually saves the day:
- Snacks and water — crackers, fruit, whatever your child eats without a fuss; carry the bottle empty and fill it after security.
- Something for takeoff and landing — a lollipop, a pacifier, or a bottle of water: the sucking motion helps little ears cope with the pressure change.
- Offline entertainment — a tablet with cartoons downloaded in advance, headphones sized for a child’s head, a favorite book, or small toys. Wi-Fi in the car and at the terminal can be unreliable.
- A change of clothes — at least one full outfit for the child and a spare T-shirt for yourself. A long flight plus the drive gives plenty of time for spills.
- Extra diapers and wet wipes — more than you think you’ll need: the flight can run late, and the transfer adds another hour to the journey.
- A bag for dirty clothes — an obvious one, but it saves a lot of stress at the taxi rank and in the car.
- A basic first-aid kit — age-appropriate fever reducer and motion-sickness remedy, plasters. Hunting for a pharmacy with an exhausted child in your arms is the last thing you want to do.
- A favorite comfort item — a blanket, a pacifier, a soft toy. After a long flight, that one familiar thing is often what settles a child down in the car.
- A power bank and charger — the tablet and phone always die right when the cartoon is needed most.
Child car seat: how to book one and what to tell the driver
One important detail: a child car seat is not included in a transfer automatically — you need to request it in advance. Just message us on WhatsApp or Telegram when booking and give the child’s age and approximate weight (one for each child, if there is more than one). The driver then brings the right seat — an infant carrier, a toddler car seat, or a booster for an older child.
While you are at it, mention anything else that could affect the ride: whether you need a stop along the way — to change a diaper or feed the baby, say — how many suitcases and strollers you have, and your exact flight time. The more the driver knows in advance, the smoother the meet-and-greet at arrivals: they will find you at baggage claim with a name sign, help with your bags, and set off right away instead of sorting out details on the spot. To know exactly where you will be met inside the terminal, see our breakdown of the Alicante airport terminals.
The drive with a child: what to actually expect
The direct route from Alicante to Calpe takes about 55 minutes, with no transfers and no stops at a bus station — already a big difference for a family with children compared with public transport. But with a child worn out after a flight, that hour is worth planning around mood rather than the clock: if the plane lands late in the evening or your child missed their nap, be ready for them to either fall asleep in the car or get cranky — both are normal after a long day. For trips like these we match you with a car spacious enough for the whole family — see the options in the fleet section of the site, and if you are flying via Alicante specifically, the dedicated Alicante–Calpe route page has more detail on the ride itself.
A couple of general tips for travel day: budget more time for passport control and baggage claim than on a trip without kids — the crowd in arrivals at peak hours slows down even light travelers. And do not forget the sun and heat, especially in summer: even on the short walk from the terminal to the car, keep a sun hat and water on hand for your child — the Costa Blanca climate tends to feel noticeably warmer in person than the forecast suggested before you left.
