Does it make sense to think of getting from Alicante to Nerja this way? It doesn't look too bad - judging from the ALSA website. Has anyone done this? Train commections aren't very good, and the train doesn't even GO to Nerja.. The wanderer is wondering.

Well, if you want to do it on public transport..you don't have any other option Nerja doesn't have a train station.

You are looking at a really long bus ride. Way longer than necessary, I think. You are better off renting a car or checking out flights from Alicante to Málaga, then taking a bus to Nerja.

being that close you should probably go to granada, stopover, see alhambra and then get yourself to nerja.

I stayed in Granada for 3 days last April and visited the Alhambra then. Awesome.

I'LL rent a car.

NERJA:
I recommend the Balcon de Europa hotel - right on the coast, raised up on the rocks, next to the 'Balcony' hence the name. Worth the money. You must see the case as well, which would be a bus ride / drive up the hill. Unimaginably huge caverns.

Are the caves appropriate for someone who is borderline claustrophobic?

They are famous for being big..not only in longitude but also the "halls" , I don't think they are claustrophobic...and I got a bit nervous on lifts

Bus service is Spain is very good. I couldn't find a bus from Alicante to Nerja (though there may be a connection), but the bus from Alicante to nearby Malaga takes about 8 hours and costs about 33 Euros.

The caves are spacious and interesting and the path is well thought out. I didn't find them claustrophobic. We were in and out in about an hour.