Transport Options at Malaga Airport

All Your Transport Options At Malaga Airport.  Car Hire, Buses, Trains, Taxis & Private Transfers Malaga Airport

So you’ve booked your flights which is the first step towards your holiday. The next thing is to work out which is the best way to transport you and your party to your onward destination.  Here are all your transport options from Malaga Airport.

We live on the Costa del Sol so hopefully, the tips we have given you below will make it easier for you to decide what the best option is for you.  Click on the link in each section to take you into a page providing more detailed information (timetables, fares, etc) on each method of transportation from Malaga Airport.

Your Transport Options from Malaga Airport

You have lots of different options from Malaga Airport, however, the public transport stops around midnight, so when booking flights please take this into consideration.

Car Hire From Malaga Airport

If you are staying in a remote part of the Costa del Sol or plan to do some exploring while you’re here, hiring a car is by far the best option.  Not only does it often work out to be the cheapest solution, but it gives you the flexibility to go out whenever you want and the freedom to turn off the tourist track and find some secluded beaches and remote villages.  You can find many of our little trips in our Albums on our Facebook Page.

You can book your car in advance and stipulate any extras like baby seats that you need to be fitted.  This cuts out a lot of the paperwork when you arrive as you just need to take your driving licence and credit card used to make the booking to the relevant desk to collect the vehicle.  There are over 20 firms at the airport, but only some of them are based in the terminal building.  Off-Site Car Hire companies are a 5-10 minute shuttle bus ride away.

This is not always made clear on the website, so to help you choose which agency best meets your needs we have provided details of firms based in the terminal buildings and those located on the approach road.  We highly recommend booking your car as soon as your flights are book to get the best price possible.  More information on Malaga Airport Car Hire.

Private Transfers Malaga Airport

If you are not hiring a car and don´t fancy Public Transport, Private transfers are the only way to travel as far as we are concerned.  There is not a lot of difference in price between booking a private transfer and taking a taxi and the benefits far outweigh any extra cost.  You can book and pay for your private transfer in advance.  You provide your flight details at the time of booking so the company can track your flight and ensure that a driver is waiting for you in the arrivals hall to escort you to a waiting vehicle to take you to your onward destination – no waiting for buses or queuing in a taxi rank!  You can order baby seats at the time of booking which will be fitted in the vehicle when it is sent to collect you.

Shared Transfers

Depending on your destination, you may also be able to select a Shared Transfer.  This is brilliant if you are travelling alone to a place which isn´t easily accessed via trains or buses, or if you are travelling late at night when the public  transport stops running.    Prices can work out really good value.  It may not be the quickest way to your destination, but you will arrive safely and no need to worry about payment as its all pre-booked.  You will be told where to meet at a predefined meeting point.  Should you be staying at a Private Residence, the Shuttle will drop you off at the nearest Hotel.  Just select your origin, destination and choose ´Shared Transfer from Malaga´, please note that this may not be available on all destinations.

Malaga Airport Arrivals taxi rank
Airport arrivals taxi rank – Credit: Caron Badkin / Shutterstock.com

Taxis At Malaga Airport

There are always plenty of taxis waiting at the taxi ranks at Malaga Airport, although in the summer months you may have to wait a while.  They now have meters installed, so be sure it is on when they set off from the Airport.    There is also a price list on the board with a rough guide to fares along the Costa Del Sol.

Most of the Taxis are only licensed to carry up to a maximum of four passengers (including children), although there are some that take more people and that are adapted for Wheelchairs too which is great!  The only problem is that you cannot guarantee one will be there and if there are 5 of you, you may have to take 2 taxis.  If you do take a taxi, do take a photo of the Registration Plate or Number incase of any problems or if you leave any personal items.  Without knowing who your driver was, rarely will items be returned.

Buses

You have several choices of buses at Malaga Airport.

  • The A Express Bus, which goes to Malaga Bus Station stopping along the way
  • Direct Express Buses to Marbella, Estepona & Algeciras
  • Direct Buses to Granada, Nerja, Seville, Torrox, Almuñecar, Almeria, Cordoba

You have buses that run along the Costa Del Sol, Buses that travel to other parts of Andalucia and Spain and then within each area are Local Buses, generally called Urbanos.  If you need to get to somewhere that isn´t mentioned here, or the times do not suit you, then we recommend that you take the Bus or the Train to Malaga Bus Station (Maria Zambrano Station), where you have a much wider choice of buses to choose from.  Buses do not run passed midnight so this is something to consider when booking flights.

Málaga Airport train station – Credit: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com
Airport train station – Credit: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com

Trains

As you leave the Arrivals Hall in Terminal 3, walk straight ahead and you will come to the Renfe Malaga Airport Train Station.  Malaga is on the Malaga Cercanias Line which basically means the Local Line, going to Fuengirola  stopping at Benalmádena, Los Boliches, Torremolinos on the way and as far inland as Álora.

If you take the train into the Maria Zambrano Station, just 4 stops away, this is a hub which operates high speed Renfe trains to places like Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, Bilbao.

The drawback with the local trains here is that you can only get as far into the Costa Del Sol as Fuengirola.  Anywhere after this you need to either go by car or bus to resorts like La Cala, Calahonda, Mijas, Riviera del Sol, Marbella, Puerto Banus, San Pedro, Estepona or Sotogrande.  Also remember that trains do NOT run after midnight…something to consider when booking flights.

Social Media