How to Get from Benalmadena to Fuengirola, Fast & Easy: Local Transport Guide

How to Get from Benalmadena to Fuengirola, Fast & Easy: Local Transport Guide

Do you need to travel from Benalmadena to Fuengirola? Are you wondering what is the fastest and most convenient option? Should you take a train or a bus?

This article has all the transport details you need to plan your journey, and best of all – it’s written by a local living in Fuengirola! That means you’re getting the most accurate local insights and practical tips to save you a lot of frustration, time and money.

Let’s dive in!

Distance Between Benalmadena and Fuengirola

The distance between Benalmadena and Fuengirola is around 15 kilometres (9.3 miles).

Benalmadena is right next to Fuengirola, so you can also easily walk to the town, depending on where in the city you’re staying at.

Benalmadena to Fuengirola Transport Options

Transport Option Duration Connections Prices
by car around 20 minutes cost of petrol and car rental n/a
by train 5 to 10 minutes train every 20 minutes 1.80 euros one way ticket
by bus 44 minutes M-120 bus 1.70 euros one way
by taxi 20 minutes Uber is better than Taxi around 20 euros
Fuengirola in August
Fuengirola Marina in August

1. From Benalmadena to Fuengirola by Car

There are two route options for driving from Benalmadena to Fuengirola, and your selected route will depend on where in Benalmadena you’re leaving.

If you’re staying in the centre of the town away from the coast, you may find the first route via AP-7 more convenient. If you’re by the coast, it’s much faster to use the Mediterranean highway.

ROUTE 1 – TOLL ROAD AP-7

The AP-7 highway is generally faster than the A-7 Mediterranean highway as it’s a paid toll road, so most cars won’t bother and use the foll-free road.

Having said that, between Benalmadena and Fuengirola for such a short distance it won’t make too much difference in your overall journey time, just a few minutes depending on your traffic.

Heading out of Benalmadena, depending on where you’re staying, you will join the AP-7 by driving up north to the hills – the roads are not exactly straight and you may navigate through small curvy roads, so end up wasting a bit of time before you reach the highway.

The journey on AP-7 should take approximately 16 minutes, and you enter Fuengirola via the A-7 highway.

According to the toll road calculator, for this short journey, you shouldn’t be paying any toll fees.

ROUTE 2 – A-7 HIGHWAY

The second route may be slightly slower at first glance, but I actually think it’s more convenient and might save you time as you don’t have to drive through the town up north to reach the AP-7 highway.

The route follows the A-7 which runs along the coastline, so it may be a faster option for you if you are staying in Benalmadena Costa.

If you’re driving from the coastline, the journey will be also a bit shorter – around 12 km and take around 19 minutes to complete.

See the grey route option on the map below.

2. From Benalmadena to Fuengirola by Train

I have travelled on this route many times and in my opinion, it’s the most convenient option to get to Fuengirola, if you’re not planning on renting a car.

The train connection is a local commuter train called ‘cercanias’ which runs between Malaga Maria Zambrano and Fuengirola main train station.

The trains run approximately every 20 minutes, and the journey will take around 10 minutes, depending on which station in Fuengirola you’re getting off at.

As of autumn 2022, face masks are still compulsory on all types of public transport.

Fuengirola old town
Old town Fuengirola

Train Stations

The trains from Benalmadena leave from Arroyo de la Miel, which is the central part of Benalmadena up in the hill. The train station is located by the main road, at Av. de la Estación, 3, 29631 Benalmádena, Málaga (see the location on the map below).

The train station has ticket booths and also a service person behind the counter where you can get some help if needed. Get your tickets from the booth and scan them on the gate. There are wider gates at the end available for prams or wheelchairs.

On the left side after the gates, there is a lift for prams or disabled. The lift arrives right by the tracks with not much space to move around, so keep an eye on your kids if you’re travelling with them.

If you’re arriving back in Benalmadena and need to use the lift, you will find it by walking behind the steps area on the narrow edge of the platform – it’s almost invisible and impossible to find, and a train conductor had to show me that it’s really there!

The main train station in Fuengirola is currently under construction (autumn 2022), but you can still access it to get on the train. The facilities are pretty much non-existent at the moment. There is a taxi rank outside the train station, and a short walk down the street you will find the main bus station and the main street with shops and cafes.

Train Times

The first trains from Benalmadena Arroyo de la Miel leave at 5.50 am and last ones at 00.01 pm.

Train Stops

Between Benalmadena and Fuengirola, the train will stop at the following destinations:

  • Torremuele
  • Carvajal (Fuengirola district)
  • Torreblanca (Fuengirola district)
  • Los Boliches (Fuengirola district)
  • Fuengirola main station

Train Tickets

The price of the ticket depends on how many zones you cross, in this case it’s only one. The ticket will cost 1.80 euros one way, and you can also buy day return ticket.

The tickets are available from the booths at the station, and they have menu available in English.

Children under 6 years travel for free and there are discount tickets available to seniors.

Train Facilities

The trains are fairly spacious with lots of seating and space to travel with bikes, prams or even wheelchair. For the last two options, the arrival in Fuengirola is a bit tricky as the train stairs are quite high up above the platform, with no barrier-free way to get off the train.

The train also has toilets available and security personnel is normally present on the train.

June in Fuengirola
Fuengirola Marina

3. From Benalmadena to Fuengirola by Bus

There is a direct bus connection between Benalmadena and Fuengirola, with the buses leaving from Benalmadena Port and stopping in a few locations throughout Benalmadena Costa.

The bus connection is number M-120 leaving from Torremolinos and ending in Fuengirola main bus station. You can check the detailed timetable here.

The stops are at the following places:

  • Puerto Marina
  • Hotel Triton
  • Antonio Machado
  • Selwo Marina
  • Bil Bil
  • Los Maites
  • Residencia Marymar
  • Sunset Beach Club

The tickets cost 1.70 euros one way and can be bought from the bus driver. The buses go roughly every half an hour, with the journey taking around 45 minutes.

4. From Benalmadena to Fuengirola by Taxi

I have used a taxi and uber between Benalmadena and Fuengirola many times. The cost depends on where is your final destination and whether you’re taking an uber or a taxi.

Uber almost always works out cheaper, so if you’re heading for a holiday on Costa del Sol, it’s worth downloading the app if you don’t have it yet.

Taxi will cost around 20 euros, depending on your pick up and drop off point. Uber will work out cheaper, but the price fluctuates depending on demand.

The journey will take around 20 minutes – again depending on pick up and drop off point, and what time of day you’re travelling.

May in Fuengirola
Feria grounds in Fuengirola

Fuengirola: Recommended Day Trips & Experiences

  • Caminito del Rey Day Trip with Guide – explore the world-famous pathway of the king, and admire the stunning views from the gorge El Chorro. Includes pick up in Fuengirola, entrance to Caminito del Rey and helmets.
  • Day Trip to Gibraltar with pick up from Fuengirola with a minibus, with free time in Gibraltar for shopping and an optional tour of the nature reserve.
  • Gibraltar Sightseeing Day Tour – a more structured day trip with a full tour of the nature reserve, showing you all the highlights, with free time for shopping. Pick up from Fuengirola.
  • Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas Day Trip – see the famous Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda, with one of the oldest bullrings in the country, and admire the homes and restaurants built into caves in Setenil. Pick-up in Fuengirola – includes a walking tour of Ronda and a complimentary glass of wine in Ronda.
  • Day Trip to Granada with Alhambra Tour – see one of the architectural wonders of Spain, the Moorish Palace complex of Alhambra, with free time to explore Granada. Includes pick-up from Fuengirola, tickets to Alhambra and a guide.

Frequent Questions about the Route

Can you walk from Benalmadena to Fuengirola?

Yes, you can. The distance is around 20 kilometres, so it depends on where in Benalmadena you’re located. There is a road that goes along the coastline with a walking path next to it, which you can use to make the walk.

The walk will take around 1 hour 20 minutes to complete (from Benalmadena Costa to Carvajal beach – the entrance to Fuengirola)

How far from Benalmadena to Fuengirola?

The distance is about 20 km.

How much is a taxi from Benalmadena to Fuengirola?

The taxi from Benalmadena to Fuengirola will cost around 20 euros, depending on your pick-up and drop-off points. Uber rides are normally much cheaper than a local taxi and they can pick you up straight from your hotel or accommodation.

How much is a taxi from Fuengirola to Benalmadena?

The taxi will cost around 20 euros.

How do I go from Benalmadena to Fuengirola?

There are a few options, including car (20 minute journey), a bus (45 minutes and 1.70 euros for ticket), a train (10 minutes journey and 1.80 euros for tickets) or a taxi which will be around 20 euros.

How far by bus from Benalmadena to Fuengirola?

The bus from Benalmadena will get you to Fuengirola in around 45 minutes and it leaves from Benalmadena Marina.

How much is a bus from Benalmadena to Fuengirola?

The bus from Benalmadena to Fuengirola costs 1.70 euros one way.

How much is the train from Benalmadena to Fuengirola?

The train tickets from Benalmadena to Fuengirola cost 1.80 euros one way.

How to get to Benalmadena marina from Fuengirola?

In Benalmadena Marina, you can catch the local M-120 bus that will take you to Fuengirola in 45 minutes and costs 1.70 euros one way. You can also take a taxi which will drive you there in about 20 minutes and costs under 20 euros.

Explore More in Fuengirola

Coming to Fuengirola? These are the Tourist Traps to Avoid

Fuengirola Tourist Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss

Best Things to Do with Kids on Your Trip to Fuengirola, Spain

A Complete Guide to Fuengirola Beaches: All You Need to Know

Fuengirola Market: All Your Questions Answered

Local Guide to Fuengirola Supermarkets

Fuengirola Old Town: An Insider’s Guide by a Local

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Hi, I'm Lucia

At Viva La Vita, I will help you to discover Southern Spain like a local!

I've been living on Costa del Sol since 2020, and fill these pages with first-hand insights, personal experience and practical tips that will help you plan a wonderful trip to Spain.

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