Are you planning a day trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus?
If you wonder whether you should rent a car for this trip to Marbella, or use public transport, this article has all the information you need to plan this day trip.
How do I know?
I’ve been living on Costa del Sol since 2020, and have many years of experience using public transport, taxis and have been visiting Puerto Banus many times.
That means this article will offer you lots of practical insights and local tips that will save you a lot of time and hassle.
Let’s dive in!
Distance From Fuengirola to Puerto Banus
As you probably already know, Puerto Banus is actually a small district just outside of Marbella.
The distance between Fuengirola and Puerto Banus is approximately 40 km (24.8 miles).
One Day Trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus: Your Options
Here is an overview of travel options, followed by a detailed breakdown of the instructions further down.
- Day trip by bus: bus to Marbella + taxi to Puerto Banus (3.50 + 10 euros)
- Day trip by car: most convenient & fastest
- Day trip by train: no train connections available for this route
- Day trip with tour company: easy affordable option with 2 pick up locations
- Day trip with taxi: approx 40 – 50 euros one way
- Day trip with private transport: 50 – 60 euros one way
Puerto Banus is located just outside of Marbella, so any public transport option will involve a change of buses, or getting a taxi from Marbella to Puerto Banus.
1. Day Trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus by Bus
There are regular buses from Fuengirola to Marbella leaving from the main bus station in Fuengirola.
To recap quickly what you will read below: your best travel option is taking the fast Avanza bus from Fuengirola (3.75 euros), and then getting a taxi from Marbella bus station to Puerto Banus (10 euros). This will make your total commute time in one direction only about 1 hour, which is perfect for a day trip.
You will find detailed instructions below.
Bus Fuengirola to Marbella – Fast Long Distance
There are two types of buses to Marbella – fast ones and slow ones.
The fast line is operated by Avanza (the red and white buses), these are the long-distance buses from destinations like Granada and Malaga, that continue all the way to places like Cadiz or Algeciras.
They stop only at the main bus stations, so from Fuengirola, the next stop would be the main bus station in Marbella.
The fast buses take about 30 to 45 minutes on average, compared to the 1.5 hours on a standard local bus.
You can get your tickets in advance at Avanza website, that way you can get on the bus even if it’s busy.
The buses run pretty frequently around 10 times a day, in the summer more often.
The tickets cost 3.75 euros one way per person. On this short journey, they don’t allow seat reservations, unfortunately.
When you buy your tickets online, they will need your ID number – you should have it with you when you board the bus as the driver might ask to see it. They normally do this on longer journeys, but it’s better to have it with you just in case.
You can simply save the ticket to your phone and show the QR code when you board the bus.
You can also get the ticket from the small window booth at the station, just keep in mind if you DO NOT tell them which bus you want to take, they will give you tickets for the next available bus which might be the slow one.
Bus Fuengirola to Marbella – Slow Local Bus
The local buses (green ones) run more frequently than the Avanza line, and have like 50 stops on the highway (I’m not kidding!). It takes a lifetime to get to Marbella with these, and all the stops are on the busy free highway, so it’s not a very pleasant ride, but you do get amazing sea views.
The connection to Marbella is the M-220 line between Las Lagunas – Fuengirola – Marbella and you can check the timetable here. The route and stops are marked on an itinerary map here.
The bus tickets are a similar price to those from Avanza, around 3.30 euros per person.
Unlike the fast bus, the local bus has many stops in Marbella town, by the main road, which is a more convenient option for getting to the city or Puerto Banus.
Fuengirola Bus Station
Fuengirola bus station is pretty chaotic as there are many buses stopping at the same time, and there are no designated platforms. The bus simply pulls up by the side of the road.
It’s important to know which bus you’re taking and what is the final destination, especially if you’re on the Avanza bus. The local green bus always has the number M-220 displayed and it’s easy to spot.
I have marked the exact location of the stop on the map below.
Marbella Bus Station to Puerto Banus
Once you get to the Marbella bus station, you have two options to get to Puerto Banus – taking a local bus from the station or taking a taxi.
The bus is not the most practical option since there is no bus station in Puerto Banus, and you will need to use the city’s public transport to get off at A-7 highway (cross under the bridge) with services L-79 (Estepona).
Taxi from the station to Puerto Banus is not going to be expensive, since the distance is only 8km and you can expect to pay around 10 euros. My husband took it last time and the price is usually in this range, depending on where you go.
2. Day Trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus by Car
If you already rented a car in Fuengirola (or planning to do so), driving to Puerto Banus is pretty easy.
There are two routes you can take to Puerto Banus:
- AP-7 – this is the paid toll road, which is less busy and a little faster compared to the other one. They go right next to each other, so you still get to enjoy the beautiful views with fewer cars. The tolls on this road are not huge, I think it was around 5 euros.
- A-7 – this is the free Mediterranean highway that is used by most people, it is busier, especially at peak times, and the local buses also have many stops on the highway (keep your distance from them). The travel time difference between these two is not huge but can be an issue if you travel in peak times.
I have marked the suggested route on the map below.
Parking in Puerto Banus
There are plenty of parking options in Puerto Banus, but you need to expect to pay more than in other parts of Marbella, as this is one of the most expensive districts.
The parking options are marked on the map below.
3. Day Trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus by Train
Even though Fuengirola has its own train station (with 4 different stops), there are no trains running between Fuengirola and Marbella, or its district of Puerto Banus.
4. Day Trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus with Tour Company
If you’re staying in Fuengirola and don’t like the hassle of navigating the local traffic or using public transport, getting a trip with a local tour company is a super convenient option to see Puerto Banus.
The tour company I recommend offers pick-ups from the bus station in Fuengirola and also Los Boliches, and as part of this day trip you will not only see Puerto Banus, but also the pretty Marbella and the white village in the hills above Fuengirola – Mijas Pueblo.
Click the link below to reserve your spot – this day trip is available once a week in the main season.
The day trip comes with free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the trip, English English-speaking guide and convenient pick up and drop off in Fuengirola.
You will also have free time in Mijas Pueblo, Marbella and Puerto Banus to explore on your own.
5. Day Trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus by Taxi or Uber
I took this trip in a taxi and we paid 40 euros for 3 passengers.
The price depends on where you’re leaving from and also the tariff. If you want to save some money, it’s worth getting Uber on your phone as they often have cheaper rates than standard city taxis.
If you’ve used them for a while, you also get UberX option which gives you really cheap trips even for longer distances.
The great thing about Uber is the fact that you don’t have to search for the nearest taxi rank and they will pick you up even in the middle of nowhere, it was a lifesaver on many occasions.
6. Day Trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus with Private Transport
If you would like to travel in style, you have two options – pay for the upgraded car in Uber, or book transport via Get Transfer.
Get Transfer is a price comparison site, you will provide details of your trip and they will source you quotes from local transport companies, offering you plenty of options to choose the perfect car for this trip.
The price depends on the types of cars available, but you can expect to pay roughly in the same range as a taxi, or maybe slightly more. I have used the service for long-distance trips and they tend to be cheaper than taxi, especially if booked in advance.
What to See & Do in Puerto Banus (Marbella)
So what to do once you get to Puerto Banus?
I would recommend starting by exploring the fancy Marina where you will see luxury yachts and megayachts of the rich and famous, taking a stroll around the Marina area with its luxury boutique shops, and stopping for a drink to watch people.
There are no sights or museums in Puerto Banus, but people-watching has to be the thing to do!
Puerto Banus also has lots of nice club and beach clubs, and if you’re visiting in summer you can easily spend the day at the beach.
The coastal promenade connecting Puerto Banus to Marbella is a wonderful way to explore the coastline – you can rent a bike or simply walk all the way to Marbella.
Other Day Trips from Fuengirola
If you fancy venturing out a bit more from your base in Fuengirola, some of the most popular day trip options include those to Granada, to Seville, or even to the beautiful village of Ronda. Keep in mind that travel time will vary, so if you want to have more time to explore choose the destinations that are closer.
Conclusion
I hope you found everything you needed to plan the perfect day trip from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus!
If you have any questions about planning this day trip, I will be happy to answer them below in the comments section.
Frequent Questions
Is there a direct bus from Fuengirola to Puerto Banús?
No, there is no direct bus from Fuengirola to Puerto Banus. You can get a direct bus to Marbella, and from there you can take a local bus or taxi. In this article, you will find detailed instructions on both options.
Is there a direct bus from Fuengirola to Marbella?
Yes, there is a direct bus from Fuengirola to Marbella. There are two types of buses – local slower bus (about 1.5 hours) and faster Avanza bus (30 – 45 mins). In the article you will find detailed information on both options.
How much is a taxi from Marbella to Fuengirola?
A taxi from Marbella to Fuengirola would be around 30 – 40 euros, depending on your exact location and destination.
Where is Puerto Banús bus station?
Puerto Banus does not have a bus station. The closest bus station is the one in Malaga – the main bus station. If you’re planning to take a bus to Puerto Banus, in this article you will find detailed instructions on where to get it from and where to get off.
What number bus goes from Fuengirola to Marbella?
Bus number M-220 goes from Fuengirola to Marbella, and stops many times on the A-7 highway. For info about tickets and prices, please check the article for details.
How much is a bus from Fuengirola to Marbella?
The bus from Fuengirola to Marbella costs 3.30 euros if you get the fast one (Avanza) and the local green bus (M-220) costs 3.50 euros.
Southern Spain Travel Tips
BEST CAR RENTAL
To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, an award winning price comparison site for car rentals.
BUS & TRAIN TICKETS
To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.
LOCAL TOURS
Local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.
HOTELS
I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and it’s the best place to book your hotel.
LUGGAGE STORE
If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage in all the destinations in Spain.
LOCAL SIM CARD
If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
