The commute on the route Fuengirola Malaga is one that I do most frequently and nearly mastered the art of timing, to always get to the train station at the right time.
This article has everything you need to know to plan your Fuengirola Malaga trip, including some practical local tips to save you time and money.
Fuengirola to Malaga Travel Connections
Here are your options for getting from Fuengirola to Malaga:
The fastest option: Definitely by car, although you may find navigating through Malaga a bit annoying, and driving through the city might slow you down, depending on where you’re going and whether you hit the rush hour traffic or not. The journey to Malaga itself is really easy as it’s all on a highway.
Cheapest option: I would say car, but if you’re staying in a hotel, you’re likely having to pay for parking (or public parking if you’re only coming for a day trip). The train is the second cheapest option, with a return ticket for an adult for only around 8 euros.
Commuting to Malaga Airport: If you’re traveling to or from the airport, you will find the train to be a very convenient option – they run often and the tickets cost just a few euros, for both Malaga and Fuengirola.
There is also a big taxi rank at the arrivals, and you can get a taxi to Fuengirola for around 30 to 40 euros, depending on your final destination and the season (you pay more in the summer months).
Uber also runs to the airport and depending on the time and day of booking, you might find it slightly cheaper than pre-booked taxi services to the airport. Getting one from the airport is a little harder and you may have to wait longer.
Fuengirola Malaga by Train
I almost always travel to Malaga by train as it’s convenient and cheap. It also allows you to avoid the hassle of looking for a parking space in Malaga or navigating through the city traffic.
The journey is by no means fast – it takes approximately 40 minutes from Los Boliches station to Malaga Maria Zambrano, and the train stops very frequently, every few minutes almost.
The good thing about the train connection is how frequently it runs. The trains run approximately every 20 minutes, from very early in the morning – around 6 am – until late at night, just before midnight.
You can check the train schedule by entering your destination in the renfe website here.
The train gets busy usually in summer as a lot of people use it to commute to and from the airport, and a lot of the space in the carriage gets filled up with big suitcases. Having said that, I almost never had an issue locating a free seat when departing from Fuengirola or Malaga direction.
The trains themselves are pretty modern, equipped with a toilet and there is always a security guard present to ensure everyone complies with the regulations – mostly checking everyone is wearing a face mask (at the time of writing still compulsory on public transport). The train also announces upcoming stops (also in English), so you don’t have to worry about missing your station.
There is only one train track by the time the train reaches Fuengirola, so it goes to the final station where it changes driver and returns back on the same route.
The clock on the station is usually announcing the train only if it’s coming within the next few minutes, so don’t be alarmed when you see nothing displayed for a while.
The train stops in Fuengirola
The train stops in Fuengirola on these stops: Carvajal (just outside of Fuengirola) – Torreblanca – Los Boliches – Main train station Fuengirola. Check which one is the closest to your accommodation so you avoid walking long distances or having to take a taxi.
Train stations in Fuengirola
I’m most familiar with the train station in Los Boliches – it has 4 ticket machines and a vending machine with water and some snacks, also a lift for wheelchair access to and to drag heavy suitcases.
The main station is a further 2 minutes’ journey away and it’s very close to the bus station, in case you need to change connections there. There is also a taxi rank outside both of these stations.
There are no ticket gates in Los Boliches train station, you just walk out of the station without further checkups.
The train stops in the following stops in Malaga:
Malaga airport (connection to Malaga metro) – Victoria Kent (connection Malaga metro) – Malaga Maria Zambrano and Malaga Centro.
Train Stations in Malaga
The only difference between the Malaga train station options is the fact that Maria Zambrano is a much bigger station with lots more facilities and easy access to a taxi.
The station is a connecting point for traveling further beyond Malaga, to bigger cities like Cordoba, Granada or Madrid. It has restaurants, supermarkets, shops, cafes and much more.
The Malaga Centro station is a small and old one, but convenient if you’re planning to walk to the center of the town or want to get closer to the central. There is no taxi rank outside the station and nearly zero facilities, apart from the ticket office.
Fuengirola Malaga by Car
The trip from Fuengirola to Malaga by car is fairly convenient, you just get on a highway and in 30 minutes you’re in the city.
The main connection is via the AP-7 from Fuengirola, with a distance of about 35 km.
Fuengirola Malaga by Bus
I have not yet taken the journey by bus, and the main reason is the fact that the buses don’t run nearly as often as the trains.
The buses run approximately once an hour, all departing from the Fuengirola main terminal. The terminal can be quite chaotic with many buses arriving and leaving, so you need to keep an eye on the bus numbers to make sure you don’t miss it.
The journey takes around 1 hour.
The connection number M-113 is the one connecting Fuengirola directly with Malaga, and you can check the bus times on the avanza website.
In Malaga, the bus stops by the train station and then at Malaga Centro bus stop.
Fuengirola Malaga by Taxi
I have experience traveling by taxi as far as Malaga airport, but not to Malaga central. The airport journey takes approximately 20 minutes, to the city it will be another 10 to 15 minutes.
Depending on where in Malaga you’re getting off, the taxi journey – if booked in advance – will cost anything between 30 to 50 euros per car, and it is much cheaper if you split the costs as a group.
Fuengirola Malaga: Travel Agency Option
If you want to venture out to Malaga while staying on holiday in Fuengirola, there are a few travel agencies that offer day trips with regular pick-ups from Fuengirola.
It’s best to ask at the hotel where you’re staying as they will be able to recommend the best option for you.
Malaga: Most Popular Activities & Tickets
- Sunset Catamaran Trip with a Glass of Cava Included – enjoy beautiful views of the Malaga coastline on board of a luxury catamaran, and watch the sunset while sipping on the complimentary glass of cava.
- Alcazaba and Roman Theatre Guided Tour With Entry – enjoy a guided visit to Malaga’s most important monuments – skip the line tickets with a tour guide in English.
- Entrance to Picasso Museum with Audio Guide – you can’t leave Malaga without visiting a museum dedicated to its most famous artist!
- Flamenco Show at Tablao Alegría – enjoy an authentic Flamenco performance in one of the local restaurants in Malaga. Entry ticket included in price, no food or drinks.
- Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with Malaga pick up – enjoy a guided walk on the most spectacular natural sight in Malaga, the ‘King’s Pathway’ offering breathtaking views of the El Chorro gorge.
- Private Full-Day Bus Trip to Ronda and Setenil with Malaga pick up – marvel at the beauty of Ronda, an ancient city with one of the oldest bullrings in the country, loved by writers like Hemingway.
- Granada Full-Day Trip with Alhambra – it would be a shame to leave Andalusia without seeing the most important sight of all – the ancient palace complex of Alhambra.
Frequent Questions
How far is Fuengirola from Malaga?
The distance is approximately 35 kilometers.
How can you get from Fuengirola to Malaga?
You can travel by car, taxi, bus or train. There is also an Uber service that can get you from Fuengirola to Malaga.
How much is the train from Malaga to Fuengirola?
The train tickets for one way trip are under 5 euros.
Does Fuengirola have a train station?
Yes, Fuengirola has a central train station along with smaller stations like Los Boliches.
How much is a taxi from Fuengirola to Malaga airport?
The price is on average between 30 and 40 euros, depending on the number of people traveling and the travel time (season etc).
How long does the train take from Malaga Airport to Fuengirola?
Approximately 40 minutes on the train, it’s more than 10 stops away.
How do I get from Malaga airport to Fuengirola?
There are a few options:
- by taxi – you can take one at the airport arrivals (there are plenty available), the price is around 30 to 40 euros, depending on where you are getting off in Fuengirola
- by train – the one way ticket is under 5 euros and it arrives in Fuengirola in around 35 minutes. The journey is quite long, there are more than 10 stops in between.
- by car – rent a car at the arrivals and drive to Fuengirola, the journey would take approximately 15 to 20 minutes on the highway.
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