Are you travelling from Malaga airport to Benalmadena? If you are wondering what are the easiest and fastest travel connections to get you to your final destination, this article has all the answers you need.
Below you will find practical tips, including timetables, prices and details to save you a lot of time and money. Best of all – it’s written by a local expat who knows the destination inside out, so you are only getting the most accurate local information first-hand.
Are you ready to plan your journey?
Distance from Malaga Airport to Benalmadena
The distance between Malaga airport and Benalmadena is roughly 15 kilometres. The location of Benalmadena is marked on the map below.
Benalmadena actually consists of three separate areas – Benalmadena Costa (the area by the coast), Benalmadena Pueblo (which is further towards direction of Fuengirola, up in the hills) and Arroyo de la Miel which is North of Benalmadena Costa, where the trains stop.
Malaga Airport to Benalmadena: Transport Options
There are a number of transport options available to you, here is a quick glance at all of them.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO BENALMADENA TRANSPORT GUIDE
1. Airport Transfer from Malaga Airport to Benalmadena
Using airport transfer is one of the most convenient ways to commute from the airport, especially if you’re arriving late at night or in the very early morning hours.
I recommend using AirportTransfers.com, they provide a friendly and professional service, with a range of different cars available, so you will find the right option whether you’re travelling with a family or alone.
You can use the form below to get a quick quote for your trip.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO BENALMADENA TRANSPORT GUIDE
2. Drive with a Rental Car
Travelling by car is probably one of the easiest transport options as you can rent a car and pick it up directly from the airport.
I recommend using Discover Cars, they are an award-winning price comparison platform that will give you the best prices on your car rentals, with pick-up directly from Malaga airport. I have added a quote form below.
The journey from the airport to Benalmadena takes about 25 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions and also where in Benalmadena you need to get to. If you’re travelling to Benalmadena Pueblo, the journey would take a little longer.
There are two routes you can take from the airport to Benalmadena:
Route 1 – via N-340 motorway, which is a public free motorway connecting the city with the coastal towns. It’s usually quite busy, especially at rush hour.
Route 2 – via AP-7 connection – this route is slightly faster but this highway is a toll highway, so you will have to pay a bit to get through.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO BENALMADENA TRANSPORT GUIDE
3. Train from Malaga Airport to Benalmadena
The train network from Malaga airport is on the commuter C-1 line going to Fuengirola. The trains run very frequently and its a convenient, fast and affordable way to get to Benalmadena.
So how do you take the train?
When you get out of the main airport building at arrival, head straight down the road following the signs for the train stop. The train station is at the far back, behind the parking lot.
You will take the escalators down and you get right to the platform, make sure you’re taking the train in the direction of Fuengirola, not Malaga.
There are ticket machines by the entrance, select a day ticket and find Benalmadena Arroyo de la Miel in the list. The tickets should cost just a few euros per person. You can pay by card or cash.
The machine will give you a printed ticket with a QR code that you scan at the gates. Some stations do not have gates, so don’t be surprised by that (Torreblanca for example).
Train Facilities and Journey
The trains are very spacious with lots of room for luggage and rarely that crowded that you wouldn’t be able to get on. The train has also space for bikes and toilets. There is usually a security guard on the train (not checking the tickets, just ensuring order) and masks are still compulsory on all forms of public transport in Spain (accurate as of late Sept 2022).
The trains run every 20 minutes or so, and the journey takes 15 minutes.
The train stops at the following stations:
Plaza Mayor
Los Alamos
La Colina
Torremolinos
Montemar-Alto
El Pinillo
Benalmadena-Arroyo de la Miel
Train Timetables
The first trains leave around 5.30am and the last ones before midnight, at 23.40pm.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO BENALMADENA TRANSPORT GUIDE
4. Malaga Airport to Benalmadena by Bus
There are a few direct bus connections between Malaga airport and Benalmadena. The buses are leaving from the bus stop called Cruce Aeropuerto, which is marked on the map below. The bus stop is located by the main MA-21 highway.
The direct bus connection to Benalmadena is bus number M-110, and you can find the timetable here.
The first buses leave at 6am from Malaga Centro and the last ones from Malaga leave around 1am. There are over 20 connections per day, the buses go roughly 2 – 3 times every hour. The journey with the bus takes about 50 minutes.
Between the airport stop and Benalmadena, there are roughly 18 stops on the way. In Benalmadena, the bus stops in Puerto Marina, Hotel Triton, Antonio Machado, Selwo Marina, Bil Bil, Los Maites, Residencia Marymar and Sunset Beach Club.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO BENALMADENA TRANSPORT GUIDE
5. Taxi from Malaga Airport
You can either get a taxi from the taxi rank outside of the arrivals hall, but if you would like to secure the price or arrive in late evening / early morning hours, it’s best to book your taxi in advance.
The taxi from the rank is probably the most expensive option available, so keep that in mind.
You can use the form below to get a quick quote from Kiwi Taxi:
MALAGA AIRPORT TO BENALMADENA TRANSPORT GUIDE
6. Private Transport from the Airport
If you’re looking for more cost-effective alternative to the local taxi, I recommend Get Transfer, which I have personal experience with.
This service is the perfect choice for long-distance journeys – I have used them on two occasions for longer last-minute trips and they always give you the best price.
Get Transfer works as a price comparison service, you will add your trip details and they will populate transport options from local companies, giving you the best price available.
Get a quick quote by clicking the button below.
What To Do When You Get to Benalmadena?
Most Popular Activities & Day Trips in Benalmadena
Here is a selection of some fun activities and day trips from Benalmadena – these are independently organized tours with pick-up from the town. To see available dates and check the prices please click on the link for each activity.
- Caminito Del Rey Guided Tour – with pick up from Benalmadena, a guided tour of the famous walkway along the El Chorro Gorge, with transportation, entrance fees and tour guide included.
- Dolphin Watching Boat Trip in Benalmadena – explore the coast of Benalmadena from a boat, enjoy a trip that includes spotting dolphins in their natural habitat, swimming and sunbathing on the boat.
- Day Trip to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas – see one of the wonders of Andalusia, the Puente Nuevo in Ronda with one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, and admire the houses built into massive rock formations in Setenil. Includes pick up from Benalmadena, a tour guide, a glass of Ronda wine, and entry to Palacio Mondragon.
- Day Trip to Granada with Tour of Alhambra – see one of the most famous monuments in Andalusia, the palace complex of Alhambra with a tour guide with a pick up from Benalmadena.
- Day Trip to Gibraltar – enjoy a trip to the UK territory with free time for shopping and an optional visit to the Nature Reserve with a guide.
Frequent Questions about Malaga Airport to Benalmadena Route
How much is a taxi from Malaga airport to Benalmadena?
Taxi from Malaga airport to Benalmadena costs around 20 euros.
How long from Malaga airport to Benalmadena?
The fastest journey is with a taxi or by train – both are around 20 minutes.
How long is the transfer from Malaga airport to Benalmadena?
If you’re using a taxi or a train, the journey takes about 20 minutes.
How to get from Malaga airport to Benalmadena?
The fastest option is a taxi, the cheapest will be a train. There are also buses available, but you will have to walk outside of the airport to the bus stop and the journey takes too long.
How far is it from Malaga airport to Benalmadena?
The distance is about 15 kilometers, so it’s fairly close.
Is there a bus from Malaga airport to Benalmadena?
Yes there is a direct bus connection, but the bus stop is not conveniently located within the airport but outside of it, by the main highway. The buses run quite frequently, but the journey takes twice as long as with the train (50 mins).
Is there a train from Malaga airport to Benalmadena?
Yes, there is a direct train you can take straight from the airport. It’s the C-1 commuter train in the direction of Fuengirola.
What to Do in Benalmadena?
Selwo Marina in Benalmadena: Worth a Visit?
15 Fantastic Things to Do in Benalmadena: Recommended by a Local
How to Spend One Day in Benalmadena
The Best Benalmadena Restaurants: Top Picks by a Local Expat
Mariposario de Benalmadena (Butterfly Park)
Is Benalmadena Worth Visiting? All Your Questions Answered!
El Gecko Beach Shack, Benalmádena
Paloma Park, Benalmadena – Spain
Yucas Mare Restaurant, Benalmadena
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.
