Malaga Airport to Marbella: Your Complete Transport Guide

Are you travelling from Malaga airport to Marbella?

You probably have a lot of questions about how you reach Marbella easily and conveniently from the airport.

This article will give you all the practical tips on transport from the airport, and save you a lot of time and money! Unlike other guides, it’s actually written by a local expat who knows these locations inside out, so you won’t miss any important details that will make your journey faster and more comfortable.

Table of Contents

Where is Marbella?

Marbella is a coastal town in Southern Spain, located in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It belongs to the province of Malaga.

Marbella is situated on the coastline of the Mediterranean sea, between Malaga and the Straight of Gibraltar. In the north, it is framed by the mountain range of Sierra Blanca.

Distance from Malaga Airport to Marbella

The distance between Malaga airport and Marbella is approximately 50 kilometers.

Malaga Airport to Marbella: Transport Options

There are a number of transport options available to you, here is a quick glance on all of them, with more detailed guide available for each option below.

by bus: journey lasting around 40 minutes and tickets starting at 6 euros one way per person.
by train: the train network stops in Fuengirola, so you will have to walk to the bus station and take the connecting bus to Marbella
by car: you can reach Marbella easily via the AP-7 highway in just 40 minutes.
by taxi: the taxi journey takes about 40 minutes and costs around 60 euros, depending on where in Marbella you’re going to.
by uber: uber tends to be cheaper for shorter journeys, but if you’re lucky you can get a good deal on this journey too. My app indicates the trip would cost over 70 euros.

Manuka Restaurant Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain — Coastal promenade in Marbella in winter time

1. Malaga Airport to Marbella by Bus

There is a direct express bus from Malaga airport to Marbella, run by Avanza.

The best way to check the timetable and price is by navigating to the Avanza site and entering your travel dates.

Normally, you would see up to 20 bus connections per day for the route airport to Marbella, with the earliest buses leaving just before 9am and the last buses leaving after 10pm.

Ticket Prices: the ticket prices start from 6.15 euros one way. If you book online, they will add a small booking and trip insurance fee on top, so you will pay around 7.15 euros total for one way ticket. As you enter the bus, you will show the QR code and your passport to the driver.

Journey Duration: the journey takes only 40 minutes.

Bus Stops: the bus does not stop anywhere on the way to Marbella, it’s an express service.

Bus Facilities: the buses normally have toilets and are fairly comfortable, modern buses. Luggage is stored free of charge, unless you have excessive amount of luggage. No seat reservation is possible for this journey.

Travel Restrictions: as of spring 2023, face masks are still compulsory on all forms of public transport in Andalusia.

2. Malaga Airport to Marbella by Train

The train network from Malaga airport is on the commuter C-1 line going to Fuengirola. Unfortunately the trains don’t continue on from there, so you will have to get off at the last stop at Fuengirola main station and catch a connecting bus.

Once you get to Fuengirola train station, simply walk down towards the coasline, passing the big roundabout by the station.

The bus station is not exactly clearly marked, but you will see buses parked alongside the building and people waiting up. I have marked the location of the bus station on the map below.

There is a small ticket booth with big red Avanza sign in front of the building – you need to get your Marbella bus tickets from there.

There are two types of buses that go from Fuengirola to Marbella, the slow one (M-220) and the fast Avanza buses which are long distance.

I had to learn the hard way that it’s well worth checking the timetable in advance, to make sure you don’t get on the slow bus which takes over an hour.

The avanza bus timetables can be checked here, and the tickets cost around 3 euros one way. The bus journey takes 30 minutes and the bus stops only at the main bus station.

The local green buses with number M-220 stop along the main road in Marbella too, so they are a more convenient option, but the journey is very long and they stop very often, including on the highway.

3. Malaga Airport to Marbella by Car

The car journey from the airport to Marbella is fairly easy and convenient, via the AP-7 highway. It’s the Mediterranena highway that goes along the coastline, so in addition to an easy ride you can also enjoy some beautiful views.

The 50 kilometer journey from the airport should take approximately 40 minutes, depending where in Marbella you need to get to.

Before you rush to plan your road trip, please keep in mind that the AP-7 is a toll road, so you will have to pay extra, but its usually a few euros.

If you would prefer to travel without paying those, you can use the alternative A-7 which runs alongside it, its toll free but also very busy and full of traffic, especially if you hit rush hour. The local bus also uses this route and stops frequently, so keep your distance if you see any local buses.

4. Malaga Airport to Marbella by Taxi

Malaga airport taxi to Marbella is easy and convenient way to arrive at your destination. There is a taxi rank just outside the arrivals hall and there are always plenty of taxis available, so you don’t need to worry about having to wait long.

As you get out of the airport arrival hall, turn to the right and walk all the way till the end of the path. You will see taxis parked right at the end of it.

Make sure the drivers puts the meter on when you leave the airport. In most taxis, you can pay with card, but cash is generally preferred. If you are travelling with a bigger luggage or a bigger group, it’s better to book a taxi online as the bigger cars are not readily available at all hours in there.

5. Malaga Airport to Marbella by Uber

Uber is a popular service on Costa del Sol and covers almost all of the major cities. If you’re planning to get one from the airport, it’s certainly an option, although not as convenient as getting a taxi from the rank at the arrivals hall.

Uber cars don’t have the same privileges as normal taxi when accessing the airport, so you will have to probably navigate through the parking lot and locate the driver there.

From my experience uber drivers don’t like going to the airport because of the logistics of locating the passenger, but if the trip is longer and more expensive, like the one to Marbella, many will make the journey.

6. Marbella to Malaga Airport Transfers

In addition to the above options, you can also book dedicated airport to Marbella transfers, either from your hotel or accommodation or independently online.

You might get a better deal especially if you are a bigger group and want a convenient way to get in and out from the airport.

Frequent Questions about Malaga Airport to Marbella Route

How much is a taxi from Malaga airport to Marbella?

You can expect to pay around 60 euros, depending on where in Marbella you’re getting off.

How far is Malaga airport to Marbella?

The distance is approximately 50 kilometers.

How long from Malaga airport to Marbella?

The taxi or car journey takes approximately 40 minutes. With a bus it will be similar time, depending on which connection you take and from where.

How to get from Malaga airport to Marbella?

The easiest and most convenient is probably a car or a taxi. If you want a cheaper route option, the bus is your best choice. The tickets cost from 6 euros one way.

How much is bus from Malaga airport to Marbella?

The tickets prices start from 6.15 euros per person, one way. The prices and timetable can be checked directly at Avanza website where you can also get the ticket with seat reservation.

Is there a bus from Malaga airport to Marbella?

Yes, there are two direct bus connections between Malaga airport and Marbella. The journey takes about 40 minutes and tickets start from 6 euros per person one way.

Is there a train from Malaga airport to Marbella?

No, there are no direct trains between Malaga airport and Marbella. The train’s last stop is in Fuengirola, and from there you can walk to the bus station and get a connecting bus to Marbella.

How long is the transfer from Malaga airport to Marbella?

By car or taxi, it will take about 40 minutes. If you take a train or a bus, it will be much longer.

How much is uber from Malaga airport to Marbella?

The price of uber depends on the availability of the drivers, time of booking etc. Generally short distance trips are cheaper with uber, but for long distance it works out more expensive. According to my app it would be around 10 euros more than getting a taxi from the airport.