Are you traveling from Malaga airport to Marbella?
You probably have many 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 written by a local resident who knows these locations inside out, so you won’t miss any important details that will make your journey faster and more comfortable.
RECOMMENDED AIRPORT TRANSPORT
If you need a hassle-free to get to Marbella quickly from the airport, I recommend booking a private Airport Transfer service, to get the best price and easiest transport option.
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Malaga Airport to Marbella: Transport Overview
There are several transport options available to you.
Below is a glance view of all of them, with a more detailed guide available for each option below.
| Transport | Duration | One Way Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Transfer | 35 mins | €50 – €60 |
| Car Rental | 35 mins | € 6 / day |
| Private Transport | 35 mins | €50 – €60 |
| Train | not available | not available |
| Bus | 40 mins | €6 |
| Taxi | 35 mins | €70 – €80 |
| Car Pooling | 35 mins | €3 |
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 km.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO MARBELLA
1. Airport Transfer from Malaga to Marbella
If you’re looking for the most convenient and private option for a transfer from the airport, booking a dedicated airport transfer is the right call.
I recommend using AirportTransfer.com, they will give you prices from many different transport companies so you can find the best deal for you.
The price for your airport transfer depends on seasonality (higher prices in the summer), the number of people travelling, pick-up time and the date. A trip to Marbella in the spring months would cost for example, 54 euros, based on one person travelling.
Usually, if you book in advance, you also get a price compared to last-minute bookings.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO MARBELLA
2. Renting a Car at Malaga Airport
If you’re staying in Marbella, I highly recommend renting a car – the city is not easily accessible by public transport, except for a bus network.
To see most of what not just Marbella, but also Southern Spain has to offer, check the best deal on car rentals at Discover Cars.
I recommend using this price comparison website as they give you the best prices from lots of small local but also international car rental companies, so you get the best value for your money, and the convenience of your rental car waiting for you at the airport.
You can enter your travel dates in the form below to get a quick estimate for your car rental – don’t forget to change the residence country and age group at the bottom of the form, if applicable.
To give you an idea about the cost you can expect, a 7-day car rental with pick up and drop off in Malaga Airport would cost under 50 euros, which is a total bargain (this price estimate is for spring, summer months it could be easily double that).
Car Journey from Malaga Airport to Marbella
The car journey from the airport to Marbella is fairly easy and convenient via the AP-7 highway. It’s the Mediterranean highway that goes along the coastline, so in addition to an easy ride, you can also enjoy some beautiful views.
The 50 km journey from the airport should take approximately 40 minutes, depending on where in Marbella you need to get to.
Before you rush to plan your road trip, please remember that the AP-7 is a toll road, so you will have to pay extra, but it’s usually just a few euros.
If you prefer to travel without paying tolls, 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.
The journey is outlined on the map I shared below.
Parking in Marbella
Most of the apartments and hotels in Marbella offer parking, but if you need to leave your car at a public parking space, I have added a map which shows all the locations.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO MARBELLA
3. Private Transport from Malaga Airport
If you want a convenient transport option from the airport, that doesn’t involve driving and navigating the local traffic, I recommend also checking GetTransfer.com.
I have used this company on a couple of longer-distance trips, and they always work out cheaper than any local taxi companies I contacted.
The website works as a price comparison platform, so they will source quotes from local transport companies so you can find the best deal for this trip in just a few seconds.
Enter your travel details on their website via link below to get quick price estimates.
MALAGA AIRPORT TO MARBELLA
4. Bus from Malaga Airport to Marbella
There is a direct express bus from Malaga Airport to Marbella, with fairly regular schedule and lots of departures per day.
To get your tickets and check the departures, check Avanza website directly.
On Avanza site, you should 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.
| Bus Service Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticket Prices | Starts from €6.15 one way. Online booking adds small fees, total around €7.15. Show QR code and passport to driver |
| Journey Duration | Only 40 minutes |
| Bus Stops | No stops, express service |
| Bus Facilities | Toilets, comfortable modern buses, free luggage storage (unless excessive). No seat reservation |
5. Train from Malaga Airport to Marbella
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 would have to get off at the last stop at Fuengirola central station and catch a connecting bus.
Once you get to Fuengirola train station, simply walk down towards the coastline, 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 signs 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 distances.
I had to learn the hard way that it’s well worth checking the timetable in advance, to ensure 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 stops only at the central 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.
6. Taxi from Malaga Airport to Marbella
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 leave the airport arrival hall, turn to the right and walk to the end of the path. You will see taxis parked right at the end of it.
Make sure the driver 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 bigger luggage or a bigger group, it’s better to book a taxi online as the more spacious cars are not readily available at all hours there.
If you want to get a guaranteed price for your taxi journey, and in most cases also get cheaper prices, I recommend checking Kiwi Taxi – just enter your journey details here and they will get you the best quotes from taxi companies.
7. Carpooling Options
If you’re on a very tight budget and travel on your own, carpooling is by far the cheapest way to get from the airport.
You have to keep in mind that there is limited availability and you stand a better chance booking your trip in advance.
Head over to Omio website where you can enter your journey details and they will show you all the carpooling options from Blabla Car.
What to See When You Get to Marbella?
Plan your trip to Marbella in advance – there are so many fun activities and sights you shouldn’t miss out on! Here is a selection of some of the most popular tours and experiences:
Frequent Questions about Malaga Airport to Marbella Route
How much is a taxi from Malaga airport to Marbella?
You can expect to pay around 70 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.
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