6 Best Ways To Get From Malaga to Marbella [2024]

Malaga Things to Do in Malaga

6 Best Ways To Get From Malaga to Marbella [2024]

Do you need to get from Málaga to Marbella easily and without wasting too much time?

I have created this detailed transport guide to help you do just that!

I’ve been living on Costa del Sol since 2020, and have plenty of personal experience with the local transport options, both public transport and driving.

In this guide, you will find detailed personal recommendations for the best transport options between Málaga and Marbella, including departure times, ticket prices and the best ways to save time and money.

Whether you’re planning on enjoying a cosy meal at Plaza de los Naranjos, doing some luxury shopping in Puerto Banus or wandering through the picturesque streets of Marbella old town, this article will show you the easiest and cheapest ways to get from Malaga to Marbella.

Let’s dive in!

PS: This article may contain some affiliate links which help me to run this blog. I make a small comission if you use them, at no extra cost to you.

Transport from Malaga to Marbella

Transport Duration Price
Bus 45 – 60 mins From €7.22 one way
Train 70 – 120 mins From €6.60 one way
Car 60 mins Daily car rental price
Taxi 60 mins €60
Uber 60 mins €40 – €50
Private Transport 60 mins From €60

Málaga to Marbella: Distance from Malaga to Marbella

The distance from Malaga to Marbella is approximately 60 km.

How to Get from Málaga to Marbella: Transport Guides

In this section, I have included detailed guides for all the transport options from Malaga to Marbella.

If you’re traveling directly from Malaga airport, not the city, you can check this detailed guide which has all the direct connections from the airport.

1. Malaga to Marbella by Train

There are no direct train connections between Malaga and Marbella.

Transport Duration Price
Train from Malaga to Fuengirola 35-40 mins €3.60 one way
Bus from Fuengirola to Marbella 30 – 90 mins from €3.00 one way

If you want to use a train connection, follow the guide below.

Journey 1: Malaga Maria Zambrano to Fuengirola

Head over to the C-1 Cercanias platform at the main train station and catch the train to Fuengirola. The trains run every 20 minutes and the journey takes approximately 35 – 40 minutes.

First trains leave around 6am and run until midnight. Here is a detailed transport guide for connections between Malaga and Fuengirola via train. For train connections from the airport check this guide.

The ticket price is based on zones, in this case you go through 5 zones and the ticket costs 3.60 euro.

Get your tickets for Fuengirola main train station (Estacion de tren de Fuengirola at Calle Alfonso XIII) – there are other stops in the city before that but you should get off at the very last station.

malaga to marbella transport guide1
Main departures at Malaga Maria Zambrano train station

Journey 2: Fuengirola to Marbella

Once you arrive at the train station, you will simply walk down from the main roundabout at the train station. In about 5 minutes walk, you will reach the bus station terminal in Fuengirola.

It’s an old yellow building with a big Avanza sign at the entrance.

From there you can get your bus tickets to Marbella – there are either local buses (1.5 hrs) or faster long-distance buses (30mins).

If you want to take the faster bus, they only stop at the main bus station in Marbella (see notes below), so you will have to take a taxi from there to your hotel as it’s far away from the city center and the coastline. The slower buses stop alongside the main road near the coastline.

For departure times, prices and more info, please see this transport guide for Fuengirola to Marbella connections.

malaga to marbella transport guide4
Bus terminal at Fuengirola

Train Stations in Malaga

There are two train stations in Malaga – Malaga centro and Malaga Maria Zambrano.

The Fuengirola train stops at both of these. You can get the tickets at the renfe machines at each station, or from the ticket booth. You cannot buy them online in advance.

The train also stops at the airport, so if you’re flying it, it’s very easy to get on the train – simply follow the signs at the airport for the train connection.

Getting to Malaga Train Station

If you’re staying in Malaga, the easiest way to get to the train station is by taxi. It would be a lot of hassle navigating through public transport.

If you’re coming from the airport, as I mentioned the train stops at the airport, and it’s only a short walk from the arrivals terminal.

2. Malaga to Marbella by Bus

Connection Details
Bus Frequency Every 30 mins
First Departure 5.15 am
Last Departure 11pm
Number of Connections Up to 30 / day
Ticket Prices From €7.22 one way
Journey Time 45 – 60 mins

There is a direct bus connection between Malaga and Marbella with frequent buses going roughly every 30 minutes.

The one-way bus tickets start from 7.22 euros and can be purchased on the Avanza website.

On this website you will also see the up-to-date bus schedules for the different travel options, with ticket prices displayed for each. You can also buy the tickets at the booths at the station or from the bus driver.

The ticket you buy online is just a PDF with a QR code that the bus driver scans on departure.

The journey times are between 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on which bus you take.

malaga to marbella transport guide2
Platforms on the main bus station in Malaga

Malaga Bus Station

All buses leave from the main terminal next to Maria Zambrano station (you can walk across the road from the station to get there, they’re almost connected).

The station has limited facilities, and no restaurants or shops, so if you want to buy something ahead of the trip, you should do so at the train station next to it.

The train station has a selection of restaurants (most opening after 1pm) and big Mercadona supermarket. There is also a kiosk with books, newspapers and a few souvenir shops.

Marbella Bus Station

The main bus station in Marbella is North of the town center, a somewhat inconvenient location for most people.

Check the bus itinerary for the stops closest to your accommodation, most buses stop on the main road closer to the center before they head north to the station.

The bus station in Marbella has almost non-existent facilities and no shops, only a few vending machines. It is also a fairly remote location with no other facilities like restaurants or shops located close by.

Getting Back to Malaga

To get back to Malaga from Marbella, you can simply wait at the same stop (opposite side of the road) where you got off, or head to the main bus station.

If you didn’t buy a return ticket, you can get one from the ticket office at the station, or from the bus driver, or buy it online at Avanza website.

3. Malaga to Marbella by Car

Journey Details
Distance 60km
AP-7 Duration 50 mins
A-7 Duration 60 mins
Toll Cost (AP7) 7.50 euros

The journey from Malaga to Marbella by car takes between 50 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on which highway you take.

The AP-7 is slightly faster (by only about 10 minutes) and less busy, but it’s a toll road. The tolls cost 7.50 euros during the summer, and 4.60 euros for the rest of the year.

The other option is to take the busier A7, which has a lot more cars but it’s only 10 minutes longer and doesn’t cost anything extra.

This road is also used by buses which stop on the highway frequently, so beware of that and keep your distance.

Parking in Marbella

Parking in Marbella is no fun task, especially in the summer.

The old town and Puerto Banus are some of the hardest places to find a parking spot if you just want to leave your car somewhere on the street.

Even though there are public car parks, they tend to be quite expensive.

Marbella Parking Options

Parking Location Description
Parking Indigo at Avenida del Mar One of the biggest and most central car parks, behind Alameda Park. Access from Av. Macintosh or C. El Fuerte.
Parking Fuerte Close to the beach and central area, with a charging station for electric cars. Access from Calle El Fuerte.
Plaza de la Victoria Car Park Great for visiting the old town, minimal walking required. Access from calle Huerta Chica.
Municipal Market car park Located next to the old town. Access through Avenida del Mercado.
El Molino A 24-hour public parking option with surveillance cameras, centrally located.
Benabola Car Park In Puerto Banus, under the Plaza Suites Hotel. Convenient but expensive. Access through Avenida José Banús.
Saba Car Park In the centre of Puerto Banus, with charging stations for electric cars.
El Calvario An economical option in Marbella, not open on weekends and closes at 4.30pm on weekdays.

4. Malaga to Marbella by Taxi

If you want a hassle-free trip, getting a taxi is also a great option.

Both Malaga and Marbella have a good network of taxi services, and you can get a taxi directly from Malaga train station or anywhere in the city.

The average taxi cost for this journey would be about 60 euros, for up to 4 passengers.

5. Malaga to Marbella by Uber

Uber operates both in Malaga and Marbella, and offers competitive prices that are usually a little cheaper compared to standard city taxis.

The other advantage is the fact that they can pick you up even in the middle of nowhere and you don’t need to scout the city for the nearest taxi rank.

According to my app, this journey would cost between 40 to 50 euros, depending on demand and also your account. If you’ve been using Uber before, you can get uberX at the cheapest prices.

6. Malaga to Marbella by Private Transport

I used Get Transfer service on my last trip to Marbella and it was super easy. You can get a quote online here and choose different car options.

The service works like a marketplace where local transport companies offer their prices and you can choose the best or cheapest one from the list.

I used it as we needed a taxi with a child car seat, which you can’t get in uber or taxi. They also have a business portal, so if you’re traveling for work you can get an invoice with company details pretty easily from there.

Avenida del Mar in Marbella, spain
Avenida del Mar in Marbella

FAQ: How to Get from Malaga to Marbella

How much is a taxi from Malaga to Marbella?

A taxi from the train station in Malaga (Maria Zambrano) for up to 4 people costs around 60 euros, so if you’re dividing that between other passengers, it’s not a bad price. It will also get you directly to your accommodation, saving you the need to book another taxi once you get to Marbella.

The journey takes under an hour, depending on your drop off point.

How far is Marbella from Malaga?

The distance between Marbella and Malaga is about 60 kilometers.

Where to book a taxi to Marbella and back

You can either book your taxi ahead of time online, or simply take one of the taxis available at the taxi rank. There are always plenty of taxi options available at the train stations or at the airport.

Paseo Maritimo in Marbella
Paseo Maritimo in Marbella

What is the fastest way to get from Malaga to Marbella?

The fastest way to get from Malaga to Marbella is definitely by car. The cities are connected via a fast highway that will get you to your destination in just under an hour.

Keep in mind there are two highways connecting the cities – the AP-7 is a slightly faster and less busy option, but it has tolls to pay. The other option, only slower by about 10 minutes, is the A-7 with no tolls and goes along the same route.

What is the cheapest way to get from Malaga to Marbella?

If you’re looking to save money, you would probably skip renting a car.

The cheapest travel option is taking a bus straight from Malaga to Marbella, the line Avanza L-307 takes you there in just 45 minutes. See below for bus connection details.

Can I get from Malaga to Marbella without renting a car?

Definitely! You can take a bus as mentioned above or get a taxi.

town hall in marbella old town
Town hall in Marbella old town

Key Takeaways

So there you have it, all the options for traveling between Malaga and Marbella. If you’re on a tight budget, your best option is to take the cheap and fast local bus. If you plan on exploring beyond the city, renting a car while staying in Marbella is a must.

If you’re wondering whether you can do Marbella from Malaga as a day trip, that’s certainly a good option. There is plenty to see for a whole day (see guide below) and you won’t have to spend too long time in the car on the commute.

Thank you for reading!

What to Explore in Marbella

How to Spend a Day in Marbella: One Day Itinerary

Best Restaurants in Marbella: Expert Tips

5 Best Scenic Marbella Walking Tours

7 Best Marbella Tapas & Wine Tasting Tours

Jungle in the City: Alameda Park in Marbella

Transport Guides for Marbella

Marbella to Seville: Detailed Transport Guide from a Local

Estepona to Marbella: Your Detailed Local Transport Guide

Benalmadena to Marbella: Your Insider Transport Guide

How to Get from Torremolinos to Marbella Fast & Easy: Local Transport Guide

How to Get from Fuengirola to Marbella: Detailed Transport Guide

Transport Guides for Malaga

Malaga to Madrid Train: Detailed Transport Guide by a Local

Malaga to Torremolinos: Detailed Transport Guide

Malaga to Gibraltar: Your Detailed Local Transport Guide

How to Get from Malaga to Mijas Easily & Fast

How to Get from Malaga to Ronda Easy & Fast: Transport Guide

From Malaga to Cordoba: Your Detailed Transport Guide

From Malaga to Nerja: Your Complete Transport Guide

Málaga to Seville: Tickets & Tips For 5 Best Transport Options

From Malaga to Benalmadena: Your Detailed Transport Guide

Fuengirola to Malaga: Your Complete Transport Guide

LOVE it? PIN it for Later!

pinterest image for an article about how to get from malaga to marbella
pinterest image for an article about how to get from malaga to marbella

Southern Spain Travel Tips

Find Best Hotels

Find 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.

Find Car Rental

Find Car Rental

To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, an award-winning price comparison site for car rentals.

Book Your Tour

Local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.

Book Local Transport

To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.

Find Cheap Flights

Get the best flight deals when you book early via Skyscanner.com

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.

Hi, I'm Lucia

The founder and writer of Viva La Vita, a blog about traveling in Spain.

On these pages, you will find many practical tips and recommendations from someone who lives in Spain and travels around Spain often.

Filled with my images and unique local perspective, I hope these pages will offer you plenty of inspiration, insights & ideas to plan a wonderful trip to Spain.

2 thoughts on “6 Best Ways To Get From Malaga to Marbella [2024]”

  1. I am arriving at the Malaga airport at 11:40 p.m. Will the train still run to Fuengirola at that hour?
    If not, what are my other options?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi Diana, I think you will just miss the last train (23.42pm). There are taxis outside the airport, when I take them to Los Boliches the price is around 25 euros, so its not too bad. It may be a bit more if you’re travelling late at night. The other option is a bus, but they don’t run as frequently and not as late at night.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.