Train Station in Benalmadena, Spain: Practical Guide

The train station in Benalmadena is located in Arroyo de la Miel (in translation, ‘Honey Creek’) just north of Benalmadena Costa.

It’s located in the central part of Benalmadena, with easy access to the beach areas and local services.

If you’re getting a train to Benalmadena, it can look a little confusing as the station is only announced as Arroyo de la Miel, and they do not mention Benalmadena at all.

In this article, you will find all the practical tips and details you need about traveling from the stations and the connections available.

Location of Benalmadena Train Station

I have marked the location of the train station on the map below.

Facilities at Benalmadena Train Station

The station is pretty modern, well relatively compared to the other ones on the same line. There are ticket booths available by the entrance and lift on the left side. 

A staff member is available in case you have any issues with your tickets, and also a security guy is always by the gates and will help you if you can’t get through the gates with your tickets.

There are standard-size gates and also wider ones for those with prams or wheelchairs.

Toilets are also available at the station, but both times I wanted to use them, they were locked up.

If you’re arriving in Benalmadena with a baby pram, the lift is not easy to find, and there are virtually no signs pointing to them. You need to walk passed the escalators to the end of the platform, and there is a small grey door which is the lift.

On the platform itself, I think there was one vending machine where you could buy water. Otherwise, no other refreshments are available. 

Outside of the station, as you walk out from the exit, on your right side by the main road, you will see a small taxi rank. If there are no taxis available, you can always get an uber, also available in Benalmadena.

Right next to the station are small cafes and restaurants and a tiny church on the left side. 

If you want to walk to the beach, that would take about 15 to 20 minutes to walk down the hill to your right. Paloma Park is also nearby, about 10 minute’s walk.

Train Connection at Benalmadena Train Station

The Benalmadena train station is used for only one connection, the local ‘cercanías’ commuter train C-1, connecting Benalmadena with Malaga on one side and Fuengirola on the other side.

This train runs approximately every 20 minutes from very early in the morning (around 6am) until past midnight.

It is a popular train connection as it gives you easy and cheap access to both Malaga Airport and central Malaga. You can check the departure times from Benalmadena station by entering your travel date & times at Renfe website here.

Ticket Prices from Benalmadena

The price of the train tickets is determined depending on how many zones your cross.

Below you will find a map with the zones from Renfe, along with a list of the prices.

Prices for tickets (one way) on C-1 trains:

• Zones 1/2 – €1.80
• 3 Zones – €2.05
• 4 Zones – €2.70
• 5 Zones – €.360

Exploring Beyond Benalmadena

If you want to plan a little day trip or even an extended trip out of Benalmadena, that’s very easy to do by train.

Here are some of the best day trip options using the train from Benalmadena:

Benalmadena to Fuengirola – probably the easiest way to explore beyond Benalmadena. Simply get a return ticket and get off at the last stop – you’re then a walk away from Bioparc and other attractions nearby (Sohail Castle).

Benalmadena to Malaga – it would be a shame to miss the historic sights of Malaga especially if you’re staying so close! You can get off at Malaga Centro, and from there it’s only about 10 minutes walk to the old town, the Cathedral and Alcazaba. 

Benalmadena to Granada – get train tickets to Malaga Maria Zambrano, where you can change for a local train to Granada. It’s a very fast commute, around an hour and the tickets to Granada can be purchased in advance online here.

Benalmadena to Cordoba – similar to the above, you can get an easy and affordable connection to Cordoba via Malaga Maria Zambrano and tickets can be purchased online here. It’s a little longer trip so I would suggest staying at least for one night.

Benalmadena to Seville – for those who want to explore the capital of Andalusia, you can also get to Seville easily from Malaga, but the average journey is 2 hours one way, so it’s not an excellent option for a day trip but for an extended weekend trip at least. I also recommend getting the tickets as early as possible online, as the price tends to be higher on a short notice.

Benalmadena to Madrid – if you fancy seeing the Spanish capital, there is a high-speed train available from Malaga, run by two train companies. The average journey time is around 2.5 hours and the tickets can be pretty pricey if you buy them on short notice, so some planning would be needed.  You can check departures and prices here.

Benalmadena to Caminito del Rey – there is a newly opened train connection with a local commuter train now available from Malaga Maria Zambrano! 

Benalmadena to Antequerra – see the Dolmens of Antequerra and Antequera National Park with a short train ride from Malaga. This train stops outside of the town, so you will need a taxi to get to the center.

Getting on a Train in Benalmadena Train Station

The train station is pretty modern and has a small booth with staff members available. There is also a security guide present.

As you walk in, you will see ticket machines on both sides.

Some of these only work with cards, while other only accept the Renfe loyalty cards – conveniently, there is no way to tell them apart until you start choosing your tickets.

You should first click on the little flag symbols at the bottom left of the screen to change the language to English. After that, you are prompted to choose your destination, number of tickets and select a payment method.

The tickets are available as day tickets (return) or single tickets. They are printed with a QR code which you place on top of the red symbol at the entrance gates.  Keep your ticket handy if you bought a return ticket. 

Some stations like Torreblanca or Los Boliches do not have these gates. 

In the three years I’ve been using this train connection, I’ve never seen anyone checking the tickets on the train. You will only need them to exit at the station.

Getting from Malaga Airport to Benalmadena

If you need to travel from Malaga airport to Benalmadena, that’s very easy to do by train!

• when you exit the arrival hall, head straight to the back of the parking lot you will see in front of you; the train sign will also navigate you there
• By the entrance to the platforms, you will find ticket booths where you get your tickets (unfortunately, they cannot be purchased online in advance)
• Validate your tickets and get on the correct platform with Fuengirola destination
• As you exit in Arroyo de la Miel, validate the tickets to exit through the gates.
• The journey should take about 20 minutes and costs just a few euros

For other transport options from the airport to Benalmadena check this article.

Other Practical Tips for Using the Trains from Benalmadena

• Check the location of your accommodation on the map before your trip – it may be that you could get off one stop earlier or after and be much closer for you.
• Benalmadena’s station is much bigger than the other ones around and is the only one with taxi facilities and staff on hand.
• The train are modern, with air-conditioning and usually, there is also a security guide present on the train.
• If you’re traveling with a baby pram, you will need help getting it into the train as two small steps roll out and the train is higher up from the platform. The same applies to wheelchair users.
• There are toilets available on the trains, usually in the middle coach.
• You can also transport a bicycle or electric scooter, there is a dedicated coach for this next to the toilet carriage.
• The doors on the train do not open by themselves; you need to press the green button to get in and out of the train.
• Nobody will check your train ticket on the train; you need to validate it at the gates.
• If you get on in a different stop and there are no gates, validate it as you exit.

Benalmadena Train Station: Frequent Questions

In this section, I included some commonly searched questions about the station. If there is something you need to know and it has not been covered in this article, feel free to leave a comment below. 

Where do trains from Benalmadena go?

The trains from Benalmadena go to Malaga Centro (the closest station to the old town in Malaga) and to Fuengirola main train station.

How much is the train from Benalmadena to Malaga?

The train ticket price from Benalmadena to Malaga is 2.70 euros one way. The prices depend on how many zones you cross, in this case you go through 4 different zones so that’s how the price is calculated.

Is there a train from Benalmadena to Malaga?

Yes, there is a direct train from Benalmadena to Malaga, which runs approximately 20 minutes every day.

What is Benalmadena train station called?

The Benalmadena train station is called Arroyo de la Miel.

Explore More in Benalmadena

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Benalmadena or Torremolinos? Which is Better to Visit?

Best Benalmadena Boat Trips: Expert Travel Tips

Mariposario de Benalmadena (Butterfly Park)

Paloma Park, Benalmadena – Spain

Castillo de Colomares: The Fairy Tale Castle in Benalmadena

Best Car Rental Benalmadena: Local Expert Tips

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