Málaga guides
How to get from Málaga Airport to the city centre
Málaga Airport is very close to the city and well connected to the centre. Here are the three ways to make the journey (train, bus and taxi) and which one we'd recommend depending on the apartment you're staying in.
At a glance: three ways from the airport to central Málaga
If you're short on time, here's the gist. Journey times are approximate, and timetables and fares change, so always check the operator's website before you travel.
C1 train (Cercanías)
- About 12 minutes (approx.) to Centro-Alameda.
- Not affected by traffic: the quickest and most predictable.
- Usually runs roughly every 20 minutes.
- Calls at María Zambrano (high-speed trains and bus station).
Bus line A (EMT)
- Leaves from outside arrivals at Terminal 3.
- Runs along the Alameda Principal and finishes by the Paseo del Parque.
- Journey time depends on traffic; usually a little longer than the train.
- A good choice if you're staying on the eastern side of the centre.
Taxi or ride-hailing app
- Door to door (or nearly, in the Old Town).
- Easiest with lots of luggage, with children or at night.
- Cost and time depend on the route and traffic; taxi fares are regulated.
- A standard taxi takes up to four passengers.
Times and frequencies are approximate. Check timetables and fares on the Renfe and EMT websites before you travel.
By Cercanías train: line C1
The airport train station is next to Terminal 3. If you land in another part of the terminal it's a slightly longer walk indoors, but it's well signposted.
Trains usually run roughly every 20 minutes, but frequencies, first and last trains and fares can change, so check the Renfe website. If you're landing late at night, make sure there's still a service.
From the plane to Centro-Alameda by train
Follow the train signs
From arrivals, look for the signs for trains or Cercanías. The station is next to Terminal 3.
Buy your ticket
From the machines in the station. Keep it until you've left the destination station.
Take line C1 towards Málaga Centro
This is the line that links the airport with the city.
Roughly every 20 minutes (approx.); check with Renfe.
Stop at María Zambrano
Here you can connect with high-speed trains and the bus station.
Get off at Centro-Alameda, the last stop
About 12 minutes (approx.) after leaving the airport. You're by the Guadalmedina river, a few steps from the Alameda Principal; Calle Larios is about a 10-minute walk (approx.).
By bus: EMT line A (airport express)
The airport express bus is line A, run by EMT, Málaga's municipal bus company. The stop is just outside arrivals at Terminal 3.
The route enters the city near María Zambrano station, crosses the river along the Alameda Principal and finishes by the Paseo del Parque. It's a good choice if you're staying on the eastern side of the centre, nearer the port or the Paseo del Parque than the station.
Journey time depends on traffic and is usually a little longer than the train. Check the exact route, stops, frequency, timetable and payment options on the EMT website, as they can change.
By taxi or ride-hailing app
There's a taxi rank outside arrivals. It's the easiest option if you have lots of luggage or young children, or if you land when trains and buses have stopped. Taxi fares are regulated; if you'd like an idea of the cost, ask the driver for a rough figure before you set off.
Ride-hailing apps also operate in Málaga and pick up from designated points at the airport. The app sets the price when you book.
Which option suits your apartment
Here's how we'd get to each of our apartments:
| Apartment | What we'd do | Walk from Centro-Alameda (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Cuarteles | The C1 train, no question: get off at Centro-Alameda, the last stop | 1 min |
| Trinidad | The C1 train and walk, or a taxi with plenty of luggage; in a hire car, there's paid parking in the same building | 12 min |
| Torre San Juan | The C1 train and walk; bear in mind it's a 4th floor with no lift | 10 min |
| Museums Loft | With luggage, a taxi | 19 min |
| Victoria Duplex | A taxi: it's north-east of the centre, away from the train station | 34 min |
Approximate walking times, worked out on the map.
Centro-Alameda is the last stop on line C1 from the airport; María Zambrano is the stop before.
If you're hiring a car at the airport
Car hire companies either have desks in the terminal or run shuttles to offices nearby. The drive into the centre is short, but it's worth sorting out two things before you set off.
First, parking: on-street spaces in central Málaga are scarce and much of the Old Town is pedestrianised or access-restricted. If you're staying at Trinidad, there's paid parking in the same building; if not, our guide to parking in central Málaga covers the alternatives.
Second, the low-emission zone: ask at the desk which environmental label the car has and check the current rules on the city council's website. And if you're only planning to explore the city itself, consider hiring a car just for the days you're heading out of town.
Frequently asked questions
What's the quickest way from Málaga Airport to the city centre?
Usually the C1 Cercanías train, which takes about 12 minutes (approx.) to Centro-Alameda and isn't affected by traffic. Check timetables on the Renfe website.
Where do I catch the train at the airport?
At the Cercanías station next to Terminal 3. Follow the train signs from arrivals and take line C1 towards Málaga Centro.
Is there a bus from the airport to the centre?
Yes, EMT line A, which leaves from outside arrivals at Terminal 3 and finishes by the Paseo del Parque. Check the route, timetable and fare on the EMT website.
What if I land in the middle of the night?
Check beforehand whether trains or buses are still running at that time, as their hours change. If not, a taxi or a ride-hailing app is the way to go.
Which apartment has the best airport connection?
Cuarteles, about a minute's walk (approx.) from Centro-Alameda, the last stop on the train from the airport.
