Malaga Airport Transfers

There are different methods of transfers between the airport and the centre of Malaga. All of them have advantages and disadvantages and are more convenient depending on the situation.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

8 min read

Malaga Airport Transfers

Malaga Airport | ©Julian Mitchell

If you need to get from Malaga airport to the city centre, you have several options. Malaga-Costa del Sol airport, also known as Pablo Picasso airport, is very close to the city, just 10 kilometres away. It also offers very good connections.

Below you can see which is the best according to the parameters you are most interested in, such as price, journey time or booking method. In short, all of them have their pros and cons, although some are more ideal than others.

A private transfer, comfort and flexibility

Malaga Street| ©Andrew Stopford
Malaga Street| ©Andrew Stopford

The most comfortable form of transfer between the airport and the centre of Malaga is a private transfer. By using this method, you will be sure to arrive in time to the city, which is very useful, especially if you are travelling for business purposes. In addition, you will not have to wait, as the driver will be at the airport at the time you indicate.

Moreover, it is available 24 hours a day, which is ideal for you if you arrive in the Andalusian city in the early hours of the morning. Whatever time you book, the price will be the same. This is a great advantage over taxi services or transport network companies, such as Uber, in which case the price rises at this time because of the night rate.

On the other hand, the driver will provide you with information of interest about Malaga, so that you can make the most of your stay. It is also noteworthy that the vehicle is air-conditioned. Undoubtedly, for all of the above, the private transfer is the most comfortable and exclusive option to get from Malaga airport to the city centre.

In case you need it, it is also interesting to know that this private transfer offers other destinations, such as the main towns of the Costa del Sol. This way, for example, if you have to go from Malaga to Marbella, you will not have to make combinations to reach your final destination.

Interesting details

  • Journeytime: depends on the traffic at the time you arrive at the airport, but on average the journey usually takes 15 minutes.
  • Price: approximately 40 euros.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will not have to wait for the vehicle to arrive, as it is punctual. In addition, the price will not vary depending on the duration or time of arrival.
  • How to book this transport: you will have to select the pick-up date and time. Then, you will have to select the language and other information of interest, such as the destination address, the arrival flight number or contact information.
  • Recommended if you are travelling to Malaga for business reasons or if you don't have time to wait for your pick-up transport.

The train, the fastest option

Trains in Malaga| ©Fredrik Rubensson
Trains in Malaga| ©Fredrik Rubensson

Among the airport transfers in Malaga, there is the train. At the airport itself, there is a train station that offers different combinations. One of the most common is the journey to the city centre. This type of transfer stands out for being the fastest, as it will take you no more than 15 minutes to get to your destination.

If you want to go to the centre of Malaga, you will have to take the C1 line, which is the one that corresponds to this destination. Generally, there is a train every 20 minutes or so. This way, if you miss the one that suits you best, you won't have to wait long to catch the next one.

However, the times when this service operates are from 6:30 to 00:30. Therefore, if you arrive at the airport in the early hours of the morning, you will have to discard this option. This line does not have a single stop, but makes several stops along the route, such as Guadalhorce, Victoria Kent or Malaga Maria Zambrano. To catch the train, you have to go outside the departures area of Terminal 3

The station is located next to the taxi rank and the bus stop and is very well equipped. As I said, this is the fastest way to get from Malaga airport to the city centre. In addition, it is also cheap. However, most of the time, you will have to wait. This can be a bit tiresome if you have been travelling for many hours.

Interesting details

  • Journey time: the journey usually takes about 12 minutes, but you have to add to this the waiting time, which is a maximum of about 20 minutes.
  • Price: around 1.80 euros, making it the cheapest option of all.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is the fastest and cheapest type of transfer.
  • How to book this transfer: you will have to buy your ticket at the airport train station itself, in the area outside Terminal 3.
  • Recommended if you need a quick and inexpensive transfer.

A rental car with driver, the most efficient option

Malaga| ©Maxime PJ.
Malaga| ©Maxime PJ.

Another option for transfers between the airport and the centre of Malaga is a car hire company with driver, also known as VTC. In Malaga, at the moment, there are three available: Cabify, Uber and Bolt. They all work in a very similar way, offering a booking method through the App.

So, in order to book your trip, you will have to download the App on your mobile phone. Then, you will have to fill in some personal information, such as your name or your phone number. In addition, you will also have to provide a valid payment method. This way, you can book your car in advance, making sure that it will be at the time you arrive at the airport, or at the same time.

A great advantage of this type of transfer is that the price of the trip is fixed in advance, at the time of booking. This way, the cost will not vary depending on the duration of the journey, which can be influenced by traffic. This is a great advantage of VTCs over traditional taxi services.

However, on the other hand, prices depend on demand. In other words, the more demand there is, the more expensive the transfer will be. Therefore, the journey may be excessively expensive if you travel at rush hour. This problem, however, does not occur with taxi services.

Interesting details

  • Journeytime: As with other types of transfer, it depends on traffic, but is usually around 15 minutes.
  • Price: if you travel during the day, the price is usually between 11 and 14 euros. At night, it can be as much as 20 euros. It all depends on the demand at the time of the transfer.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is very convenient, as it offers door-to-door service and can be booked in advance. In addition, the price is fixed in advance.
  • How to book this transport: download the app of the company in question and fill in the requested details.
  • Recommended if you are looking for a comfortable transfer and are not travelling at rush hour.

A taxi, the second most convenient option

Taxi in Malaga| ©Bogdan Migulski
Taxi in Malaga| ©Bogdan Migulski

One of the most common methods of transfer between Malaga airport and the city centre is by taxi. At the exit of Terminal 3, next to the bus stop and the train station, is where you will find the taxi rank. Whatever time it is, there is always a long queue of taxis at the rank. However, this does not mean that you will find a taxi available, especially if it is a busy time.

If you do find a free taxi, it is a very convenient way to get there. It can drop you off at the door of your hotel or accommodation, so you won't have to carry your luggage. You can also sit comfortably, leave your suitcase in the luggage compartment and enjoy a relaxing journey.

However, prices vary depending on the time of day you take the shuttle. At the moment, the initial transfer fare from the airport is approximately 5.50 euros. In addition to this, there is a night fare to be added to the cost of the journey. The latter is for journeys between 22:00 and 6:00 and costs around 22 euros.

This is a very convenient option, especially if you have a lot of luggage, as it offers a door-to-door service. Beyond that, you won't have to wait as long as you would for public transport.

Interesting details

  • Journey time: depends on the traffic at the time, but usually takes about 15 minutes.
  • Price: the cost of the transfer is usually around 20 euros. To this must be added the different fares, such as night fares and holiday fares.
  • Advantages of using this method: the door-to-door service and minimal waiting times.
  • How to book this transport: you can book your taxi in advance via the website or by phone.
  • Recommended if you have a lot of luggage and are looking for a comfortable transfer.

A bus, the second cheapest option

Malaga bus| ©The STB
Malaga bus| ©The STB

In the departure area of the arrivals area, in Terminal 3 of Malaga airport, there is a bus stop. It is right next to the train station and the taxi rank. Among the different lines offered by the airport bus service, there is a specific one for transfers to the city centre.

This is the Express Line A. It has a total of 10 stops, for example, one at the bus station, several on Avenida de Velazquez and another in the Plaza del General Torrijos. The duration of the journey, of course, depends on the traffic at the time. Therefore, it can be a bit long if you arrive at rush hour.

A very convenient fact is that the bus has a luggage rack, so you don't have to worry about your suitcase during the transfer. However, depending on your arrival time at the airport, it may be very busy. In that case, you will have to wait for the next bus. Between each one, there is usually a 30-minute wait.

For this reason, although it is an economical option with a route with very central stops, it is not the best idea if you are in a hurry to get to the city centre. Furthermore, this service does not operate in the early hours of the morning, as it runs from 07:00 to 00:00.

Details of interest

  • Journeytime: The journey time is usually around 20 minutes. However, this time will be longer or shorter depending on traffic.
  • Price: around 4 euros, so it is very economical.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is an economical option compared to other transfer options and includes luggage racks.
  • How to book this transfer: you will have to buy your ticket at the airport bus stop, located in Terminal 3.
  • Recommended if you are looking for a cheap transfer and are not interested in train stops.