How to Get From Malaga to Marbella (Detailed Guide)
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on how to get from Malaga to Marbella, this is it.
Malaga is an incredible city to visit in Southern Spain, not only for its attractions but also for its proximity to other beautiful towns and villages, such as Marbella.
If you’re visiting Malaga for longer than a weekend, adding Marbella to your itinerary is worth adding. Go on a day trip or spend a few days in the town to enjoy the atmosphere, visit the whitewashed old town or relax at its golden sand beaches.
Planning a trip from Malaga to Marbella, or vice versa, is straightforward, as both places are well connected by public transport and have good roads.
Driving to Marbella is the quickest option, but you might also consider other transport options.
Whether you’re travelling to Malaga Airport and staying in Marbella or planning a day trip to Marbella from Malaga, this expert local guide will tell you exactly how to travel from Malaga to Marbella, the best and most economical option.
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How to get from Malaga to Marbella
Transportation
Bus
Car Rental
Transfer
from €15
€12 drive without tolls
from €80
1 hour and 10 minutes
50 minutes to 1 hour
50 minutes to 1 hour
How to get from Malaga to Marbella by car
- Time: 50 minutes to 1 hour
- 🚗 Total distance: 60.9 km (37.8 mi)
The quickest way to get from Malaga to Marbella is by car. There are two roads you can take while travelling to Marbella – the one that includes tolls or the scenic road.
If you decide to take the toll motorway, the AP-7 will take you approximately 45 minutes, assuming there is no traffic. The tolls cost €9,25 during the summer and €5,70 for the rest of the year.
However, if you take the scenic road, the A-7, your journey will be about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Although it’s slower, if you aren’t in a rush, you definitely want to take this route.
Not only will you save money from tolls, but you’ll also go through different towns in the Costa del Sol, like Benalmadena and Fuengirola, and enjoy the beautiful coastal views.
This latter option also allows you to stop and explore any of the towns or have a meal in some big shopping centres before arriving in Marbella. However, it isn’t a good option if you need to get to Marbella fast, as this road is always very busy.
Where to park in Marbella
If you drive to Marbella for a day trip, you’ll find knowing exactly where to park useful.
Here is a list of parking lots in Marbella you may want to use:
- Parking on Calle Felipe 2 – this car park is located next to the Marbella Bullring, and it’s free parking, but it’s always worth double-checking the space you’re parking in.
- Parking on Avenida del Mar – A paid parking space, but it’s very convenient due to its location.
- Parking on Plaza de la Victoria – There is a fee to park in this underground car park, but it’s perfect for visiting Marbella’s Old Town if you can’t find any free nearby parking.
- Parking on Calle Juan Alameda – This is free street parking.
- Benabola parking – located under Plaza Suites Hotel, this car park is very convenient if you’re visiting Puerto Banús. However, it isn’t a cheap parking space like all the parking spots near Puerto Banus.
How to get from Malaga to Marbella by taxi or private transfer
Time: 50 minutes via AP-7 (road with tolls)
Is it possible to travel from Malaga to Marbella by taxi? Yes, it is an option, but it isn’t ideal for you if you’re on a budget or you would rather spend the money on activities and food than transport.
However, taking a taxi to Marbella isn’t a bad idea if you’re travelling with more than two people as it’ll be more affordable.
The taxi journey takes around 45 minutes when taxi drivers take the road with tolls, which you’ll have to pay, but it can be longer if they take the regular route.
Depending on this and the traffic, your trip from Malaga to Marbella will be cheaper or more expensive.
The approximate price for a taxi from Malaga to Marbella is 80 euros, depending on your dropping point.
How to get from Malaga to Marbella by bus
- Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
If you don’t drive or want to rent a car during your time in Malaga or Costa del Sol, taking the bus to Marbella is the next best option.
You can take the bus from Estación de Autobuses de Málaga, Malaga’s bus station, located next to the María Zambrano shopping centre and train station, a 20-minute walk from Larios Street.
At the bus station, take the Avanza L-305 bus that goes from Malaga to Marbella. The bus journey is approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes, but this can vary depending on traffic.
There are usually 12 buses a day from Malaga to Marbella, which often run from 05:00 am to 23:00; however, times and services differ on weekends and bank holidays compared to weekdays.
The estimated price of a one-way ticket is 8 euros.
Check out bus prices and times using the box below:
How to get from Malaga to Marbella by train and bus
- Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Another option for travelling from Malaga to Marbella is to take the train and bus. This is the slowest route.
I wouldn’t recommend this option unless you want to spend time in Fuengirola before heading to Marbella. It’ll take you longer to get there, and you can never predict if there’s a delay with a train or bus.
However, if you opt for this option, take the C1 train to Fuengirola from María Zambrano train station inside Vialia Shopping Centre.
Once you arrive in Fuengirola, you can take different buses to Marbella (ALSA, Avanza, etc.). All of them can be taken from Fuengirola Terminal.
You’ll arrive at Marbella bus station, which is located at the top of the town. From there, you can either take a taxi or walk down if your accommodation is near Marbella’s Old Town.
The estimated price of the one-way train and bus tickets is 7-8 euros.
How to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella
If you fly to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport and your accommodation is in Marbella, consider the various transport options to choose the one that best suits your budget and preferences.
Getting from Malaga Airport to Marbella is straightforward, and here is a table with the best transport options:
Transportation
Bus
Car Rental
Transfer
from €14
10€ without tolls
from €65
45 minutes
45 minutes to 1 hour
45 minutes to 1 hour
How to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella by car
- Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
The best way to travel from Malaga Airport to Marbella is by car if you want flexibility.
If you’d like to move around Marbella, visit other nearby towns and villages or go on a day trip to Malaga, renting a car is worth considering.
It’ll give you the freedom to travel where you want when you want, and if you love driving, driving through Costa del Sol is easy and scenic. However, it can be the most expensive option.
You have two options to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella: the AP-7 (toll road), which is 51 kilometres, or the A-7, which is 62 kilometres.
The AP-7 only takes 35-40 minutes from the airport, so it’s a quick journey, whereas the A-7 takes 1 hour.
📌 Check out the best rent-a-car options at Malaga Airport here
How to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella by private transfer
- Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Taking a taxi to Marbella is a convenient option but not the cheapest, especially when you’re travelling solo.
If you decide to take a taxi, exit the airport through the arrivals doors, where you’ll find a café and next to it, you’ll immediately see the taxi area.
The taxi journey takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.
The taxi driver might take the A-7 that goes through the coast – Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Mijas. It’s a beautiful drive!
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer in advance, which I would advise you to do as it’s more comfortable and stress-free.
How to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella by bus
- Time: 45 minutes
Another way to travel from Malaga Airport to Marbella is by bus.
To take the bus, exit the airport and head to the bus stops, which are just a few minutes walk from the door and close to a café.
The Avanza bus to Marbella often runs every 30 minutes or an hour. The bus leaves you at the Marbella bus station.
The good thing about taking the bus from Malaga Airport is that it is very quick and the cheapest option if you travel on a budget.
📌 Check out buses from Malaga Airport to Marbella here
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Marbella
What is the distance from Malaga to Marbella?
The distance from Malaga to Marbella is 60.9 km (37.8 mi), about a 45-minute drive. However, if there is traffic, it may take longer.
What’s the most scenic route to Marbella?
The A-7, “carretera vieja”, is the most scenic route to Marbella. As you drive through this road, you’ll see other Costa del Sol towns like Benalmadena, Mijas and Fuengirola, and amazing coast views.
Is there a Malaga to Marbella train?
No, there isn’t a direct train from Malaga to Marbella. However, you can travel from Malaga to Fuengirola by train and then take a bus to Marbella from Fuengirola coach station.
Conclusion on transportation from Malaga to Marbella
To wrap up, getting from Malaga to Marbella is easy. If you’re travelling from Marbella to Malaga, follow the same instructions above.
The journey is quite straightforward, but you need to know that these roads are jam-packed during the summer (especially in August), so it’s important to consider this when making plans.
If you’re travelling to Malaga or Marbella in summer, avoid driving or taking public transport at peak hours (between 7 am and 9 am and 2 pm and 3 pm on weekdays) and Sundays, as this is the day many locals don’t work and tend to travel to a further beach to spend the day with family or friends.
If you have any questions about visiting Malaga or Marbella, you can always leave a comment below or join my Facebook group (the perfect place to connect with other travellers and me!)
Safe adventures!
Cristina
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Thanks for sharing this lovely guide. Planning to visit Spain soon – will definitely come back to this post when I do!
I am glad you love this guide. I hope it becomes useful when you visit Costa del Sol 🙂
Hello, we are planning to settle in Malaga or Marbella for about 10 months. We are a family with a 9-year-old daughter from Norway. What would you choose if you were to live in one of these places? 🙂
Hi Paul! It really depends on your lifestyle. I would choose Marbella over Malaga for a more laid-back atmosphere. However, it isn’t far from Malaga and other coastal towns! Malaga has many amazing attractions and more to do, but it’s more crowded. I hope that helps 🙂