Best Airport to Travel To Marbella: Transfers & Travel Tips

Are you planning a getaway to Marbella, and you’re looking for the best airport to fly to?

You’ve probably searched for Marbella Airport, but Marbella doesn’t have an airport. The nearest airport is the Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), which is less than an hour’s drive from Marbella. 

I know this airport very well because I often fly from there, since I’m from Malaga and travelling is one of my passions.

In this article, I’ll tell you exactly the best ways to get to Marbella from the moment you step out of the plane and other airport options, in case you want to explore different cities before heading to Marbella.

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The closest airport to Marbella

Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport is one of the largest airports in Spain. It has connections with many parts of the world. You can find plenty of routes to European destinations, as well as African and American ones. 

There’s a high chance you can travel from your departure destination to Malaga Airport.

One of my most travelled countries is the UK, where my partner is from, and I also spend time there. You can also find low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Jet2 flying to Malaga. Flights aren’t expensive from Europe outside the peak season (June to September), Christmas and Easter. 

It’s the best airport to visit Marbella due to its proximity, as well as its fantastic facilities. It has plenty of food options, including cafes like Costa and great quick bites from stalls owned by top chefs like Dani García and Dabiz Muñoz.

If you enjoy shopping, there are numerous shops selling a wide range of items, from clothing to local products and souvenirs, as well as a large duty-free shop.

Although there might be some good deals, I prefer to buy things outside the airport if possible, as you’ll find cheaper options, especially when it comes to local products and souvenirs. Also, if you’re from the UK, you won’t be able to enter the UK with pork and other meat products due to recent changes in the law.

The staff are generally friendly, and if you need assistance due to mobility problems or a disability, the treatment is excellent, from what I’ve heard. 

What I love about Malaga airport, compared to other airports in Spain, is that it’s easy to move around despite its size, and it’s constantly looking for ways to improve its facilities. 

The main downside of the airport is its parking. This really needs to be improved, as it isn’t a surprise that the machines reading car registrations break down and can cause chaos when entering or leaving the airport car park. 

How to get out of Malaga Airport

Once you step off the plane, you’ll go through passport control, which is divided into two areas: European and UK, plus other passports. 

Unfortunately, if you aren’t from a European country or you travel from the UK, the queue is often longer. 

After passing through passport control, grab your luggage if you’re travelling with something bigger than a carry-on, then follow the signs to the exit.

Getting to Marbella

Here are some of the transport options you have from Malaga airport to Marbella, ranging from cheapest to most expensive.

🚍 Bus from Malaga to Marbella

One of the easiest and quickest ways to get from the airport to Marbella is to take the Avanza bus. Leave the arrivals area and you’ll see the bus stops straight away.

While you can buy tickets online, as I usually do, you might want to buy these from the ticket office because your flight might be delayed, and therefore you’ll miss the bus. Buses go directly to the Marbella coach station and are very quick since they take the toll road.

Having taken this bus many times, getting on it is a bit of a nightmare because people don’t queue. I recommend arriving at the bus stop 10 minutes before departure and getting on the bus as soon as possible so you can sit next to your travel partner. There aren’t allocated seats.

Prices range from 8 euros one way. If you stay in the old town, you can walk from the bus station as it’s a 20-minute walk. However, if you stay somewhere else, like the Golden Mile, Puerto Banus or San Pedro, you’ll need a taxi. 

🚖 Taxi from the airport to Marbella

A taxi ride to Marbella isn’t cheap, and it’s usually about 80 euros; however, if you travel with three or four people, it works out well, as you’ll pay a little bit more than your bus ticket.

Alternatively, have a look at private transfers. The one I’ve used and I can recommend is Daytrip. The driver was professional and very friendly.

🚘Car rental from Malaga to Marbella

I often get asked, “Do I need to rent a car in Marbella?” My answer is no. You can travel around Marbella using buses, especially if you stay in areas like Marbella Centre and Puerto Banus, or if you want to visit towns like Estepona or Ojen.

However, the car gives you more flexibility and you’ll save time travelling to places. I would arrange the car rental online to minimise hassle and paperwork.

There are many car rentals available in and just outside the airport, but I can only recommend Helle Hollis, as it’s the one my friend and I used once. Car rentals start from 10 euros per day. 

Tips for travelling from Marbella to the airport

When you travel back to the airport to catch your flight home, I highly recommend booking your transportation in advance. 

With buses, you can book tickets via Avanza. I wouldn’t leave it until the last minute, as they can fill up quickly. Additionally, the buses are generally quite punctual; however, traffic and accidents can occur, resulting in delays in arrival at the airport. Take one 4 hours before your flight, so you have about 3 hours to go through check-in, luggage (if needed), security, and passport control, and then you can relax. 

If you book a transfer or taxi, I’d suggest similar timing. 

The security check doesn’t usually take lots of time, but we still need to take out all the electronics and toiletries, unlike other airports, so that increases the time. 

The passport control is generally quick for EU passengers. It isn’t the same for non-EU countries. I always need to wait for my partner. 

Short FAQ

Conclusion

I hope you find this article useful, and if you’d like more help planning your trip to Marbella, I recommend checking my resource page with lots of articles about the city or booking a call with me.

Have a great time in Marbella!

Cristina 

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