Marbella’s well-publicized nightlife scene is sometimes compared to that of the south of France due to the city’s stunning 5-star hotels, stylish designer shopping, outstanding restaurants, and ideal location. Marbella, on the famous Costa del Sol, is the most populated and fashionable beach destination.
Although there is currently no Marbella Airport, the next major airport is just 64 kilometers away in Malaga, and there are several dependable transportation alternatives from there to Marbella.
Marbella, in the center of the Costa del Sol, is one of the most picturesque cities in all of Spain. There is a lot more to see and do than the beaches and the sunshine.
Marbella has many pleasant surprises in store for tourists, including a historic center that rivals the remotest white towns in the highlands; beaches suitable for all preferences; mountains; bright days; outstanding food; cultural attractions; recreational opportunities; glamorous yachts and opulent hotels; and much more.
For these and many more reasons, it is an essential stop on any trip to Andalucia. The following are the several ways you may reach Marbella:
Nearest airports to Marbella
The Malaga Airport is the primary hub for domestic and international flights, and it is less than an hour from Marbella by a direct bus service that departs from Terminal 3.
If you have rented a car, you may easily go to Marbella by taking A-7 south from the airport in the direction of Cádiz – Algeciras.
You might also travel to Seville or Jerez de la Frontera, but these destinations are further away and have less convenient transportation options than Malaga, so you might want to consider car rental instead. Since the airport in Gibraltar very seldom gets flights from other countries, it is only an option if you are coming from the United Kingdom.
5 Different ways to get to Marbella from Malaga Airport
There are several ways to get to Marbella from Malaga Airport. Here’s a rundown of the many different ways that you can get to Marbella from Malaga Airport.
- By Car
- By taxi
- Taking the bus
- Transfer
- Train
1. By Car
Traveling by car between Malaga and Marbella is recommended. And if you are on vacation, you will probably need to rent a car. Malaga Airport, like most major airports, has a confusing selection of vehicle rental agencies to choose from.
Take the free shuttle to Niza, Helle Hollis, or Enterprise, all of whose offices are conveniently located within a minute’s walk of the airport’s main exit. There are rental car counters for Sixt, Hertz, and Europcar inside the terminal.
Driving from Malaga Airport to Marbella is a breeze in a rented vehicle or minivan.
2. By taxi
Taking a cab is the easiest option. Outside of Terminal T3’s level 0 arrivals walkway is a taxi stand. Make sure you do not get ripped off by your taxi driver by asking them how much the ride from Malaga to Marbella should cost.
There are two different exchange rates that fluctuate throughout the day and week. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., is Transfer Price Band 1. The second Transfer Price Band applies on weekends and holidays, as well as during the August Feria and Holy Week. The cost of Band 2 transfer time is higher than that of Band 1. It takes around an hour to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella by cab.
3. Taking the bus
You may avoid making any transfers by taking the Avanza bus from Malaga Airport to the Marbella bus station.
Malaga Airport shuttles run continuously between 7:05 a.m. and 23:00 p.m. The first bus departs Marbella Bus Station for the airport at 6:00 a.m., and the final bus leaves at 22:00 p.m. on the return trip.
Because it uses the toll road and avoids most traffic, the bus ride to Marbella only takes around 45 minutes. Prices range between 5 and 7 euros on average.
If you are looking to save money and do not mind waiting over, using the bus to get to Marbella might be your best bet.
4. Transfer
It just takes 45 minutes to travel the 40 miles from Malaga Airport to the heart of Marbella via private shuttle.
If you are traveling with young children or are not familiar with the local public transportation system, this may be a preferred alternative.
Since some hotels in Marbella are very far from the bus terminal, a direct transfer would also be convenient for avoiding the hassle of lugging around big suitcases on and off the bus or rolling a lot of stuff to your accommodation.
5. Train
While Marbella itself lacks a train station, the local rail system does extend to Fuengirola, the next major city after Benalmadena.
When you get off the train at Fuengirola, you will find the bus terminal on Calle Jacinto Benavente, right in the middle of town.
The proximity to the railway station is convenient, as it is only a single road away. Take a bus west along the Costa del Sol to Marbella from here.
The DIRECTO L-60 is the bus that runs between Fuengirola town and Marbella.
Conclusion
If you are wondering how to travel to Marbella, this article should help, especially if you are coming from Malaga airport.
Getting to Marbella is simple and inexpensive. You can get to lovely Marbella from Malaga in a number of ways, including the airport, the city center, and even more distant locations.
