Few resort destinations in Europe offer year-round sunshine and tick quite so many luxury holiday boxes as Marbella. From beaches and golf to shopping and fine dining, it is the complete package.
Sound tempting? Perhaps the best part of your holiday in Marbella is how easy getting there is.
Where is Marbella?
First things first, though. Where exactly is the famous resort town? Marbella is in southern Spain – in the region of Andalucia, to be exact – on a stunning stretch of coast called the Costa del Sol, which is located in Malaga province. Malaga city itself is 62 km along the coast to the east of Marbella.
Here’s our guide to the different neighbourhoods of Marbella and a map of Marbella to help you get your bearings:
Where Do You Fly to?
It depends on where you’re flying from. The nearest international airport to Marbella is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (Aena.es), 51km away and an easy 40-minute car/taxi ride. Many major airlines have frequent, regular services to Malaga from several UK airports and from cities across northern Europe.
The next closest airport to Marbella is Gibraltar (Gibraltarairport.gi), which is just over an hour’s drive away (and across an international border, as it is a British Overseas Territory). British Airways and EasyJet both fly direct from the UK to Gibraltar.
ARRIViNG IN SPAIN FROM THE US
If you’re flying into Spain from the USA you’ll probably arrive at Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (Aena.es). From there you’ll travel to Malaga:
fly to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (Aena.es ) (1 hour 15 minutes)
take the high-speed AVE train from Atocha station in Madrid to Maria Zambrano station in Malaga (Renfe.com) (2.5hrs)
Then transfer from Malaga to Marbella either by taxi, or rent a car at Malaga airport. This journey is 51km and takes 40 minutes.
Alternatively, you could rent a car at Madrid airport and drive direct to Marbella (595km, 6 hours 15 minutes).
Even better, for those on the East Coast, United Airlines flies direct from New York Newark airport to Malaga on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and back from Malaga to Newark on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Flight time is 7 hours 45 minutes. Please be aware that this flight is seasonal and only operates from May to September.
how to get to Marbella from malaga airport
By Car
The best way to get from Malaga to Marbella is to drive, so that you can get about independently while you’re here on holiday. This means you’ll need to hire a car.
As with almost all international airports, Malaga has an extensive array of different car hire options to choose from.
To avoid the scrum of the departures lounge, jump on the complimentary minibus to the offices of Niza, Helle Hollis or Enterprise situated a mere minute outside of the terminal. Inside terminals T2 and T3, you can find Avis, Sixt, Hertz and Europcar.
If you’re unsure of which company to use, click the following link.
For a more high-end car hire service we recommend Sixt (Sixt.com). They’re friendly, professional, trustworthy and have a range of luxury model rental options, from BMWs, Audis and Porsches to Mercedes and Range Rovers – and even cars with automatic transmission. If you’re travelling in a large group, they also have 8 to 12-seater self-drive minibuses available for hire.
Of course, if you’re looking for complete convenience, our Concierge can make the reservation for you, so that the rental car of your choice can be delivered direct to your villa. Take a relaxing taxi ride to your villa from the airport or train station, where your rental will be waiting for you. Then you can get to know the area around your villa in your rental car, when you’re rested after your journey.
Once you’ve picked up your car/minibus hire, driving from Malaga airport to Marbella could hardly be easier. This journey is 51km, following the Mediterranean coast south-east, and takes 40 minutes.
Directions from Malaga-Costa del Sol airport to Marbella are as follows:
- Leave the airport and head southeast onto N-348
- At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on N-348/MA-21
- Take the Torremolinos ramp to N-340/Cádiz
- Merge onto Avenida de Velázquez/N-340/MA-21 for 2.3 km
- Take the ramp to E-15/A-7/Benalmadena/Algeciras. Merge onto AP-7 highway
- Pass Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola (45km)
- Take exit 184 towards Marbella/Casco Antiguo/Avenida del Trapiche
By Taxi
For sheer ease, you can’t beat jumping in a taxi from the airport. A taxi rank is situated outside the Arrivals hall of Terminal T3, level 0. Official taxis are white with a diagonal blue stripe.
It’s best to ask the driver, beforehand, how much a taxi will cost from Malaga to Marbella to ensure they don’t overcharge you.
There are two rates, and the one you pay depends on both time of day and day of week. Rate 1 is weekdays from 06.00 to 22.00, while Rate 2 is weekdays from 22.00 to 06.00, all day Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, August Feria, and Holy Week. Rate 2 is higher, ie more expensive, than Rate 1. A supplement is also charged for each piece of luggage measuring more than 60cm. A taxi from Malaga to Marbella will cost you around 70-100 euros.
Alternatively, you can pre-order a taxi at Malaga Airport Taxi (Malagaairporttaxi.net) and get the price when booking.
In addition, Uber and Cabify both operate in Malaga.
OTHER WAYS TO GET TO MARBELLA
- By bus: It is possible to take a bus (Alsa.com) from Malaga airport to Marbella. But it’s a whole lot less convenient than driving via hire car or private transfer.
- By train: There isn’t a train connection from Malaga airport to Marbella.
Distances – how far is marbella from…
- Malaga (city): 61km away and 50 minutes’ drive.
- Granada: 187km and just over 2 hours’ drive.
- Seville: 258km and 2 hours 45 minutes’ drive.
- Gibraltar: 78km and 1 hour’s drive (depending on the border queue into Spain).
- Madrid: 584 km and 5 hours 45 minutes’ drive.
Now you know how easy it is to get to Marbella, have a look at our collection of handpicked villas.
Ben Cooper
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