Marbella is the largest and most popular tourist city on the Costa del Sol. Although there is no train station in Marbella, you can connect to Malaga by bus. You can even go directly to Malaga airport without changing city.
Take the bus
If you don’t have a car, the best way to travel around the Costa del Sol is by bus. Buses from Malaga to Marbella take about an hour and, on average, can cost around seven euros.
Board a train
There is no train station in Marbella. Cercanias Madrid, the local train network, in Malaga only reaches Fuengirola through Benalmádena and Torremolinos. It is not quick to change to a train in Fuengirola.
Use the bus from Malaga airport to Marbella
The Avanza bus company offers a direct service from the Marbella bus station to Malaga airport. To get to and from the airport, an inexpensive option is to take a shared transfer, which means you will be traveling with others, but a shuttle or driver will pick you up from and to your hotel.
Traveling by car
If you rent a car in Spain , the 40-mile drive from Malaga to Marbella takes around 45 minutes, mostly on the AP-7. This is a toll road. Many people take the parallel coastal route, but sometimes it can be much faster to go inland, taking the A-355 and A-357.
If you plan to rent a car, be aware of the high cost of renting and inconveniences such as toll roads, the purchase of expensive gasoline, and the limited availability of parking. You should also know what to expect when driving in Spain if you are unfamiliar with the area. These factors may not make car rental your best option.
Try a tour bus
In addition, you can find other ways to get around the Costa del Sol through guided tours. Or, you can take excursions to other parts of Spain or Morocco.
More about Marbella
Marbella is a city belonging to the province of Malaga in the Andalusian part of southern Spain. The coastal city also has an important archaeological heritage, several museums, performance spaces, and a cultural calendar with events ranging from reggae concerts to opera performances and food festivals.
More about Malaga
Malaga is the capital of the province of Malaga in the Andalusian part of southern Spain. It is the sixth largest city in Spain. It is located on the Costa del Sol, in the Mediterranean Sea, about 60 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar and 80 miles north of the African coast. Malaga’s history spans 2,800 years, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. It was originally founded by the Phoenicians in 770 BC. C. and since then it has changed hands several times throughout history. It is the birthplace of the famous painter Pablo Picasso and the popular actor Antonio Banderas.
