Various beach hopping visitors to the southern coast of Spain spend time in Malaga and Alicante, two major coastal cities in Spain. Malaga is known as Pablo Picasso’s hometown and is famous for its Alcazaba fortress and flamenco culture, while Alicante draws crowds to its Santa Bárbara Castle, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. The two cities are connected by various means of transport, from high-speed trains to buses, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
By car
Driving from Malaga to Alicante takes around 4.5 hours if you take the inland route along the A-92 motorway, but you can also take the slightly more scenic coastal route along the A-7 motorway, which takes just 15 minutes more. The benefit for the former is that it takes you through Granada, which is a worthwhile pit stop: visit the iconic Alhambra palace and the Generalife gardens. Both routes will also take you through the city of Murcia, which is another great place to stretch your legs and take a break from driving.
In Murcia, walk through the old streets to see all kinds of architecture, both old and new.
By train
It takes approximately 5.5 hours to catch the high-speed train from Malaga to Alicante, with a short change in Madrid. Please note that Spanish high speed trains have a guaranteed arrival and departure time and have organized transfers to be quick and easy. Fares vary by day of the week and season, but often cost around $ 150 each way. Visit the official AVE website to book tickets. Although the train takes about an hour longer than driving, it is a popular option as you can relax during the journey and not worry about driving.
It is a great option for those who do not have their own vehicle during their time in Spain.
By bus
There is a bus that travels between Malaga and Alicante. It costs between $ 35 and $ 55 and takes around 8.5 hours, depending on traffic, as there are several stops along the route. However, you don’t have to change buses, which is convenient. There are several departures each day, so you can find the bus that best suits your schedule. You can book most bus tickets in Spain online – just pay with a credit card and print the e-ticket. Although it is not the fastest transport option between Malaga and Alicante, it is one of the cheapest.
By air
There are no nonstop flights between Malaga and Alicante, so you will have to make a stopover in another city: many options have stops in Barcelona or Madrid, while others have stops in even more distant destinations like London. Although one-way flights often cost less than $ 100 each if booked well in advance, travel times are often quite long due to layovers. You can expect to spend between four and 12 hours en route, not including the time it takes to get to the airport and through security.
For this reason, we suggest driving, taking a train, or taking a bus.
