Driving and Coastal Transport
Once you arrive, the question is whether to drive. The coast has a good road and a handy commuter train, so the right answer depends on your plans.
The coastal road
The A-7 and the parallel AP-7 toll motorway run the length of the Costa del Sol, linking Malaga to Marbella, Estepona and beyond. Driving is easy and quick outside rush hour, and a car unlocks the inland villages and viewpoints that buses reach slowly or not at all.
The commuter train
The Cercanías C1 line runs west from Malaga and the airport to Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola every twenty minutes. If you are staying anywhere on this stretch, the train removes any need for a car and avoids the cost and stress of old town parking.
Buses along the coast
An extensive bus network fills the gaps the train leaves, reaching Marbella, Nerja, Ronda and the white villages from Malaga's central bus station. Services are frequent on the main routes, though slower and less regular to small inland towns.
When you really need a car
A rental earns its keep for the inland highlights, namely Ronda, Caminito del Rey, El Torcal and the white villages, where public transport is awkward. For a city and beach trip on the train line, a car is more burden than benefit.
Parking and city driving
Avoid driving in central Malaga if you can, since the old town is largely pedestrian and street parking is scarce. Use a park and ride or a central garage, or simply skip the car for the city portion and pick one up only for your inland days.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car on the Costa del Sol?
Only if you plan inland trips like Ronda or Caminito del Rey. For the city and the coastal towns on the train line, public transport is easier and cheaper.
Is there a train along the Costa del Sol?
Yes. The Cercanías C1 line runs from Malaga and the airport west to Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola every twenty minutes.
Is it easy to drive in Malaga?
The coastal roads are easy, but central Malaga is best avoided by car because the old town is pedestrian and parking is limited. Use a garage or skip the car in the city.