From Malaga Airport to Marbella

Geoffrey Donoghue of Always Marbella reports on the latest news and events. For more information please visit Always Marbella´s website www.alwaysmarbella.com


Malaga Airport
Apartado de Correos 371 y 375
29004 Malaga
Tlf: +34 952 048 484
Fax: +34 952 048 777
agp.lutrilla@aena.es
The nearest airport to Marbella is called 'Pablo Ruíz Picasso', and it is situated 8 Km. Southwest of Malaga, with a total extension of 1.930.000 sqm. It offers 60 check-in desks, 25 boarding gates and car parking facilities for up to 1,000 cars.

Nowadays 'Pablo Ruíz Picasso' holds the sixth place in the number of passengers (l1 million per year), which weekly provides a gateway to seventeen domestic as well as ninety international destinations in America, Asia and Africa. The airport is open 24 hours a day the whole year.

There are several transport services to get to Marbella from the Airport: taxi, train, bus and of course car.

TRAIN SERVICE
Train Service from Málaga Airport to Fuengirola
The train station is outside the International Terminal. Follow the signs over the footbridge to the train station. You can go by train from the Airport to Fuengirola, a town halfway to Marbella, and then take a bus from there to Marbella.

There are 68 train services daily, leaving every 30 minutes. The first one is at 6:00 am. and the last at 10:30 pm. The ticket costs around 1,50 Euros from Monday to Friday, and 1,60 Euros weekends and bank holidays.

BUS
There is a bus service going from the Airport to Marbella. They start early in the morning, the first bus leaves Marbella at 5.30 am. and the first bus leaves the Airport at 6.15 am. The duration is 45 minutes and the ticket cost 4.31 euros. The schedule changes according to the season.

You can also go to Fuengirola by train and then take a bus to Marbella. The bus and the train station are in the same place. The first bus departs at 6.45 am., the ticket costs around Euros 1,89 and the duration is about 60 minutes.

TAXI
It is the best option if you carry heavy suitcases. You?ll find lots of them at the gate to Malaga Airport. The airport taxis will take you anywhere along the Costa del Sol and the rates are fixed and the current tariff should be available in the taxi. The price of the trip Malaga Airport to Marbella is about 45 Euros, to Puerto Banus 48 Euros, or to Estepona 60 Euros.

CAR
Malaga International Airport is just 45 Km. from Marbella. The road to Marbella from the Airport is called N-340, towards Cadiz. When you approach Fuengirola, you have to choose between continuing on the N-340, or going on the 'Costa del Sol' toll motorway. The second one is faster and less busy, but cost 5 euros high season and 3.10 euros low season.

There are several Petrol Stations and Restaurants along the motorway if you need help or directions.


GIBRALTAR AIRPORT
Gibraltar is located about 100 km. from Marbella and has its own airport. The airport is small by comparison to most. There are daily services between Gibraltar and London and there are also occasional flights between Gibraltar and Morocco and other destinations.

There are 4 daily buses from Marbella to the border town of La Línea de la Concepcion and the duration is around 80 minutes. From the bus station it is just a few minutes walk to the border. Schedule information at marbella.com

By car you take the N-340 and turn off at San Roque for La Línea. The route to the border is well sign-posted. Some days lengthly queues can form for cars wishing to go into the Rock (Gibraltar). It is often better to park your car in La Línea and walk across the frontier, it takes just 15 minutes. The road to Spain runs directly through the middle of the runway and has to be closed when airplains land and take-off.

Taxis can be found directly outside the terminal building, as can the bus stop for buses to the city centre, Gibraltar taxis are not allowed to enter Spain. There is a car park opposite the terminal building for long and short term parking.

Remember, Spanish citizens can use the identity card. Foreing people need a valid British or EU passport. Visitors entering from Spain, who require a visa to enter Spain, should beware.