The Cercanías C1 runs directly from Málaga Airport to Benalmádena with no changes required. The station is in Arroyo de la Miel – the central urban area between the coast and the Pueblo. From there the beach is around 2–3 km, walkable in 25–35 minutes or a short taxi ride.
The same line also stops at Torremolinos and continues to Fuengirola, making it the most useful single piece of public transport on the Costa del Sol.
- 01The line is Cercanías C1 – direct from Málaga Airport to Benalmádena with no changes required.
- 02Station name: Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel. Located in Arroyo de la Miel, not on the beach – around 2–3 km from the coast.
- 03Trains run every 20–30 minutes depending on time of day. Services start around 05:20 and run until approximately midnight.
- 04Fares are low – exact 2026 pricing should be confirmed at the station or on the Renfe Cercanías Málaga website before travel.
- 05The same C1 line stops at Torremolinos and Fuengirola – useful for day trips along the coast.
- 06The station is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Taxi rank confirmed at the station.
- 07After midnight, trains stop running – taxis are the only option for late-night returns.
The C1 Line – What It Covers
The Cercanías C1 is the main commuter rail line on the Costa del Sol west of Málaga. It connects:
Málaga Airport → Málaga Centro-Alameda → Málaga María Zambrano → El Pinillo → Torremolinos → Los Álamos → Montemar-Alto → La Colina → Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel → Torremuelle → Carvajal → Los Boliches → Torreblanca → Fuengirola
This makes it genuinely useful beyond just getting to Benalmádena. The same ticket system covers Torremolinos and Fuengirola – both reachable as easy day trips without a car.
If you are spending time in Benalmádena and want to explore neighbouring towns, the C1 is the most practical option. Torremolinos is a 5-minute train ride away. Fuengirola is a few stops further west.
Getting to Benalmádena by Train
From Málaga Airport: Board the C1 at the airport station. No changes required – the train runs directly to Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel. This is the clearest advantage of the C1 over bus options, which typically require connections.
From Málaga city centre: Board at Málaga María Zambrano (main station) or Málaga Centro-Alameda. Both are on the C1 line. The journey is short – exact minutes are not published in a fixed station-to-station table, so check the live timetable on the Renfe Cercanías Málaga website before travel.
Frequency: Trains run every 20–30 minutes depending on time of day. Early morning and late evening services may be less frequent.
Operating hours: Services start around 05:20 and run until approximately midnight. After midnight, trains stop – taxis are the only option for late-night returns to Benalmádena.
After Midnight
Fares
Exact 2026 fares for the Cercanías C1 in Málaga are zone-based and not published as a fixed station-to-station price list in accessible official sources. Previous years have put the Málaga to Benalmádena fare in the range of €2–€3 single, but this should be confirmed before travel.
How to check current fares:
- Renfe Cercanías Málaga official website
- Ticket machines at any C1 station
- Renfe app
How to buy tickets:
- Station vending machines – available at all C1 stops including the airport
- Renfe online channels and app
- Counter at larger stations (Málaga María Zambrano)
Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel Station
Location · Facilities · Getting to the Beach
The station is in Arroyo de la Miel – the central residential area of Benalmádena, between the coast and the Pueblo. It is not on the beach.
Distance to the coast: Around 2–3 km. Walkable in approximately 25–35 minutes downhill. A taxi from the station to Benalmádena Costa takes around 5 minutes.
Station facilities:
- Taxi rank confirmed at the station
- Parking available – free or paid status not confirmed, check on arrival
- Accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs
- Lockers – not confirmed from current sources, check on arrival
From the station, Arroyo de la Miel town centre is immediately walkable. The Parque de la Paloma and Selwo Marina are also reachable on foot or by short taxi from here.
Using the Train for Day Trips
The C1 makes several Costa del Sol towns easily accessible from Benalmádena without a car:
Torremolinos – one stop east toward Málaga. Around 5 minutes by train. Good for a half-day – beaches, the old town and a different nightlife scene to Benalmádena. Things to do in Torremolinos
Fuengirola – a few stops west. Larger town with a longer beach strip, a castle and a weekly market. Reachable on the same C1 ticket.
Málaga city – 20 minutes east. Museums, the Alcazaba, Picasso's birthplace, the cathedral and the best restaurant scene on the Costa del Sol. An easy full day from Benalmádena.
Málaga Airport – useful at the end of a trip. Board at Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel, arrive at the airport directly with no changes.
Train vs Private Transfer – Which to Choose
| Train C1 | Private Transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Low – check current fare | Fixed price, higher |
| Changes | None from airport | None |
| Door-to-door | No – station to beach gap | Yes |
| Luggage | Can be awkward | No problem |
| Best for | Solo / couple, light bags | Families, luggage, Pueblo |
The train wins on price and simplicity for solo travellers or couples with light bags. A private transfer is the better call for families, anyone with significant luggage, or anyone staying in Benalmádena Pueblo – which the train does not reach directly.
Málaga Airport to Benalmádena – private transfer
Full guide to everything in Benalmádena: Things to Do in Benalmádena
Once you're off the train, the guide to Benalmádena covers what comes next.
