How to Get from Málaga Airport to Torremolinos (2026 Guide)

Getting from Málaga Airport to Torremolinos is one of the shortest airport-to-resort transfers on the Costa del Sol. The distance is under 9 km, the cheapest option costs €2, and even by taxi you're at your hotel in under 20 minutes. Our Torremolinos travel hub covers everything once you arrive. This guide covers just the journey: four options, honest prices, and which one actually suits your trip.

Here's how each option compares, with everything you need to decide before you land.

1. By Train (Cercanías C-1)

The Cercanías C-1 is the right call for solo travellers and couples arriving with manageable luggage. The airport train station sits directly below Terminal 3, connected by a lift and walkway. Allow around 5 to 10 minutes to walk from baggage reclaim to the platform. From there, the journey to Torremolinos station takes exactly 10 minutes and costs €2 per person.

Trains run every 20 minutes throughout the day. No advance booking is required: buy a ticket at the machines on the platform, which accept both card and cash. The service runs from approximately 05:42 (first train from the airport) to 23:20 (last train), covering the vast majority of flight arrival windows.

Torremolinos station sits centrally in the town. If your hotel is at the La Carihuela end of the beach or in Playamar, a short taxi from the station makes more sense than crossing town on foot with luggage. If you're in the Centro area, the station drops you close enough to walk.

2. By Taxi (From the Rank)

The taxi option trades the €2 train fare for door-to-door delivery, no luggage hauling between terminals and platforms, and the ability to be dropped directly outside your hotel. Fares are metered rather than fixed-price, but an official airport supplement is built into every journey, so the meter is not starting from zero.

Daytime fares (broadly 07:00 to 22:00 on weekdays) run from approximately €17 to €25, depending on your destination within Torremolinos and the traffic at the time. Night fares and rates on weekends and public holidays are higher, typically €20 to €28. These reflect the official Málaga metered tariff with the airport supplement included.

The taxi rank is outside arrivals at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Join the queue, take the next available cab. No app, no pre-booking, no voucher needed.

3. By Private Transfer

A private transfer costs more than a taxi from the rank, but it solves a specific problem: you agree the price before you travel, a driver is already in the arrivals hall with your name on a board, and there is no rank queue to join after a long flight.

For groups of three or more passengers, the total often comes close to a standard taxi fare split across the party. For families with children and several large cases, or anyone arriving late at night when the rank queue can extend, the guaranteed pickup removes a significant variable from an already tiring journey.

Transfers from Málaga Airport to Torremolinos start from approximately €28 to €40 for a standard car, covering up to 3 or 4 passengers. Larger vehicles are available for bigger groups. Always confirm whether the quoted price is per vehicle or per person before booking, and check whether the driver monitors your flight for delays.

4. By Hire Car

Driving from Málaga Airport to Torremolinos takes 10 to 15 minutes on a clear run. From the terminal, follow signs for the A-7 (Autovía del Mediterráneo) westbound in the direction of Cádiz. Stay on the A-7 for approximately 7 km and take the Torremolinos exit. You do not need the MA-20 inner ring road for this route. The drive is straightforward dual carriageway with clear signage and no toll sections.

Allow a few extra minutes in July and August during the peak afternoon window, when the A-7 can slow noticeably on this stretch. Outside of those hours, it is a genuinely simple drive.

The honest caveat is what happens when you arrive. Town centre parking in Torremolinos is very limited in summer, and beachfront streets are effectively unusable for overnight car storage in peak months. The most practical option is a multi-storey car park: the Plaza Rey Saud car park is centrally located and runs at around €20 to €25 per day. Many hotels offer parking at a daily rate, which is worth checking at the time of booking your room. If you're planning a beach-focused week with no day trips, a hire car will spend most of its time costing you parking fees. The train at €2 each way works out considerably cheaper.

FAQ – Málaga Airport to Torremolinos

Sources: Renfe Cercanías (official timetable and pricing, April 2026), Málaga Airport (AGP) official transport information, Junta de Andalucía taxi tariff regulations (April 2026).