Malaga car rental: 24 top tips

Malaga has the advantage of being a compact, flat city making it ideal for walking. But if you want to explore slightly further afield or take a day trip from the city, you’ll be looking for your own four wheels. Read on for our 24 top tips for Malaga car rental to ensure you drive the best.

First steps to car rental in Malaga

5 tips to finding a reputable company

Who you hire a car from is the first essential part of the process, but a quick search for “Malaga car hire” will bring up dozens of results there are nearly 40 car hire firms operating at Malaga Airport alone. So how do you choose a reputable one?

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Our first tip is to check out the reviews on sites like Google and Trustpilot. Take note of the goodies and baddies offering Malaga car hire. We’ve researched them for this post and trust us, the same ones pop up time and time again. The same reliable (and unreliable) companies tend to appear consistently.

Extra top tip
Look at how companies rank for customer service and what other users have to say about transparency regarding pricing and policies.

Comparison sites

Car hire comparison websites can be helpful. They allow you to enter your travel dates, preferred car type, and other details to compare offers easily. However, make sure you’re comparing like for like.

Consider:

• Vehicle size and type
• Insurance coverage (and exclusions)
• Fuel policy
• Additional charges for extras (such as baby seats, GPS systems, or extra drivers)
• Pick-up and drop-off locations

Also, bear in mind that the cheapest deal at first glance may not be the most economical option in the long run, once you factor in all the fees and costs.

Book ahead

Even with a wide range of companies operating in the region, it’s still advisable to book your car in advance — especially during peak seasons such as summer, Christmas and Easter. Early booking ensures you secure the vehicle you need at a reasonable rate.

Extras for Malaga car rental

Plan ahead and decide if you need any extras. Book child car seats, GPS navigation systems, roof racks, etc, when you book. They might not be available when you arrive.

Read the small print

Who really reads the small print, right? It’s too easy to skim over and sign on the dotted line. But with rental cars, it pays to get your glasses (or magnifying glass) out and read all those clauses.

When you were comparing car hire companies you’ll have noticed that some give all-inclusive prices, but others charge extra. To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for in your policy.

Look out for the following:

• Insurance – what does it include and more importantly, what does it exclude?
• Excess – is it zero or several hundred euros? A €600 excess fee isn’t uncommon. It might be worth paying slightly more for your Malaga car rental in return for a lower excess.
• Fuel – find out what the company’s fuel policy is. Full for full is the easiest and cheapest option since you hire the car with a full tank and bring it back full. There are several petrol stations near the airport. Pay for full means you pay for a full tank at the end of the car hire. Some companies reportedly overcharge for this.
• Breakdown cover – is it included? Bear in mind that you might need this service even if you have just a flat tyre because many hire cars don’t include a spare.

Extra top tip
If you have to return the car with a full tank of fuel and don’t mind shopping around, this site compares prices for diesel and petrol in the city.

Picking up your Malaga rental car

Malaga Airport

You’ll probably be getting your car hire at Malaga Airport and most companies operate from downstairs in the Arrivals – but some have their offices outside the Airport. To reach these, you use one of their shuttle buses. In our experience, you tend to get your hire car more quickly from the companies outside Malaga Airport.

In Malaga city centre

There are also several car hire offices near the train station and in other parts of the city. However, it’s rare to find good deals by walking into an office — it’s always better to book online in advance.

Read our guide to getting around Malaga by car

What to check when you pick up your hire car

• Ensure the policy and vehicle match what you originally booked.
• Be cautious of being upsold extra insurance or upgrades unless they’re genuinely necessary.
• Keep a record of all agreements and paperwork — particularly important when opting for low-cost providers.
• Inspect the car thoroughly before leaving. Note any existing damage, however minor, and take photographs (with timestamps) as evidence.

Malaga car rental requirements

To hire a car in Malaga, you will need:

• A valid driving licence
• A credit card (not all companies accept debit cards)

International driving licence

Non-EU driving licences (e.g. those issued in the UK) are generally valid for car hire in Malaga if the licence is written in the Roman/Latin alphabet. But check in advance with your rental company.  

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Malaga?

You should be at least 21 years old, although some companies have a minimum age of 24 or apply a surcharge.

Extra top tip
Think ahead and decide who’s going to be driving your rental car. All drivers must be named in the contract to qualify for insurance cover.

Driving in Spain only?

If you’re planning to take the car into Gibraltar or Portugal, check that your car hire policy allows you this.

Annual insurance options

If you hire cars regularly, it may be worth investing in a multi-trip (annual) insurance policy. These can be more cost-effective than purchasing cover each time. However, be sure to check what is included — many do not cover breakdowns.

Tips for driving in Malaga

Like other large Spanish cities, Malaga has its share of traffic and roadworks, particularly in the city centre. Here are some tips to make driving easier:

• Avoid driving unnecessarily in the centre: Park near your accommodation and explore the city on foot. Most attractions are within walking distance or easily reached by public transport.
• Street parking is limited: It’s difficult to find free spaces. Use hotel car parks or public car parks and check for parking deals when booking accommodation.

Read about Malaga hotels with car parks

• Traffic lights: Some local drivers do not always respect red lights, so take extra care at junctions.
• Pedestrian crossings: These are common, but pedestrians may cross unexpectedly — especially while distracted by their phones.
• Speed limits: These vary from 30 to 50kph in the city. Always follow posted signs to avoid fines.

Extra top tip
Malaga old quarter has restricted areas for residents only (usually only accessible through barriers) and much of the city centre is a low emissions zone.
If you’re planning to drive in the city centre, ask your Malaga car rental company for a map of no-go streets and whether your hire car is permitted in the low emissions zone.

Parking on a day trip to Malaga

If you’re visiting Malaga for the day, save time, money and stress by parking on the outskirts and using public transport to access the centre.

West end of Malaga

Park near the Palacio de los Deportes (sports stadium; Google map link here), where there are several free parking areas. From there, take the metro (approx. 15 minutes) or the No. 7 bus (approx. 30 minutes) to the city centre.

North end of Malaga

Head for the area around La Rosaleda football stadium (Google map link here). Free parking is available on nearby streets or at La Rosaleda shopping centre car park. You can then walk to the centre in about 20 minutes or take the No. 2 bus (approx. 22 minutes).

Final Thoughts

With careful research and planning, hiring a car in Malaga is straightforward. Success boils down to three essentials: choosing a reliable company, understanding the full terms of your rental, and ensuring you’ve got all eventualities covered. ¡Buen viaje!

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