Guide to Malaga Airport

Updated: June 2026

Malaga Airport is the gateway for most visitors to the Costa del Sol, and for an airport handling close to 25 million passengers a year, it’s refreshingly easy to get to grips with.

This guide covers everything you need: how to get into the city by train, bus, taxi or car, what to expect at the terminals, how passport control works since the EES rollout, and where to find cash, wifi, food and the rest of the airport’s facilities.

If something’s missing, let us know and we’ll add it.

How to get from Malaga Airport to the city centre and back

Perhaps the most important information in a guide to Malaga Airport is how to get to the city and vice versa. The good news is that the airport has excellent public transport connections to the city centre as follows:

By train

The local train service (cercanías) runs between Malaga Airport and the city centre (the stop is next to the river at the north end of the Alameda Principal. At the airport, follow the train signs – look for the large red C – to reach the station just outside the departures exit.

Train times: trains to the city centre leave the airport between 6.44am and 00.54am, at 14, 34 and 54 past the hour. Trains to the airport leave the city centre between 5.20am and 11.50pm, at 10, 30 and 50 past the hour.

Train frequency: every 20 minutes.

Journey time: 11 minutes.

Price: €1.80

Paying for the train: note that you can pay for your trip by debit or credit card. Just ‘tap’ your card on the barrier when you enter the station and ‘tap’ out again (with the same card) when you exit the barrier at Malaga. You do not need to queue to buy a ticket at the machine.

Why take the train instead of the bus? It’s cheaper and quicker, although the train doesn’t take you beyond the Alameda. The train is best if you have an early-bird flight home.

By bus

A dedicated bus service (A) runs between the airport and the city centre. It has several stops including Plaza General Torrijos, Plaza de la Marina, Alameda Principal, Avda de Andalucía (outside the Corte Inglés department store), bus station and train station. At the airport, follow the bus signs to the bus stop, outside on the main esplanade.

Bus times: buses to the city centre are currently offering services between 7am and midnight.

Bus frequency: between 7am and midnight, approximately every 20-25 minutes.

Journey time: between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the traffic.

Price: €4. You can’t use the bus multi-journey card for the airport bus.

Why take the bus instead of the train? It’s the best option if your hotel accommodation is in the city centre or near La Malagueta. Buses are the only public transport option if your flight leaves or arrives in the small hours. It is, however, more expensive and can be held up in traffic.

Discover how to get around Malaga by bus

By car

Malaga has plenty of car hire options, most of which are within easy reach of the airport. Be careful you choose a reputable company and look out for hidden extras.

Read our guide to car hire in Malaga for lots of tips and advice.

Why take a car instead of the train, bus or taxi? You want your own wheels to explore outside Malaga on a day trip or you’d like the option of a car while you’re staying in the city.

By taxi

Malaga has one main taxi company providing services between the airport and the city centre: Unitaxi (952 333 333). If you’re travelling from the airport to somewhere on the Costa del Sol, the taxi company is Taxi Union (tel: 952 040 404). 

Journey time: at least 15 minutes.

Price: minimum €18.24 Monday to Friday between 6am and 10pm; minimum €22.48 Monday to Friday 10pm to 6am and at weekends. €0.58 supplement per piece of luggage measuring over 60cm. There’s also a supplement of €6.49 on top of the regular taxi fare.

Why take the taxi instead of the bus or train? There are several of you, you have heavy luggage and/or your accommodation in Malaga isn’t near a bus stop or the train station.

By VTC 

Bolt, Uber and Cabify all operate in Malaga and provide services between the Airport and city centre. To use these services, you need to download the appropriate app on your mobile phone. VTC services drop you off outside the Departures Terminal when you get to the Airport. If you’re getting an Uber or Cabify from the Airport, the pick-up area is outside the Arrivals building. Walk outside towards the bus stops, go straight ahead for Uber or turn left for other VTC services.

Price: depends on demand and vehicles available. As a rough idea, expect to pay from €14. 

Why use a VTC instead of a taxi? It’s usually cheaper.

By private transfer

Malaga has several companies offering private transport services from Malaga Airport to your destination. This one is reliable.

Price: from €50 per person and luggage to the city centre.

Why use a private transfer instead of a taxi? Personalised service that you can book in advance.

Now you know how to reach Malaga from the Airport, read our guide to where to stay in the city.

Practicalities

A guide to Malaga Airport should also include logistics, such as the following:

Terminals

The airport has 3 terminals, although T3 is the main terminal for arrivals and departures. You may need to go to T2 if you’re checking in luggage with airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair. T1, the original terminal, is rarely used nowadays. You can walk between all terminals.

Top tip – if you’re checking in luggage in T2 allow extra time before your flight departs. You may have to walk quite a way,

Arrivals

Once you leave your plane and collect your luggage, you’ll reach the arrivals hall. Exit through the main doors to leave the airport.

If you’re catching a train or bus, follow the signs to your right. When you exit the airport, the Cercanías train station is directly ahead of you down an escalator. The bus stop is slightly to the right.

If you need a taxi, look for the rank outside the airport to the far right. VTC (Uber etc) cars pick up from the area directly ahead of the airport exit.

Drop off pick up

If someone is giving you a lift to or from the airport, there are two drop-off and pick-up points:

1. Upper floor (departures) in the Parking Express car park. To get there from Arrivals, go up two floors (via the lifts on the left-hand side as you pass through the security door) and walk outside. The Parking Express is in front of you – walk a short distance to the right to access its entrance.
2. Lower floor (ground level, arrivals) in the main car parks. To get there from Arrivals, go one floor (via the lifts or stairs on the left-hand side as you pass through the security door) and follow the signs to the car parks.

Note for drivers: the Parking Express has no charge for cars who spend less than 15 minutes in the car park, making it a cheap option but one that needs careful timing if you’re picking up. If you use the regular car parks, remember where your car is parked and take a note of the location (we have walked around for ages looking for our car!).

Car hire

If you’re hiring a car in Malaga and have pre-booked at the airport, you should make your way to the car hire offices. These are located in the terminal basement (S2 button in the lift) and in the car park.

Departures

If you have luggage to check in, make your way to the correct check-in desk. Some are located in T3 – those for long-haul flights are situated to the far right – while others are in T2. All passengers must pass through security in T3.

Passport control

If you’re travelling within Schengen (e.g. to Italy or the Netherlands), you don’t go through passport control.

If you’re travelling outside Schengen (e.g. to the UK or Ireland), you’ll need to pass through immigration to get to your departure gate in area B or C.

Allow extra time for this step because queues form quickly and there often aren’t enough immigration counters/e-gate machines to cope.

Entry/Exit System at Malaga Airport

From October 2025, all non-EU passengers arriving at or leaving from Malaga Airport must be registered in the Entry/Exit System.

Registration is done via a machine, which takes your biometrics (photo and fingerprints) and records your data within the EES. This system automatically records your entry and exit dates, so stamps are not longer needed in passports.

We have a comprehensive guide to this registration process, including a link to the Travel to Europe app where you can pre-register. Read all about EES in Malaga.

How early should I arrive for a flight departing from Malaga Airport?

If your flight is within Schengen, you don’t need to go through passport control. You must, however, go through security, which can sometimes be busy. Allow 90 minutes, more at peak times.

If your flight is outside Schengen (e.g. to the UK, Ireland, the US), allow plenty of time. At the time of writing (late 2025), it can take up to 2 hours to get through immigration and we have seen people miss their flight because of the queue. We’d recommend getting to Malaga Airport with at least 3 hours to spare before your flight.

Read our FAQs about the Entry/Exit System at Malaga Airport

Facilities

This section of our guide to Malaga Airport has information about facilities available at the airport, listed alphabetically.

Assistance & Accessibility

If you need assistance at Malaga Airport, book it at least 48 hours before your flight. You can do via the AENA website or by calling 913 211 000 (open daily 7am to midnight).

There are numerous assistance points around the airport. Look for the list in Reduced Mobility on the website.

Malaga Airport is fully accessible, with ramps where necessary and wide lifts. All toilet facilities have accessible cubicles.

Cash

Currency exchange offices are located in the arrivals hall and in departures. If you require cash, you’ll find ATMs at seven locations around the airport. They accept American Express, Cirrus, EC, JCB, Maestro, Mastercard, Plus, Union Pay, Visa and Visa Electron cards.

Currency Exchange

You can find currency exchange services in Malaga Airport in three locations:

Arrivals hall – open 7.30am to 11.30pm.

Departure area D – open 6am to 9.15pm

Departure area B-C – open 5am to 9pm.

Emergency

The medical centre is on the arrivals floor (downstairs from departures) and located to the right of the main entrance. SAEDs (defibrillators) are at various points around the airport. If you need any medical help, ask any member of airline or airport staff.

Lost property

If you lose something while you’re at the airport, contact your airline in the first instance. Or contact the lost property office in T3 behind check-in desks 363-385 or via objetosperdidosagp@aena.es. 

Tourist office

See the location of other tourist offices in Malaga

VAT returns

If you’re a non-EU national and qualify for a VAT refund, make your way to the office in T3 to the right of security. The office is open Monday to Friday 6.30am to 10pm and weekends 7am to midnight.

Top tip – if you need to file for a VAT refund, allow extra time before your flight leaves (at least 45 minutes).

VIP lounges

If you’re wondering which are the best airport lounges at Malaga Airport, there are only two and you can only access one per departure area – D for Schengen flights and C for non-Schengen flights. You can stay for up to 4 hours before your flight departs (up to 3 hours at peak times, e.g. Christmas). Access costs around €45 per person – you can buy tickets here.

VIP lounge – in the Schengen area on the second floor of T2, open 5am to 10pm. It offers a long list of extras, including food and drink (special dietary needs are catered for), wifi, a meeting room, consoles and video games, as well as rest areas.

Relax & Go – in the non-Schengen area on the first floor of T2 between gates C30 and C31, open 11am to 7pm. It offers food and drink, wifi and flight information.

Wifi

Malaga Airport runs a free wifi service. Look for the Airport Free Wifi Aena on your phone or tablet. It does for basic messaging and browsing but tends to get stuck if you want to upload or download something.

Shops at Malaga Airport

If you didn’t manage to get in enough shopping in Malaga city or have time to spare, you’ll be pleased to know that the airport has a good selection of shops. You can shop till you drop at several designer stores including Desigual, Natura and Superdry. Victoria’s Secret and Tous also have branches.

As well as the giant duty-free shop, you can also buy food and wine at Foodies, specialising in typical produce from Spain. This is a good (if pricey) spot to stock up on olive oil and Malaga wine if you’re travelling cabin luggage only.

Read more about shopping in Malaga

Eating and drinking

You’re not exactly spoilt for choice when it comes to eateries at Malaga Airport, but there are some goodies amongst the usual succession of fast food outlets and coffee venues. They include Bibo Dani Garcia (based on Dani Garcia’s Bibo restaurant in Marbella) and Kirey by Kabuki (Japanese and Mediterranean fusion food). 

Top tip – you’ll find drinking water dispensors outside the toilets in all departure areas.
Or you can buy a bottles from machines and at the cafés (€1 for 330ml).

About Malaga Airport

A guide to Malaga Airport wouldn’t be complete with a bit of background to the airport itself. It started life in 1919 and ranks as one of the oldest airports in Spain. It wasn’t until 1946, however, that the airport started operating domestic and international flights.

Malaga Airport currently ranks as the fourth busiest in Spain (behind Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca). In 2025, 26.8 million passengers passed through Malaga Airport, the highest ever. The figure for 2026 is expected to equal or exceed the 2025 statistics.

Why is Malaga Airport code AGP?

First time visitors might be surprised that the AGP Malaga Airport code has very little to do with the city’s name. In fact, you might not associate AGP with Malaga at all!

The reason is simple – other places in the world had taken all the other ‘obvious’ codes. For example, MAL and MLG are the codes for Mangole and Malange Airports (both in Indonesia) and MGA is the code for Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.

So, the IATA had to create a new combination for Malaga and came up with AG (from the name) and added a random P. The result? The AGP Malaga Airport code.

Anything missing from our guide to Malaga Airport? Let us know.

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