Málaga airport

Travelling by train is one of the quickest and most convenient ways to get to and from Málaga Airport. The RENFE Cercanías C1 line (Málaga Centro Alameda – Fuengirola) connects the airport with Málaga city centre, giving you easy access to both the main train and bus stations. You can also reach other popular destinations along the Costa del Sol by train, including Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola.

Trains run every 20–30 minutes. The first train arrives at the airport at 06:43, while the earliest departure is at 05:32.

Where is the train station at Málaga Airport?

The airport train station is underground and located just outside the terminal building, around a 2–3 minute walk away. From the Arrivals area (ground floor), you reach it via an open-air walkway, while from the Departures level (P1) you can take a covered walkway, which takes about 5–7 minutes. Here’s how to get there.

Trains to Málaga city centre and the Costa del Sol

Málaga Airport is linked to the city and the Costa del Sol by Renfe’s Cercanías commuter train network, which has two lines: C1 and C2.

• The C1 line runs along the coast from Fuengirola to Málaga city centre, stopping at the airport.
  It’s the line most visitors use, as it takes you directly to Málaga María Zambrano station — with high-speed train connections to Madrid and Seville (AVE, Iryo and Renfe) — and to the nearby bus station, with coaches to Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola and other destinations along the coast and beyond.
• The C2 line runs inland from Málaga city to Álora; if you’re travelling from the airport, you’ll need to change trains in the city.

If your destination lies further afield, beyond the reach of the train — for example Marbella, Estepona, Torre del Mar, Vélez or Nerja — you can take a taxi, book a private transfer, or change to a coach from María Zambrano station.

Frequency

Trains run every 20 minutes for most of the day, except for the earliest and latest services, which operate every 30 minutes. See train times.

Fares

Single tickets cost between €1.80 and €3.60, depending on the number of zones travelled. Return tickets range from €3.60 to €7.20.

Good to know: There’s no need to queue at the ticket machines if you’re just buying a single ticket. While tickets and passes are available from the ticket office and vending machines, you can also use a contactless bank card to pay directly at the barriers tap & go).

More details on zones, tickets and fares.

Cercanías Line C1 Train Timetable: Fuengirola to Málaga Airport

RENFE commuter train (Cercanías) Line C1 connects Málaga Airport with the city centre and the Costa del Sol.

The first train to the airport leaves Fuengirola —the starting point of Line C1— at 00:20 and arrives at 00:53 (a 33-minute journey).

Important: If you have a night flight, keep in mind that the 00:20 departure is the only overnight service. After that, there are no trains until 06:10, which arrives at the airport at 06:43.

The timetable below does not list every station along the line, but it will give you a good idea of service times and frequency. For the full list of stops, please check the Renfe website (Spain's national train operator).

Click the button to open/close the timetable.

Trains from Málaga Airport Trains from Fuengirola

Where is the airport train station?

If you are in the Arrivals hall on Level P0 (ground floor), follow these directions to reach the train station on foot in about 2–3 minutes:

• Exit the terminal through the main doors on the ground floor. From there, walk straight ahead and slightly to the left, passing the taxi and bus stops, about a minute from the exit.

  Cross the first pedestrian crossing and continue walking for another couple of minutes until you can see the station building on your right (see photo below). On the outside façade you’ll see the sign “renfe Aeropuerto”. Cross the second pedestrian crossing and, just a few steps further on your right, you’ll find the entrance to the station.

• If you are in the Departures hall, simply follow the signs with the train icon (Train / Railway) until you exit the terminal. After the doors, walk along the covered walkway until the end, where you’ll find escalators and a lift. Go down to the ground floor, turn right, and just a few metres away is the entrance to the train station. The walk takes around 5–7 minutes.

Part of this underground station has glass walls and ceilings, giving it a bright, modern design. In the future, it will also serve high-speed trains.

Tickets

The price of a single ticket (one journey) on the Renfe Cercanías commuter train network depends on the number of zones travelled. Málaga Airport station is in Zone 2.

• Single ticket (one way). Zones 1-2: €1,80, Zone 3: €2,05, Zone 4: €2,70 and Zone 5: €3,60.
• Return ticket: Zones 1-2: €3,60, Zone 3: €4,10, Zone 4: €5,40 and Zone 5: €7,20.

Grey shading (zones 1–4) shows which zone each station is in.

You can buy a single or return ticket and pay in cash or by credit/debit card* at the self-service machines, use a contactless card directly at the barriers (single tickets only), or travel with your Renfe & Tú card — a reusable personal card that stores your train tickets. Simply tap the card on the reader at the barriers to enter.

*Only Mastercard and VISA credit cards are accepted. Some foreign debit cards may not work, so if you have trouble at the gates, you can always buy your ticket from a machine or ask a staff member for help. To pay with your phone, make sure NFC is switched on.

Tickets must be used within two hours of purchase. Return tickets are valid for same-day travel only. Tickets cannot be exchanged and may only be cancelled at the station ticket office within two hours of purchase, provided they have not been used.

Málaga María Zambrano Train Station

C1 train times from Málaga María Zambrano to the airport and back

If you’re heading from the airport to María Zambrano station to connect with an AVE high-speed train or a coach from the bus station, these train times will come in handy. Return journeys are also shown.

 

Click the button to open/close the timetable.

Trains from Málaga Airport to María Zambrano Trains from María Zambrano station to Málaga Airport

Travel essentials on Málaga Cercanías trains

Bicycles travel free of charge, one per passenger. Use the bike-designated areas—if none are marked, keep it clear of aisles or seats. During busy periods, you may be asked to wait for the next train or claim a refund if space isn't available.

Mobility scooters are welcome, mobility scooters are also permitted, but electric scooters are not.

Pets travel free too—dogs, cats and birds are allowed without weight limits. No carrier or extra fare is needed, though dogs must wear a muzzle and pets must be on a lead. Guide and assistance dogs have no restrictions.

Map of Malaga Airport train line - Accesible stations ans trains

Most stations on the C1 and C2 lines are accessible for passengers with reduced mobility, equipped with lifts and/or escalators. The image shows all the stations on both lines, with the icon marking those stations and trains that are fully adapted.

Málaga Cercanías Train Map