Malaga Airport Guide

Located on the popular tourist destination of the Costa del Sol, Malaga Airport is a vital gateway to the enchanting region of Andalucia. Its strategic location, just eight kms southwest of the beautiful city of Malaga, positions it as a bustling hub connecting travellers to a large number of national and international destinations.

Originally established in 1919 as a makeshift aerodrome, Malaga Airport has evolved into one of Spain’s busiest airports, serving as a crucial link between Europe and the Mediterranean. Over the years, it has undergone significant expansions and renovations to meet the growing demands of modern air travel.

The airport’s geographical advantage extends beyond its proximity to Malaga; it strategically positions itself for easy access to renowned tourist destinations along the Costa del Sol, including Marbella, Torremolinos, and Fuengirola. This accessibility has made Malaga Airport a pivotal point for tourists seeking the beaches, historic landmarks, and Spanish culture that characterise the Andalucian region.

Malaga Airport boasts an extensive network of connections, providing direct flights to a number of different destinations across Europe and beyond. Its role as a key transport hub is evident in the numerous airlines and routes it accommodates. Travellers can seamlessly reach major cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, and beyond, making it a gateway for both leisure and business travel.

The full name of Malaga Airport is now officially Malaga Costa del Sol Airport with the international airport code AGP. It is located a short distance from the city centre of Malaga which is accessible via the train service just outside the terminal, bus or taxi.

The access to the airport has been modified over the last couple of years with the access to the departures area now taking all traffic to the short stay car park where you will get 10 minutes of free parking. So if you are dropping off you have to take this lane. Taxis and buses will still be able to access the right lane and pull up outside of the terminal building.

The main official car parking at Malaga Airport is accessed on the lower level. Basically follow the signs for the car rentals and rather that taking the entrance to the rental section of the car park, keep driving and you will see the sign for the car park entrance.

This parking at Malaga Airport is on multiple levels and you can either take the rear exit to walk to the terminal or the front. Please note that there are only a few points you can now cross the road to the terminal.

To get to the Long Stay car park at Malaga Airport you need to go through the tunnel (basically stay left on the lower level) and you will then see the signs. It is much cheaper to pre-book and there is a regular shuttle bus to take you back to the airport.

A good tip is to look up the price of the main car park directly opposite the airport if you can book well in advance of your flight. Often the prices are very reasonable and if you become a member on the Aena website, you will get a discount.

As you head to the airport there are a number of privately operated car parks which you can look up and pre-book. They are all cheaper (generally) than the normal airport car parks and they will operate a shuttle bus service to take you to the airport terminal and bring you back to you car upon your return.

As you would imagine there are a number of important facilities at the airport both on the public side as well as the departures side. Malaga Airport was one of the first locations on the Costa del Sol to get a Starbucks Coffee area and luckily this is located on the public side and available to all visitors to the airport (as well as a smaller one on the checked in side).

Also on this side, before you go through security, you will find a Whopper Bar (a deluxe Burger King area), luggage shops, a pharmacy, more snack bars, and shops to buy magazines and other travel essentials. There are also a few cafés downstairs by the arrivals hall as well as a tapas bar just outside the main doors to the airport.

Public Side Of Malaga Airport

Burger King
Café Pans
La Manon
MasQMenos
Starbucks

Passenger Side Of Malaga Airport

BiBo Dani García Flamenco Bar & Tapas
Burger King
Caffè di Fiore
Costa Coffee
Café Pans
Dehesa Santa María
Eat
Foodies
Giraffe Stop
Giraffe World Kitchen
Jamie’s Deli
Kirey by Kabuki
La Boutique
MasQMenos
Olé Food Market
Soho Coffee CO
Starbucks

To the centre of Malaga by car your journey should be around 20 minutes (maybe slightly longer in July and August due to more traffic on the roads). Just across from the arrivals areas at Malaga Airport there is a train station where you can get regular trains to Malaga centre or even out to Fuengirola in the other direction. A train to Malaga centre from the airport should take around 10 to 15 minutes and to Fuengirola about 20 minutes.

Western Costa del Sol resorts: To Torremolionos journey time by car is about 15 minutes. To Benalmadena allow 25 minutes, to Fuengirola 30 minutes, to Marbella 50 minutes, to Puerto Banus 1 hour and Malaga Airport to Estepona about 75 minutes.

Eastern Costa del Sol resorts: To Rincon de la Victoria allow 40 minutes, Torrox allow 50 miuntes and to Nerja 1 hour.

The main taxi rank serving Malaga Airport is located outside of the main arrivals area to the right. There is normally a queue to get a taxi but it does seem to move quite quickly as there is a constant flow of taxis coming and going.

If you are being dropped off by taxi then please note you will be taken to the main departures areas on the floor above as there is a drop off area.

The security area is located at the far end of terminal 3. It has a series of barriers that will guide you to the screening area. You must show your boarding pass to enter this section and then follow the local instructions on what items need to be put into the trays for screening.

In the summer months of July and August this area can get quite busy and although you will still go through fairly quickly, you should consider allowing extra time just in case of hold ups and delays

You will not need your passport until you are heading to your actual departure gate, once it has appeared on the screen. As you leave the main departure lounge there is a passport control area. If you are a Spanish resident you should by now have a TIE card, which is the preferred way to prove you are a resident and therefore not have your passport stamped on departure or arrival. The green resident cards are still valid but many passport officials will stamp your passport if you don’t have a TIE, even though they are not meant to.

When you arrive at Malaga Airport from overseas, the passport control is at the end of the walk from the plane just before you get to the luggage collection area.

UK residents will not be subject to the stamping of passports on departure and entry.

A Little History

Steeped in history, Malaga Airport has witnessed the evolution of aviation and the transformative impact it has had on the region. From its humble beginnings as a military airfield to its current status as a modern international airport, Malaga Airport reflects the dynamic growth of air travel in Spain.