This article about the Malaga to Marbella bus was born from my curiosity of exploring the public transport network in Andalucia. As I live in Fuengirola, I often drive to either Malaga or Marbella. But not on this occasion. I tested the bus network, to see how efficient the bus from Malaga to Marbella is. Both are very popular destinations, especially in summer, and many tourists coming here don’t have the luxury to hire a car.
How to Travel Between Malaga to Marbella
The Malaga to Marbella bus is the easiest way to travel between these two destinations if you don’t have a car. The bus is very convenient, with over 40 daily buses running between Malaga and Marbella. There are several bus companies that cater to this destination: Avanza, Alsa, Socibus, Damas and Comes. The best one to choose is Avanza because they are running the most buses between Malaga and Marbella.
The Malaga to Marbella Bus Connection
Avanza runs several long distance buses that depart Malaga and head all the way to Algeciras. This is the Malaga to Marbella bus specifically, as the long distance service stops at several places on the way to Algeciras. The first bus of the day is at 6:30am, reaching Marbella at 7:30am.
The last Malaga to Marbella bus departs at 11pm and reaches Marbella at 11:55pm. The travel time between Malaga and Marbella depends on how many stops the bus makes between the two cities. The most direct bus doesn’t make any stops between Malaga and Marbella. The first fast service leaves Malaga at 7am and arrives in Marbella at 7:45am.
The slow bus takes almost two hours to reach Marbella. The slow bus between Malaga and Marbella is convenient if you want to stop in one of the popular resorts along the way, such as Torremolinos, Benalmadena, or Fuengirola. The slow bus also stops in other bus stations in Marbella, not only in the central bus station.
For the full schedule of the Malaga to Marbella bus, click here. Make sure to always check the latest timetable modifications, as the schedule differs from summer to winter due to the number of tourists visiting Costa del Sol. In winter usually there are less buses between Malaga and Marbella than in summer.
Malaga Bus Station
The bus station in Malaga is located outside of the historical centre of the city, a half an hour walk away. It is just across the street from the Maria Zambrano train station, which is on the C1 train line. From Centro Alameda (the outskirts of the city centre) to Maria Zambrano there is one stop on the C1 train.
The bus station is easy to navigate as it is quite small. It serves several bus companies, among which Alsa and Avanza – which are the ones you will need to go to Marbella. When it comes to facilities, the bus station has a small café bar as well as toilets. If you want more, you can cross the street and go into the train station, which features a large shopping centre with plenty of choices for food, a large supermarket, and more toilets (for which you have to pay though).
Marbella Bus Station
The bus station in Marbella is located up a hill, across the dual carriageway. If you are carrying luggage, you will most probably want to take a taxi from the station to your hotel in Marbella, as it’s quite a long way to the city centre.
Marbella bus station doesn’t have many facilities, except for a ticket desk, automatic ticket machines, a small shop and toilets. Some buses will stop outside of the station, whilst others come inside. It’s always best to check where your bus is leaving from, on your return to Malaga.
How To Buy Tickets for the Malaga to Marbella bus?
Buying tickets to the Malaga to Marbella bus is very easy. You can buy the tickets online, in person at the bus station, from a ticket machine, or directly from the driver. If you are travelling between Malaga and Marbella during the high season I would highly advise you to buy your ticket online, as the fast buses get sold out fast. If you choose the slow bus between Malaga and Marbella, you will be able to travel standing – but it’s not a comfortable experience.
How Much is a Ticket for the Malaga to Marbella bus?
The ticket for the Malaga to Marbella bus starts at 6.14 euros for the slow service, and 9 euros for the fast service. The price depends on the type of bus, comfort on board, as well as the time of the day. You can click here to buy a ticket online. The site is in Spanish, but you can change the language, on the top right hand side of the home page.
Is There a Bus From Malaga Airport to Marbella?
Some of the Malaga to Marbella buses stop at Malaga Airport as well. The first service leaves the airport at 8:45am, arriving in Marbella at 9:25am. The last bus servicing the airport leaves at 11:10pm and arrives in Marbella at 11:50pm.
For more similar articles, check out my articles below:
- Malaga Airport to Fuengirola Transport Guide
- Malaga Airport to Malaga Transport Guide
- Which Is the Nearest Airport to Marbella?
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