Who doesn’t know it? Arrived at an airport, train station or a stopover in a foreign country and the first questions arise. What happens next? What public transport is available? How much does it cost me?
So that you don’t have to worry about it, I have summarized everything important for your journey. In this article I would like to give you all important information for your journey to Nerja by plane, train, bus or car. With these travel tips you will arrive safely and stress-free in Nerja.
By plane to Nerja
The probably most important contact point for the Costa del Sol is the airport Malaga. The centrally located airport on the coast is after Sevilla the largest airport in Andalusia. From the airport it is only 45 minutes by car to Nerja. The airport is served by established airlines as well as low-cost airlines. For example I fly regularly with the cheap airline Ryanair to Malaga. From Germany the flight time is about 3 hours. If one reaches with Ryanair for a bargain, one can fly for few Euros to Andalusia and back. If you are looking for a good offer, you should compare the prices with a flight search. I use the flight search skyscanner for the comparison of flights and prices.
Travel tips from Malaga airport to Nerja
You can continue your journey at Malaga Airport at Terminal 3. There you will find an underground train station or a bus stop for your onward journey. Both options do not take you directly to Nerja. In Malaga a stopover at the bus station in the centre is necessary. There you change to the bus company ALSA, which takes you by bus to Nerja.
By train from Malaga airport to Nerja
Terminal 3 of the airport is the underground station where you can continue your journey by train. It is very easy to reach via an escalator and takes you to the centre of Malaga every 20 minutes on the C1 train line. At the ticket machine a single trip costs 1,80 €. It is important that you get off at the “Maria Zambrano” stop. From here you continue by bus. Cross the street to the bus station opposite. You can buy a bus ticket from the ALSA bus company. The trip from Malaga bus station to Nerja costs about 5 €.
Step by step instructions:
- Go to the underground station in Terminal 3.
- Take the C1 line. This line runs around the clock approx. every 20 minutes.
- A single trip costs 1,80 €. The journey takes 8 minutes.
- Get off at the “Maria Zambrano” stop.
- Cross the road to the bus station – Estación de Autobuses de Malaga
- Buy a ticket to Nerja at the bus company ALSA for about 5 €.
By bus from Malaga airport to Nerja
You can also take the bus Express Aeropuerto (EMT, line A) from Terminal 3 in the direction of the city centre. It stops directly at the bus station in Malaga (Estación de Autobuses de Malaga). From there you can change and buy a ticket for about 5 € from the bus company ALSA, which will take you to Nerja.
Step by step instructions:
- Go to the bus stop at Terminal 3
- Take bus line A, which runs between 07:00 – 24:00 every 20 to 25 minutes.
- A ticket costs 3 €.
- Get off at the bus station in Malaga – Estación de Autobuses de Malaga
- Buy a ticket to Nerja at the bus company ALSA for about 5 €.
Prices and timetables from Malaga to Nerja can be found on the website of Trainline or in the Trainline app (iOS or Android). With Trainline you have the possibility to buy your tickets online if you want to book your tickets in advance.
By taxi to Nerja
You can find taxis anywhere at Malaga airport. If the taxi is your choice, you have to expect a fare of 55 € to 70 € for a trip to Nerja. It is best to arrange a fixed price with the taxi driver. This will avoid any inconvenience.
With the airport shuttle to Nerja
An airport shuttle is a comfortable way to get to Nerja without much effort. You usually book the service with your accommodation in advance. The shuttle service will then wait for you at the terminal exit. If you need an airport shuttle, you should check with your accommodation to see if this service is available. If you book online, e.g. at booking.com, such services will be clearly listed under accommodation facilities. In the accommodation search you can find out about accommodation in Nerja and whether they also offer a shuttle service:
Booking.comBy rental car to Nerja
A rental car can give you the flexibility you need during your holiday. If you stay in Nerja, a rental car is not absolutely necessary. Nerja is a wonderful place to explore on foot. However, if you are planning trips to the surrounding area, a rental car is a good choice. You can rent a rental car upon arrival at Malaga airport. Usually, you will get better offers if you book your rental car in advance on the Internet.
By bus to Nerja
Bus transport is the best developed public transport network in Andalusia. Not only big cities, but also many villages offer very good connections in short cycle times. The bus is an important means of transport for small towns and coastal towns, as there is still no developed train network on the Costa del Sol. Travelers in Andalusia therefore have a good and inexpensive opportunity to discover the regions of Andalusia even without a car. If you want to go to Nerja, you can travel by bus from the surrounding area without any problems. Nerja has its own bus station and is easily accessible from many cities and ideal for a day trip.
Prices and timetables to Nerja can be found on the website of Trainline or in the Trainline app (iOS or Android). With Trainline you have the possibility to buy your tickets online if you want to book your tickets in advance.
By train to Nerja
There is no direct train connection to Nerja. The train network in Spain is only developed in the big cities. For the Costa del Sol there is only one train connection and it is located in Malaga. If you want to travel to Nerja by train, Malaga, Granada or Almeria is the final destination in the southern cities at the latest. After your train journey you have to change to the bus service to get to Nerja. In each of these big cities there is a central bus station that will take you to Nerja. In Malaga, for example, this is the bus station “Estación de Autobuses de Malaga”. There you can buy a ticket from the bus company ALSA for about 5 €, which will take you by bus to Nerja.
Prices and timetables to Andalusia can be found on the website of Trainline or in the Trainline app (iOS or Android). With Trainline you have the possibility to buy your tickets online if you want to book your tickets in advance.
By car to Nerja
You can also arrive with your own car or a rental car. Nerja is directly on the Autovia A-7, the longest motorway in Spain. It starts in the south at Algeciras and runs along the entire coastline to Tarragona near Barcelona. The good news is that the majority of motorways in Spain are toll-free. In Spain you can avoid toll roads relatively well. On certain stretches, however, a toll road can be worthwhile, as these are usually better developed and the journey time can be shortened by a better connection.
In general, a distinction is made on Spanish motorways between the free state autovías “A” and the privately operated autopistas “AP”. It is best to plan your journey in advance, for example with GoogleMaps, to find out which route is most suitable for you. There you can see in the route planner which roads are subject to toll and which are not.
You can read all the differences and the most important information about road traffic in Spain in my article Traffic rules in Spain.
By motorbike to Nerja
Maybe you’d rather discover the Costa del Sol by motorbike? What could be more beautiful in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada or to experience the sunset along the coast? For motorcycle lovers, in any case, the right place for unforgettable moments.
Parking in Nerja
Finding a parking space in the centre of Nerja can be difficult. In summer the parking spaces in Nerja become scarce due to beach visitors and tourists. If you are planning to arrive in the high season July to September, I recommend a hotel or holiday apartment with a parking space. This will save you the hassle of searching for a parking space.
If you do not have a parking space available, you can park your car in one of the three largest parking spaces in Nerja. In the centre there is an underground car park at Plaza de España and further east a large car park just a few minutes walk from the Balcon de Europa. Both are subject to a fee.
If all else fails, there is a deep parking area next to the Mercadona supermarket. Parking is free. You have to walk 10 to 15 minutes to the center and maybe you need a car wash afterwards, because the parking area is not tarred and whirls up the dry dust.
All parking spaces in Nerja at a glance
Do you have any other travel tips for Nerja?
Have you already gained experience on your journey? Are there any other tips that you can’t find here that might help? I would be happy to hear from you in the comments.
Do you have any unanswered questions on this subject? Then just write me in the comments and I will answer them in the best possible way for you.
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Read more
Accommodation in Nerja: what you should know before booking
Hotels, Apartments and Hostels in Nerja
Climate and best travel time for Nerja
