Nerja is on the seashore approximately 55 kilometres from Málaga and 65 km from Málaga airport on the N340 coastal highway. It is the eastern tip of Malaga’s Costa del Sol.
You can get to Nerja by bus, taxi or private/hire car, the choice depending upon such factors as time constraints, budget etc. Hiring a car can, in many cases, work out cheaper than taking a taxi there and back, something to consider.
Taxi
Taxis leave from right outside the arrivals area. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes and will cost between €80 and €90 at the current time.
*It is still possible to get a taxi for €69 or a minibus for €100 by reserving in advance with one of the travel companies in Nerja.*
Bus
Getting to Nerja by bus involves first getting from Málaga airport to Málaga bus station. Although it may well involve a total journey time of around two hours, it is pretty straightforward, cheap (less than €5 in total) and actually a very pleasant trip. The buses are comfy and airconditioned.
The airport bus (Number 19, ‘Aeropuerto’) leaves from outside the arrivals area and will take you to Málaga Bus Station. The journey time is normally about 20 minutes and the ticket price is €1.10.
*Due to various building projects taking place in Málaga at the moment, the airport bus can take up to 40 minutes, something you need to take into account when planning your return trip.*
AIRPORT – MÁLAGA
07:30 – 24:00 every 30 minutes
MÁLAGA – AIRPORT
06:30 – 22:30 every 30 minutes
Alternatively, you can take the train from the airport to the centre of Málaga.
Train from Málaga Airport to Málaga City
The train station is outside the main international terminal. Take the lift in the arrivals hall up to Departures. Outside, go to the upper level parking area and turn right. Follow the signs over the footbridge to the train station.
First train 07.15 then at 45 and 15 minutes past the hour. Last train 23.45 journey time approximately 12 minutes.
At Málaga Bus Station, purchase a ticket from the Alsa Bus Company office. The Nerja bus goes from bay 38.
NERJA – MÁLAGA
06:30* 07:30 08:30*** 08:55 10:10 10:30* 11:10 11:55*** 12:40 13:40 14:55 16:10 17:10 18:10*** 18:40 19:40 20:40 21:45***
MÁLAGA – NERJA
07:00 08:15* 09:15 10:30 11:00*** 11:45 12:30*** 13:00 14:15 15:15 16:30*** 17:30*** 18:45 19:30*** 20:15 20:45*** 21:30 23:00
The journey time is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes on a ‘normal’ bus and about 1 hour on a direct bus. The current cost is €3.81 one way.
* Not on Sundays and Public Holidays
** Not Saturday, Sunday or Public Holidays
*** Direct. Only stops in Torrox, Torre del Mar and Muelle de Heredia
Driving
Leaving the airport by car, the left lane over the flyover takes you to Málaga, Granada, Motril, Nerja and the Eastern Costa del Sol, and the right lane takes you to Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona, Sotogrande, Gibraltar, Cadiz, and the Western Costa del Sol.
To get to Nerja, follow the (only) exit road from the airport. After the roundabout you will see the ‘San Miguel’ brewery on the right. Resist the temptation and take the left lane over the flyover, heading for Málaga. Take the exit Ronda de Málaga (Málaga Ring Road), direction ‘Motril’, connecting back to the N340. From here it’s the A7/E15 until you reach Nerja. Take exit 292 for Nerja, Costa, Frigiliana. Driving time +/- 35 minutes depending upon traffic.
Related Links
Alsa – Full bus company timetables, routes, travelling times and fares.
Local Train Timetables & Fares
Train Timetables & Fares National and International
