Car Hire at Malaga Airport

Airport travel guide

Located right in the centre of Costa del Sol, one of the most beautiful coastal areas in Europe, Malaga should be on the must-visit list of anyone who loves an idyllic beach holiday. From Marbella to Nerja, there are plenty of famous Mediterranean resort towns that can be easily reached if you hire a car. And as if that weren’t enough, the city of Malaga and surrounding Andalusia has a wealth of history, art, and nature for any curious to enjoy. Here is the pick of its attractions:

• Alcazaba. The most famous of its kind, Malaga’s Alcazaba is an unmistakable symbol of the city. Built almost 1,000 years ago by the Muslim Moors, the city’s then-rulers, this impressive and ornate mountaintop fortress is not to be missed.
• Interactive Museum of Music. The domains of Roman, Moor, and Spanish kings who have ruled Malaga over the centuries weren’t only powerful in war and trade — they were also great centres of culture. Some of that legacy can be seen and heard in this fun modern museum made up of the White, Red, and Black rooms. Visit the museum’s official website to find out about opening hours and to purchase tickets.
• Centre Pompidou. Part of the famous Pompidou network originating in Paris and also having sister museums in Metz and Brussels, the branch in Malaga was opened in 2014 and has been one of the most important art spaces in the city (and Southern France) ever since. Instantly recognizable for its colorful glass facade, it features works by arguably the city’s most famous son, Pablo Picasso, as well as other renowned masters like Kandinsky, Magritte, and Kahlo.
• Lobo Park. The grey wolf is usually associated with the north and east of Europe, so it might come as a surprise that Spain is home to one of the largest populations of these majestic carnivores. Located in nearby Antequera less than an hour’s drive north of Malaga, this park is dedicated to the conversation of the often feared but intelligent creature. Visit the park’s website to find out how to book a tour.
• Tarifa. The southernmost point of Europe, cosy Tarifa is only 14 km (8.1 miles) north of Africa. Located at the point where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, this town was known to the Phoenicians and Romans who left behind some impressive ruins. On a more recent note, Tarifa is also one of the best places in Spain for surfing and kitesurfing. The trip from Malaga takes about two hours.
• The Sierra Nevada. Perhaps not as famous as its namesake in California, the Sierra Nevada is nonetheless one of the most impressive scenic areas in Spain. A mountain range and a national park, it is home to Mulhacén, the country’s highest mainland peak and offers walking, climbing, paragliding, skiing, and snowkiting. Sierra Nevada National Park is located about a two-hour drive northeast from Malaga, meaning it can easily be visited as a day trip. 

Top international routes

• London
• Melilla
• Madrid
• Barcelona
• Amsterdam
• Paris
• Brussels
• Ceuta
• Copenhagen
• Dublin

Main airlines

Malaga is a popular vacation destination and therefore its airport is served by many low-cost airlines. Vueling, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, easyJet, Air Europa, and TUI Airways are the largest of these. There are also domestic flights and flights by main carriers from other European cities.

Terminals

The two passenger terminals, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, are connected, and it’s quite easy to walk from one to the other.

Location

Malaga Airport is 8 km (5 miles) from the city. Motorway MA-20 and Av. de Valle-Inclán are the main roads connecting the airport to Malaga.

Most popular types of hire car

• Small cars - starting at £8 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £9 per day
• SUVs - starting at £10 per day
• Large cars - starting at £18 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £17 per day
• Convertibles - starting at £13 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £14 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £24 per day

Car hire desks

The car hire companies that are located in the terminal have desks in level -1 of Terminal 2. Some, like Goldcar, also have desks in the baggage claim area of Terminal 3.

Alamo, Enterprise, Delpaso, Centauro, Surprice, and OK provide shuttle services to their locations. Solo provides a Meet & Greet service where a car company agent meets you in the arrivals area and you pick up the car at the airport.

Services and facilities

You’ll find shops, restaurants, bars, ATMs, and a lost property office. There’s also a pharmacy, a baby room, a children’s play area, a pet area, an exhibition area, a prayer room, and the Aviation Museum. There is no luggage storage. The airport provides assistance to passengers with reduced mobility, but you should get in touch in advance if you’d like this service. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

The most convenient station is a BP station just off of MA-21 and just before the airport. It s located right next to Delpasso’s car hire office.

Another BP station can be found at the airport. This is only convenient for those returning hired cars to companies located in the terminal.

If returning a car to OK, then you will need to use MA-20 instead of MA-21 (coming from Malaga). A block north of OK is a MADESE station.

If returning a car to Centauro, then you will also need to use MA-20 instead of MA-21 (when coming from Malaga). You can use the same station as OK renters, though it requires a circle. An alternative is to fill up closer to the city.

Popular one-way hires

• Granada (135 km / 84 miles)
• Seville (214 km / 133 miles)
• Cordoba (167 km / 104 miles)
• Cadiz (226 km / 140 miles)
• Madrid (540 km / 336 miles)
• Algeciras (128 km / 80 miles)