- Must visit
Museo del Teatro Romano
Top archaeological museum built around the Roman theater discovery, explaining excavation, architecture, and Cartagena’s ancient past.
Cheapest price
$52
Average price
$57
Fastest journey
6 h 45 m
Average duration
7 h 21 m
Buses per day
30
Distance
320 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Málaga to Cartagena is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Málaga to Cartagena will cost around $57 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $52.
It's difficult to get from Málaga to Cartagena without transferring at least once.
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Normal · NormalOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Málaga to Cartagena among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $51. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 38m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.8kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $51, and a flight costs an average of $77.
Distance: 198 miles (320 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
$53 Average price Cheapest | $243 Average price |
6h 32m Average total duration 6h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 38m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Málaga to Cartagena:
A bus is $190 (€156) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Málaga to Cartagena costing on average $243 (€200).
Other travel options to Cartagena take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 2m.
Train takes on average 7h 40m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 12h45 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 11h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 10h15 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 10h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:15AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 9h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 12h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 11h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 6h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $43 |
The table below shows live departures for Málaga to Cartagena buses for tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal · Normal | 7:00 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 11h15 | 6:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 8:30 AM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 9h45 | 6:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:00 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 9h15 | 6:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal+ Normal | 9:00 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 11h30 | 8:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal+ Normal | 9:00 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 11h30 | 8:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:25 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 8h50 | 6:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:25 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 8h50 | 6:15 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:25 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 14h05 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 10:15 AM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 13h15 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 10:45 AM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 12h45 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 10:45 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 12h45 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 11:15 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 8h10 | 7:25 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 11:15 AM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 12h15 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 11:30 AM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 12h00 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 11:30 AM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 7h55 | 7:25 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 12:00 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 11h30 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 12:30 PM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 11h00 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 12:45 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 7h45 | 8:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal+ Normal | 12:45 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 7h45 | 8:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 1:00 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 10h30 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 1:30 PM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 10h00 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 2:00 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 9h30 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 2:30 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 9h00 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 3:00 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 8h30 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 3:00 PM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 8h30 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 3:30 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 8h00 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 4:00 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 7h30 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 4:00 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 7h30 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 4:15 PM Málaga, Av. del Comandante García Morato (Aeropuerto - Llegadas T3) | 7h15 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 4:45 PM Malaga, Estación de Autobuses | 6h45 | 11:30 PM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Málaga to Cartagena run on average 10 times per day, taking around 6h 2m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $51 (€42) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:30, the last at 17:30. The fastest bus covers the 198 miles (320 km) distance in 6h 45m.
Distance 198 miles (320 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price $51 (€42) |
Buses per day 10 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 45m |
First bus 5:30 AM |
Last bus 5:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Cartagena — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cartagena trip today.
Top archaeological museum built around the Roman theater discovery, explaining excavation, architecture, and Cartagena’s ancient past.
Major museum of Roman Cartagena with forum remains, baths, and sacred spaces that reveal daily life in Carthago Nova.
Excellent naval museum featuring submarine history, maritime heritage, and the famous Isaac Peral submarine prototype.
Elegant pedestrian street lined with modernist façades, shops, and key landmarks; the classic route through central Cartagena.
Redeveloped waterfront promenade with harbor views, sculptures, and access to boats, museums, and the city’s maritime atmosphere.
Central square near the old town and port, surrounded by notable buildings and often used as a practical meeting point.
Caldero del Mar Menor is the area’s signature rice cooked in rich fish broth, traditionally served with alioli and local lagoon fish.
Michirones are slow-cooked fava beans with ham, chorizo and spices, a hearty tavern staple in Cartagena and the wider Murcia region.
Marinera is a classic Murcian tapa: a crisp breadstick ring topped with Russian salad and an anchovy, loved in bars across Cartagena.
Refined seafood and rice restaurant with polished service near the port. Known for Mediterranean cuisine and elegant dining.
Well-known casual venue for tapas, seafood and local favorites in the city center, with a lively and approachable atmosphere.
Historic, traditional restaurant popular for regional Murcian dishes, tapas and classic Cartagena specialties in a formal setting.
Moderate for Spain: dining and stays are usually cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, while local buses and coffee remain affordable for tourists.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change for cafes; taxis usually just round up.
Official public transport app
Cartagena Estación de Autobuses -> Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Málaga to Cartagena by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cartagena, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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