Granada to Málaga train with Renfe Avant

My Journey from Granada to Malaga by Train

Introduction

When I spent time in Andalusia, I decided to travel from Granada to Malaga by train. I loved it so much that I did it a few times with Renfe AVE and Avant services. Taking the train in Spain is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to move between these two cities. It’s also a great alternative to driving, saving you the hassle of navigating mountain roads. In this article, we’ll go into everything you need to know about taking the Renfe train from Granada to Malaga!

Route Overview

My train journey to Malaga began at Granada’s railway station. As the city sits on the edge of the Sierra Nevada, the train first winds through rugged hills before turning south toward the coast. The route covers around 125 kilometers and offers glimpses of farmland and distant mountain peaks that define this part of Andalusia. I took a direct train from Granada to Malaga, although many services stop in Santa Ana. My total journey time was just 1 hour and 24 minutes, which meant I could enjoy nearly the whole day in Malaga after I arrived. Because it is quick, scenic, and sustainable, I truly believe the train is the best way to travel between Granada and Malaga.

Transportation Experience

I booked my tickets for the Granada-Malaga train journey using the handy Omio app. It’s a travel booking platform where you can reserve train tickets for destinations all around Spain. I simply selected the route from Granada to Malaga by train, chose Renfe AVE with my preferred departure time, and paid online securely for my tickets. Then, I used the in-app ticket with a QR code to board the train without printing anything.

There are no direct flights between the two cities, so that wasn’t an option. The bus from Granada to Malaga was something I considered, but it isn’t as comfortable as the train. Bus journey times are almost the same (sometimes even quicker), with the fastest services taking around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Some buses can take up to 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on the route the coach takes.

Route Details

Departure and Arrival Stations

Renfe trains to Malaga depart from Granada Station. The station serves as Granada’s main railway hub, connecting the city to both national and regional destinations. Since it’s only 850 meters from the city center, I walked from my central hotel, which took about 12 minutes. Ironically, it’s a 10-minute drive because of the one-way and pedestrian streets.

Although busy, the station itself is quite small, with toilets and a ticket office. I’d recommend purchasing any food in the city beforehand. If you arrive early enough, you can relax at Enrique Tomás Coffee inside the station. It opens early and offers a typical Spanish selection of breakfast items and quick options like sandwiches. As I was taking an early train, I grabbed some breakfast at my hotel before leaving.

Renfe trains from Granada arrive at Málaga María Zambrano, which is much larger. It’s one of Spain’s main transport hubs, connecting to both regional and high-speed trains. Next to the station is a large shopping center with a Mercadona supermarket and fast food outlets like McDonald’s. On the ground floor is a great coffee shop, and upstairs you’ll find several more places to eat. I stayed at Hotel Barceló, which is right outside the station. It’s around 1 kilometer to the old city, about a 15-minute walk or 7-minute drive (also due to one-way and pedestrian streets). Alternatively, you can take the C1 train into the center.

Schedule & Frequency

There are about 6 to 8 direct trains per day between Granada and Malaga, with additional options if you don’t mind connecting. Between direct and connecting services, trains typically depart every 10 to 20 minutes throughout the day, though times can vary. The first Renfe AVE and Avant trains usually leave between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, and the last ones depart between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM. It’s best to check Omio when booking, as departure times may change slightly. For this trip I took the first train of the day, which left precisely at 7:36 AM.

Onboard Experience & Services

For my trip from Granada to Malaga, I took a ride on one of Renfe’s modern high-speed trains. Traveling at speeds of up to 250 km/h, it was a smooth and comfortable ride through the Andalusian countryside. I sat on the right-hand side in Renfe’s Standard Class, where the seats were well-padded and spacious, even if a little older in design. Some had small tables, but the train was fairly busy that morning, so I ended up in a regular seat. There were no power outlets or Wi-Fi on board, though for such a short journey, I didn’t really need them.

On Renfe trains, passengers can bring up to three pieces of luggage with a combined weight of 25 kilograms. In real life, however, the rule is rarely enforced. Most people simply bring whatever they can comfortably carry. There were luggage racks near the carriage doors and overhead shelves for smaller bags. Although storage space was more limited than on longer routes, it wasn’t an issue for me since I only had a small backpack. The train also had restrooms, which I’ve always found to be clean and well-maintained on Renfe services.

There wasn’t a restaurant car on this Granada-Malaga route, but I didn't really miss it for such a short trip. I brought a bottle of water and a pastry from my hotel, and I recommend you bring some snacks for the trip. The highlight was catching glimpses of the Sierra Nevada mountains, along with stretches of olive groves along the way. Overall, it was a great experience, and one that I’ll very likely take again.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

The train from Granada to Malaga is typically an affordable journey, even when booked close to departure. I booked my ticket on Omio about three weeks in advance, and was pleasantly surprised by how reasonable it was. For such a short route, there’s little difference in comfort between ticket types, so Standard Class is perfectly fine. Here's what I paid for this trip.

Budget breakdown:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

Here are a few tips to make your Granada–Malaga train trip even better:

• Look at direct and indirect routes: Some indirect routes, often going via Santa Ana, can be cheaper.
• Bring food or eat at the station: It’s a short journey, but there’s sometimes no bar car on this route. You could try breakfast at Enrique Tomás Coffee, which serves tasty bocadillos (Spanish-style sandwiches).
• Sit on the right-hand side: There are beautiful views from both sides, but you’ll see slightly more olive groves and rolling hills from the right.
• Carry identification: Always keep your passport or ID card with you, especially on intercity routes.