Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Madrid to Málaga
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Málaga among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 1m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $24, and a flight costs an average of $45.
Distance: 258 miles (416 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$43 Average price | $26 Average price Cheapest | $189 Average price |
3h 51m Average total duration 3h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 4m Average total duration 5h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 1m Average total duration Fastest 3h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Madrid to Málaga
How to get from Madrid to Málaga by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Madrid to Málaga is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
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VY1007 · VY2117
VY1005 · VY2117Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare train, 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.
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How to Travel from Madrid to Malaga
It's possible for travelers in Spain to journey from Madrid to Malaga by train, plane or bus. The fastest route is traveling via train while traveling by bus is the slowest. Although flight time is only around 1 hour, city transfers, check-in and security times add up to require 3.5 hours of travel time for the total journey.
Trains from Madrid to Malaga | Buses from Madrid to Malaga | Flights from Madrid to Malaga
Madrid to Malaga Travel Comparison
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
€17 |
5:50 h |
1 Day Ahead |
|
€54 |
2:20 h |
2 Months Ahead |
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€51 |
1:05 h |
1 Month Ahead |
What is the best way to travel from Madrid to Malaga?
Cheapest way to travel from Madrid to Malaga
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Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Madrid to Malaga. Buses traveling from Madrid to Malaga depart from Madrid's Estacion Sur De Autobuses and take a little under 6 hours to arrive at Malaga's bus station. Approximately 9 buses travel from Madrid to Malaga every day, with the first bus departing Madrid at 7:00 a.m. Daibus is the main bus company that travels from Madrid to Malaga.
Fastest way to travel from Madrid to Malaga
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Technically, taking a flight is the fastest way to travel from Madrid to Malaga; however, when traveling to and from Malaga and Madrid's airports is taken into consideration taking a high-speed Renfe AVE train is actually the fastest way to travel. Both Iberia and Air Europa offer direct flights from Madrid to Malaga. Trains traveling from Madrid to Malaga depart from Madrid's Puerta De Atocha train station and arrive at Malaga's María Zambrano train station after as little as 2:20 h of traveling.
Most popular way to travel from Madrid to Malaga

Taking the train is the most popular way to travel from Madrid to Malaga. The train journey from Madrid to Malaga is only €3 more expensive than flying on average while also being faster when travel time to and from Malaga and Madrid's airports is taken into consideration. Alternatively, taking a high-speed AVE train is at least 3 and a half hours faster than traveling from Madrid to Malaga by bus. High-speed Renfe trains usually depart from Madrid's Puerta De Atocha train station and take as little as 2:20 h to arrive at Malaga's María Zambrano train station. Around 11 trains travel from Madrid to Malaga every day.
How to get from Madrid to Málaga
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Madrid to Málaga
Travel to Málaga easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Madrid to Málaga.

This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Málaga:
A train is $13 (€10) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Málaga costing on average $24 (€19).
A train is $33 (€27) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Málaga costing on average $45 (€36).
Other travel options to Málaga take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 42m.
Bus takes on average 6h 0m.
- Around 18 trains per day.
- Around 8 flights per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Madrid and Málaga as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Madrid Barajas Airport and arrive in Malaga Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes and arrive in Málaga María Zambrano.
- Buses mostly depart from Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses and arrive in Malaga, Estación de Autobuses.
- Travel with Interbus, Ouigo, Alsa, Alsa Supra, Secorbus, FlixBus, Ourbus to go to Málaga by bus.
- Travel with BlaBlaCar, Air Europa, Iberia Express, Iberia, Vueling Airlines, Air Nostrum to go to Málaga by flight.
- Travel with AVE, iryo, Renfe AVLO, Renfe Intercity, Renfe ALVIA, Renfe (13), Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo to go to Málaga by train.
- 5 direct buses per day with Interbus, Ouigo, Alsa, FlixBus.
- 6 direct flights per day with BlaBlaCar, Air Europa, Iberia Express, Iberia, Air Nostrum .
- 18 direct trains per day with AVE, iryo, Renfe AVLO, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo.
Travelling from Madrid to Málaga: related information
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