4.9
4.6
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 an average ticket price of $19 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 32m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, while a flight costs an average of $212.
Distance: 258 miles (416 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$50 Average price | $19 Average price Cheapest | $212 Average price | $112 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 32m Average total duration Fastest 3h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 37m Average total duration 7h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 50m Average total duration 1h 50m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | 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 Madrid to Málaga:
A bus is $31 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Málaga costing on average $50.
A bus is $193 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Málaga costing on average $212.
Other travel options to Málaga take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 50m.
Bus takes on average 7h 37m.
The journey is about 2h 26m faster (3h 2m by train vs 5h 28m by car) and roughly $63 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($50 vs $112). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
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.
BASE9:00 AM6h10Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses3:10 PMMalaga, Estación de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- BASE9:00 AM6h10Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses3:10 PMMalaga, Estación de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- UX50477:05 PM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport8:20 PMMalaga Airport$781One-way0 transfers
Other options
061684:55 PM2h51Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes7:46 PMMálaga María Zambrano$401One-way0 transfers- 060203:05 PM2h49Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes5:54 PMMálaga María Zambrano$471One-way0 transfers
065785:35 PM2h51Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes8:26 PMMálaga María Zambrano$501One-way0 transfers
- BASE11:00 AM6h30Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses5:30 PMMalaga, Estación de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
- BASE11:30 PM7h15Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses6:45 AMMalaga, Estación de Autobuses$231One-way0 transfers
- UX50356:30 AM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport7:45 AMMalaga Airport$941One-way0 transfers
IB9278:30 PM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport9:45 PMMalaga Airport$971One-way0 transfers- IB5277:10 AM1h20Madrid Barajas Airport8:30 AMMalaga Airport$971One-way0 transfers
Find 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 |
|
€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
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
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 bus is $31 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Málaga costing on average $50.
A bus is $193 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Málaga costing on average $212.
Other travel options to Málaga take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 50m.
Bus takes on average 7h 37m.
- Around 17 trains per day.
- Around 9 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 Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, BA Euroflyer, CitizenPlane, BA Cityflyer, Royal Air Maroc, British Airways to go to Málaga by flight.
- Travel with Grupo Interbus, Alsa, FlixBus to go to Málaga by bus.
- Travel with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO, Renfe MD to go to Málaga by train.
- 7 direct flights per day with Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, CitizenPlane.
- 2 direct buses per day with Grupo Interbus.
- 17 direct trains per day with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO.
Travelling from Madrid to Málaga: related information
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