How to Get to Marbella from Malaga airport

• Posted on February 19, 2025
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• Posted in Driving directions
• Reading time: 5 minutes

How to get to Marbella from Malaga airport: Have you ever got lost during your car hire in Malaga? Sometimes it happens and the mobile device is not always available to save us, we ran out of battery, there is no coverage or no data. So, it never hurts to print some directions to your destination.

How far is Marbella from Malaga airport?

The distance from Marbella to Malaga airport is about 50 km, a journey of just over 40 minutes (35 minutes by motorway) if there are no retentions.

Further below we detail all the steps to follow.

Roads from Malaga airport to Marbella

To get from Malaga airport to Marbella, there are only two options, which we present below.

To Marbella via the N-340 motorway

The first and most popular – because it is free of charge – is the old national road N-340. It runs along the coast and connects all the main coastal resorts such as Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona.

The main disadvantage of this road is the very high number of cars it handles on a daily basis. This increases considerably during the summer season. So it is not a good option if you want to enjoy a pleasant and fluid driving.

Pros and Cons of the N-340 motorway

Pros

• It’s free.
• There are many exits (if you want to stop to eat or have a drink).
• You pass by with several municipalities, if anything catches your attention you can visit during your holiday.
• Part of the route runs along the sea.

Cons

• The access roads to the motorway are very short, causing drivers quite often to merge in a risky manner.
• The state of the road in some sections is quite improvable.
• Sidewalk almost nonexistent.
• Heavy traffic during the morning.
• Fixed speed control section and possible mobile radars.
• The speed limit is 80 km/h.

To Marbella via the AP-7 motorway

The AP-7 is the other alternative to get to Marbella. It is a toll motorway. The stretch from Malaga airport to the turn-off to Fuengirola is free.

Because it is a toll motorway, it carries much less traffic than the busy N-340. The journey from the airport to Marbella takes less than 40 minutes all year round.

The price of the AP-7 is high and also increases during the high season and Easter. However, we would recommend it especially during these times if you prefer to get to Marbella without stress and hassle and in the shortest possible time.

• In this link you can find the Tariffs of the Mediterranean Motorway Malaga AP-7 for 2025.

Pros and Cons of the AP-7

Pros

• Pavement in good condition.
• The maximum speed limit is 120 km/h.
• It offers spectacular views of the coast and the mountains of Marbella in some sections.

Cons

• Excessively expensive
• Few rest areas, just a couple of gas stations.

Directions to Marbella from the airport

You’ve picked up your Malagacar from our airport office and are ready to drive to Marbella, you’ll find it’s an easy drive!

1.- Leaving the office of MalagaCar.com, merge onto the roundabout (watch out for cars coming from your left) and perform an almost complete turn to go on the main road, leaving the airport at your back.

2.- Now enter the right lane to take the exit towards Torremolinos/Cádiz.

3.- Follow the right lane on this road for about 3 minutes and follow the exit up to Benalmádena/Algeciras (next to the car dealers).

4.- Continue on the A-7 for about 12 minutes until you reach the next exit:

A) Motorway N-340

5a.- Stay on the right and continue on this road for about 30 minutes.

6a.- Finally, take exit 184 Marbella/centro urbano.

B) Toll Road AP-7

5b.- Follow the fork on the left and continue on this road for about 25 minutes.

6b.- Take exit 184 Marbella/Casco Antiguo and at the next roundabout, take the fourth exit to cross the bridge that passes over the road.

7b.- Maintain your direction in the first roundabout and take the third exit at the next.

8b.- Shortly after you will find another roundabout, take the first exit and continue along the Skate Park.

9b.- Continue straight on for a couple of minutes and you will reach the street that runs through the centre of Marbella.

And … we have arrived! This road runs through the centre of Marbella, where you find most of the tourist accommodations in the area, including the four-star hotel Fuerte Marbella or the Amare Marbella Beach Hotel (adults only).

Welcome to Marbella!

In our extensive guide to the Costa del Sol you will also find several articles related to everything you are interested in knowing about Marbella, such as:

• Best Beach Clubs Marbella
• Starlite Marbella 2025 – The best Boutique Festival
• 5 Star Hotels in Marbella
• Activities in Marbella

We hope you find it useful in your next visit to Marbella. See you soon!