Getting Around Estepona: A Practical Transport Guide

Estepona is walkable, well-connected by bus, and easy to navigate. Whether you're exploring the old town on foot or heading to Marbella for the day, here's how to get around.

The short answer: Estepona's old town and beaches are walkable, buses connect you to the Costa del Sol, and a car opens up the mountains and white villages. Most visitors find that walking covers the essentials, with buses or taxis handling longer distances.

Unlike larger Costa del Sol towns, Estepona has kept its compact, manageable character. The old town is small enough to explore on foot in an afternoon, the seafront promenade stretches for kilometres, and the bus station connects you to Marbella, Malaga, and beyond.

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The Quick Summary

Getting Around Estepona

Walking covers the old town and beaches
Local buses connect the port, centre, and residential areas
The Portillo bus links Estepona to Marbella and Malaga
Taxis are affordable for short trips
A rental car is useful for day trips and the mountain villages

Walking: The Best Way to See Estepona

Estepona's compact old town is perfect for walking. The whitewashed streets are largely pedestrianised, the Plaza de las Flores is the natural heart of town, and everything you need is within a short stroll.

What you need to know:

The old town is small, around 15 minutes from end to end
Streets are flat and easy to navigate
The seafront promenade runs for over 20km (though you don't need to walk it all)
Some streets are cobbled, so comfortable shoes help
Shade is limited in summer, carry water

Local tip

The best walking route in Estepona follows the Paseo Maritimo from the port towards San Pedro. Early morning or sunset is ideal, when the light on the water is beautiful and the heat is manageable.

Walking Distances

From	To	Time
Plaza de las Flores	Beach	5 min
Old town	Port	10 min
Port	Bus station	15 min
Old town	Orchidarium	8 min
Seafront	Residential areas (inland)	10-15 min

Local Buses

Estepona has a small local bus network that connects the town centre to residential areas, the port, and some outlying neighbourhoods. These are urban buses, separate from the intercity Portillo service.

Key routes:

Routes connect the bus station, town centre, port, and residential zones
Buses run approximately every 20-30 minutes during the day
Service is reduced on Sundays and holidays
Single tickets cost around €1.30

Tip:

For most visitors staying in or near the old town, you won't need local buses. They're mainly used by residents commuting to work or shopping centres.

Intercity Buses: The Portillo Network

The intercity bus is your main public transport link to the rest of the Costa del Sol. Portillo (now part of Avanza) operates frequent services along the coast.

Key routes from Estepona:

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency	Approx. Cost
Marbella	30-40 min	Every 30 min	€3-4
San Pedro	15-20 min	Every 30 min	€2
Puerto Banus	25 min	Every 30 min	€3
Malaga	1.5-2 hours	Every 30-60 min	€8-10
Malaga Airport	1.5-2 hours	Every 30-60 min	€10-12
La Linea (Gibraltar)	1 hour	Several daily	€6-8

Practical information:

The bus station is about 15 minutes' walk from the old town
Buy tickets at the station or on the bus (exact change helps)
Buses can fill up in summer, especially for airport routes
Check the Avanza website for current schedules

Local tip

If you're heading to Malaga Airport, the direct bus is the cheapest option. But if you have early morning flights, consider a private transfer as the first buses may not get you there in time.

Taxis in Estepona

Taxis are readily available and reasonably priced for a Costa del Sol town.

Where to find taxis:

Taxi rank at the bus station
Taxi rank in Plaza de las Flores
At the port
Call Radio Taxi Estepona or use a local app

Typical fares:

Within Estepona: €5-10
To San Pedro: €15-20
To Marbella centre: €30-40
To Puerto Banus: €25-35
To Malaga Airport: €90-120

What you need to know:

Fares are metered
Night rates (after 10pm) and weekend rates are higher
Uber and Cabify do not reliably operate in Estepona
Most taxis accept card payment, but carry cash just in case

Tip:

For airport transfers, pre-book a private transfer. It often costs similar to a taxi and you'll have someone waiting for you. Your hotel can usually arrange this.

Driving and Parking

A rental car is useful if you want to explore beyond Estepona, particularly the white villages of the Serrania de Ronda, the mountain towns like Casares and Gaucin, or destinations further along the coast.

Driving around Estepona:

The A-7 coastal road and AP-7 toll motorway run along the coast
Traffic through Estepona is generally manageable
The old town is pedestrianised, so park on the outskirts
Rush hour traffic towards Marbella can be slow

Parking in Estepona

Type	Location	Cost
Street parking (blue zone)	Around old town	€0.50-1.50/hour
Free street parking	Residential areas (white lines)	Free
Underground car park	Near Plaza de las Flores	€1-2/hour
Port car park	Marina area	€1-2/hour
Supermarket car parks	Various locations	Free while shopping

Warning:

Blue zone parking requires payment Monday to Friday (usually 9am-2pm and 5pm-8pm) and Saturday mornings. Check the signs for exact hours. Tickets are purchased from nearby machines.

For a complete guide to all car parks, free parking areas, and tips for market days, see Where to Park in Estepona.

Renting a Car

Car rental agencies are available in Estepona, though you'll find more choice and often better rates at Malaga Airport.

Tips for renting:

Book in advance during summer and holidays
Check if your accommodation has parking before renting
The coastal roads are easy to drive
Mountain roads to white villages are narrow and winding
Full coverage insurance is worth the peace of mind

Getting to Estepona

From Malaga Airport

Malaga Airport is the main gateway to the Costa del Sol, about 80km from Estepona.

Your options:

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
Portillo bus	1.5-2 hours	€10-12	Direct service, several daily
Private transfer	1 hour	€80-120	Pre-booked, door to door
Taxi	1 hour	€90-130	Available at airport rank
Rental car	1 hour	Varies	A-7 or AP-7 motorway

Local tip

The AP-7 toll motorway is faster than the free A-7 coastal road, especially in summer when traffic is heavy. The toll from Malaga to Estepona is around €8-10.

From Gibraltar Airport

Gibraltar Airport is closer to Estepona (about 45 minutes) but has limited flight connections.

Your options:

Taxi from the border (La Linea): €40-60
Bus: Take local bus to La Linea, then Portillo to Estepona
Rental car: Limited options at Gibraltar, more at La Linea

From Other Airports

Airport	Distance	Best Option
Seville (SVQ)	220km	Rental car (2.5 hours)
Jerez (XRY)	150km	Rental car (1.5 hours)
Granada (GRX)	200km	Rental car (2 hours)

Day Trips from Estepona

With a car, the Costa del Sol and its hinterland open up for easy day trips.

By public transport:

Marbella and Puerto Banus: Easy by bus
Malaga: Straightforward by bus (1.5-2 hours)
Gibraltar: Bus to La Linea, walk across the border
Ronda: Possible but requires changes and planning

Easier with a car:

Casares: 30 minutes into the mountains
Gaucin: 45 minutes, stunning views
Ronda: 1.5 hours through beautiful mountain scenery
Mijas Pueblo: 40 minutes along the coast
Tarifa and the Atlantic coast: 1.5 hours

Tip:

If you don't want to rent a car, organised day trips are available to Ronda, Gibraltar, Tangier, and the white villages. Ask at your hotel or the tourist office.

Getting to Nearby Towns

To Marbella

Marbella is 30 minutes away by bus and the most common day trip from Estepona.

Bus: Every 30 minutes, €3-4
Taxi: €30-40
Car: 20 minutes via A-7, parking available in Marbella

To Puerto Banus

The famous marina is between Estepona and Marbella.

Bus: Get off before Marbella, about 25 minutes
Taxi: €25-35
Car: 15-20 minutes, paid parking near the port

To Gibraltar

Gibraltar makes a popular day trip, about an hour away.

Bus: To La Linea, then walk across the border
Taxi: €50-70 to the border
Car: Park in La Linea and walk across (parking at the border can be challenging)

Accessibility

Estepona's old town is reasonably accessible for a Spanish town of its age:

The main squares and newer streets are flat and paved
Some older streets have uneven surfaces
The seafront promenade is flat and accessible
Beaches have some accessible access points with ramps
Buses have low-floor access
Most taxis can accommodate wheelchairs with advance notice

Tip:

The Paseo Maritimo (seafront promenade) is the most accessible area for walking, with flat, paved surfaces stretching along the coast.

Practical Tips

Before You Arrive

Download offline maps of the Costa del Sol
Check bus schedules on the Avanza website
Book airport transfers in advance if arriving late or early
Consider if you need a car for day trips
Bring comfortable shoes for cobbled streets

Best Times to Walk

Morning (before 11am): Cooler temperatures, locals shopping
Midday (11am-5pm in summer): Hot, many shops close for siesta
Evening (after 6pm): Town comes alive, pleasant for walking
Night: Safe, atmospheric, good for dining

Money and Transport

Most buses accept cash (have small change ready)
Taxis accept cards but cash is useful for tips
Blue zone parking machines take coins and cards
Keep some cash for small purchases

Plan Your Estepona Trip:

The Bottom Line

Estepona strikes a good balance: small enough to walk everywhere in the centre, but well-connected enough that you can easily reach the rest of the Costa del Sol. The old town and beaches are best explored on foot, buses handle trips to Marbella and Malaga, and a rental car opens up the beautiful mountain villages that make this part of Andalusia special.

For a short visit focused on Estepona itself, you don't need a car.

For a longer stay where you want to explore Ronda, the white villages, or the quieter stretches of coast, a car for a few days is worthwhile. Either way, you'll find Estepona easy to navigate and refreshingly low-stress compared to its flashier neighbours along the coast.