Malaga Public Transport Guide: How to Use the Bus, Metro, and Tickets

Public transport in Malaga is reliable, affordable, and easy to navigate. Buses, metro, and commuter trains cover the city and surrounding coast.

You won't need any of it for the historic centre. That's compact and walkable. But once you venture to the beaches at Pedregalejo, the western suburbs, or towns along the coast, public transport saves time and money.

We lived here for years without a car. Here's everything you need to know.

What is the Cheapest Way to Get Around Malaga?

Walking is free, and it's all you need within the centre. Beyond that, the bus with a Bonobus card is the cheapest option at €0.42 per ride.

Here's a quick comparison of single-ride costs.

Transport	Single Ride	With Card
City bus	€1.40	€0.42 (Bonobus)
Metro	€1.35	€0.82 (rechargeable card)
Commuter train	€1.80 to €3.60	Varies by zone

If you're mixing bus and metro, the Transport Consortium card (Tarjeta Monedero del Consorcio) gives discounted transfers when switching between services within 60 minutes.

How to Pay for Public Transport in Malaga

Malaga uses a mix of tickets and rechargeable cards. These are the main options.

Single tickets. Available on buses (pay the driver in cash or tap contactless), at metro station machines, and at train station machines. The most expensive way to travel per ride.

Bonobus (EMT bus card). A rechargeable card for city buses. Buy one at a kiosk or tobacco shop (estanco) for €1.90, top up with €4.20 for 10 rides. It can be shared between multiple people and includes free transfers within 60 minutes. This is what most visitors should get.

Metro rechargeable card (Tarjeta Monedero). Reduces metro rides from €1.35 to €0.82. Works for up to 9 people on one card. Available at metro station machines in paper (free) or durable PVC (€1.80).

Transport Consortium card (Tarjeta Monedero del Consorcio). The most flexible option. Works across city buses, metro, and interurban buses with discounted fares and transfer savings. Pick one up at tobacco shops, newsagents, or Consorcio offices.

RENFE Cercanias tickets. Commuter trains use their own ticketing system. Buy single or return tickets at station machines. On the C1 airport line, you can tap a contactless card or phone at the barriers.

Getting Around Malaga by Bus

Malaga's EMT buses are one of the most reliable and affordable ways to get around the city, especially once you venture beyond the historic centre. They cover the entire city and come often enough that you rarely need to check a timetable.

We use buses for trips that are just too far to walk comfortably. Beach hops to Pedregalejo, the botanical gardens, or anywhere the metro doesn't reach.

Bus Prices

Payment Method	Cost per Ride	Notes
Cash (single ticket)	€1.40	Pay the driver
Contactless card/phone	€1.40	Tap on entry
Bonobus (10 rides)	€0.42	Card costs €1.90, top up €4.20
Monthly pass	€19.95	Unlimited personal trips
Airport Express (Line A)	€3.00	Direct to city centre

The Bonobus is what most visitors should get. It costs less than a third of the cash price per ride, can be shared between multiple people, and includes free transfers within 60 minutes of your first tap.

One card works for your whole group. The person holding it taps once per passenger boarding. The driver sees the count on screen.

You can buy and top up Bonobus cards at kiosks, tobacco shops, and EMT sales points around the city. The card itself is refundable within a year if returned in good condition.

How to Board

Enter through the front door. Tap your Bonobus, contactless card, or phone on the reader next to the driver. If paying cash, hand it to the driver. They can give change but appreciate exact or close amounts.

Bus Routes for Visitors

You'll probably only use a handful of routes. These are the ones most useful for visitors.

Route	Connects
Line 11	City centre to Pedregalejo beach
Line 3	Alameda to El Palo (eastern beaches)
Line 35	Circular through city centre
Line 16	City centre to Gibralfaro castle area
Line 2	City centre to the botanical gardens
Line A	Airport express to city centre

Lines 3 and 11 are the ones you'll use most for the beach neighbourhoods east of the centre, where the best seafood restaurants are. Line 16 gets you close to Gibralfaro castle, though there's a short walk from the stop.

The full network is extensive. The official EMT route map has everything, but in practice the EMT app is much easier.

The EMT App

The EMT Malaga app shows real-time arrival times at every stop, lets you plan journeys, and saves your favourite stops. It also shows the nearest bus stop, which is handy in unfamiliar neighbourhoods. Free for iOS and Android. Route info works offline, but you'll need data for live arrivals.

Bus Timetable

Most city buses run from around 6:30am until 11pm. The busiest routes run every 10 to 15 minutes during the day. Night buses (Buhos) take over after regular service ends and run until the early hours. The official Malaga bus timetable has all routes and times.

The Hop-on Hop-off Bus

The tourist hop-on hop-off buses are a separate service from the regular EMT network. Tickets cost around €32 for adults and €18 for children, valid for 24 hours with unlimited rides and audio commentary. Three routes cover the main sights.

My honest take: Malaga is a compact, walkable city. Most attractions are close together, and regular buses cost a fraction of the price. Unless you have mobility issues or specifically want the audio commentary, a Bonobus card and comfortable shoes will get you everywhere for far less.

Getting Around Malaga by Metro

Malaga's metro is small but handy. Two lines, both funnelling through El Perchel (next to the train and bus stations) and Guadalmedina.

We use it most for the "not quite walkable" trips. Heading towards Huelin, down to Palacio de los Deportes, or cutting across town when a procession blocks the streets.

It won't get you everywhere. There's no metro to Pedregalejo, the airport, or directly into the old town. But for north-south travel, reaching the train station, or getting to the university area and western districts, it's the fastest option.

Metro Prices

Ticket Type	Price	Notes
Single ticket	€1.35	One ride only
Rechargeable card (per trip)	€0.82	Up to €20 stored, works for up to 9 people
Transport Consortium card	€0.82/trip	Valid on buses and metro
Transfer discount (bus to metro)	€0.66	With Consortium card
PVC card (durable)	€1.80	One-time purchase, reloadable

The rechargeable card is worth getting if you'll use the metro more than twice. It cuts the cost per ride by nearly 40%, and you can share it with your travel companions.

You can also tap a contactless card or phone at the gates. It's convenient but you'll pay the full single-ticket price with no discount for multiple trips.

Check the official Malaga metro prices for current rates.

The Two Lines

Line 1: Andalucia Tech to Atarazanas runs from the university district in the north down to the city centre.

Station	What's There
Andalucia Tech	University of Malaga, tech campus
Universidad	Main university campus
Ciudad de la Justicia	Courts, government buildings
Hospital Clinico	Main hospital
El Perchel	Train station (Maria Zambrano), bus station
Guadalmedina	Transfer to Line 2
Atarazanas	Historic centre, near Alameda Principal and market

If you arrive by train or long-distance bus, the metro at El Perchel is the fastest way into the centre. One stop to Guadalmedina, two stops to Atarazanas.

Line 2: Palacio de Deportes to Guadalmedina runs from the western sports district through Huelin to the city centre.

Station	What's There
Palacio de los Deportes	Sports stadium, concert venue
Ciudad Deportiva	Sports facilities
Puerta Blanca	Residential area
La Luz	Residential, local shops
La Union	Western neighbourhoods
Carranque	Huelin area, near beaches
El Torcal	Residential
El Perchel	Train station, bus station, transfer to Line 1
Guadalmedina	City centre connection

Carranque is the closest metro stop to Huelin beach, about a 10-minute walk from the station to the sand.

Metro Timetable

Day	Operating Hours
Monday to Thursday	06:30 to 23:00
Friday and eve of holidays	06:30 to 01:30
Saturday	07:00 to 01:30
Sunday and holidays	07:00 to 23:00

During peak hours, trains come every 5 to 7 minutes. Off-peak and at weekends, every 10 to 15 minutes. On Friday and Saturday nights the metro runs until 1:30am, which makes it reliable for getting home after dinner.

Check the official timetable for service updates.

How to Use the Metro

Buy or top up your card at the machines before the barriers. Tap your card at the entry gates, check the direction on the platform displays, and board. Keep your card because you'll need to tap out at the exit barriers.

Every station has ticket machines with English language options that accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.

Is the Metro Accessible?

Every station has elevators, ramps, and level access throughout. The ticket machines have audio guidance, and each carriage has designated wheelchair spaces with tactile paving on the platforms.

Malaga Commuter Trains (Cercanias)

If you're heading beyond the city or just trying to reach the airport without paying taxi prices, commuter trains are one of the easiest options. The system is run by RENFE, Spain's national rail company.

For most visitors, two local lines matter.

The C1 line runs along the coast from Malaga Centro to Fuengirola, stopping at the airport, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, and several other coastal towns. This is the line you'll use for the airport (12 minutes, around €2.30) and for day trips to Torremolinos or Fuengirola.

The C2 line heads inland towards Alora, useful if you're visiting the Caminito del Rey area.

Train Prices

Zones Crossed	Single	Return
1 to 2	€1.80	€3.60
3	€2.05	€4.10
4	€2.70	€5.40
5	€3.60	€7.20

Return tickets are same-day only. Kids under six travel free, with up to two children per adult ticket. Groups of up to 10 people get 30% off one-way and 40% off return tickets. Children under 12 get a 50% discount.

If you're using trains frequently, the Bonotren (10 trips for €11.95 in zones 1 to 2) is worth picking up.

How to Pay for the Train

Ticket machines at every Cercanias station accept cash and cards, with English-language options. You need a physical ticket or RENFE card to pass through the barriers.

On the C1 airport line, you can tap a contactless credit or debit card directly at the barriers. Apple Pay and Google Pay work too.

Here's a link to the Renfe timetable for the latest times.

Which is Cheaper, Bus or Metro?

The bus with a Bonobus card is the cheapest at €0.42 per ride. The metro with a rechargeable card is €0.82 per ride. If you're only making one or two trips, the difference is small (€1.40 vs €1.35 for a single ticket).

For most visitors, the bus is cheaper. But the metro is faster for north-south journeys, and the air conditioning is worth it in summer. If you're using both, the Consortium card gives the best transfer discounts.

Do You Need a Car in Malaga?

Not in the city. Walking and public transport cover everything. Parking is expensive, the centre has a low emission zone, and the streets are narrow.

A car earns its value for day trips to Ronda, Nerja, the white villages, and hiking spots like Caminito del Rey. We recommend going car-free in the city and renting a car for a few days when you want to explore further.

Other Ways to Get Around

Cycling. Malaga Bici (the public bike system) no longer operates, but private rentals are available in Soho, around Muelle Uno, and along the promenade. Great for the coastal path to Pedregalejo.

Electric scooters. App-based scooters are handy for short hops. Check our scooter guide for the latest on rules, providers, and where you can ride.

Taxis. Easy to find, reliable, and metered. Hail one on the street, find a rank at the train station or airport, or book through apps like Pidetaxi, Uber, or Bolt. Our taxi guide covers fares, apps, and surcharges.

Getting to and From the Airport

Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport is just 8 km from the centre and well connected.

• Commuter train (C1 line): 12 minutes, around €2.30. The fastest option.
• Airport express bus (Line A): A direct 25-minute ride for €3.
• Taxi or ride-share: Around €20 to €25.

Read our complete guide on how to get from Malaga Airport to the city centre for step-by-step instructions.

Final Thoughts

We lived in Malaga for years without a car. Public transport is all you need to get around the city.

Get a Bonobus card when you arrive, download the EMT app, and you'll have the city covered. For the metro, a rechargeable card saves you 40% per ride. And for the coast, the C1 commuter train to Torremolinos and Fuengirola is cheap and frequent.

If you're still planning your trip, have a look at our guide to things to do in Malaga or check the best time to visit.