9 Mistakes Travellers Make at Malaga Airport (And How to Avoid Them)

Arriving at Malaga Airport? We have lost count of how many times we have landed at Malaga Airport, and how many mistakes we have watched (or made) on the way out.

Once, we queued at baggage clearance for 15 minutes while everyone else just walked on by.

Another time, we walked across a freeway in the heat because we did not know there were rental car shuttles. Rookie moves, all of them.

If you are flying into Malaga for the first time, or even the third, here is how to avoid wasting time, money, or your mood before your trip even begins.

Common Mistakes at Malaga Airport

Malaga Airport (AGP) is well-run and refreshingly quick compared to many major European hubs. But the moment you walk out those glass doors, it is easy to get swept into decisions you will regret before you even reach the city.

1. Walking Across the Freeway to Car Rental

You have arrived, you look at Google Maps, and you think: "Let's just walk."

Do not.

What you cannot see from the terminal is that it is a long, very exposed walk.

People drag their suitcases over narrow sidewalks and past freeway onramps, all while baking in the heat. We have seen it many times and done it once out of frustration while waiting for a shuttle.

What to do instead: Exit Terminal 3 and turn left.

Just around the corner is the official shuttle stop for car hire pickups. They run regularly and drop you right at your rental kiosk.

2. Being Last Off the Rental Shuttle

This little piece of advice could save you hours.

If you have wisely taken the shuttle to your car rental agency just down the road, here is what happens when you arrive: everyone takes a ticket and waits for their turn.

And if you are the last one out of the door, then you are rolling the dice. Even being first out the door, we have waited over an hour as tourists try to fix a booking mistake.

What to do: Have someone in your party be at the door, and do not wait for luggage. Instead, have them go straight to the counter for a ticket.

3. Missing the SIM Card Shops

We have done this more than once: walked out of the airport assuming there is nowhere to buy a SIM card. Then, 10 minutes later, I was stuck in a taxi with no data, no map, and no way to contact the Airbnb host.

Reality check: There are SIM vendors inside the airport. You just have to look carefully.

Where to go: Inside Terminal 3 arrivals, there is often a Relay shop or small mobile store that sells Lycamobile or Movistar SIMs. Look behind the snack stands or next to the baggage area.

4. Ignoring the Train to the City

If you are headed into the city centre (Malaga Centro-Alameda), nothing beats the Cercanías C1 train.

It is fast, reliable, and just 2.40 euros. But many first-timers never find it.

What to do: After exiting baggage claim in Terminal 3, follow the signs to "Cercanías Renfe".

It is about a 5-minute walk indoors. Trains run every 20 minutes and stop right where you want to be.

5. Not Having Euros Ready

Spain is mostly card-friendly, but machines can be glitchy, especially at transport kiosks. And you never know when you will need a coin for a locker or a snack machine.

What to do: Use one of the official airport ATMs (preferably from Spanish banks like CaixaBank or Santander) to withdraw a small amount.

Avoid Euronet unless it is your last resort. Their fees are high.

6. Looking for Luggage in the Wrong Place

If you are coming from outside the EU (hello, UK and US travellers), your luggage will not be on the regular belts. It will be routed to a customs-controlled baggage room, often behind a side door and marked vaguely.

We have watched confused tourists wander between empty carousels, wondering where their luggage had gone. We have been those confused tourists.

What to do: After immigration, follow the signs to "Special Baggage" or ask airport staff for assistance. You will likely be sent through a separate scanner room where your bags are waiting inside.

7. Joining the Customs Queue Unnecessarily

Here is another time-suck.

After picking up your bags, you will see a line of people waiting to put their luggage through a scanner. Naturally, you join.

But unless an officer specifically tells you to stop, you can walk right out.

We wasted 15 minutes here before a woman behind us sighed, muttered something, and walked out.

We followed. No one blinked.

What to do: If you have nothing to declare and no one has stopped you, you are clear to go.

8. Not Preparing for the Heat

Malaga gets hot.

Even in early spring. Suppose you are dragging a big bag across town, down cobbled streets, or to a hotel with no lift. You will feel it fast.

What to pack in your carry-on:

• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• A hat

9. Overpaying for a Taxi

A ride into Malaga city should cost around 20-25 euros when taking a taxi.

However, prices do vary depending on the time of day and other factors. On a few trips, we have seen prices in the thirties.

If you are price-sensitive, try using Free Now or Cabify. These ride apps work well here, show you the price upfront, and are usually cheaper than hailing a taxi.

What You Should Know Before You Land

• Free Wi-Fi is available at Malaga Airport, but the connection is patchy, especially at the exit. Download maps and travel details in advance.

• Airport SIM cards are real, just hard to spot. Ask if you do not see one.

• Cercanías trains are the fastest and cheapest way to get to Malaga city centre.

• Not all luggage arrives at the same place, especially for non-EU travellers.

• Customs scanners do not apply to everyone. Skip the queue unless stopped.

Final Thoughts

We love Malaga. However, it is easy to start your trip on the wrong foot if you are unfamiliar with how the airport operates.

Skip the taxi drama, dodge the queues, and get connected before you leave.

You will arrive cooler, calmer, and about 30 euros richer.