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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 prices starting from €19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 18m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €19, and a flight costs an average of €42.
Distance: 416 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€38 Average price | €20 Average price Cheapest | €207 Average price |
4h 9m Average total duration 3h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 40m Average total duration 5h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 18m Average total duration Fastest 3h 18m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
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€191One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
BASE9:00 AM6h10Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses3:10 PMMalaga, Estación de Autobuses€191One-way0 transfers
Fastest
UX504310:35 AM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport11:50 AMMalaga Airport€1471One-way0 transfers
Other options
062088:55 PM2h59Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes11:54 PMMálaga María Zambrano€321One-way0 transfers
021927:50 PM3h05Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes10:55 PMMálaga María Zambrano€361One-way0 transfers
022028:35 PM3h14Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes11:49 PMMálaga María Zambrano€361One-way0 transfers
BASE11:30 PM7h15Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses6:45 AMMalaga, Estación de Autobuses€191One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus12:20 PM19h40Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)8:00 AMMalaga, Estación de Autobuses€591One-way1 transfer
UX50477:05 PM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport8:20 PMMalaga Airport€1591One-way0 transfers
UX50356:30 AM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport7:45 AMMalaga Airport€2011One-way0 transfers
IB10053:40 PM1h15Madrid Barajas Airport4:55 PMMalaga Airport€2951One-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
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How to Travel from Madrid to Malaga
It's possible for travelers in Spainto 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.
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. Coaches traveling from Madrid to Malaga depart from Madrid's Estacion Sur De Autocoaches and take a little under 6 hours to arrive at Malaga's bus station. Approximately 9 coaches 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 £2 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.
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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 €18 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Málaga costing on average €38.
A bus is €187 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Málaga costing on average €207.
Other travel options to Málaga take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 39m.
Bus takes on average 5h 10m.
- Around 17 trains per day.
- Around 8 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 Grupo Interbus, Alsa, BlaBlaCar, Alsa Supra, FlixBus, Secorbus to go to Málaga by bus.
- Travel with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe ALVIA, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo to go to Málaga by train.
- Travel with Air Europa, Iberia Express, Iberia, Vueling, Air Nostrum to go to Málaga by flight.
- 6 direct buses per day with Grupo Interbus, Alsa, BlaBlaCar, FlixBus.
- 17 direct trains per day with AVE, iryo, SNCF OUIGO, Renfe AVLO, Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo.
- 6 direct flights per day with Air Europa, Iberia Express, Iberia, Air Nostrum.
Travelling from Madrid to Málaga: related information
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