How to Get to Caminito del Rey from Málaga: Train, Bus, and Driving

Most people staying on the coast assume the boardwalks hanging off the gorge walls in El Chorro are tough to reach. Figuring out how to get to caminito del rey from malaga is actually quite straightforward once you understand that the hike runs in only one direction. You start in the north near Ardales and finish in the south at El Chorro, which changes how you plan your transport back to the city.

I learned this the hard way on my first visit when I almost missed my ticket slot because I went to the exit instead of the entrance. Whether you rely on public transit or rent a car at the airport, you have three main ways to travel inland. Here is what actually happens on the ground, minus the generic tourist agency fluff.

Malaga to Caminito del Rey by Train: The Easiest Option

Taking the train is by far the most relaxing way to do this trip. Spain's rail operator, Renfe, runs regional trains from Málaga María Zambrano station straight to El Chorro - Caminito del Rey. The ride takes about 43 minutes and costs roughly €4.80 each way. You sit back, watch the citrus groves and white villages roll past, and step off right at the foot of the gorge.

The main catch is the schedule.

Direct trains run infrequently throughout the day. In the morning, you generally have a couple of departures, often one around 08:58 and another near 10:45, though timetables shift slightly between summer and winter. If you miss that morning window, your day becomes complicated. You can buy tickets online via the Renfe app or at the station machines in Málaga, but during spring and autumn weekends, these regional seats sell out days in advance.

When you step off at El Chorro station, you are at the end of the hiking trail, not the beginning. A lot of travelers panic here thinking they are stranded. You are not. A dedicated green shuttle bus waits near the station platform to take hikers up to the northern trailhead near Ardales.

• Departure point: Málaga María Zambrano central station (not the Cercanías suburban platforms).
• Arrival station: El Chorro - Caminito del Rey, sitting right outside the final exit gate.
• Ticket booking: buy Media Distancia tickets online at least three days ahead for weekend travel.
• Shuttle transfer: board the bus directly across from the platform at El Chorro to reach the start.

There is also a regional commuter workaround if the direct train is full. You can take the Cercanías C2 line from Málaga Centro to Álora, which runs roughly every hour. From Álora, local buses connect to El Chorro, though coordinating the two timetables takes patience and an appetite for waiting around small Andalusian bus stops.

Driving: Málaga to Caminito del Rey by Car

Renting a car gives you flexibility, especially if you plan to visit Ronda, Antequera, or the turquoise lakes of Guadalhorce on the same day. The distance from Málaga to Caminito del Rey is around 59 kilometers. On a quiet morning, the drive takes about 52 minutes.

Leaving the city, you take the A-357 highway north towards Cártama and Pizarra. The road is a fast dual-carriageway for the first 30 kilometers. Past Ardales, the route turns onto the MA-5403, winding through rolling hills and pine forests. It is an easy drive, well-paved and clearly signed, though the mountain curves can be tight near the reservoir.

You have to decide where to leave your car before you leave Málaga. You can park in the south at El Chorro (Parking 2) and ride the shuttle up to the start before your hike. Or you can drive directly to the north entrance (Parking 1 near the visitor center, or the roadside spaces by the El Kiosko restaurant) and take the shuttle bus back to your vehicle after you finish.

I usually recommend parking at the south end at El Chorro early in the morning. That way, when you walk off the suspended cliffs at the end of the hike, hot and tired, your car is already there waiting for you. For detailed lot rates and bus stops, read through our Caminito del Rey parking and shuttle bus guide.

Bus from Málaga to Caminito del Rey

Public bus options are more limited than the train, but they exist. The regional bus company, Avanza, operates routes connecting Málaga’s main bus station (Paseo de los Tilos) with the towns surrounding the gorge. Line M-231 runs from Málaga to Álora several times daily, taking roughly 45 minutes.

Once you reach Álora, you switch to the local M-347 shuttle that runs up to El Chorro. Total travel time with the transfer usually hovers around 90 minutes. It costs about €3.50 for the first leg and another €1.55 for the second.

Honestly, the public bus is my least favorite option. If you miss the connecting bus in Álora, you can easily waste an hour sitting on a dusty bench in the sun. A few private coach operators run direct day-trip buses from central Málaga hotels straight to the Ardales entrance, which includes entrance tickets and saves the headache of transfers. If you cannot get a train seat and do not want to rent a car, an organized excursion is simpler than stitching together local rural bus lines.

Comparing Transport from Málaga to Caminito del Rey

Every transport mode trades off price against convenience. If you are traveling as a family of four, renting a car for the day is almost always cheaper than buying individual train tickets and tour transfers. Solo travelers, meanwhile, will find the train cheaper and far less hassle than dealing with parking meters and car rental deposits.

Taxis are an option if you get into a bind. A standard taxi from central Málaga to the northern access point in Ardales costs between €75 and €95 one way, depending on luggage and traffic. It hurts the wallet, but if your entrance time is 11:30 and your train got canceled, it can save your visit.

Connecting to the Trailhead: The Shuttle and the Footpaths

Getting to the El Chorro area is only half the battle. Many visitors fail to budget time for the actual approach trail. Even after your train arrives or you park your car, you are not standing at the ticket check.

From the northern drop-off point near El Kiosko restaurant, you have to walk through an unlit pedestrian tunnel carved into the rock, then follow a woodland path for roughly 1.5 kilometers to reach the official entrance checkpoint. That walk takes around 20 to 25 minutes at a steady pace. If you booked an entrance ticket for 11:00, you need to arrive at the El Kiosko area by 10:30 at the absolute latest.

• Shuttle ticket price: €2.50 per person, paid in cash to the driver or booked alongside your admission pass.
• Tunnel access: choose the shorter pedestrian tunnel next to El Kiosko (20 mins walk) rather than the long track near the reservoir (45 mins walk).
• Timing buffer: add 45 minutes to whatever transit time Google Maps tells you.

If you don't have passes sorted yet, look at our advice on booking Caminito del Rey tickets before you spend money on transport. Buying a train ticket without an entry pass is a common mistake, and the gorge rangers will turn you away at the gate without mercy.

Frequently Asked Questions about how to get to caminito del rey from malaga

Before You Go

Pick the train if the departure times align with your hiking slot. It cuts out the headache of winding mountain curves and parking fees, leaving you free to focus on the cliffs above the Guadalhorce. Just remember to reserve your rail tickets early and budget enough time for that walk through the pine forest before your ticket time runs out.

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