Málaga – Costa del Sol Airport, All you need to know

If you are planning to visit the beautiful Costa del Sol in Spain, chances are you will be flying to Málaga - Costa del Sol Airport, the main international gateway to this popular tourist destination. In this blog post, we will provide you with some useful information about Malaga Airport, such as its location, terminals, services, transportation options and more.

Málaga Airport (IATA code: AGP, ICAO code: LEMG), officially known as Málaga - Costa del Sol Airport and sometimes called Pablo Picasso Airport, is located 8 km (5 miles) southwest of Málaga city center and 5 km (3 miles) north of Torremolinos. It is the fourth busiest airport in Spain after Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, and the most important airport of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.

The airport is the main entrance or exit gate for tourism to/from the famous Costa del Sol (coast of the sun) and the rest of Andalusia. It offers a wide variety of international destinations, especially from countries in the European Union and United Kingdom. The airport has two runways, one of which operates only in high seasons.

The airport was founded in 1919 and has a long history of serving civil and military aviation. It was the first airport in Spain to establish regular flights to other European countries. It was also the first airport in Spain to have a radar system and an instrument landing system. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate the increasing demand of passengers and flights.

Málaga - Costa del Sol Airport has a single terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. It is also known as New Terminal or Terminal 3. It was opened in 2010 and has a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. The terminal has three levels: arrivals, departures and boarding.

The terminal is connected to two other buildings: Terminal 2 or Pablo Ruiz Picasso Terminal, which is mostly used for check-in counters and baggage reclaim; and Terminal 1 or General Aviation Terminal, which is used for private flights and charter flights.

The terminal has a modern design and architecture, with natural light, spacious areas, colorful artworks and palm trees. It also has a large shopping area with more than 20 shops, including fashion, accessories, souvenirs, books and electronics.

The airport is a focus city for several low-cost airlines, such as Easyjet, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle and Vueling. It also hosts other major airlines, such as Air Europa, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and Iberia.

The airport operates flights to more than 100 destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and America. Some of the most popular destinations are London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Dublin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Moscow, Istanbul, Casablanca, Marrakech, New York, Montreal and Toronto.

• Málaga Airport Website
• Track flights
• Arrivals
• Departures

Málaga - Costa del Sol Airport has lots of different services and facilities available to all passengers, such as:

• Restaurants and cafes: There are more than 30 food outlets at the airport, offering a variety of cuisines and options for all tastes and budgets. You can find fast food chains like McDonald's, Burger King and Subway; coffee shops like Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Caffè Nero; local specialties like La Moraga Airport, Dani García DeliBar and Gambrinus; international dishes like Sushi & Go!, MasQMenos Tapas Bar and O'Learys Sports Bar; or healthy options like Natural Break or Deli&Cia.
• Shops and duty free: There are more than 20 shops at the airport, where you can buy fashion items, accessories, souvenirs, books, electronics and more. You can find brands like Desigual, Adolfo Dominguez, Parfois, Sunglass Hut or Swarovski; or local products like Flamenco World or La Casa de las Aceitunas. You can also enjoy tax-free shopping at the duty free stores operated by Dufry Group.
• Defibrillators: There are 18 defibrillators distributed throughout the terminal for emergency situations. They are easy to use and have voice instructions in Spanish and English.
• Art gallery: There is an art gallery located at level 1 of Terminal 3 departures hall. It showcases temporary exhibitions of contemporary art by local artists.
• Meeting rooms: There are two meeting rooms available for rent at level -1 of Terminal 3 arrivals hall. They have a capacity of up to 12 people and are equipped with audiovisual systems, Wi-Fi and catering services.
• Meet and Assist services: There are several companies that offer meet and assist services at the airport, such as Fast Track, VIP Service or Sala VIP. They provide personalized assistance for passengers who need special attention or prefer a more comfortable and exclusive experience.
• Fast Lane Pass: There is a fast lane service available at the security checkpoints of Terminal 3 departures hall. It allows passengers to skip the queues and save time. The pass can be purchased online or at the airport for 4 euros per person.
• VAT Refund: There is a VAT refund service available for non-EU residents who buy goods in Spain. The service is operated by Global Blue and Innova Tax Free Group. The refund offices are located at level 1 of Terminal 3 departures hall.
• Baggage Wrapping Machine: There is a baggage wrapping machine available at level 1 of Terminal 3 departures hall. It protects the luggage from scratches, dirt and theft. The service costs 8 euros per bag.
• Left Luggage Office: There is a left luggage office available at level 0 of Terminal 3 arrivals hall. It allows passengers to store their bags for a short or long period of time. The service costs 5 euros per bag per day.
• Lost Luggage: There are lost luggage offices operated by different airlines and handling agents at level 0 of Terminal 3 arrivals hall. They help passengers to locate and recover their missing bags.

If you're planning to visit Estepona, a charming town on the Costa del Sol, you might be wondering how to get there from Malaga Airport. Estepona is about 45 min. away from the airport, and there are several options to choose from depending on your budget, time and preferences. In this blog post, we'll compare the different ways to travel from Malaga Airport to Estepona by car, train, bus, taxi or private transfer.

By car
Hiring a car is a great option if you're travelling with your family or want to explore the area at your own pace. You can find many car rental companies at Malaga Airport, or book online in advance to get the best deals.

The journey from Malaga Airport to Estepona by car takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic and your exact destination. The fastest route is via the AP-7 motorway, which is toll-free and has scenic views of the coast. You can also take the A-7 coastal road, which is slower but more scenic and passes through several towns and resorts along the way.

Driving in Spain is easy and safe, as long as you follow the rules and have a valid driving licence. You can use Google Maps or other apps for directions and traffic updates.

From Málaga - Costa del Sol Airport, there are other various methods of transportation to get around and explore the area:

Transfers: If you want private transportation to and from Malaga Airport to your destination, you can book a transfer service online or at the airport. Another option is to book a private transfer service from Malaga Airport to Estepona, which offers more comfort and flexibility than a taxi or a bus. A private transfer is a pre-booked service that picks you up from the airport and takes you directly to your destination in a comfortable vehicle of your choice.

You can choose from different types of vehicles, such as cars, minivans, minibuses or coaches, depending on your group size and luggage needs. You can also request extras such as child seats, wheelchair access or special assistance. A private transfer from Malaga Airport to Estepona costs between 12 and 55 euros per person, depending on the type of vehicle and the number of passengers. You can book your private transfer online in advance and pay by credit card or PayPal.

There are several companies that offer this service, such as Malaga Airport Transfers, Shuttle Direct, Hoppa, Uber, cabify or Suntransfers. They provide different types of vehicles, such as cars, vans, minibuses or coaches. The prices vary depending on the destination, the number of passengers and the type of vehicle.

Taxi: Vehicles are white with a blue line on the side. They have a fixed rate depending on the destination zone. The taxi rank is located outside Terminal 3 arrivals hall. The fares range from 15 euros to 70 euros for a one-way trip. There is also a surcharge of 5 euros for trips from or to the airport.

Bus: There are urban, intercity and long distance buses available that run to different destinations, such as Malaga city center, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona, Granada, Seville and more. The bus stops are located outside Terminal 3 arrivals hall. The fares vary depending on the destination and the operator. Some of the main bus operators are AENA, Avanza Bus, Alsa and Portillo.

Train: RENFE C1 line links Malaga Airport with the city center in about 12 minutes. It also runs to other destinations such as Benalmadena or Torremolinos. The train station is located at the basement level of Terminal 3. The trains operate from 6:44 am to 11:54 pm (from the airport) and from 5:20 am to 10:30 pm (from Malaga city center). The fare is 1.80 euros for a single ticket or 3.60 euros for a round trip ticket.

The airport also has several parking options for short-term and long-term stays. There are four public car parks: P1 General (next to Terminal 3), P2 Long Stay (next to Terminal 2), P3 First Class (next to Terminal 3) and P7 Express (next to Terminal 3 departures). There are also two VIP car parks: P4 VIP (next to Terminal 3) and P6 VIP (next to General Aviation Terminal). The parking rates vary depending on the car park, the duration and the season .

• Parking Information
• Car Rentals Companies

Interested to Buy or Rent a Property in Costa del Sol? If you need advice do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you!

We hope this post has been helpful for you to prepare your trip to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport. Have a safe flight and enjoy your stay in Costa del Sol!