Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

Airport in Málaga

Terminal 3 of Málaga Costa del Sol Airport
Terminal 3 of Málaga Costa del Sol Airport
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Pop9000

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is the main gateway to southern Spain's Costa del Sol and much of Andalusia. Located a short distance southwest of Malaga, this busy yet efficient airport is the starting point for travellers heading to beach resorts, historic cities, and whitewashed mountain towns. Whether you are visiting for sun and sea, culture, or a wider Andalusian road trip, it is likely you will pass through this airport at least once.

Thanks to its extensive route network and modern facilities, Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport works well for both short breaks and longer holidays. This guide explains everything you need to know about using the airport with confidence, from transport and arrivals to facilities, nearby hotels, and overnight options.

Why This Airport Matters

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is one of Spain's busiest airports and the primary air hub for the Costa del Sol. It provides direct access not only to Malaga itself but also to major resorts like Marbella, plus inland cities such as Granada, Seville, Ronda, and Cordoba. For many visitors, it is the most convenient starting point for exploring the broader Andalusian region.

The airport is especially important for low-cost and holiday traffic, with many seasonal and year-round flights from across Europe. Its size means there is a wide choice of routes and airlines, while its relatively modern layout keeps the passenger experience manageable. Holidaymakers, families, and independent travellers all benefit from the strong transport links and well-developed infrastructure.

History and Significance

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport has its origins in early 20th-century aviation and has grown steadily alongside the development of Spain's tourism industry. As the Costa del Sol became a major holiday destination, the airport expanded to handle increasing numbers of visitors, with new runways, terminals, and facilities being added over time.

The rebranding as Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport reflects its role as the main air gateway for the entire coastal region. Today, it is a vital economic engine for Andalusia, supporting tourism, business travel, and connections between Spain and the rest of Europe.

Airport Layout and Quick Facts

The airport is organised around a main passenger terminal complex serving both Schengen and non-Schengen flights. Check-in areas, security, and boarding gates are all connected via wide halls and clear signage, making it relatively easy to navigate despite the airport’s size.

Arrivals and baggage reclaim are located on the lower levels, while departures and many shops and restaurants are on the upper levels. Walking distances can be longer than at small regional airports, but moving walkways and escalators help. During busy times, passport control and security may be slower, yet the overall layout is designed to keep passenger flow steady.

Where to Stay Close to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

If you have an early flight or a late arrival, staying near the airport can make your journey less stressful. One convenient option is Holiday Inn Express Malaga Airport, located a short drive from the terminal and offering practical rooms and breakfast.

Travellers looking for something closer to the sea might consider Hotel Parasol Garden or Sol Guadalmar, both providing easy access to the beach while still being within a short transfer of the airport. If you prefer to stay in Malaga city itself, central hotels near the old town or the port area work well for combining sightseeing with a simple taxi ride to the airport.

Getting To and From Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

By Bus

Local buses connect the airport with Malaga city and nearby coastal towns. Services to the city centre usually run frequently throughout the day and are an affordable option. Journey times depend on traffic but are generally reasonable, especially outside rush hours.

By Taxi

Taxis are available directly outside the arrivals area and provide a fast, door-to-door transfer into Malaga or to coastal resorts. Fares are metered and vary according to time of day and destination, with supplements often applied at night or on holidays. For destinations such as Marbella or Ronda, taxis can be convenient but more expensive than buses or trains.

By Train

A local commuter train line links Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Malaga city centre and several coastal towns. The station is directly accessible from the terminal area, making it one of the most efficient ways to reach the city or continue along the coast. Trains typically run regularly throughout the day. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

By Car

The airport is well connected to major roads, including the A-7 coastal highway and the A-45 towards the interior. Car rental companies operate desks within the terminal, and pick-up and drop-off areas are clearly marked. Driving from the airport to Malaga, Marbella, Ronda, Granada, or Seville is straightforward via signed routes, and motorway connections make longer journeys relatively quick. Parking is available on-site, with both short-stay and long-stay options. If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

By Transfers and Shuttles

Pre-booked transfers and shuttle services operate between the airport and popular destinations along the Costa del Sol and inland cities. These are particularly useful for larger groups, families with luggage, or travellers arriving late at night. Many tour operators and hotels can arrange a pick-up service directly from the terminal.

Arriving at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

On arrival, passengers disembark and follow signs to passport control. During busy summer months, queues can form, particularly for non-EU passports, but outside peak times the process is usually manageable. After clearing passport control, you reach baggage reclaim, where multiple carousels handle luggage from different flights.

Once you have collected your bags, you enter the arrivals hall, where you will find ATMs, car rental desks, ticket machines for trains or buses, and information points. From here, it is a short walk to the exits leading to taxis, buses, and the train station. Free Wi-Fi allows you to check accommodation details or contact your transfer on arrival.

Money Exchange & Currency Tips for Spain

Spain uses the euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport and are generally the most straightforward way to obtain cash. Bank-operated machines typically offer better rates than currency exchange desks, which may charge higher margins or fees.

When paying by card, always choose to be charged in euros rather than in your home currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion, which often leads to poor exchange rates. Cash is still useful for small purchases, local buses, and some cafés, especially away from main tourist areas, but cards are accepted in most hotels, shops, and restaurants.

If you are visiting multiple Eurozone countries, you can keep and reuse leftover euros for your next trip. For longer stays or frequent travel, multi-currency cards that allow fee-free withdrawals can offer good value.

SIM Cards & Connectivity

Major Spanish mobile operators such as Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone have strong coverage in the Malaga area and across the Costa del Sol. SIM cards and eSIM options are widely available in the city at official stores and phone shops. Some newsstands or convenience stores may also sell prepaid SIMs, though for the best packages you may prefer to buy in town rather than at the airport.

The airport itself offers Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, which is usually sufficient for checking emails, booking accommodation, or arranging transport. Charging points are available in many seating areas, though they can be busy at peak times.

Departing from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

When departing, check-in and bag-drop counters are clearly signposted on the departures level. Because Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport can be busy, especially during school holidays and summer, it is wise to arrive well in advance of your flight. Security lines can be long at peak times, although they tend to move steadily.

After security, you enter the main departures area, where you will find a wide selection of shops, cafés, restaurants, and duty-free outlets. Boarding gates are spread out and can require a walk, so it is sensible to keep an eye on the screens and allow enough time to reach your gate once it is announced.

Airport Services and Facilities

Food and Drink
A wide choice of cafés, bars, and restaurants both before and after security, ranging from quick snacks to sit-down meals.

Shops
Duty-free stores, fashion outlets, souvenir shops, and convenience stores offering travel essentials and local products.

ATMs and Currency
Multiple ATMs throughout the terminal and several currency exchange counters for those needing cash or exchanging leftover money.

Wi-Fi and Charging
Free Wi-Fi is available across the airport, with charging stations and power outlets near seating areas and at some café tables.

SIM Cards
While dedicated SIM stands may not always be prominent in the terminal, connectivity is easily arranged in Malaga city; the airport Wi-Fi is a useful stopgap until you purchase a local SIM.

Family and Accessibility Facilities
Baby-changing rooms, family-friendly rest areas, accessible toilets, lifts, and assistance services are available for passengers with reduced mobility. Assistance should be arranged with your airline in advance.

Medical and Assistance Points
First-aid services and medical assistance are available within the terminal for emergencies or health concerns.

Lounges at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport offers several lounges that provide a quieter environment, with comfortable seating, snacks, drinks, and workspaces. Access is typically granted to business-class passengers, frequent flyers, or those purchasing entry passes. Lounges are located airside and serve different terminal areas, so check which one is closest to your departure gate.

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport Hotels

Although there is no large hotel physically connected to the terminal, numerous properties nearby cater to airport passengers. Options include practical business-style hotels within a short taxi ride, as well as coastal hotels in Torremolinos and Guadalmar that combine easy airport access with a beachside stay. In Malaga city, hotels near the train station or the historic centre provide an excellent base with straightforward connections to the airport.

When mentioning hotels on your site, you can use the shortcode format, for example:

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Renting a Car at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

Car rental is very popular at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, especially for travellers planning to explore the Costa del Sol and inland Andalusia. Numerous international and local companies operate counters inside the terminal, with parking areas for rental vehicles located a short walk or shuttle ride away.

Roads around the airport are well signposted, and motorway links make it easy to reach Malaga, Marbella, Ronda, Granada, Seville, and other destinations. Traffic can be heavy in summer along the coast, but road quality is generally good. A car is particularly useful if you plan to visit smaller villages, countryside areas, or multiple cities in one trip.

Flights and Airlines Operating at AGP

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport handles a wide mix of year-round and seasonal flights, connecting Malaga with major cities across Europe and beyond. Both full-service and low-cost carriers operate here, serving routes from the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany, France, Italy, Central Europe, and other parts of Spain.

There are frequent domestic flights to hubs like Madrid and Barcelona, as well as many direct services to northern European cities during the holiday season. The variety of routes makes AGP an attractive starting point for travellers from many different countries.

For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Málaga on Booking.com.

Practical Tips for Using Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

  • Arrive early during peak season, especially in summer and on weekends.
  • Use the train or bus for a cost-effective transfer to Malaga and nearby resorts.
  • Keep some euros in cash for small purchases, local transport, and cafés.
  • Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi to arrange onward travel or SIM cards.
  • Allow extra time to walk to distant gates, particularly if travelling with children or heavy luggage.

Can You Sleep Overnight at the Airport?

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is open through the night, and some passengers do sleep in the terminal between late arrivals and early departures. Seating in public areas is available, though not always fully comfortable for a full night's rest. Lighting, cleaning activity, and occasional announcements can make it noisy and bright, so an eye mask and earplugs are helpful if you plan to stay.

For a better night’s sleep, many travellers choose to stay in a nearby hotel in Malaga, Torremolinos, or Guadalmar. These provide proper beds, showers, and breakfast before an early flight, while still being only a short taxi or transfer ride away from the terminal.

Final Thoughts

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is a busy yet well-organised hub that does a good job of handling the holiday crowds heading to southern Spain. With strong transport links, a good range of services, and straightforward access to Malaga and the wider region, it works well as both an arrival and departure point. Whether you are flying in for a quick city break, a beach holiday, or a wider Andalusian journey, the airport provides a practical and efficient starting point.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.0 (28,222)

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport on Av. del Comandante García Morato in Churriana serves as a convenient, user-friendly gateway with quick plane exits, readily available taxis at the exit, efficient security with generally short waits, friendly staff, a variety of shops and plenty of dining options, but some visitors note poor directional signage and difficulty locating a water fountain while others point out a smoking room located past security by gate D72.

The Wandering Tofu
a month ago
"The sun-soaked front door to southern Spain and one of Spain’s oldest airports, opened all the way back in 1919 when flying still felt like wizardry.Today it’s the fourth busiest airport in Spain, moving millions of beach-hungry travellers eager to sprint toward Málaga, Marbella, Granada and beyond. The terminal itself is surprisingly modern, bright, and spacious. But don’t be fooled… the queues can still make you question your life choices. Food & Snacks: Decent options before security, more choices after. Expect everything from tapas to your emergency airport burger : Burger King duty free is huge — perfect for buying olive oil and perfume or that house number burned to perfect gloss in Spanish glory you absolutely don’t need Theres a train station right outside (C1 line) gets you to Málaga city in minutes. Taxis & buses are ready for easy transfers. Tip: Security and baggage check-in can bottleneck at peak times — arrive early, or at least walk fast enough. Also allocate time and plenty of standing capacity at the gates and check in counters. Water stations and toilets are aplenty. For departures, theres also a museum accessible near gate D52...."
nabil roussafi
3 months ago
"A truly excellent airport: very clean, well-organized, and with friendly staff. Getting around inside is easy and pleasant. I especially appreciatedthe water fountains available throughout the terminal. Food prices are affordable, and the airport also offers several entertaining facilities. A wonderful experience—this airport really made my trip exceptional...."
Dr Juan F Martínez-Canca
5 months ago
"Ah, Málaga Airport — my beloved hometown gateway. A sun-drenched portal to Andalusian bliss… or rather, a deeply frustrating paradox: modern on theoutside, maddening on the inside. Let’s start with passport control, the crown jewel of inefficiency. Welcome to the chaos: endless queues, overheated tempers, and a tragic ballet of underutilisation. Yes, those automated passport gates — you’ve probably walked past them — are real. They’ve been standing silently in corners for over a decade like forgotten IKEA furniture, never switched on, never removed, just there… gathering dust and existential resentment. A poignant metaphor for wasted potential, really. Fortunately, I can slip through the crew cha el like a shadowy VIP — but for the average traveller? It’s purgatory with fluorescent lighting. Tense officers doing the job of ten, facing an avalanche of sweaty tourists while the airport’s actual infrastructure lounges in a coma. And then, the moving walkways — or rather, the non-moving walkways. Ah yes, those graceful steel carpets designed to spare passengers a long trek through endless terminal corridors. Except they’ve been out of service since the Jurassic. Perhaps they’re on a break? A decade-long sabbatical? Or maybe they’re protesting the conditions too — I wouldn’t blame them. It’s astonishing. Málaga Airport has all the bones of a top-tier European hub: sleek architecture, prime geographic position, year-round demand. But it’s run like a pop-up tent at a beach festival — the difference being, a tent might at least offer shade and a smile. What’s truly sad is that this airport could be magnificent. It should be. Instead, we have a gleaming façade disguising a logistical mess, where passenger experience is clearly the lowest priority, and the only ones holding things together are overworked, underappreciated border police who bear the brunt of managerial indifference. I say all this not out of disdain, but out of love — because this airport deserves so much better. As do its passengers. Is anybody reading this? C’mon, guys, wake up!..."

The Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Málaga!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Address: Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), Avenida del Comandante García Morato, Spain
Málaga: 8 km
Marbella: 39 km
Ronda: 60 km
Granada: 97 km
Córdoba: 136 km
Seville: 155 km
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