The Coastal Railway

The existing coastal railway, which connects Fuengirola with the airport and central Málaga is the most popular and most profitable line in Spain. Trains run regularly roughly every half-hour and are clean although pretty full at peak hours. Prices are quite reasonable - just over 3€ for a return journey over the entire line.

There are stations at -
Fuengirola - Los Boliches - Torreblanca - Carvajal - Torremuelle - Benalmádena/Arroyo - El Pinillo - Montemar - Torremolinos - La Colina - Los Alamos - Plaza Mayor - San Julian - Airport - Cargo Terminal - Guadalhorce - San Andres - Málaga Renfe (mainline junction) - Centro Alameda

The coastal line links (at Malaga Renfe station) to a similar local inland line with stops at Los Prados, Campanillos, Cártama, Aljaima, Pizarra and Alora. A particularly scenic route.

The line is to be extended westwards and eastwards.

Plans have been approved at local, provincial and national levels, and preparatory work has started, although because this is a major project, it will happen in stages. Ultimately it will link Algecieras with Almeria, via Málaga. It will have a significant upwards effect on property values - plans so far released indicate minimal effect on properties close to the line (certainly less than the continuing impact* of the Carretera).

In the first phase westwards the line will be extended to Marbella (the line will often be underground, following the A7-N340 'Carretera'). Stations will occur at regular intervals, including obvious stops at La Cala, Calahonda, Elviria, etc. In the second phase, the line will extend through to Estepona.

* [August 2005] Funds have just been allocated to erect sound-reducing barriers along the entire Carretera from Málaga to Estepona. This will improve the environment for many properties, although sadly, it will do nothing to improve the driving experience quality of the road itself. . .