see also Infrastructure

Air Travel

Málaga airport is especially convenient with regular connections all over Europe and the largest selection of low cost carriers. It is the airport used by the great majority of travellers to and from Southern Spain. Facilities at Málaga airport are sufficient but limited by comparison to many international airports. Don’t depend on picking up last minute shopping if your flight leaves out of hours, as you will be disappointed. Unlike other airports that feel like shopping and entertainment centers with aeroplanes outside, there is no disguising the fact that Málaga airport is a large waiting room. However, it does have some play areas for children that provide respite for weary travellers with little ones. Bear in mind that some of the goods available in duty free shops can be found cheaper in Spanish towns. Málaga airport provides no on-site long-term parking facilities. You can park your vehicle at one of the numerous private car parks near by. These also provide a prompt drop-off and pick-up service. Charges range from between 5 to 10 Euros per day and extras such as having your car valeted can usually be arranged.

• Malaga's modern airport sees 12 million passengers each year; this has been growing year on year for decades and is a strong indication of the sustainable popularity of the region for holidays and for relocation - and thus of its property market. 42% of passengers come from Britain, 23% from within Spain. Quite apart from the attractiveness of the area, a key factor has been the growth in scheduled low-cost flights from such operators as EasyJet and Ryan Air.
• Over the next five years Malaga airport will have 750m€ (£500m) spent on it, to upgrade its facilities, build a second runway, and double its capacity by 2010.

Thomson - (Malaga - Coventry) [34] 902 282 838
EasyJet (Malaga - Gatwick, Bristol)
Monarch (Malaga - Luton, Gatwick, Manchester)
FlyBE (Malaga - Exeter, Soton)

Malaga Airport - [34] 952 048 804
Gibraltar Airport - [350] 73026 or [9567] from Spain

Trains RENFE

• Malaga has a good rail link to Madrid and thence to other parts of Spain, due to be significantly improved through a high-speed line within the next three years. Locally, the line from Malaga to Algeciras travels through exceptional scenery - from Malaga northwards through El Chorro to Boabdilla is one highlight, and Ronda south-east to El Colmenar is another.
• There is also an excellent and easy to use local line, with 18 stops along the way from Fuengirola to the Airport and through to Malaga city centre. Trains roughly every half-hour.
• For information about the coastal railway, click here.
• 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.

Malaga RENFE - [34] 952 360 202
Reservations - [34] 902 240 202
Customer Assistance - [34] 952 128 267

Rail
There are various types of train services and companies operating throughout Spain. Choose between the slower RENFE (the state owned company), the AVE high speed trains which operate on the Madrid-Cordoba-Seville route and the new 140 mile per hour Talgo 200 trains which connect Madrid-Cordova-Malaga and Madrid-Cordova-Seville-Cadiz. The impressive high speed trains provide an excellent service and offer good services on board.

The Metro
Málaga's Metro rail service is scheduled to begin operating in February 2009. Trains will run every six minutes at peak travelling times, every ten minutes at off-peak times and every 15 minutes at night, and tickets will cost less than one euro per journey. The metro will be a great incentive to drivers to leave their cars at home and commute into the city, and about 17 million passengers are expected to use the service in its first year of operation, increasing to 21 million within ten years.

Taxis
Compared to many countries, taxis are reasonably cheap and of a high standard. They are however not always metered. If not drivers will carry a booklet of the official rates authorized by the local town hall. Taxis will tend to add a supplement to the price for extra baggage, night service, etc so always check the price in advance. Taxis will have an "SP" plate and a green light when free. Tipping is a customary 5-10%. There are lots of clean modern taxis, generally sharing a single 'town' telephone number.

Malaga - [34] 952 327 950
Benalmadena - [34] 952 441 545
Fuengirola - [34] 952 471 000
Marbella - [34] 952 771 442
Estepona - [34] 952 802 900

Buses
Buses (although they are usually more like air conditioned coaches) in Spain are comfortable, efficient and relatively cheap. They typically run from around 6am until approximately midnight on weekdays and weekends, but are drastically reduced on Sundays and Bank Holidays. As in most countries the drivers will expect you to have the right change for the fare and it will also be necessary to flag down the bus, even if standing at a bus stop. There is a good bus network (primarily operated by 'Portillos') - along the coastal towns to Malaga and with spur routes to inland towns. Buses are often articulated two-coach types, move fast, stop frequently and usually run to time. Tickets can be purchased at bus stations or from the driver, but have your money and destination stop name at the ready or be prepared to face some ill-concealed irritation!

Bus Stations
Malaga - [34] 952 0488 804
Fuengirola - [34] 952 475 066
Marbella - [34] 952 772 192
San Pedro - [34] 952 781 396
Estepona - [34] 952 802 954

Roads and Driving

• Andalucia has an excellent road network, including the recently completed toll ('peaje') motorway sections (part of the motorway linking Malaga with Algeciras and beyond), dual carriageways, trunk roads, minor roads and tracks.
• However, also be prepared for . . . a) traffic jams at some points on the Malaga 'orbital', b) potholes and 'bad stretches' in unexpected places and c) some sections of the coastal A7-E15 road, formerly the N340 - possibly renamed to try and extinguish its unpleasant and dangerous reputation.
• Signposting is fair but takes a little getting used to and turn-off signs can be very close to the actual turn-off. Many roads are signposted through kilometre marks and signs - distances along the road from or to a principal town.
• Road surfaces (and markings) can vary greatly within just a few kilometres - in country ('campo') areas, minor roads can deteriorate into rutted dirt tracks and then back again to tarmacadam. It's all part of the charm.
• All traffic in Spain drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years.
  
• The speed limit is 120 km/h on the motorways, 100 km/h on the fast lanes and 60 km/h in town.
  
• Seat belts must be worn in both the front and back of the vehicle and children under 10 years are not allowed to travel in the front.
  
• It is against the law to use you car horn in between 23:00 and 6:00am. Use of lights is recommended instead. In the mountains you have to use the horn at all turns at all times.
  
• Legally, if you wear glasses you must have a spare pair in the car. Plus you must also have a mini fire extinguisher in your car and a first aid kit with plastic gloves.
  
• In case of a break down, you must also have 2 triangles to put on the road to warn both directions of your presence and 2 reflective vests so that you can be easily seen by the Guardia Civil (national police) and on coming traffic.
  
• You should keep your licence and your insurance documents with you at all times. Failure to be able to present them can result in a spot fine.
• Non-residents do not need a Spanish driving licence.
• Andalucians tend to be 'laid back' about most things (including deadlines and appointments). On the other hand, where they are not laid back, is on the road where they can be very impatient, poor drivers. Overtaking on the inside and horn-honking at the slightest excuse is quite normal and can be disconcerting, not to say upsetting. If adult car drivers can be bad, helmet-less teenage two-wheelers can be manically suicidal.

Bringing a car from the UK
By law you have to change your car's registration after 1 month if you have cancelled your residency in the UK. If you don’t do it within a month you have to pay the 12% matriculation (car/registration) tax,). If you do not become a resident you have up to 6 months to change your registration. You can register your car under tourist plates for 6 months and 6 months only. Tourist's plates mean you can buy a car tax free for 6 months but then the car must be either sold or garaged for 6 months. If you get caught driving your car past this time, your vehicle will be confiscated on the spot and you will face a hefty fine.

You must also change the head lamps on a British car as they will be shining the wrong way. This is easy to do, but you must find a certified agent (ask at your local garage).

There are differences between importing European cars or other continental cars. If your car is stamped with an ‘E’ then it should be relatively easy, if not it will be very hard if not impossible. E means the car has the stamp of acceptance of construction by European law.

Buying a car
Buying a car on Spanish plates can save a lot of complications and has certain advantages, such as being easy to resell and payment in Spanish currency. To purchase a car you will need your NIE number, to show that you own a property, to show that you are a resident or be able to present a certificado de empadronamiento (certificate to show that you are a registered inhabitant of the community).

Testing
If buying a new car straight from the garage your next MOT will not have to be done for 4 years. If you have just had your car registered, or it’s a second hand car and under 10 years old, you must have an MOT every 2 years. If your car is over 10 years, you must have a MOT every year.

Driving Licences
You can transfer your UK licence to a Spanish one, by going to the Gestoria or going to the Commisario yourself and filling in the paperwork. At 60 you will have to have a mini medical and eye test so make sure you can see and react quickly enough to drive. You can then continue once you have been given an official paper.

Accidents
If you have an accident, the first thing to do is call 062 for the Guardia Civil. You will have to complete an accident report form. On this form, you will have to fill in both yours and the third parties insurance details (most important). You will have to give a brief description of the accident. You will have to draw the positions of the cars as they ended up,

Car Hire
Car rental in Spain is available from all major cities, main towns and airports and some companies allow one way rentals. To hire a car in Spain you must be at least 21 years old and have held a full driver's licence for one to three years, depending on the company. Third party liability insurance is compulsory and although collision-damage waivers vary between companies, they are usually worthwhile when compared with the potential loss if an accident occurred. Never leave anything valuable in your car or anything on view as rental vehicles can be easy targets. Be especially careful of mugging type scams just after you've collected your car at the airport. Always try for a free upgrade to a better model - the companies have hundreds of vehicles available.

Many firms will collect or deliver to Malaga Airport, free of charge
Rally - [34] 952 442 955 or 609 532 317 (British)
Gilmar - [34] 952 058 436
CarJet Malaga Airport
Louis - [34] 952 477 240 Fuengirola
Sur Rent - [34] 952 170 605
Crown - [34] 952 176 486 Airport
Crown - [34] 952 819 000 Marbella
Yellow Car - [34] 952 494 000 La Cala/Marbella
Europcar - [34] 952 356 512 Malaga Station
Europcar - [34] 952 048 518 Malaga Airport
Europcar - [34] 952 581 519 Fuengirola
Europcar - [34] 952 863 017 Marbella
Europcar - [34] 952 785 808 San Pedro
Elvirauto - [34] 952 592 510 Fuengirola
UKM - [34] 952 473 400
Florida - [34] 952 461 350 Fuengirola
Prima - [34] 952 310 975
Crack - [34] 952 371 025 Torremolinos

Van Hire
Herz - [34] 952 773 191
National-Atesa - [34] 779 295
Gary - [34] 617 759 660 or 657 366 726
John - [34] 655 321 385 Fuengirola