Reaching the Costa del Sol by train is extremely easy. Málaga is connected with the main Spanish cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, via high-speed railway.
Travelling to Málaga via high-speed train
In only two and a half hours, you can travel from Madrid to Málaga. This service operates with a great deal of frequency, and trains leave almost every hour from 06:00 to 21:00.
There are also daily connections via high-speed train (AVE) that enable you to travel to Málaga from Barcelona, Zaragoza or Valencia, amongst other cities.
The AVANT trains (medium-distance trains) link the Costa del Sol with other Andalusian cities. It takes under two hours to reach Málaga from Seville, and only 45 minutes when travelling from Cordoba. The latter is connected to the major Mediterranean cities, such as Valencia and Barcelona.
The Málaga-María Zambrano Train Station is located in the centre of Málaga, next to the Bus Station. It boasts a taxi rank and a metro stop. Inside, it houses the Vialia Shopping Centre, an expansive area taking in restaurants, shops, leisure establishments, a supermarket, cinemas and even a four-star hotel.
How to travel to the towns and villages of the Costa del Sol by train
In addition to the rail connections between Málaga and other Spanish cities, there is also a commuter rail network to facilitate movement within the Costa del Sol. In the María Zambrano Station, where the AVE arrives, you can board the various commuter trains. The C1 line travels from Málaga to Fuengirola in less than 45 minutes, passing through the Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, whilst the C2 line reaches Álora in approximately 40 minutes.
The María Zambrano Train Station is also next to the Bus Station, where you can catch a bus to travel to any municipality within the province of Málaga.