How To Get From Malaga To Granada (Cheapest & Easiest Methods)

Granada is a city in mainland Spain located 131km northeast of the coastal city of Malaga. Subsequently, there are a number of different ways in which you can travel between the two locations.

The train is the quickest and easiest way of travelling between Malaga and Granada. The journey currently takes 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs circa €25 per person, each way.

However, if you plan to explore more regions of mainland Spain during your trip then it may be worth researching a hire car instead.

⏱️ Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
💵 Cost: €25
💻 Buy Tickets: Omio

The train is the quickest and one of the easiest ways to get from Malaga to Granada. There are 3 direct trains daily; one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening and all journeys are operated by Renfe, the national railway operator of Spain.

The journey takes roughly 80 minutes in total (30 minutes less than driving) and since the train stations in both Malaga and Granada are located in the city centre it’s then often very easy to then get to / from your accommodation.

However, given the limited number of direct services between Malaga and Granada, if you do want to travel by train it’s advisable to book your train ticket online in advance, especially during the peak summer months.

⏱️ Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
💵 Cost: €15
💻 Buy Bus Tickets: Omio

Another option for travelling between Malaga and Granada is taking the bus. There are numerous direct buses that run between the two cities daily, however, the journey is roughly 30 minutes to an hour longer and is only €10 cheaper when compared to the train.

However, there are more frequent bus departures than train departures, so if there’s a specific time you need to travel, you may have better luck with the bus. Buses are operated by ALSA, a Spanish bus and coach company, and tickets are available to purchase online in advance, or you can buy them directly at the bus terminal.

In Malaga, the bus terminal is located in the city centre right by the train station, but in Granada, it’s located further out (about a 30-minute walk or 10-minute drive to the city centre) so that is something to consider before taking the bus.

⏱️ Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
💵 Cost: €30 per day (hire car only)
💻 Book Hire Car: Discover Cars

If you are looking for more flexibility in your travel plans, then renting a car may be the best way to get from Malaga to Granada.

You can rent a car at the Malaga Airport from the lower floor of the arrivals terminal. However, there are also a number of car rental places in the city centre of Malaga where you can pick up a car to drive to Granada.

This option is the most flexible since it allows you to leave whenever you want and make stops along the way. If you plan to travel around southern Spain, then having a rental car is a great way to explore the region and stop in smaller towns and villages.

Many rental car companies will also allow you to pick up and drop off at different locations in southern Spain for free, or for a nominal fee.

⏱️ Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
💵 Cost: €150
💻 Reserve Taxi: Hoppa

If you have a lot of luggage or are travelling as part of a large group then using a taxi, minibus or private transfer maybe a better option. Depending on the size of the vehicle and the method of booking you’re typically looking at between €150 and €300 each way.

Both Uber and Bolt are the go-to taxi companies. However, a service like Hoppa which allows you to compare different private transfer companies may also be worth looking at.

A private transfer between Malaga and Granada typically takes between 1 hour and 45 minutes and 2 hours and 15 minutes depending on traffic. However, you may also have the flexibility to make stops along the way if desired.

If you find that a private transfer is the right method of transport then it’s advisable to book in advance to ensure you have the availability and the best price available. Again, in-advance reservations can be done using Bolt, Uber or a private company.