Granada and the Caminito del Rey are about 115-120 km apart, roughly 1h 15min by car via the A-92 and the A-357. It's perfectly doable as a day trip, but you need to understand the timing well for everything to work out.
The schedule problem
The first entry slot at the Caminito del Rey is usually at 8am or 8:30am. To arrive from Granada at that time, you have to leave by 6:30-7am at the latest.
If your ticket is for the 10am or 11am slot, you have more leeway — you can leave Granada at 8:30am with plenty of time.
This is the factor most people underestimate when planning from Granada: the logistics of leaving the city very early.
Option 1: Your own car (the most recommended option from Granada)
The car is the most flexible and practical option from Granada:
Route: Granada → A-92 toward Antequera → A-357 toward Ardales → south access of the Caminito.
Driving time: 1h 15min - 1h 30min depending on traffic.
What you need to work out: the logistics of the linear route. If you park at the south access (the most practical option), you take the shuttle to the north access, do the route from north to south, and finish where you left your car.
Return to Granada: you finish the route around 1-2pm. Lunch in Ardales (set menu) and back to Granada by 5-6pm. A full day but manageable.
Alternative route with more scenery
Instead of the direct highway, you can take the A-92 to Antequera and detour through Bobadilla. It takes a bit longer but takes you through the interior of Málaga province with different scenery than the coastal corridor.
Option 2: Organized tour from Granada
There are operators that organize excursions to the Caminito del Rey departing from Granada. The tour includes bus transport, a guide, and in many cases the entry ticket.
Advantage: you don't have to drive two hours there and two hours back after a 4-hour hike. The accumulated fatigue of the day is real.
Disadvantage: you're tied to the group's schedule and to the stops the operator decides on.
Who it makes sense for: if you're traveling alone or as a couple and don't want to rent a car, or if you value not having to drive on the day of the excursion.
Option 3: Train from Granada
The train combination from Granada to the Caminito isn't direct or convenient:
- Granada → Málaga (high-speed train, about 25 minutes)
- Málaga → El Chorro (Cercanías C-2 commuter line, about 60 minutes)
In total, between 90 minutes and 2 hours of transport each way, with the change in Málaga. The Cercanías line schedule to El Chorro is limited and you'll need to match it with your entry time slot.
It's not impossible, but it requires very careful schedule planning, and any delay could mean missing your entry slot. We only recommend it if you have total flexibility with your entry time.
Combining with the Alhambra: does it make sense?
The question comes up a lot: "Can I do the Alhambra in the morning and the Caminito in the afternoon?"
The answer is no, it doesn't make logistical sense:
- The Alhambra requires at least 3-4 hours (much more if you enter all the palaces)
- The Caminito also requires 3-4 hours plus travel time
- The Caminito's afternoon entry slots close at a time that doesn't allow arriving from Granada after visiting the Alhambra
What does make sense: dedicating one full day to the Caminito and a different day to the Alhambra. If you're in Granada for several days, it's a perfect plan.
What to do the day before
If your Caminito entry is first thing in the morning and you have to wake up early from Granada:
- Prepare your clothes the night before — at 6:30am you don't think clearly
- Download an offline map of the Ardales area — coverage in the canyon isn't always good
- Check the weather the afternoon before — if there's a risk of rain, the park may close
- Fill up your car's tank — there's no gas station in El Chorro or in the town of Ardales
Summary of options
| Option | Travel time | Approx. price | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own car | 1h 15-30 min | Gas ~€12 | High |
| Tour from Granada | 2h (with stops) | €50-60 | High |
| Train (with change) | 1h 30-2h | €15-20 | Medium-low |
For most people coming from Granada, your own car is the option that best balances cost, flexibility, and comfort.
If you've already decided to go from Granada and need your ticket, remember that in high season (April-June) you need to book weeks in advance.
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