The Caminito del Rey is about 60 km from Málaga city, but getting there isn't entirely straightforward. The issue isn't the distance — it's that the route is linear: you enter at one end and exit at the other, which is 7 km away in a straight line. If you drive, you reach the starting point, and by the time you finish, you're far from where you parked.
Here are the 4 real ways to get there, with their real advantages and real headaches.
Option 1: Organized tour from Málaga (the most convenient)
This is the option most tourists choose, and it makes a lot of sense. The bus picks you up in Málaga, takes you to the north or south entrance of the Caminito, picks you up at the other end when you finish the route, and brings you back to Málaga. The linear-route problem is solved.
What it usually includes:
- Pickup from a central point in Málaga (usually near Alameda Principal)
- Round-trip transport
- A guide throughout the route
- The helmet (mandatory) is already included
- Sometimes the Caminito entry ticket is included, sometimes it's separate
Total time: You leave Málaga around 8-9am and return between 3-5pm, depending on the tour.
What guides give you that you won't find in any brochure: the historical context of the original 1905 bridge, who built it and why it was closed for years. That's what turns a walk into an experience.
The catch: if the bus leaves at 8am and you arrive at 8:05am, you lose your spot. No exceptions.
Option 2: Train from Málaga (the cheapest)
There's a direct train from Málaga's María Zambrano station to the El Chorro station (also called Caminito del Rey). It's the C-2 Cercanías (commuter) line.
The journey:
- Duration: approximately 1 hour
- Price: around €4-5 one-way (Cercanías fare)
- Frequency: few trains per day — check updated schedules on the Renfe website before you go, as they're limited
The real problem with the train: the El Chorro station is at the north entrance of the Caminito. If you do the route north to south (the most common direction), you end up at the south exit area, in Ardales. There's no train from there. You'd need to take a taxi to Ardales town and then figure out how to get back to El Chorro to catch the train.
The option that works with the train: doing the route in reverse, south to north, to finish near the El Chorro station. But check carefully whether that direction is allowed at the time of your visit.
Who this works well for: travelers without a car, with flexible schedules, who enjoy organizing things independently.
Option 3: Your own car (the most flexible, with a catch)
By car from Málaga it's about 55-60 minutes via the A-357 toward Ardales.
The linear-route problem:
If you enter through the north access (El Chorro) and leave your car there, when you finish the route you're at the south access, 7 km from where you parked. This is what the shuttle bus is for: a bus connecting both parking areas.
How it works:
- You arrive at the south parking lot (next to the Ardales Visitor Center)
- You take the shuttle to the north access
- You do the route north to south
- You finish where your car is, at the south parking lot
The shuttle has an additional cost (around €1.55 per person, may vary). Factor it into your planning.
North parking (El Chorro): an area next to the Guadalhorce reservoir. Free parking, but limited space. It fills up before 9am during high season.
South parking (Ardales): next to the Visitor Center, where the official ticket office is. Larger, with more spaces.
Recommendation if driving: arrive at the south parking lot with time to spare, buy your ticket if you don't already have one, take the shuttle north, and do the route ending near your car.
Option 4: Public bus from Málaga
This option exists but is inconvenient given the Caminito's schedules.
There's a bus service run by the company Damas from Málaga's bus station to Ardales. The problem is frequency: the schedules don't always line up with the Caminito's opening hours, and the return trip can get complicated depending on which bus you take.
It's an option for local residents or for those traveling with very flexible time who are willing to wait. For a day trip from Málaga, it's not the most practical option.
Quick comparison
| Option | Approx. price | Convenience | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organized tour | €35-55 | High | Low |
| Train | €8-10 (round trip) | Medium | Medium |
| Own car | Fuel + shuttle | High | High |
| Public bus | €10-14 | Low | Low |
Tour prices vary depending on whether the Caminito entry ticket is included.
Which is best for you?
If it's your first trip and you want it hassle-free: organized tour. Everything is taken care of and the guide adds real value.
If you're an independent traveler with time to spare: train, combined with a taxi for the return or doing the route in the less common direction.
If you're traveling with family or a group: your own car using the shuttle strategy from the south parking lot.
If you live in Málaga and already know the area: your own car, get up early, and arrive before 8am to secure a spot in the north parking lot.
Do you already know how you're getting there? The next step is securing your ticket. Official tickets sell out weeks ahead, especially in spring and summer.
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