Malaga Airport (AGP) Flights & Flight Status

Malaga’s Costa del Sol Airport is, as the name would suggest, the main gateway to this part of southern Spain that’s very popular with holiday-goers from around Europe and increasingly beyond. If you’re from northern Europe there’s a good chance you’ve not only heard of Malaga but have been through there. And as these sorts of airports go it offers a nice blend of destinations and amenities alongside a compact layout meaning it’s never too difficult to navigate.

Terminal layout & finding your way around

Malaga is housed within one large terminal despite having different terminal numbers. The smaller and older terminal (T2) was added on to with a more modern and airy structure (T3) and they now form one continuum, with most of the check-in counters, security check and the gates located on the newer side.

As a result it’s very easy to find one’s way at Malaga and although the security queues can certainly back up during peak season, it’s never a confusing process to reach your gate. It is however a good idea to allow plenty of time so as not to get stressed.

Tip: on the other hand fly through here outside of the summer months and you will find a refreshingly easy atmosphere without the crush of people – a truly different experience which extends to the city and surroundings as well. If at all possible to plan your visit for the shoulder seasons (winters can be rainy), I recommend it!

Dining & shopping

Malaga Airport has a wide variety of food & drink options including some well-known chains and it’s easy to find a sandwich and a coffee or even sit down for some hot food. Shopping also covers the basics with souvenirs, treats and well-known food from the area, pharmacies and more. It’s not a shopping destination in itself, but if you need something last-minute, it’s quite likely you’ll find it here.

Airlines & destinations

Malaga has seen a fair deal of new service added in recent years from beyond Europe including flights to New York, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Some of that is only for the peak summer season, but it’s exciting times nonetheless for what was always an airport filled almost exclusively with European short hops. That means you can reach the charming city of Malaga and the surroundings (including the beautiful Andalucía and hot spots like Marbella) from more places.

However if it’s Europe you’re coming from there are flights to almost anywhere – including quite a bit of low cost airline service to both major and secondary cities, especially in the northern half of the continent where the sun is less reliable. This is not called the “coast of the sun” for nothing.

And from the UK especially you’ll find Malaga flights from almost every regional airport – from Bournemouth to Newcastle, Liverpool to Bristol. There’ll likely be a cheap flight available from somewhere close by.

Lounges

Malaga has just one executive lounge, the Sala VIP. Luckily it’s quite big as it’s a Priority Pass lounge and serves as the lounge for premium cabin passengers on airlines that offer lounge access as well.

It’s a very average space and offering as lounges go – quite middle of the road and exactly what you might expect when thinking of a Priority Pass lounge. But it does offer peace and quiet (usually) and free snacks and drinks, so it’s well worth stopping in if you have access. However I wouldn’t pay any extra for a day pass.

Arrivals

For arrivals from within the Schengen zone (which is a majority of them here) arrivals is quite a simple process. Simply head downstairs towards baggage claim and then exit into the arrivals hall where you’ll find car hire desks and other transport options. For those inbound from outside Schengen there is a special cordoned off area for passport checks and baggage claim, but the rest of the process is the same.

Wi-Fi

Free and reasonably quick Wi-Fi is available at Malaga Airport. Access requires registering as a user which is less than ideal, but at least it works and there’s no charge.

Getting to and from Malaga Airport

Malaga Airport has a variety of transport options to cater to just about every need and budget. Many visitors to this airport end up hiring a car which means there are extensive options in that category, but there’s also bus service to the city and further afield as well. Keep in mind too that Spain’s AVE high speed rail reaches Malaga’s centre so if you’re headed elsewhere in Spain (just not along the coast) this can be a useful and pleasant option.

Taxi

Malaga is very close to the airport so taxis to get into town can be a good option. Both conventional taxis and Uber (as well as another service known as Cabify) will work here. The ride-hailing apps are cheaper, so I would always use those. Keep in mind that car hire tends to be affordable here so if you’re heading any great distance away it will probably be the better choice for cost.

Bus & coach

There are many options for bus and coach service both locally and to more distant destinations. Local buses and an “airport express” city bus both serve Malaga, but keep in mind they don’t run in the middle of the night. Journey time should be around half an hour, and you can pay by card or cash when you board, or buy tickets in advance using an app.

There are also affordable direct bus services to hotspots as Marbella. Longer-distance coaches also run along the coast to places like Algeciras (where you can catch ferries to Morocco), Nerja and up to Granada. I recommend buying tickets for these online in advance, and check times before you go because they aren’t necessarily frequent.

Car hire

You’ll find all the usual suspects in the car hire section from the name brands such as Hertz and Europcar to the low-cost offerings like Record go and Goldcar. It’s great to have a hire car in the region if you’re planning on doing any exploring and rates tend to be good because of the volume of travellers.

Tip: In my experience this is a place where it pays to look over your hire car very carefully before signing off on it. Make sure to take photos of every possible nick and scratch, and raise it with the staff. With various companies I’ve had to fight over extra charges that were incorrectly added on, so it’s good to just be aware of that.

Things to do during a layover

Malaga is well worth a visit if you have a few hours in between flights and a bit of energy. With around four hours available you could easily catch an Uber in, stroll around the centre, have lunch and get back to the airport.

If you enjoy watching aeroplanes while at the beach you can stick even closer to the terminals as there are a few beaches right at the end of the runways so you can get a dose of the Med with some planespotting alongside. The Playa de la Misericordia is also adjacent to a park which includes a large lagoon; a lovely place to take a walk and get some fresh air.

Even if the airplanes aren’t an attraction there’s lots more to do along the coast adjacent to the airport. Fancy a round of golf? Head to the Real Club de Campo Malaga. If you’ve got time afterwards, head over to La Palapa Beach Jazba, a beach club and restaurant, for some food and relaxation

If you’ve got a full day, keep in mind that Granada and the world-famous Alhambra is just an hour and a half away in the mountains. This will give you a taste of a completely different side of southern Spain, away from the coastal crowds. The Alhambra is a perfect place to get lost in and wander around for half a day, but Granada itself is also a charming town with plenty of good food and drink, and more.

Airport hotels

The quickest and easiest option for spending a night near Malaga Airport is the Holiday Inn Express located directly adjacent to the airport grounds. Unfortunately it’s not especially walkable from the terminals, but it’s an easy 3-minute shuttle ride.

Closer to the beach there’s the Parador de Malaga Golf Club. This isn’t an airport hotel; rather it caters to the golfing crowd. But it’s a convenient and more characterful hotel very close to the airport all the same.

If you’ve a longer layover here though don’t forget that Malaga itself is close by and it could be worth spending an evening there compared to stuck in the Holiday Inn with nothing around. For city options if you fancy a splurge the Hotel Miramar is lovely. Alternatively take a look at the Icon Malabar for about half the price.