Cercanías Málaga commuter train service
The Malaga Cercanías train service provides an efficient way to explore the Costa del Sol and surrounding areas.
This 70-kilometre network connects Malaga city centre to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport and various major towns in the province, such as Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola.
It has two lines (C-1 and C-2) and 24 operational stations.
C-1: Malaga – Airport – Fuengirola
The C-1 line runs along the Costa del Sol every 20 minutes, from Malaga city to Fuengirola.
Map of the current Malaga Cercanías train network.
There have long been calls to extend the line to Marbella to the west and to Nerja in the east but, for the timebeing, the current stations are:
- Centro Alameda (central Malaga)
- María Zambrano (Malaga’s main train and bus station, plus a connection to Malaga Metro)
- Victoria Kent (for the fairground)
- Guadalhorce (industrial estate)
- Aeropuerto (Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport)
- Plaza Mayor (major retail village)
- Los Álamos
- La Colina
- Torremolinos
- Montemar-Alto
- El Pinillo
- Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel
- Torremuelle
- Carvajal
- Torreblanca
- Los Boliches
- Fuengirola
Plan your stay on the Costa del Sol today!
C-2: Malaga – Álora
The C-2 line takes a different direction entirely, heading inland from Malaga towards the white village of Álora. This route showcases the rural beauty of inland Andalucía, passing through agricultural land and traditional towns.
Unlike the frequent coastal service, trains on the C-2 line run less regularly. Depending on the time of day, you might find departures every hour or only every two hours.
You should consult the official timetable before planning your journey to avoid long waits at stations.
The C-2 line stops at these nine stations:
- Centro Alameda
- María Zambrano
- Victoria Kent
- Los Prados
- Campanillas
- Cártama
- Aljaima
- Pizarra
- Álora
How to buy Malaga Cercanías train tickets
Purchasing tickets for the Malaga Cercanías train is straightforward, with several convenient options available to suit different preferences.
You’ll find automated ticket machines at every station on the network. These machines accept cash and most major credit and debit cards, and they offer instructions in multiple languages, including English.
The interface guides you through selecting your destination, the number of passengers, and any discounts you may be eligible for. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to complete your purchase.
Contactless payment on Malaga Cercanías trains
Instead of purchasing a traditional ticket, you can now tap in and out using your contactless debit or credit card.
The larger stations on the network have ticket barriers, but in smaller towns, validators can be found on station platforms.
Simply hold your card or mobile payment device near the reader at the start and end of your journey, and the validators will automatically calculate the correct fare based on the distance travelled.
This system works with most Visa, Mastercard and other major card providers that support contactless payments. If you use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or similar services on your smartphone or smartwatch, you can tap your device instead of your physical card.
Just remember to use the same payment method for both tapping in and tapping out, as the system links your entry and exit points through your specific card or device.
Renfe Cercanías app
The Renfe Cercanías app provides the most flexible way to buy tickets if you have a smartphone. You can download this free app from the Google Play Store or App Store.
You can purchase tickets in advance and store them digitally on your device, which eliminates the need to queue at machines or to carry cash.
The app also displays real-time service updates and delays, helping you plan your journey more effectively.
Are there ticket offices on the Malaga Cercanías?
Ticket offices operate at larger stations such as María Zambrano and Centro Alameda. Staff can help with more complex journeys, explain ticket options, and answer questions about the service.
However, these offices have limited opening hours, so the machines are often more reliable for purchasing tickets outside standard business hours.
Do children travel for free on Malaga Cercanías trains?
Children under four years old travel free on the Malaga Cercanías train when accompanied by an adult.
Older children and seniors may qualify for discounted fares, so it’s worth asking about available reductions when purchasing your ticket.
Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga over a decade ago, having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found this site in 2016.