Getting from Malaga Airport to your hotel with kids

Malaga Airport is one of Spain's most family-visited airports — the Costa del Sol is one of Europe's premier family holiday destinations. The terminal is well-equipped and the transport options are varied enough to accommodate different family needs.

The terminal with children

Malaga Airport's T2/T3 is modern and spacious. Baby changing facilities are available and clean. The baggage hall is large. The walk from arrivals to transport options is not excessive.

The tourist information desk (when open) can help with local guidance. There are cafés and snack outlets in arrivals if children need food after a flight.

Trolleys are widely available. The terminal is fully accessible with lifts and wide corridors.

Child seats

Taxis at Malaga do not carry child seats. If your children are below the legal age and weight thresholds for travelling without a seat, you need to either bring your own or book a private transfer and specify the seat requirement when booking.

Spanish law requires child seats for children under 135 cm (generally up to around 12 years old depending on height). In practice, local taxis cannot enforce this with tourists who have no alternative, but from a safety perspective it matters.

Bringing your own seat and fitting it in a taxi is legally and practically acceptable. Pre-booking a transfer with the correct seat already installed is easier.

Transport for families

Pre-booked private transfer or minivan: Ideal for families. The driver meets you in arrivals, the vehicle is appropriate for your group size and luggage, and child seats are pre-arranged. This option is especially good for families going to Marbella, Fuengirola, or Nerja where the journey is 30-75 minutes.

Taxi: Works for families with older children who do not need car seats. The rank queue is short. For larger families, request a people carrier or estate at the rank — availability varies.

Train: Can work for families going to Malaga city if the children are mobile and can manage their luggage. The train is clean and seats are normally available outside peak hours. However, the luggage and stroller logistics can be awkward, and the train does not serve most family resort areas directly.

Reaching family resort areas

The Costa del Sol has a range of family resort types:

• Torremolinos (10 km, 15-20 min): Beach resort close to the airport with family hotels. Quick and cheap by taxi.
• Benalmadena (17 km, 20-25 min): Good family resort. Taxi EUR 22-32, or the C1 train serves nearby Benalmadena-Arroyo station.
• Fuengirola (27 km, 30-40 min): Quieter and family-oriented. Taxi EUR 30-42. C1 train to Fuengirola station EUR 3.90.
• Marbella (55 km, 45-60 min): Mix of luxury and family hotels. Taxi EUR 55-80. Worth pre-booking a transfer for a family.
• Nerja (65 km, 55-75 min): Charming east coast town, excellent for families. Taxi EUR 75-100. Consider pre-booking.

Practical tips

• Pre-book if going to Marbella or beyond. At 55+ km and 45+ minutes, having a driver ready makes the arrival significantly smoother with children.
• Bring snacks and drinks from the terminal. The drive to Marbella at 60 minutes with a hungry child is better with provisions.
• Strollers: The airport is fully stroller-accessible. Bring your stroller to the gate and collect it at the aircraft door or baggage claim (ask at check-in).
• The train to Fuengirola is a genuinely viable family option if your resort is near the station. EUR 3.90 per adult, under-4s free. Manageable with practice.