Picking up your car at Malaga Airport
Malaga is one of Europe’s busiest car hire airports. Some companies have desks in the arrivals area with cars in the airport car parks; many others, including several low-cost local suppliers, are off-airport and take you to their depot by shuttle bus. Your voucher shows where to meet. Off-airport can mean queues at busy times, so allow extra time.
Fuel policies and extras
Fuel policy is the biggest thing to check at Malaga. A full to full policy (collect it full, return it full) is usually the fairest. With “full to empty” you pay up front for a tank of fuel, often with a service charge, and get no refund for fuel you don’t use. Also check the excess and the deposit, as some local suppliers hold a large deposit unless you buy their own cover.
Driving on the Costa del Sol
Spain drives on the right. The coast road links Malaga with Marbella, Fuengirola and Nerja, and inland routes lead to Ronda, Granada, Córdoba and Seville. The AP-7 toll motorway runs parallel to the free coastal road for part of the way.
Last updated: 16 October 2026
