Mina Car Rental Malaga (2024)

FAQs

Do we need a car in Malaga? ›

There is not a great need to rent a car as public transportation along the coast is excellent. You can stay in the city of Málaga near the beach or in one of the resorts along the coast.

Car rental in Spain is easy. But, do you need to rent a car during your trip to Spain at all? It actually depends on your agenda and where exactly you're planning to travel. If your main goal is only to spend time in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville or Málaga, you don't need a car.

Malaga airport is conveniently close to the sun-soaked city centre of Malaga – just a short 20-minute drive away.

During the pandemic lockdowns, travel was way down and so too were car rentals. As a result, the rental companies sold off most of their fleets. Today there is a shortage of rental cars, and as is the case whenever demand outstrips supply, prices rise.

Navigating through Malaga isn't all that difficult; rather your options are more limited, as there is less access to expressways or highways to take you to your destination efficiently.

Taxis, bus and commuter train services are readily available. The commuter train is one of the most recommended forms of transport, as it is only about a 10 minute journey from the airport to the centre of Málaga. It is also a similar journey time from the airport to Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola.

In order to rent a car in Spain you will need to have a valid driver's license, a valid passport, and a credit card to pay for the car rental deposit.

If you are planning to rent a car in Spain then you must obtain unlimited third-party liability insurance coverage. To simplify the process, Auto Europe includes this coverage in the price of every car rental offered in Spain.

Can I drive with my U.S. driver's license in Spain? U.S. citizens who plan to drive in Spain must obtain an international driving permit (IDP) prior to their arrival. An international driving permit translates your state-issued driver's license into ten languages so that officials in foreign countries can interpret it.

With Uber, you can choose the ride option that works best for your budget when you travel in Málaga. To see the possible cost, open the app and input your destination in the “Where to?” box. The price estimate for each ride option will appear; scroll to see what's currently available.

Is it cheaper to rent a car from an airport or a local location? ›

Don't rent at the airport.

It is generally cheaper to rent a car from an airport rather than a city center location. For example, cars rented at the airport are almost always more expensive because of added taxes and fees. Typically, when you rent at an off-airport location, you could save 20 percent or more.

Route and fares

The journey time is approximately 20-25 minutes, but depending on the time of the day and traffic it can take 25-30 minutes. The approximate price of a taxi from Malaga airport to the city centre is around 25 or 30 EUR.

While prices have since dipped from those summer 2021 highs, they have still been far higher for every month thus far of 2024 than at any time before the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, whereas average prices across all items are up about 23% since before the pandemic, rental car prices in 2024 are up a much sharper 35%.

In general, rental companies want to rent out as many cars as possible, just like hotels want to rent out as many rooms as possible. They'll price cars competitively to increase demand, but when demand is high, they may raise prices to capitalize on it.

But its best part, undoubtedly, is the historic quarter - Malaga old town. The old town occupies a considerable city centre area, yet it's compact enough to be easily walkable.

Malaga is a walkable city

You may be surprised about how compact Malaga's historic center is. Most of the main tourist attractions in Malaga are within walking distance of each other, and most of the historic center is car-free, making it great for strolling.

The good news is that Malaga, in the southern region of Andalusia, Spain, is fairly compact—you can walk across the historic center in about 15 minutes—so three days gives you enough time to get a taste of almost everything.