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Land at Malaga Airport (AGP), pick up your keys and be on the beach within an hour. Malaga is the main gateway to the Costa del Sol, and hiring a car at the airport is the easiest way to reach your hotel, villa or apartment without waiting for a transfer.
Most of the big hire car suppliers have desks inside the terminal, including Avis, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, Record Go and Sixt. Local firms such as Malaga Car, Centauro and Marbesol run free shuttles to depots a few minutes away, often at lower prices.
We compare Malaga Airport car hire deals from all of them side by side, so you can weigh price against convenience in one search. Every deal comes with a fair fuel policy and free cancellation, and the price you see includes all the mandatory fees. Search now to find cheap car rental at Malaga Airport for your dates.
Fast facts about hiring a car from Malaga Airport
Airport: Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP). Car hire desks are in the arrivals area of Terminal 3
Distance to Malaga city centre: 8km. Roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car
Age to hire a car: 21 at most suppliers. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver fee
Side of the road: Right
Credit card: Most suppliers need a credit card in the main driver's name to hold the deposit. Some accept debit cards if you buy their own full cover
International Driving Permit: Not needed with a UK photocard licence
Drive times from Malaga Airport: Torremolinos 10 minutes, Benalmádena 15 minutes, Fuengirola 25 minutes, Marbella 40 minutes, Nerja 1 hour
Picking up your hire car at Malaga Airport
In-terminal or shuttle: which is right for you?
Car hire at Malaga Airport splits into two kinds of supplier, and it pays to know which one you have booked before you land.
In-terminal suppliers have desks or representatives in the Terminal 3 arrivals area. Follow the ‘Car rental’ signs after baggage reclaim, complete the paperwork at the desk, then walk to the car park next to the terminal to collect your car. Avis, Budget, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, InterRent, Record Go and Sixt all work this way.
Off-airport suppliers run free shuttle buses to their own depots, usually five to ten minutes away. Head outside arrivals to the shuttle meeting point shown on your voucher. Malaga Car, Centauro, Marbesol, Car Gest, Niza Cars and Pepecar all work this way. Prices are often lower, but allow extra time for the shuttle.
Supplier locations are subject to change so you should always confirm pickup location on your booking confirmation.
How long will it take?
In summer, queues at Malaga Airport car hire desks can run to an hour or more, whichever supplier you choose. Book ahead, have your documents ready and send one person to the desk while the others wait for the bags.
What to have ready
Your driving licence, passport, booking voucher and the credit card in the main driver's name. Some suppliers also ask for a DVLA check code, which you can get online up to 21 days before you travel.
Arriving late?
Many flights into Malaga Airport land after midnight. Check your supplier's opening hours before you book. Some charge an out-of-hours fee and some shuttle depots close overnight.
Driving from Malaga Airport
The airport sits just off the MA-20 and A-7, so you are on the main coast road within minutes of leaving the car park. Head east for Malaga city centre and Nerja, or west for Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Marbella.
West of the airport you have a choice. The AP-7 is a toll motorway and the quickest route to Marbella and Estepona. The A-7 runs alongside it for free but is slower through the resorts. You can pay tolls by card at the booths. Local rates can range from €5-10 depending on the season.
You drive on the right in Spain. Speed limits are 120km/h on motorways, 90km/h on other main roads and 50km/h in towns, dropping to 30km/h on many town streets. The drink-drive limit is lower than in England and Wales at 0.5g per litre of blood, and 0.3g for drivers who passed their test less than two years ago. Holding a mobile phone while driving is illegal.
Since the start of 2026, Spanish-registered cars have been required to carry a V-16 flashing beacon in place of warning triangles. Your hire car should have one, plus a reflective jacket. Check both before you drive away.
Parking in central Malaga is limited and mostly in paid underground car parks. If you are staying in the city, pick up your car on the day you head out of town.
Top tips for car hire at Malaga Airport
Book early for summer. Malaga Airport is one of the busiest in Spain from June to September, and the cheapest hire cars go first.
Check the fuel policy. Every deal on TravelSupermarket has a fair fuel policy. If you book elsewhere, avoid ‘full to empty’ deals that charge you for a full tank upfront.
Know your deposit. If you decline the supplier's own insurance, expect a large deposit to be held on your credit card, sometimes €1,000 or more.
Film the car at pick-up. Walk round it with your phone before you leave the car park and again when you return it.
Mountain roads need care. Routes into the Sierra Nevada and up to Ronda have tight hairpin bends. Allow extra time and take it steady.
Things to know about car hire at Malaga Airport
days ahead
The average price for booking car hire is generally at its lowest days ahead of the rental dates.
Driver requirements
FAQs
What age do I need to be to hire a vehicle in Malaga?
In general, you need to be at least 18 years old to hire a car in Malaga (and all of Spain). However, do be aware that some car hire companies set their minimum age higher, usually at 23 or 25 years old. You will be expected to have held a full driving licence for year, too. There is no maximum age limit, but some car rental companies may not rent to drivers over the age of 75.
What do I need to hire a vehicle in Malaga?
Bring a valid driving licence, proof of ID, such as a passport or ID card, and a debit or credit card when hiring a car in Malaga. You may also need to provide a DVLA check code and additional proof of address, such as a utility bill. Check what you need with your car hire supplier before you travel.
Can I rent a car with a debit card in Malaga?
Yes, many car hire firms in Malaga accept debit cards as long as you have enough funds to cover your deposit. Some rental companies insist on taking credit card details to cover the security deposit, though, so check with the company directly.
Which car hire companies are at Malaga Airport?
You’ll find rental desks for Avis, Budget, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, InterRent, Firefly, Record Go and Sixt inside Malaga’s airport terminal. You can also take a shuttle bus from the terminal to reach these off-site car-rent companies: Autolink, Car Gest, Centauro, Marbesol, Malaga Car, Niza Cars, Pepecar, Tonys Rent A Car and Yellow Car.
Can you rent a car on the same day in Malaga?
Same-day car hire is available from most rental companies in Malaga. Even though it’s same day, it’s often still cheaper to book online than go straight to the rental desk.
Can I hire a vehicle at 21 years of age in Malaga?
Yes, it’s possible to hire a car in Malaga at 21 years of age, but you should expect to pay a ‘young driver surcharge’ if you’re under 25. Check if your rental company accepts drivers at 21 years-old before you book.
Are the car hire desks inside Malaga Airport?
Yes, for in-terminal suppliers. Their desks are in the arrivals area of Terminal 3 and the cars are in the car park next to the terminal. Off-airport suppliers meet you outside arrivals and take you to their depot by free shuttle bus, usually a 5-10 minute ride.
Is off-airport car hire at Malaga worth it?
It can be. Off-airport suppliers are often cheaper, but you trade the saving for a shuttle ride and sometimes a longer queue at the depot. If you are travelling with young children or landing late, an in-terminal desk is usually worth the extra.
Can I get car hire at Malaga Airport with no excess?
Yes. Many deals let you add the supplier's full cover, which cuts the excess to zero and often lowers the deposit. You can also buy standalone car hire excess insurance before you travel, which is usually cheaper. The supplier will then hold a larger deposit on your credit card.
What fuel policy should I choose at Malaga Airport?
Full to full. You pick the car up with a full tank and return it full, so you only pay for the fuel you use. All car hire deals on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy.
Can I drive my Malaga hire car to Gibraltar or Portugal?
Often, but not always. Many suppliers charge a cross-border fee and some do not allow it at all. Check the terms before you book and tell the desk when you pick up the car.
Can I return my hire car to Malaga Airport from another city?
Yes. One-way hire lets you pick up in Seville, Granada or elsewhere in Spain and drop off at Malaga Airport. You can also pick up a car at the airport and drop off in another city. Expect a one-way fee, which is shown in the price when you search for one-way hire with TravelSupermarket.
Hiring a car in Malaga city centre
Staying in Malaga for a few days first? You may not need a car straight away. Pick one up in the city when you are ready to explore.
You’ll find a handful of rental offices close to Malaga Maria Zambrano station, such as Sixt, and some operators will drop your hire car off at your hotel for an extra fee.
Traffic in the centre is busy and parking is scarce, so a sat-nav and a booked car park space will save you time.
Recommended day trips from Malaga
Frigiliana
Driving time: 50 minutes
Frigiliana is sometimes referred to as the prettiest town in Andalusia, and it's hard to argue. Its whitewashed buildings are often decked out with colourful blooms, and its narrow streets are decorated with mosaic tiles. Less than an hour east of Malaga, it has a stunning historic centre originally built and occupied by the Moors before they were exiled from the region. Get lost exploring its picture-perfect streets or climb up El Fuerte hill just behind town for panoramic views.
Granada
Driving time: One hour 40 minutes
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the ancient city of Granada boasts beautiful Moorish architecture and a bohemian mix of tapas restaurants, teahouses and flamenco bars. The crown jewel of the city is the sprawling Alhambra palace. A former home of Spanish royalty, its blend of Islamic and Christian architecture reflects centuries of Andalusian history, and it’s peppered with gorgeous patios and landscaped gardens. You could wander around it for a day – or two, or three – and not get bored.
Seville
Driving time: Two hours 30 minutes
Seville is the capital of the Andalusia region and the ideal place to visit for a dose of Spanish history and centuries-old cultural traditions. Its imposing Gothic cathedral – which, like the Alhambra, mixes Moorish and Christian styles – sits at its centre and is flanked by cobbled alleyways, decadent palaces and splendid plazas that make great spots for indulging in drinks and tapas, or watching a flamenco show.
