Travel to Costa del Sol

Malaga Airport is the main gateway to a holiday in the Costa del Sol, and there are a huge variety of direct, cheap flights available from many major airports in the UK including Manchester, Bournemouth, Leeds Bradford and Glasgow Prestwick. Plenty of budget carriers offer flights to the Costa del Sol, including Ryanair and easyJet.

Taxis are readily available at Malaga Airport, although they aren't metered so it's always important to agree a fare before starting your journey. There are direct bus services to destinations including Marbella and Malaga. Average journey time from the airport to Marbella Bus Station is around 45 minutes if the roads aren't too crowded. Another option is car hire in the Costa del Sol as there are lots and lots of companies offering competing prices, so do have a look around online before beginning your holiday. You can select them a car hire firm based on price and also based on where they are located - only some operate from the terminal building at Malaga Airport, for example.

Given the popularity of holidays in the Costa del Sol, there's accommodation to suit every budgetfrom basic hotels to plush, sprawling resorts. Take the time to contrast and compare different options online, bearing in mind questions like how important the hotel room itself is to you (will you be spending much time there?) and whether you want to spend your time lounging by the hotel pool or exploring the beaches and historic sites.

There are restaurants of just about every type in the Costa del Sol. Cheap British grub is plentiful, and even if you'd rather feast on traditional Spanish cuisine, you don't have to pay through the nose. Have a word with locals like hotel staff to find out where the real gems are. The great thing about the Costa del Sol is, apart from buying the odd drink on the beach, you don't really have to spend that much money: it's all about the sun and the sights!

• Canary Islands
• Costa Blanca
• Costa Brava
• Costa Dorada
• Costa Teguise
• Madrid
• Nerja
• Torremolinos
• Malaga
• Benalmadena
• Fuengirola
• Marbella
• Seville