the Costa del Sol

Travel to the Costa del Sol

Malaga Airport is the main entry point for flights to the Costa del Sol and all the budget airlines offer routes there from across the UK - so you shouldn't have any problems getting a cheap flight. Flight durations vary between two and three hours depending on your departure airport. The majority of the cheapest flights leave at unsociable hours so be prepared for an early start if you want to save your pennies for the famous nightlife. You can always sleep as soon as you hit the beach though and get a head start on your tan (just remember your suncream).

On arrival in the Costa del Sol

There are a whole host of transport options for getting around the Costa del Sol, but you should start by check whether you have a transfers from the airport included in your hotel price. There is a train that runs from Malaga to Benalmadena or coaches run across the region to all the resorts large and small. Car hire is readily available at Malaga Airport and the roads are good, although you may have to pay a toll on some of the motorways. Taxis are also plentiful, or you can book a private shuttle transfer - this works out better value if you're sharing with friends.

Getting around the Costa del Sol

Local buses run in the major resorts and the train between Malaga and Benalmadena stops off at plenty of hot spots. If you want to explore the more remote beaches in the area then you'll most likely need to take advantage of the Costa del Sol car hire, but walking and taxi transport can serve you well in the towns. To see the coast like the stars you can hire a boat for the day from many of the marinas and head off to enjoy the beautiful views and solitude.

Travelling further afield

The train station in Malaga offers high speed trains to Madrid, so you could be soaking up the culture in the capital in a little over two hours. From there the whole of Spain, as well as much of Portugal is your oyster, with destinations such as Barcelona and Lisbon within easy reach. Alternatively, you can jump on one of the numerous coaches at the Malaga Coach Station and head to a wide variety of resorts and cities across the south of the country. You can head to Grenada to see the beauty of the Alcazaba, or windsurfers might enjoy a visit to Tarifa on the Atlantic coast. Alternatively, the charms of Almeria or the delightful town of Ronda are shorter trips that will add some culture and more Spanish charm to your holiday on the Costa del Sol.