Getting to/from Nerja from Malaga Airport.

Getting to/from Nerja from Malaga Airport.

Car Hire.

In the winter I generally hire a car. Having used a number of different companies I find the best company is Malagacar.com.  http://www.malagacar.com

The reason I use this company is that generally there is no fuss on collecting the car, the vehicles are of good quality, and the price is comparable to other companies. The majority of the staff speak English. During the winter small basic cars are about 5 Euros a day plus optional additional insurance. The aspect of insurance is hotly debated. I take out the extra tyre and glass insurance. It tends to increase the final bill but you are covered for almost all eventualities. However a friend of mine has 'excess insurance' where he pays about £50 per year to a company, eg Icar insurance or AA and they will pay your excess bill if you have a crash. Dependent upon the company used you meet the representative either just before you leave customs, or in the public arrivals hall after clearing the large double doors, prior to leaving the terminal building.

Tip. Most small cars do not come with GPS, and to hire the GPS is expensive. Load an ‘off line’ GPS system covering Spain onto your mobile before you leave the UK. I use a company named ‘Sygic’ who will provide world wide GPS for around 50 Euros (May 15).

Tip. Carry your driving licence with you when driving. The police will ask, and can fine you if you do not have the licence with you. Personally I photograph my passport and place it on my mobile phone. The police appear to accept this.

Taxi.

Taking a taxi from the airport is rather the same around the globe. If not previously ordered it will cost a fortune. In this case around 100Euros, single.

Tip. If the taxi has been ordered then the rate is 65 Euros, single (60 Euros in the winter).

Radio Taxis Nerja Telephone number, +34 952 52 05 37

 http://www.radiotaxisnerja.com/

At this website a taxi can be pre ordered.

The main taxi rank is situated in Calle San Miguel about 200 metres down the road from Mercadona Supermarket. There are several other ranks, including one opposite the Alsa Ticket office.

Transfer.

There are a number of transfer companies. www.resorthoppa.com and www.travelrepublic.co.uk  to name a few. I use Travel Republic as preference, they generally are slightly cheaper, at around £20 per person each way. This is ideal for 1 or 2 people as a great way to save money for more beer, but the catch is that you may end up in a car with 2 complete strangers. Obviously if they, or you, are on the ‘curvey’ side then it will be a bit cramped. In the past Travel Republic have sent a driver for my sole use.

Tip.  All companies will demand you be picked up at a hotel. This makes their life easier rather than collect from a gated complex with all the inherent difficulties that will cause. If you are at a villa this will cause you difficulty. I generally give an address of the local church, garage, even the police station. This is usually accepted as a pick up/drop off point. Another option is to start or finish at the main taxi rank. A taxi within Nerja is metred however the cost should be under 10 Euros.

Public Transport.

Once you leave the terminal building you have three options. During the summer there is an Alsa bus around 11.15AM which goes direct to Nerja. 

 Go by airport shuttle bus to Malaga bus station. This bus stop is directly in front of you on leaving the terminal building. Shuttle bus is 3 Euros, single. There are limited stops on route to Malaga bus station. The bus runs every 20 minutes. Journey time of about 20 minutes.

Go by metro to Malaga bus station. The metro is located across the road directly in front of you on leaving the terminal building. The metro is slightly more complicated but easy enough. I always get the metro. A single ticket is just under 2 Euros. The metro runs every 20 minutes and is quicker than the shuttle bus. Once you have your ticket take the left hand escalator following the signs to Malaga Centro. The journey is approx. 5 minutes involving 4 stops. You must get off at Maria Zambrano. There is only one exit. Once through the ticket booths go into the shopping mall and turn left. Keep the shops to your right and follow the overhead signs to the bus station (Estacion de Autobuses) in Spanish. You will pass a shopping mall café to your left, keep walking until you get to the Desigual shop. Turn right just before Desigual and leave the mall. Walk straight, cross the road, the bus station is to your left. Sounds confusing but is quick and easy.

At Malaga bus station you will need the Alsa desk. There are self service ticket machines in English next to the booths. Buses run every 30 mins. Dependent upon the bus taken the bus will take between 50 and 90 mins. Generally platform 20 is the fast coach, and platform 38 the slower ones. The bus will stop at the only Nerja bus stop. Taxis are available from this location.






Bus times are at www.alsa.es