Avant
High-speed track, regional pricing. Excellent value on shorter hops.
Route guide
Granada → Malaga
Two Andalusian icons, 125 km apart, and surprisingly few trains between them — the direct services run via Antequera. When the timetable does not fit, the ALSA coach is frequent and nearly as fast.
Journey time1 h 30 min – 2 h
Tickets from€15.00
Frequency2–4 per day
Distance125 km
Who runs this route
Media Distancia
Slow, cheap, no-frills. Fixed fares, easy to buy on the day.
Check live times & fares
Compare every operator on this route in one search. Advance fares climb as seats sell.
Timetable at a glance
Services run 2–4 per day, with the first departure around 07:20 and the last around 18:40. Times shift with the seasonal timetable, so treat these as planning anchors and confirm the day before you travel.
Buying tickets: when and where
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
Tickets are digital: show the QR code in the operator app or a printout. High-speed and long-distance tickets are tied to a specific train and seat; regional tickets are more flexible but do not guarantee you a place.
The stations
Departure
Granada
A single modest station 20 minutes' walk from the centre; bus SN1 runs to Gran Vía.
Arrival
Málaga María Zambrano
Connected to the airport by Cercanías C-1 — the easiest airport-to-train transfer in Andalusia.
Alternatives, honestly compared
Coach: ALSA and FlixBus link Granada and Malaga for less money and roughly double the time — the budget backstop rather than a real rival. Driving: about 125 km of autopista, plus fuel, tolls and the problem of parking in a historic centre. Flying makes no sense on this corridor: by the time you have reached the airport twice and cleared security, the train has already delivered you to the middle of the city.
Common questions
How long is the train from Granada to Malaga?
Typically 1 h 30 min – 2 h, with services running 2–4 per day.
How much does the Granada to Malaga train cost?
Tickets start at €15.00 and prices on this route barely move, so there is no need to book far ahead.
Which stations do Granada–Malaga trains use?
Departures leave from Granada and arrive at Málaga María Zambrano.
Do I need to book in advance?
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
What are the first and last departures?
Roughly 07:20 and 18:40, varying by day of the week and season — confirm before you travel.