Driving in southern Spain

johnnyjb

Hi , im wondering can anyone give me some help and tips on the topic mentioned.

I have never driven abroad and never been to spain so im trying to figure out am i getting in over my head.

I have no definitive plan but was thinking of flying to Malaga and driving down the coast to the other resorts Torremolinos ,Bellamadena , Fuengirola etc.. for a week or so. Any tips on where to stay, how long to stay , where to hire a car

or can it be done by bus or train ?? Thanks

Clareboy

johnnyjb wrote: »

Hi , im wondering can anyone give me some help and tips on the topic mentioned.

I have never driven abroad and never been to spain so im trying to figure out am i getting in over my head.

I have no definitive plan but was thinking of flying to Malaga and driving down the coast to the other resorts Torremolinos ,Bellamadena , Fuengirola etc.. for a week or so. Any tips on where to stay, how long to stay , where to hire a car

or can it be done by bus or train ?? Thanks

Speaking as a frequent visitor to Spain, I would not advise you to rent a car in Malaga if you only intend to visit the coastal resorts. Driving around Malaga is a nightmare and I would not recommend it. There is a train from Malaga Airport to Torremolinos and Fuengirola. There are fruquent buses along the coast from Malaga down to Algeciras and Gibraltar. As regards accommodation try www.booking.com. The coastal strip from Malaga to Estepona is very touristy and commercialised. Try and see some of the interior and get a flavour of the real Spain. I would recommend a visit to Ronda, which is quiet spectacular.

FunkyDa2

For your first time there, pick a resort(Fuengirola is my preference), book accommodation, and get a taxi at the airport. When you are there, you can explore, using buses and trains. If you feel up to it, rent a car locally, for a few days, and explore further.

ballalley

Yes I agree with the previous posters if you only intend in driving down the coast the spanish public transport system is very good. I would not get a taxi from the airport especially if you do not have alot of luggage...the commuter train from Malaga City stops in the airport and services Arroyo de la Miel (part of Benalmadena) and also Fuengirola. From those stations you get a bus or a taxi to wherever you are staying, this will work out away cheaper. If you are staying in or around Marbella there is a bus from the airport to Marbella...and again from there get a taxi. try looking at the RENFE site I think it is www.renfe.es this is the equivalant of our Irish Rail and will give you more info about the train. Lived in Espana for 5 years so you are in for a real treat, try and go inland if you can....a lot of bus trips, tours etc. can be booked locally. Enjoy!

Leper

If you are renting a car you could use www.economycarhire.com and ensure the company you book with has its car rental compound in the grounds of the airport (or at least you can leave the car at the airport on your return).

Driving around Malaga is not just a bad dream, it is your worst nightmare. Throw in the Spanish drivers, the lost tourists (especially those trying to find the car rental compounds outside of the airport), your inability to speak good Spanish, your inability to understand local dialect Spanish, your lack of knowledge of the general area, the countless motorways going in all confusing directions, your nerves, the nerves of any of your passengers, your ability to do successful handbrake turns on packed motorways, etc. Your marriage or long term relationship with your fellow travellers is at stake.

If you can handle the above then rent away, but get as far away from Málaga as you possibly can and allow yourself two and a half hours to find the car rental compound on your return. Just remember the siesta times in Andalucía and you should have a decent amount of petrol in the tank at all times so that you wont run out of petrol. I'm thinking of writing an epic novel and its title will be Lost in Málaga.

Just thought, holidays are for relaxation - book a package holiday and get driven. However, if you are still hell-bent on renting a car in Málaga airport, don't, just go into another airport and rent a car online.

Joe10000

A few years ago I did exactly what you described but I had been there before and have experience driving abroad.

I really enjoyed it, Malaga out to the road south is not difficult and having the car to tour is great. I drove up the coast and into Grenada and some of the scenery is breathtaking.

Having said that the Spanish are lunatics on the road and the road south from Malaga is infamous for crashes and tragedy. The on and off ramps on the motorways are about a quarter of the length our ours so when you want to come on you really have to hit it to get on.

Anyway it all comes down to your own level of confidence but if you decide to do it I would head to nerja from Malaga and then snake your way down. Bear in mind that bellamadena, torremolinas and fuengirola are all adjacent and a car would be more of a hindrance if you just staying in that area. Think about heading inland too.

Most important of all bring a sat nav and drive carefully.

cailinoBAC

I don't think the driving is as bad as people make out, though we haven't driven in central Malaga yet and we have been living out here over a year. Most people would not be driving there. Still, it does seem a bit of a waste to hire a car if you're just going to Torremolinos etc. There are far more interesting places to visit that would require a car, but if you are just going to those resorts public transport is probably fine.

Leper

I should have pointed out that my bad driving experiences in Spain were in Málaga and its immediate environs. I go to Spain several times a year and each time I drive while there, not just local driving but visiting other cities and places miles away from Málaga.

Driving in Spain (outside of the major cities) is relatively easy and enjoyable.

ballalley

Hi again!!

Driving is not that bad....just take your time and if in doubt about the direction you are taking just pull over at the next exit.....as I previously said I lived there for over 5 years and drove from day one and never had any accident not even a dent!!!

Also I never had a problem with driving in any of the cities including Malaga....again just take your time and park up if you are unsure of where you are going....also the vast majority of Spanish especially the younger generation have very good english so just ask!

It is not that bad!!! Just relax, take your time, pull in if in doubt and ask....but most of all enjoy!

Spook_ie

We flew into Malaga airport last july and rented a car from malagacar.com. We rented a lovely beach front apartment in Duquesa. I have to say driving in the south of Spain was fine - lovely new motorway and very well signposted, we much prefer where possible to have our own transport and it gives you much more flexability.

neris

You can get the train direct from the airport to fuengirola, benalmadena and torremolinos. Also if you go to any of those and want to go to malaga city the train goes direct into the city centre.theres a decent bus service from fuengirola on to marbella if you want to go that far. We use www.carjet.com when were in spain regularly and decent prices.

flikflak

Driven in Spain many times and never found it a problem. Driven round the Malaga area a fair few times and if you are a confident driver then its all good. I would advise to familiarise yourself with the first few journeys you will be doing by google mapping your routes and having a look at the general area and how the roads round the airport are laid out.

Also make sure if you have a sat nav that you also have a map and a good navigator with you too.

sudzs

We flew to Malaga last year and hired a car (from Tony's autos or Tony's rentals, cant remember which) it ws the cheapest we found and no problems with them.

Strongly advise you either bring a sat nav or rent one. We would have been lost (literally!) without it.

Drive up to Ronda if you get a chance, it's an amazing spot. And find the Cafe Bar Bodega in the old part of the town for the best tapas. It's where the locals go! The newer end of town is a bit touristy and pricier.

M5

Suggest Rhonda, its about 2 hours from malaga, well worth a break from the beach. The roads and the level of driving in Spain is good. You should have no problems!

AntiVirus

If you can drive around Dublin you'll have no problems driving around Spain.

Barzini

Just came back from Fuengirola.
We rent our cars in Malaga Car Hire. I paid 135 euro for 2010 Seat Leon with full insurance and half tank of diesel for 7 days :cool:
Driving around Costa del Sol is very easy, other people skills must be very small to find driving in Spain difficult :rolleyes:
My advice - make sure that your gps is up to date. There's few new roads around Malaga/Fuengirola, I couldn't find them on my own GPS with last update in 2010:o
Rhonda, Sierra Nevada, Alhambra, Gibraltar - those places are worth to visit.
Specially Gibraltar if you are looking to buy some cheap booze and cigarettes.
Don't forget your passport on the way to Gibraltar.
Many people told me about speed cameras in Costa del Sol:eek: time will tell:D 3 weeks so far and no sign of any fines or email from car rental company. Fingers crossed:D