Using Buses in Malaga: Where to Buy Tickets, How to Pay & Tips

Malaga's bus network is cheap, frequent, and covers everywhere the metro doesn't reach. Here's everything you need to know about riding the EMT buses.

Getting around Malaga by bus is surprisingly easy. The buses are modern, well-maintained, and run so frequently that I rarely need to check the timetable for journeys within the city.

Malaga's EMT bus network covers the entire city, from the historic centre and waterfront out to beaches like Pedregalejo and El Palo that the metro doesn't reach. If you're staying more than a day or two, a Bonobus card will save you money and make hopping on and off effortless.

This guide covers everything you need to know: costs, tickets, routes, and the tips I've picked up over years of living here.

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The Quick Summary

Malaga Buses at a Glance

Single ride: €1.40 (cash or contactless)
Bonobus card: €0.42 per ride with free 60-minute transfers
Buses run from early morning until around 11pm
Night buses operate after regular service ends
The EMT Malaga app shows real-time arrivals

How Much Does it Cost to Get Around Malaga by Bus

The price you pay depends on how you pay. Cash and contactless are the most expensive options, while the Bonobus card offers significant savings.

Payment Method	Cost per Ride	Notes
Cash (single ticket)	€1.40	Pay the driver
Contactless card/phone	€1.40	Tap on entry
Bonobus (10 rides)	€0.42	Buy card for €1.90, top up with €4.20
Monthly pass	€19.95	Unlimited personal trips

The Bonobus is what most visitors should get. It costs less than a third of the cash price per ride, can be shared between multiple people, and includes free transfers within 60 minutes of your first tap.

Local tip

One Bonobus card can be used for your whole group. The person holding the card taps once for each passenger. You don't need separate cards.

Where to Buy Bus Tickets in Malaga

You have several options for paying, depending on whether you want convenience or savings.

On the bus:

Pay the driver in cash (exact change appreciated)
Tap your contactless debit or credit card
Tap your phone if it supports contactless payments
Use a Bonobus card

Bonobus cards are sold at:

Kiosks around the city
Tobacco shops (estancos)
EMT sales points
Some hotels and tourist offices

The card itself costs €1.90 and is refundable within a year if returned in good condition. You then top it up with credit (€4.20 for 10 rides is the standard amount).

Tip:

If you're only in Malaga for a day or two and will take just a few bus rides, contactless payment is fine. For longer stays or if you'll use buses regularly, the Bonobus pays for itself quickly.

Where do Malaga's Buses go

Public transport malaga spainonfoot 3

Malaga's city buses cover everywhere the metro doesn't reach, making them essential for:

Pedregalejo and El Palo: The beach neighbourhoods east of the centre with great seafood restaurants
Hillside districts: Areas above the city centre with viewpoints
Residential neighbourhoods: Where you might be staying in an Airbnb
Shopping areas: Larios Centro, Plaza Mayor, and other malls
The port and cruise terminal: Useful for day-trippers

The metro handles the main north-south routes (airport to centre, university areas), but for east-west travel and anywhere off the metro line, buses are your best option.

Malaga Bus Timetable

Most city buses run from early morning (around 6:30am) until approximately 11pm, with the busiest routes running every 10-15 minutes during the day.

Night buses (Búhos) take over after regular service ends and run until the early hours, keeping the city connected for people heading home after dinner or a night out.

Tip:

The official Malaga bus timetable has all routes and times, but the EMT app is more practical for real-time arrivals.

Malaga Bus Route Map

hop on hop off bus routes malaga

The full network can look overwhelming, but you'll likely only use a handful of routes. The official Malaga Bus Routes Map shows all lines, though the EMT app is easier for planning specific journeys.

Useful routes for visitors:

Route	Connects
Line 11	City centre to Pedregalejo beach
Line 3	Alameda to El Palo (eastern beaches)
Line 35	Circular through city centre
Line 16	City centre to Gibralfaro castle area

EMT Malaga App

The EMT Málaga app is genuinely useful if you plan to ride buses more than once.

What it does:

Shows routes, stops, and real-time arrival times
Lets you plan journeys from A to B
Saves favourite stops for quick access
Shows where the nearest bus stop is

The app is free and works offline for route information, though you'll need data for live arrivals. It's available for both iOS and Android.

Bonobus Cards

There are two main types of Bonobus card: standard (non-discount) and discount cards for eligible residents.

Standard Bonobus:

Card cost: €1.90 (refundable)
Top-up: €4.20 for 10 rides (€0.42 each)
Can be shared between multiple people
Free transfers within 60 minutes

Discount cards (for residents with specific circumstances):

Student Card
Youth Card
Gold Card (seniors)
Employment Aid Card
Consortium Card
Annual Card
Family Annual Card

Visitors will use the standard Bonobus. You can explore the discount options on EMT Malaga's Bonobus card page if you're a resident or long-term visitor.

How do you pay on the Bus in Malaga?

Paying is straightforward:

Board through the front door
Tap your Bonobus card, contactless card, or phone on the reader
Or pay the driver in cash for a single ticket
Wait for your slip/receipt
Take a seat

If you're using a Bonobus for multiple people, tap once for each passenger in your group. The driver will see the count.

Local tip

If you're transferring to another bus within 60 minutes, just tap your Bonobus again. The system recognises it as a transfer and doesn't charge you.

Malaga Hop-on Hop-off Bus

The tourist hop-on hop-off buses are a separate service from the EMT city buses. You'll spot the red double-deckers running along the main roads.

What you get:

Tickets valid for 24 hours
Unlimited rides during that period
Audio commentary about the sights
Three routes covering different areas

The routes:

Red Route: Central city highlights including Gibralfaro castle and the port
Green Route: Includes the botanical gardens (Jardín Botánico), often overlooked but beautiful
Blue Route: Heads west to the Automobile Museum and other attractions

Current prices:

Adults: approximately €32
Children: approximately €18
Under 3s: Free

Warning:

Malaga is a compact, walkable city. Unless you have mobility issues or want the audio commentary, the hop-on hop-off bus isn't necessary. Most attractions are close together, and regular buses cost a fraction of the price.

Do Buses go to Tourist Attractions?

City buses are designed for residents commuting to work and home, not specifically for tourists. That said, you can reach most attractions by bus with some planning:

Gibralfaro castle: Line 16 gets you close, though there's still a walk
Pedregalejo beach and restaurants: Lines 3 and 11
The port: Several lines pass nearby
Botanical gardens: Line 2

For a packed sightseeing day where you want to hop between attractions, the tourist bus might make sense. For getting to a specific neighbourhood or beach, the regular EMT buses are much cheaper.

Practical Tips

Before You Ride

Download the EMT Malaga app for real-time arrivals
Buy a Bonobus if staying more than a day
Have small change ready if paying cash
Board at the front, exit at the rear
Tap for each person when sharing a Bonobus

Common Questions

Can I use one Bonobus for multiple people? Yes. The person with the card taps once for each passenger. You can board first and tap for everyone, or tap multiple times as each person boards.

Is the Bonobus refundable? The card itself (€1.90) can be refunded if returned in good condition within a year. Any unused credit remains on the card.

Can I tap my phone to pay? Yes, if your phone supports contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.), you can tap it on the reader like a contactless card.

What if I don't have exact change? Drivers can give change, but they appreciate exact or close amounts. Contactless payment avoids the issue entirely.

More Transport Options in Malaga:

Final Thoughts on Using the Bus in Malaga

Malaga's bus system is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get around the city. The network reaches everywhere the metro doesn't, the Bonobus card makes it cheap, and the app takes the guesswork out of timing.

Buy a Bonobus card when you arrive, download the EMT app, and you'll have the city covered. For journeys along the main north-south corridor, the metro is faster, but for beaches, hillside neighbourhoods, and anywhere east of the centre, the bus is your best friend.