Malaga Metro Guide: Tickets, Lines & Travel Tips

Malaga's metro is fast, cheap, and air-conditioned. If you're heading to the train station, university area, or western beaches, it's the smartest way to travel.

The Malaga Metro is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to get around the city. With just two lines, it's simple to understand, and the trains are modern, clean, and air-conditioned, a blessing in Malaga's summer heat.

The metro doesn't cover everywhere (it won't get you to Pedregalejo or the eastern beaches), but for north-south travel, reaching the train station, or getting to the university area and western districts like Huelin, it's unbeatable. Combined with the bus network, you can reach almost anywhere in the city without a car.

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The Quick Summary

Malaga Metro at a Glance

Two lines serving western Malaga and the city centre
Single ticket: €1.35 (rechargeable card: €0.82/trip)
Trains run every 10 minutes during the day
Operating hours: 6:30am to 11pm (later on weekends)
One card can be used for up to 9 people

Malaga Metro Map

The metro network is compact and easy to navigate. Both lines meet at El Perchel (the main interchange, next to the train and bus stations) and Guadalmedina, so transferring between them is straightforward.

The Two Lines

Malaga's metro currently has two lines. They're short but cover the key areas that buses don't serve as efficiently.

Line 1: Andalucía Tech to Atarazanas

Line 1 runs from the university district in the north down to the city centre.

Station	What's There
Andalucía Tech	University of Malaga, tech campus
Universidad	Main university campus
Ciudad de la Justicia	Courts, government buildings
Hospital Clínico	Main hospital
El Perchel	Train station (María Zambrano), bus station
Guadalmedina	Transfer to Line 2
Atarazanas	Historic centre, near Alameda Principal and market

Best for: University access, connecting to trains and long-distance buses, reaching the city centre from the north.

Local tip

If you're arriving by train or long-distance bus, the metro at El Perchel is the fastest way into the city centre. One stop to Guadalmedina, two stops to Atarazanas.

Line 2: Palacio de Deportes to Guadalmedina

Line 2 runs from the western sports district through Huelin to the city centre.

Station	What's There
Palacio de los Deportes	Sports stadium, concert venue
Ciudad Deportiva	Sports facilities
Puerta Blanca	Residential area
La Luz	Residential, local shops
La Unión	Western neighbourhoods
Carranque	Huelin area, near beaches
El Torcal	Residential
El Perchel	Train station, bus station, transfer to Line 1
Guadalmedina	City centre connection

Best for: Huelin beach, sports events, western residential areas, connecting to the train station.

Tip:

Carranque is the closest metro stop to Huelin beach. It's about a 10-minute walk from the station to the sand.

How Much Does the Malaga Metro Cost

The metro is remarkably cheap, especially if you use a rechargeable card instead of buying single tickets.

Ticket Type	Price	Notes
Single ticket	€1.35	One ride only
Rechargeable card (per trip)	€0.82	Up to €20 stored, multi-user
Transport Consortium card	€0.82/trip	Valid on buses and metro
Transfer discount (bus + metro)	€0.66	With Consortium card
PVC card (durable)	€1.80	One-time purchase, reloadable

The rechargeable card is worth getting if you'll use the metro more than twice. It cuts the cost per ride by nearly 40%, and you can share it with your travel companions.

Local tip

One rechargeable card can be used for up to 9 people. Just tap it multiple times at the gate, once for each person in your group.

Prices can change, so check the official Malaga metro prices for current rates.

How do you pay for the Metro in Malaga

You have several payment options, from single tickets to multi-transport cards.

Single ticket (Billete Ocasional):

Good for one-off journeys
Issued on a rechargeable paper card
You can top it up and reuse the same card

Metro de Malaga rechargeable card (Tarjeta Monedero):

Best value for most visitors
Load up to €20 at a time
Works for up to 9 people travelling together
Available in paper (free) or PVC (€1.80)

Transport Consortium card (Tarjeta Monedero del Consorcio):

Works on metro, city buses, and interurban buses
Offers discounted transfer fares between services
Best if you're mixing metro and bus travel

Contactless payment:

Tap your debit card, credit card, or phone
Convenient but you pay full single-ticket price
No discount for multiple trips

Tip:

If you're staying a few days and plan to use both metro and buses, the Consortium card is the best deal. You get discounted transfers when switching between services within 60 minutes.

Where Can I Buy a Card for the Malaga Metro

At metro stations:

Ticket machines are at every station, before the barriers
Machines have English language options
Accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards
You can buy new cards or top up existing ones

For Consortium cards:

Tobacco shops (estancos) around the city
Kiosks and newsagents
Consorcio offices
Once purchased, top up at metro machines or authorised shops

The ticket machines walk you through the process step by step. If you're topping up an existing card, just insert it and follow the prompts.

How to Use the Metro

Using the Malaga Metro

The metro is straightforward, but here's what you need to know:

Buy or top up your card at the machines before the barriers
Tap your card at the entry gates
Check the direction on the platform (displays show the final destination)
Keep your ticket as you need it to exit at your destination
Tap out at the exit barriers

Quick Tips

Validate your card before approaching the gates to avoid queues
One card works for groups of up to 9 people
Keep your ticket until you exit (you need it to leave)
Trains run every 10 minutes during the day
El Perchel is the main interchange between lines

Malaga Metro Timetable

The metro runs from early morning until late evening, with extended hours on weekends.

Day	Operating Hours
Monday to Thursday	06:30 to 23:00
Friday & eve of holidays	06:30 to 01:30
Saturday	07:00 to 01:30
Sunday & holidays	07:00 to 23:00

Frequency:

Daytime (peak hours): Every 5-7 minutes
Daytime (off-peak): Every 10 minutes
Evenings and weekends: Every 10-15 minutes

You can check the official timetable for any service updates.

Tip:

On Friday and Saturday nights, the metro runs until 1:30am, making it a reliable option for getting home after dinner or a night out.

Where Does the Metro Go?

The metro is useful for specific journeys but doesn't cover the whole city. Here's what it's good for and what it doesn't reach.

The metro is great for:

Train station (María Zambrano) to city centre
Bus station to city centre
University area to city centre
Huelin and western beaches
Sports stadium and concert venue
Hospital access

The metro doesn't reach:

Pedregalejo and eastern beaches (use the bus)
Malaga Airport (use bus or train)
Old town directly (Atarazanas is a 5-minute walk)
Port and cruise terminal (use the bus or walk)
Gibralfaro castle (use bus or taxi)

Local tip

The metro ends at Atarazanas, which is at the edge of the old town near the Alameda. From there, the cathedral, Picasso Museum, and main shopping streets are a 5-10 minute walk.

Connecting with Other Transport

The metro integrates well with Malaga's other transport options.

At El Perchel:

María Zambrano train station (high-speed trains to Madrid, Seville, etc.)
Long-distance and regional bus station
Transfer between Line 1 and Line 2

At Atarazanas:

City bus connections
Walking distance to old town

Transfer discounts: If you're using a Consortium card, you get discounted fares when transferring between metro and buses within the allowed time window (usually 60 minutes).

Is the Malaga Metro Accessible

Yes, all stations are fully accessible:

Elevators at every station
Ramps and level access
Accessible ticket machines with audio guidance
Designated wheelchair spaces in each carriage
Tactile paving for visually impaired passengers

Tip:

If you need assistance, station staff can help with boarding. Press the assistance button on the platform or ask at the ticket office.

Common Questions

Does Malaga have a Metro? Yes, Malaga has a metro system with two lines serving the western parts of the city and connecting to the train and bus stations. It's modern, clean, and one of the cheapest transport options.

Are Bikes Allowed on the Metro? Bikes are allowed at all times if space permits.

Folding bikes are always welcome. Regular bikes should be stored near the folding seats and give priority to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Is the Metro Safe at Night? Yes. Security staff are present at stations, the trains are monitored by CCTV, and the service runs until 1:30am on weekends. It's a safe and reliable option for getting home late.

Can I Use One Metro Card for Multiple People? Yes.

One rechargeable card can be used for up to 9 people. Just tap the card once for each person in your group at the entry gates.

Can I Pay Using Contactless? Yes.

You can tap your contactless debit card, credit card, or phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) at the gates. You'll pay the single ticket price rather than the discounted rechargeable rate.

Helpful Tools & Apps

Metro de Malaga Website - Official site with maps, fares, and timetables
CTMAM (Consortium Transport) - Multi-modal transport information
Google Maps - Real-time transit directions
Moovit App - Route planning and real-time alerts

More Transport Options in Malaga:

Final Thoughts

The Malaga Metro is simple, cheap, and efficient. It won't take you everywhere, but for journeys along its routes, it's faster than the bus and far more comfortable in summer when the air conditioning makes all the difference.

Get a rechargeable card if you're staying more than a day or two, learn the two lines (it takes about five minutes), and you'll have an easy way to move around the western side of the city. For eastern Malaga and the beaches at Pedregalejo, you'll need the bus network, but together, the metro and buses cover everything you need.