Gibraltar is definitely on many people’s travel bucket list, just as it was on mine. Ironically, getting there is not so trivial if you don’t have a car in the south of Spain. I’ve driven to Gibraltar twice, once in my own car, once in a rental car in Málaga, and it’s definitely the most comfortable option. But if for some reason you don’t have one, don’t despair. You can do it without it. The trip to Gibraltar is one of the most popular ever for anyone travelling to Málaga and the Costa del Sol. In a nutshell:
- You can only fly from Britain, not from Spain or elsewhere in Europe,
- By car: from Málaga, a comfortable 2 hours, parked preferably just before the Gibraltar border in La Línea de la Concepción, Spain,
- by bus: there are 15 buses a day running directly from Málaga to Gibraltar, the journey takes about 2 and a half hours and costs around 500 CZK one way,
- Organised trips: in the morning, you’ll be picked up in Málaga or on the Costa del Sol and taken directly to Gibraltar, then returned in the evening, plus you’ll have a guide,
- you will need a passport to enter Gibraltar, you do not need to fill in a UK ETA, as a British citizen, you will need to bring a valid British passport.
- Gibraltar is perfect for a day trip, no more is needed.
Tip: If you don’t plan to rent a car, take a group day trip from Málaga to Gibraltar. The bus leaves from Málaga and will also pick you up on the Costa del Sol along the way.
How to get to Gibraltar from Málaga
The two places are about 136 kilometres apart. Both have airports, but there is no air service between them. There are no railways either, so the only connection is by road. The nearest train goes to Algecíras (from there it’s a bus to La Línea). If you want to stay overnight, it’s quite expensive in Gibraltar, probably better across the border in Spain.
Bus from Málaga to Gibraltar
In case you don’t have your own or rental car, the bus is a good solution, especially if you want to stay more than one day in Gibraltar or if you want to go further and not return to Málaga.
There is no regular bus service to Gibraltar, in fact there is one between Málaga and La Línea de la Concepción, but this is a Spanish border town and you can easily walk to Gibraltar from there.
The first bus from Málaga departs at 6.30am, the last one back to Málaga at 8.45pm, depending on the route, takes between 2 and 2 and a half hours, so you can spend practically the whole day in Gibraltar. One way costs around 500 CZK.
The final stop in Málaga is either at the airport at Terminal 3 or at the Estación de Autobuses de Málaga, which is also not exactly central, it’s at the Málaga Mária Zambrano train station. Even from the airport it’s only 15 minutes to the centre of Málaga, so it’s a quick walk, but keep this in mind when buying your ticket so you know where you’re going from and don’t plan it wrong. There is only one terminus at Gibraltar: Estación La Línea. From there you can walk (it’s a nice experience, you’ll walk across the runway) or you can take Line 5.
How to buy a bus ticket
- you simply go to the Omio website,
- enter the connection Málaga – La Línea de la Concepción (but you can also enter Gibraltar, it will transfer you to that connection),
- select the date you want to travel, the return journey and the number of people,
- choose a specific connection at a time that suits you, pay for your ticket online and that’s it.
These buses also stop at other stops on the Costa del Sol, such as Marbella, Torremolinos or Benalmadena. If you have accommodation nearer there, book directly into that town, it’s cheaper then too.
Organised guided tour
Also a bus, but it’s not just a ticket. It will take you there and back, you have a guide and the bus can take you directly to the cliffs, the centre, the caves, making it easier to get around Gibraltar. It costs more with the tours (you choose to go with or without), but without that (just getting you to Gibraltar) it’s ironically usually cheaper than a return trip on a regular bus.
They can also pick you up in Torremolinos, Estepona, Marbella, Fuengirola, etc. Morning there, evening back. If you want a day trip, I find it easier than dealing with a bus.
By car to Gibraltar
The journey by car will be slightly faster than by bus (because there are no stops), less than two hours. If you don’t have your own car here, it’s best to rent one from one of the many rental agencies at Málaga airport.
As far as parking in Gibraltar is concerned, you basically have two options: either park in front of the border at the large paid parking lot in La Línea de la Concepción and walk to Gibraltar, or drive all the way to Gibraltar.
By the way, you don’t drive on the left like in Britain, but normally on the right, like in Spain and here.
Parking in front of Gibraltar
The large car park of Aparcamiento Santa Bárbara is less than 5 minutes’ walk from the border. It’s paid, a full day’s parking will cost you about 20 euros. There are other car parks in town, further away from the border, but don’t expect to make any significant savings (certainly not time).
From here you will walk through customs and across the runway, you may have to wait a few minutes at a red light before the plane takes off or lands. The center and the rock (or the cable car to the rock) are within walking distance from here, so no problem.
Car to Gibraltar
It’s not ideal, because Gibraltar is crowded and it’s really hard to find a place to park, especially near the centre. I did it on my first trip though, because I wanted to go all the way around Gibraltar.
To drive or not to drive? If you don’t do it, you won’t lose that much in principle, for me it was more of a“I’ve been all over Gibraltar” feeling than a must-see. Sure you’ll see a few extra sights, but often there’s nowhere to stop, you’re just enjoying the view from the car. What was a highlight for me there is Europa Point, which has a good view of Africa. On the other hand, for example, you can’t drive your own car up the rock, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have one.
Next time I go, I think I’d combine the two – drive into Gibraltar, drive all the way around, make a few stops, come back to the border, park and walk back to the centre and the rock.
By air to Gibraltar
Unfortunately, there are only direct flights to Gibraltar from the UK (London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham) and sometimes from Morocco (Tangier). The fact that there are no flights from Málaga, Madrid and neighbouring Spain may have something to do with the Spanish being offended that Gibraltar is not theirs. And, of course, the limited air traffic possibilities in such a small area.
Entry into Gibraltar in 2026
Apart from the airport and port, Gibraltar has a single land border entry point. This is just from the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción and leads along the only entry road, Calle de la Frontera, which “changes” to Winston Churchill Ave. There is also a passport control right off the road.
Gibraltar is a British territory. So if you are a British citizen, it’s very straightforward – a valid British passport is all you need. Visitors from other countries may face different requirements. As a British territory Gibraltar is neither in the EU nor in Schengen. Officially, you need to carry your passport. You may come across advice that an ID card is sufficient. You may be faced with the reality that the document will not be checked closely. I used to just wave my passport and ID card out of the window, not showing it at all when passing on foot. Still, the official document and security is the passport.
No visa is required and there is no need to fill out an ETA, which is required from April 2025 to enter the UK.
Now you know how to get to Gibraltar, but check out what you can see and taste there.
