--- title: "Bus & Train to Caminito del Rey: Timetables, Stops & Cost" date: 2026-10-28 canonical: https://ticketcaminitodelrey.com/caminito-del-rey-from-malaga/bus-and-train-to-caminito-del-rey/ --- The **Caminito del Rey bus** and train options both get you from Malaga to the trailhead in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, without needing a car. The train runs to Ardales or El Chorro station, where you pick up a local shuttle for the last stretch, while the public bus follows a similar overall timeline with its own stop near the trail. I'd pick the train for a tighter schedule and the bus if it happens to run closer to where you're staying. Here's my honest read after mapping out both routes: neither is complicated once you know the stops, but the train is the one I'd default to for most visitors staying near Malaga's main station. ## How Does the Train from Malaga to Caminito del Rey Work? The Cercanias commuter train connects central Malaga to Ardales and El Chorro stations, with the ride itself taking around 45 minutes to an hour depending on which stop you choose. Trains run at regular intervals through the day, so you're rarely waiting long even if you miss one. Once you step off, you don't walk straight to the trail. You pick up the same local shuttle bus that drivers use from the visitor center, since the trailhead sits a short ride from either station. I'd build in an extra 20 to 30 minutes for this connection on top of the train ride itself, since rushing between a train platform and a shuttle stop is the easiest way to feel stressed before you've even started walking. ## Which Train Station Should I Use, Ardales or El Chorro? It depends on which end of the walkway you plan to start from. Ardales station sits closer to the northern access, where most guided tours and entry tickets begin, while El Chorro station is right next to the southern exit and the meeting point some shuttle inclusive tours use. My suggestion: check which access point your specific ticket or tour starts from before picking a station, since getting off at the wrong one adds an unnecessary shuttle leg. If you're buying the standard [entry ticket](/tours/caminito-del-rey-entry-ticket/) or [guided tour](/tours/caminito-del-rey-guided-tour/), both start at the northern access, so Ardales is usually the better stop. ## What Does the Local Shuttle Bus Cost? The shuttle between the visitor center area and the trail entrance runs around 2.50 euros per person, paid in cash directly to the driver. It isn't run by the Caminito del Rey itself and isn't included in most entry tickets or guided tours, so I'd always carry small cash specifically for this leg regardless of how you arrive. Shuttles run roughly every half hour during opening hours, and the ride itself only takes about 15 minutes. The bigger time cost is usually the wait and the short walk between the shuttle stop and the actual ticket booth, not the ride itself. ![Infographic style map showing a regional train line connecting Malaga to Ardales and El Chorro stations near Caminito del Rey, with a shuttle bus icon linking each station to the trailhead, flat map style, generic labels only](/images/blog/malaga-bus-and-train-to-caminito-del-rey-2.webp) ## Can I Take a Public Bus Instead of the Train? Yes, a public bus connects Malaga with the Ardales and El Chorro area, and it's a solid backup if the train timetable doesn't line up with your plans or if your accommodation sits closer to a bus stop than the train line. Total door to door time lands in a similar window to the train, generally 1.5 to 2 hours once you add the connecting shuttle. I wouldn't go out of my way to choose the bus over the train if both are equally convenient from where you're staying, simply because train schedules tend to be a little more predictable through the day. But if the bus timetable fits your morning better, it's a perfectly workable choice. ## Is the Bus or Train Cheaper for Caminito del Rey? Both are inexpensive compared with a guided tour, and the difference between them is usually small enough that I wouldn't choose one purely on price. The bigger cost on this leg of the trip is the local shuttle, which applies no matter which public transport option gets you to the area. If budget is your main priority, pairing either the bus or train with the [entry only ticket](/tours/caminito-del-rey-entry-ticket/) is the cheapest full combination on this page, since you skip paying for a guide on top of your own transport. ## What If I'd Rather Skip the Train and Bus Entirely? That's a completely reasonable call, especially if your trip is short or you'd rather not plan two separate legs of transport on your own. A tour that departs directly from Malaga, like the [tour from Malaga with round trip bus](/tours/caminito-del-rey-malaga-day-trip/), replaces the train, the shuttle and the entry ticket with a single booking and a single pickup point in the city. I'd lean toward the tour option if you're traveling with kids, have limited time in Malaga, or simply don't want to think about train platforms on your holiday. For a full breakdown of when the extra cost is worth it, I'd read the [self guided versus guided tour comparison](/caminito-del-rey-from-malaga/self-guided-vs-guided-tour/). ## What Should I Pack for the Train or Bus Journey? Closed toe shoes, cash for the shuttle, and more water than you think you need, since nothing is sold along the trail itself once you're through the control booth. I'd also pack a light jacket even in warmer months, since the gorge can feel noticeably cooler and windier than central Malaga once you're up on the walkway. If you're taking the train, I'd keep your ticket and any booking confirmation on your phone rather than relying on a printout, since phone signal along the route is patchy but the station platforms themselves have no trouble reading a digital ticket. One small thing I'd do differently from a typical day trip: travel light. You're walking 7.7 kilometers one way, and a heavy daypack makes the narrower sections of the boardwalk less comfortable than they need to be. ## How Early Should I Arrive at the Trailhead? Earlier than your booked slot time, not right on it. Between the train or bus ride, the shuttle connection, and the walk from the shuttle stop to the control booth, I'd personally budget a full hour of buffer before your actual entry time. Arriving late on a timed ticket system can mean losing your slot entirely, and there's no guarantee staff can slot you into a later group. My honest advice after mapping out the full connection: treat the journey itself as part of the experience rather than a chore to rush through. The Conde de Guadalhorce Reservoir and the approach path both offer decent views before you've even reached the official walkway, so an unhurried arrival isn't wasted time. ## Does the Shuttle Get Crowded in Peak Season? Yes, noticeably so. During spring and summer mornings, I'd expect to wait for a second or third shuttle departure if you arrive right as a popular train gets in, since everyone on that train tends to aim for the same shuttle stop at once. Shuttles run roughly every half hour, so the wait is rarely more than that, but it adds up if you're already cutting your timing close. I'd build this specific delay into your plan for peak months rather than treat it as a worst case. Arriving at the station with 90 minutes of buffer before your slot, rather than 60, is the safer margin for any one way, timed entry attraction where a missed shuttle can mean a missed booking. ## My Recommendation If your hotel sits near Malaga's Maria Zambrano station, I'd take the train to Ardales, budget cash for the shuttle, and treat the whole connection as a roughly two hour trip each way. If the bus happens to run closer to your accommodation, it's an equally fine substitute. Either way, don't skip planning the shuttle leg separately, since it's the piece most first time visitors forget about until they're standing at the station. For anyone who driven rather than taking public transport, I'd read the [parking and driving guide](/caminito-del-rey-from-malaga/caminito-del-rey-parking/) next, since the shuttle logistics work a little differently for drivers. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Is there a direct bus from Malaga to Caminito del Rey?** Public buses connect Malaga with the Ardales and El Chorro area, though you'll still need the short local shuttle to reach the trail entrance itself from either stop. **How long does the train from Malaga to Caminito del Rey take?** The train ride itself runs about 45 minutes to an hour to Ardales or El Chorro station, with another 20 to 30 minutes typically needed for the connecting shuttle to the trailhead. **Do I need cash for the train or bus to Caminito del Rey?** You'll want small cash either way for the local shuttle bus between the station area and the trail entrance, which costs around 2.50 euros per person and isn't included in most tickets. **Which station is closer to the Caminito del Rey entrance, Ardales or El Chorro?** Ardales sits closer to the northern access where most guided tours and entry tickets start, while El Chorro is next to the southern exit, so check which end your ticket begins at first. ## Related guides - [Caminito del Rey from Malaga: The Complete Transport & Tour Guide](/caminito-del-rey-from-malaga/) - [Caminito del Rey Parking & Driving from Malaga](/caminito-del-rey-from-malaga/caminito-del-rey-parking/) - [Self-Guided or Guided Tour: How to Choose](/caminito-del-rey-from-malaga/self-guided-vs-guided-tour/) - [Caminito del Rey Via Ferrata: Is the Adventure Add-On Worth It?](/caminito-del-rey-from-malaga/caminito-del-rey-via-ferrata/) - [Caminito del Rey Opening Hours & Visitor Essentials](/caminito-del-rey-opening-hours/) Route and station details beyond this guide are also on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminito_del_Rey), or [see caminito del rey tickets and tours on the homepage](/).