Getting there
How to get to the Caminito del Rey: car, train, bus or tour
El Chorro is sixty kilometres from Málaga and two hundred from Seville, and there are four ways to reach it. One of them — the train — almost nobody mentions, and it happens to solve the awkward part of the day by accident.
Quick answer
By car it is about an hour from Málaga. By train it is about ninety minutes to the El Chorro halt, which lands you at the southern end. Thirteen listings on this page include transport from Málaga or the coast, from $64. There is no useful public bus, and driving is straightforward on good roads.
Getting there, at a glance
- From Málaga by car
- About 1 houron the A-357 then MA-5403
- From Málaga by train
- About 1h 30mto the El Chorro halt
- From Seville by car
- About 2.5 hoursand there is no useful train
- From Rónda
- About 1 houra good base if you want a town
- From Antequera
- About 45 minutesthe closest sensible base
- Day tours with transport
- Thirteen of eighteenfrom $64
- Public bus
- Not practicalno service that fits an entry slot
- Parking
- At both endspaid, and it fills at weekends
- The train trick
- Arrives at the southso shuttle north and walk back to it
- Cancellation
- Free on all eighteenbooked through GetYourGuide
The four ways
And which one suits which kind of visitor
Tour, car, or the train — and the train is quietly the best of the three.
A day tour. Thirteen listings here collect you in Málaga or along the Costa del Sol, drive you out, walk you through and bring you back. If you have no car this is the only sensible option, and it removes the shuttle problem entirely. From $64.
Driving yourself. An hour from Málaga on good roads, mostly motorway then a well-signposted country road. Park at the northern access or — better — at El Chorro in the south. Cheapest overall if there are several of you, and you control the timing.
The train. There is a halt at El Chorro on the Málaga to Seville line, about ninety minutes, with a handful of services a day. It puts you at the southern end, which sounds wrong and is actually ideal: take the shuttle up to the northern access, walk south, and finish beside the station. No bus at the end of a tiring day.
The bus. There is no service that usefully fits a timed entry slot. Do not plan around it.
Where to base yourself
Four towns, and how far each is
Malaga for convenience, Antequera for quiet, Ronda for a second day.
Málaga, about an hour. The obvious base: an airport, a great many hotels, and thirteen day tours leaving from it.
Antequera, about forty-five minutes. The closest town of any size, considerably quieter than the coast, and an interesting place in its own right — the dolmens are a World Heritage site.
Rónda, about an hour. Further from the coast and worth a night on its own account. Combining Rónda and the Caminito over two days is one of the better short itineraries in Andalucía.
The Costa del Sol — Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella — one to two hours depending how far west. Several listings collect along the coast; check the pickup points before booking, because the day gets long from Marbella.
Every trip, current fare
Every listing, with the thirteen that include transport
Thirteen of eighteen collect you somewhere. The five that do not are entry-only tickets that assume you have arrived.
| Tour | Length | Price | Return from the exit | Cost per hour | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caminito del Rey: Entry Ticket and Guided TourEntry and a guide, the lowest price here | 2 h | $32 | Not included | $16.00 | 4.6 · 10,325 |
| Caminito del Rey: Guided Tour and Entry TicketThe most-reviewed listing in this niche | 2 h | $33 | Not included | $16.50 | 4.6 · 15,431 |
| Caminito del Rey: Guided Visit with AdmissionA three-hour guided visit | 3 h | $34 | Not included | $11.33 | 4.6 · 921 |
| Caminito del Rey: Entry Ticket & Guided TourEntry and a guide, taken slower | 3 h | $35 | Not included | $11.67 | 4.6 · 904 |
| Caminito del Rey: Tickets, Guided Tour, Shuttle & WaterEntry with the shuttle back included | 4–7 h | $43 | Included | $7.82 | 4.7 · 9,107 |
| From Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Day TripThe cheapest full day from Málaga | 6.5–7 h | $64 | Included | $9.48 | 4.8 · 1,057 |
| Caminito del Rey Guided Tour & Welcome Pack from MálagaThe best-rated day tour here, 18,658 reviews | 6.5–7 h | $69 | Included | $10.22 | 4.9 · 18,658 |
| Caminito del Rey Guided Day Trip from Málaga & White VillageThe walk plus a white village | 7 h | $71 | Included | $10.14 | 4.8 · 100 |
| From Málaga: Caminito del Rey Day Trip & Guided TourA full day with everything included | 7.5 h | $72 | Included | $9.60 | 4.8 · 5,824 |
| From Málaga & Costa del Sol: Caminito del Rey Guided TourA full day from Málaga, our top pick | 6–8 h | $75 | Included | $10.71 | 4.8 · 9,605 |
| From Malaga: Caminito del Rey all includedTransport, entry, guide and helmet | 7.5 h | $80 | Included | $10.67 | 4.8 · 3,908 |
| From Málaga: Caminito del Rey Full-Day TourA seven-hour day at a slower pace | 7 h | $86 | Included | $12.29 | 4.8 · 1,585 |
| From Costa del Sol: Caminito del Rey Day TripPickup along the Costa del Sol | 6–9 h | $93 | Included | $12.40 | 4.5 · 901 |
| From Málaga: Caminito del Rey Small-Group Tour with PicnicA small group with a picnic | 6 h | $97 | Included | $16.17 | 4.9 · 200 |
| From Seville: Caminito del Rey Hike Day TripTen hours out of Seville | 10 h | $108 | Included | $10.80 | 4.5 · 1,533 |
| Caminito del Rey from Málaga, small group up to 7 peopleA capped group of seven | 7 h | $139 | Included | $19.86 | 4.7 · 25 |
| From Malaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with TicketsA guided day with everything bundled | 7 h | $164 | Included | $23.43 | 4.7 · 32 |
| From Seville: Caminito del Rey Guided Day TripA guided day from Seville, dearest here | 7 h | $191 | Included | $27.29 | 4.8 · 35 |
If you drive, park at the southern end rather than the northern one. You shuttle up and walk back to your own car.
North or south access→Common questions
Getting to the Caminito del Rey, answered
How do I get to the Caminito del Rey?
By car in about an hour from Málaga, by train to the El Chorro halt in about ninety minutes, or on one of the thirteen day tours on this page that include transport.
Is there a train to the Caminito del Rey?
Yes, to the El Chorro halt on the Málaga to Seville line, with a few services a day. It arrives at the southern end, so take the shuttle north and walk back towards the station.
How far is El Chorro from Málaga?
About 60 kilometres, roughly an hour by car.
Is there a bus to the Caminito del Rey?
Not one that usefully fits a timed entry slot. Plan around a car, the train, or a day tour.
Where should I stay to visit the Caminito del Rey?
Málaga for convenience, Antequera for the shortest drive and a quieter town, or Rónda if you want a second day worth having.
Can you get there without a car?
Yes, easily: a day tour from Málaga, or the train to El Chorro plus the shuttle.
Go deeper
More on walking the Caminito del Rey
Caminito del Rey tickets
Eighteen listings priced per person, from $32 to $191, and what each includes.
From MalagaThe Caminito del Rey from Malaga
Sixty kilometres, thirteen day tours, and why the coach is worth it.
The walkThe Caminito del Rey walk itself
Kilometre by kilometre, north to south, and what each part is like.
VerdictThe best Caminito del Rey tour
Eighteen listings ranked for one decision, with a straight answer.
Last minuteLast-minute tickets
What to do when the official site is sold out, and what will not work.
North or southNorth or south access?
The route runs one way, and only one of these is a start.
