Driving and rental
Driving in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol: pick-up, tolls and city rules
Driving on the Costa del Sol is straightforward: good motorways, clear signs and short distances. The questions visitors ask are about the pick-up at the airport, the toll road along the coast and the low-emission zone in central Málaga. Here are the answers.
In short
- At Málaga Airport a short shuttle takes you from the terminal to the rental car.
- The AP-7 coastal motorway is tolled from Málaga to Guadiaro; prices rise from June to September. The free A-7 runs alongside it.
- Málaga has a low-emission zone (ZBE) in the city centre controlled by cameras; rules depend on the car's DGT environmental label and where it is registered.
- Spain drives on the right.
- Fines and tolls not paid on the spot reach the car's owner and are passed on to the driver under the rental terms.
Pick-up at Málaga Airport
Cars are not parked at the terminal. After you collect your luggage, a shuttle takes you to the rental car. Your exact meeting point and instructions arrive by e-mail after booking and again shortly before pick-up; follow those rather than the default car location shown in the app. Allow 30 to 45 minutes from landing to driving away in busy periods.
AP-7 or A-7?
Two roads run west along the coast from Málaga. The AP-7 (Autopista del Sol) is tolled from Málaga to Guadiaro, with higher prices in high season (June to September and Easter). The A-7 is free but has more junctions, lower limits in places and heavy traffic around Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella at rush hour. For a one-off trip to Marbella in winter the A-7 is fine; in summer the AP-7 can save a lot of time.
- Toll booths take bank cards and cash.
- Check current prices on the operator's site before a long drive west; they change by season.
- East of Málaga (to Nerja) and inland (to Antequera, Granada, Ronda) the main roads are free.
Málaga's low-emission zone (ZBE)
Central Málaga is a Zona de Bajas Emisiones watched by cameras that read number plates and check the car's DGT environmental label. Since 30 November 2025 cars without a label that are registered outside Málaga are fined; from the end of November 2026 the restriction is due to extend to cars with the B label registered outside the city. Cars with C, ECO and Cero labels keep access. Rental cars are recent models, most with C or ECO labels, but check the label sticker on the windscreen and ask at pick-up if you plan to drive into the centre.
Easiest option in Málaga city: leave the car at your hotel or in a public car park at the edge of the centre and walk or take the metro.
Parking
- Blue zones (zona azul) are paid street parking with a time limit; pay at the meter or by the app shown on the sign.
- In Ronda, Mijas, Frigiliana and Nerja use the car parks at the edge of town; the historic lanes are narrow and some are closed to traffic.
- Never park on yellow lines or in loading bays; towing is common in the cities.
Mountain roads
The roads inland are good but winding. The A-397 from San Pedro de Alcántara to Ronda climbs through many bends; drive it in daylight. In winter the higher roads around Ronda can see frost in the morning, and the road to the Sierra Nevada near Granada requires winter equipment when snow is forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive into Málaga old town with a rental car?
The centre is a low-emission zone with camera control, and many streets are pedestrian. Park at the edge of the centre and walk.
Is the AP-7 toll worth it?
In summer and at rush hour, often yes. In winter and outside peak hours the free A-7 is a reasonable alternative.
Where do I pick up the car at Málaga Airport?
A shuttle takes you from the terminal to the car. The exact instructions come by e-mail after booking and again before pick-up.
Sources
- AP-7 Málaga toll prices 2026, El Independiente (checked October 27, 2026)
- Costa del Sol motorway low-season tariffs, Última Hora (checked October 27, 2026)
- Málaga ZBE: fines in force, B label from late November 2026, Motor16 (checked October 27, 2026)
- Etiqueta C en Málaga, RACE (checked October 27, 2026)
Rules, prices and opening hours change. Check the official source before you travel. Drive times are approximate.
More guides
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Costa del Sol in winter: what to do by car from November to February
Málaga's Christmas lights, skiing in the Sierra Nevada, quieter Ronda and Granada, and walks that are too hot in summer: a winter plan for the Costa del Sol by car.