Where it is, and how far
The walkway threads the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge near El Chorro, in the Ardales/Álora part of Málaga province, north-west of the city. From Málaga it's roughly an hour's drive. From the Costa del Sol resorts and Marbella it's further and takes longer, but it's still comfortably doable in a day — which is exactly why so many people visit as a day trip rather than staying nearby. Whichever way you come, the destination splits into two points: the northern entrance (Ardales/Gaitanejo end, where the walk starts) and the southern exit at El Chorro (where it finishes).
Your three ways to get there
1. By car (~1 hour from Málaga)
Driving is the most flexible option and the quickest door-to-door from Málaga. The wrinkle is parking: because the walk is one-way from north to south, wherever you leave the car you'll finish somewhere else and need the shuttle bus to get back to it. Many drivers park near one end and build the shuttle into their timing at both the start and the finish. It works smoothly once you've planned it — but it does need planning, so read the shuttle note below before you set off.
2. By train to El Chorro
The most straightforward public-transport route is the train from Málaga to El Chorro, the village beside the southern end of the walk. The station sits close to the exit, which is handy for the trip home. Because the route runs one-way, you take the local shuttle bus up to the northern entrance to begin, walk back down toward El Chorro, and pick up your return train near where you finish. No car, no two-ends parking puzzle — just check return train times before you commit, as services are limited and missing the last one is a long way from anywhere.
3. Guided day trip with transport
The simplest option of all, especially from the coast, is a guided day trip that includes return transport from Málaga or the Costa del Sol. You're driven to the start, walked through with a guide, and collected from the finish — the shuttle between the two ends is handled as part of the package, and your timed entry ticket is pre-secured, so you're not gambling on availability. For anyone without a car, on fixed dates, or who'd rather not manage the logistics, this removes every moving part in one booking.
From the Costa del Sol and Marbella
Plenty of visitors base themselves on the coast and come inland for the day. Self-driving and the train both work, but they involve a longer journey and more moving parts, so for most coastal travellers a guided day trip is the path of least resistance: transport from the resort strip, the ticket sorted, and the guide handling the shuttle. If you'd rather go independently, allow extra travel time each way and be strict with yourself about return times — the timed-entry slot at the start and the last train or shuttle at the end are the two deadlines that matter.
Which option suits you
- Have a car and a flexible date? Self-drive from Málaga, and plan the two-ends shuttle in advance.
- No car, staying in Málaga? The train to El Chorro plus the shuttle is cheap and simple — just lock in return times.
- On the Costa del Sol, or want it all handled? A guided day trip with transport and a pre-booked ticket is the easiest by far.
Whichever you choose, sort your timed-entry ticket before anything else — in high season it's the constraint everything else has to fit around. And if you're still weighing up whether the walk is for you, our guide to whether it's safe and scary covers the exposure honestly.
See guided day trips with transport →How far is the Caminito del Rey from Málaga?
It is roughly an hour's drive from Málaga city, in the El Chorro and Ardales area of Málaga province, inland and to the north-west. From the Costa del Sol resorts and Marbella it is further — allow more time — but it is still an easy day trip, which is why so many visitors do it in a single day from the coast.
Can you get to the Caminito del Rey from Málaga by train?
Yes. Trains from Málaga run to El Chorro, the village at the southern end of the walk, and this is the most straightforward public-transport option. Because the route is one-way, you then use the shuttle bus to reach the northern entrance where the walk starts, and the train station sits conveniently near the southern exit for the journey back.
Do you need a car to visit the Caminito del Rey?
No. You can reach it by train to El Chorro plus the local shuttle bus, or by joining a guided day trip that includes return transport from Málaga or the coast. A car gives you flexibility but also leaves you with the two-ends parking and shuttle puzzle to solve, which the train or a tour avoids.
What is the easiest way to visit the Caminito del Rey from the Costa del Sol?
For most visitors staying on the Costa del Sol or in Marbella, a guided day trip with transport is the easiest option. It removes the longer self-drive, the two-ends shuttle and the need to secure a timed ticket separately, since the tour includes a pre-booked entry. Self-driving and the train are both possible but involve more planning.
An independent visitor guide. Walk Caminito del Rey is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official operator or ticket seller of the Caminito del Rey, and does not sell admission. Booking links go to independent third-party tour operators, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Transport, train and shuttle services are run by third parties and change with the season — always check current timetables and the official Caminito del Rey site before you travel.