Getting the bus in Malaga city

Getting around Malaga by bus is a relatively easy process. Empresa Malagueña de Transportes (EMT) boasts an extensive bus network, with most areas on the city reachable by a single bus from the Alameda, the main boulevard at the bottom of Calle Larios.

Paying for the bus

If you are in Malaga for a short period of time, you can pay the driver directly for your bus journey. One ride costs 1.40€ per person (correct as of December 2022).

If paying in cash, note that drivers are not obliged to offer change for quantities larger than 5 euros.

If you wish to pay by card, EMT has, since summer 2022, been rolling out contactless payment on its buses. However, not all buses are equipped with the new machines. Look out for the sticker on the window indicating if contactless payment is accepted before boarding.

However, if you’re here for an extended period, or you’re a resident, you can choose to buy a tarjeta transbordo bus pass (10 trips) for 5.50€ (0.55€ per trip).

A monthly bus pass (tarjeta bus mensual) costs 25.95€.

You can purchase bus passes from a large number of kiosks, tobacconists or shops (see where here). Once you have bought a bus pass, you can top it up at the same locations or via the app.

EMT bus pass

For up-to-date information on prices and special rates click here.

Routes and timetables

EMT’s routes are integrated onto Google Maps so it is easy to plan bus trips online. The EMT app (Android and Apple) also offers different options to plan your journey.

If you prefer more old-fashioned methods, you can download and print a detailed map of all routes, as well as the bus stops on the Alameda here.

Things to look out for

• Malaga locals take queuing for the bus very seriously. When waiting at a bus stop, it is common to be asked who is last in line. Queue jumping is likely to be met with shouting!!
• If you’re using a bus pass, you validate it by tapping it on the red reader next to the driver.
• Individual tickets are only valid for one ride. When changing buses, you must buy a new ticket.
• Bus passes allow free transfers between lines within one hour of the first trip.

Daryl Finch

Daryl moved to Malaga permanently in 2014 having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found Malaga Guru in 2016.