MalagaCar Malaga – Local Car Rental Explained: Prices, Pickup & Rules
Renting a car at Malaga airport opens up the Costa del Sol—from mountain villages to hidden beaches—but navigating rental companies can feel overwhelming. MalagaCar is an independent operator at Malaga airport, and this guide provides factual information about their policies, costs, and whether they're right for your trip.
This is an independent guide based on MalagaCar's publicly available terms and conditions. No fluff, no affiliate pressure—just practical information you can verify yourself.
⚠️ Independent Review: This guide is not sponsored or affiliated with MalagaCar. All information reflects publicly available terms as of February 2026.
🚗 MalagaCar at a glance
Here's what MalagaCar offers based on their published terms. Every line below is linked to a source you can open and confirm.
| Category | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 📍 Pickup location | Meet a MalagaCar representative in the arrivals area, then take the free shuttle bus to their offices in the Malaga Airport area (short shuttle ride). | Terms (collection details) |
| ⏰ Operating hours | Could not verify “24/7” directly in the Terms. Confirm current opening hours on the official website before booking. | Official website |
| 🚙 Fleet size | 4,000+ vehicles (company claim; not independently verified in the Terms). | Official website |
| ⛽ Fuel policy | Same/same: return the car with the same fuel level. If fuel is missing, they charge the missing fuel amount. The Terms state they don’t charge a refueling service fee. | Terms (fuel policy) |
| ❌ Cancellation | Free cancellations & amendments (listed in the Terms across the rate types). | Terms |
| 💳 Payment | Payment is completed on collection with card (Visa/MasterCard/Amex listed). Cash payment is mentioned as possible only under specific conditions (see Terms). Cardholder must be the main driver. | Terms (payment) |
| 🧾 Mileage | Mileage depends on the rate: the Terms mention 100 km/day for the Basic rate, and unlimited mileage for Comfort Pack and Full Pack. | Terms (mileage) |
| 👤 Minimum age | Age and license requirements depend on car group (Terms list 21/25/27+ tiers and license duration requirements). | Terms (drivers age) |
| 👥 Additional driver | Not always free: the Terms state FREE additional driver for Comfort Pack and Full Pack, and a paid additional-driver fee in the “does not include” section (see Terms for the exact fee rules). | Terms (additional driver) |
✅ Before you book – essential checklist
Don't commit until you've verified these points. Some can cost you hundreds of euros if overlooked:
💡 Age & Experience Requirements
Minimum 21 years old with 1 year driving experience for basic cars. Some categories need 25 years (2 years experience) or 27 years (5 years experience) for premium/luxury vehicles. (Source)
⚠️ Young Driver Surcharge
Under 25 or license held less than 4 years? Add €6.50/day (minimum €17, maximum €79 for 28 days). This applies automatically. (Source)
🛡️ Insurance Choice Matters
Basic rate: Partial damage cover with €1,000-1,200 excess
Full Pack: €15/day (min €35, max €210/28 days) — eliminates excess and deposit entirely (Source)
Also verify you have:
- Valid driving license (held minimum 1 year) (Source)
- Passport or national ID
- Credit/debit card in driver's name (Source)
- Understanding of deposit policy (more below)
🚨 Night Pickup = Extra €35
Collecting between 23:00-08:00? You'll pay €35 surcharge. (Source)
Traveling to Portugal or Gibraltar? You must notify the office and pay €8-9/day (min €24-27, max €90). GPS tracking monitors all vehicles. (Source)
🚌 Pickup & return – step by step
Here's the process based on MalagaCar's official instructions:
✈️ Picking up your car
Exit Terminal 3 arrivals hall and look for the MalagaCar representative holding a company sign. They'll assign you a queue number. (Source)
Board the orange MalagaCar shuttle bus. Journey takes approximately 15 minutes (7 km) to their office. (Source)
At the office, present your license, passport, and card. Complete paperwork and choose insurance level if not pre-booked.
Quick vehicle inspection with staff. Check for existing damage and take photos. Collect keys and drive away.
⏱️ Time estimate: From exiting terminal to driving away: 30-45 minutes (based on shuttle time plus typical processing)
🔄 Returning your car
1. Drive back to the same office location
2. Quick inspection (minimal if you have Full Pack)
3. Board shuttle back to airport
4. Arrive at terminal—done!
💡 Grace Period:
MalagaCar gives you 2 hours after your contracted return time at no charge. After that, they may charge an extra day. (Source)
⚠️ Fees & pitfalls to avoid
Here are the extra charges based on MalagaCar's published Terms & Conditions:
| Situation | Cost | How to Avoid | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missing fuel on return | Pay for missing fuel (no refueling service fee). | Return with the same fuel level. | Terms (fuel) |
| Extra mileage (Basic rate) | Basic: 100 km/day + €0.40/km extra. | Pick Comfort/Full for unlimited mileage, or plan mileage. | Terms (mileage) |
| Young driver surcharge | Applies if you meet the age/license criteria (rates vary by group). | Budget for it (can’t be waived if applicable). | Terms (age) |
| Night pickup (23:00–08:00) | €35. | Pick up outside night hours. | Terms (night pickup) |
| GPS rental | €5/day (min €15, max €50) + €100 deposit. | Use your phone if possible. | Terms (GPS) |
| Traffic fines admin fee | €40 + the fine itself. | Follow parking + speed rules. | Terms (fines) |
| Damage management fee | €50 if there is damage (except Full Pack / full-risk). | Take photos; consider Full Pack if needed. | Terms (damage fee) |
| Excess / excluded parts | Excess varies by car group; some parts may be excluded unless insured. | Read exclusions; photo tyres/rims/glass. | Terms (excess) |
| Wrong fuel type | Chargeable (cost depends on the damage). | Double-check petrol vs diesel. | Terms (wrong fuel) |
| Interior damage / special cleaning | Interior damage not covered; “special cleaning” €150. | No smoking; keep the interior clean. | Terms (cleaning) |
💳 Important: How Deposits Work
Basic/Comfort may require an excess-based deposit (charged and refunded if the car is returned in the same condition). Full Pack is described as “without excess”, so deposit rules may differ — confirm the exact deposit at booking/pickup. (Source)
🤷 Is renting a car in Malaga worth it?
Honest answer: it depends entirely on your plans. Here's when it makes sense (and when it doesn't):
✅ Rent a car if you're doing:
- Mountain village day trips – Places like Ronda, Frigiliana, and white villages have infrequent bus service. A car gives you freedom.
- Caminito del Rey on your own – Tours exist, but a car lets you combine it with other stops and go at your pace.
- Multi-beach exploration – Hit Malaga's best beaches, then continue to Nerja's Playa de Maro. Buses run these routes but you're tied to timetables.
- Traveling with 3+ people – Rental cost divided by four often beats train/bus tickets, plus you avoid lugging bags on public transport.
❌ Skip the car if you're:
- Staying in Malaga city only – Walkable city, good buses, expensive/limited parking. No car needed.
- Just doing airport transfer – Train and buses from the airport cost €1.80-3.00. Fast and easy.
- Sticking to Costa del Sol beach towns – Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Marbella all have excellent train/bus connections. Summer beach parking fills up fast.
- On a tight budget – Basic car €150-300/week + fuel €50-80 + insurance €35-210 adds up quickly. Could exceed public transport costs.
🎯 Reality check: Many visitors rent "just in case" and end up paying for parking without using it much. Be honest about your actual day trip plans before committing.
🎯 Best use cases for a rental
These are the trips where having your own wheels genuinely adds value:
🏔️ Mountain villages tour
Visit Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas, and Zahara de la Sierra in one day. Public transport would require multiple connections and waste hours. MalagaCar includes unlimited mileage. (Source)
🏖️ Multi-beach exploration
Drive from Malaga's city beaches to Nerja's Playa de Maro and Burriana Beach. Park, swim, move on. Buses exist but you're stuck to their schedule.
🥾 Countryside & hiking
Access trailheads near El Torcal, Sierra de las Nieves, or La Concepción. Many hiking areas have zero public transport. Early morning starts are easier with your own vehicle.
🧳 Multi-town stays
If your Malaga itinerary includes different towns (3 days Malaga, 4 days Ronda, 2 days Granada), a rental beats hauling luggage between bus stations.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Do I need an international driving permit?
EU license holders don't need one. Non-EU visitors should bring an international permit alongside their original license. MalagaCar's terms accept non-Roman alphabet licenses but recommend an international permit. (Source)
Can I pay with a debit card?
Yes, if you book Full Pack insurance. With basic insurance, a credit card in the driver's name is required for the deposit. (Source)
What if I return the car damaged with Full Pack?
Full Pack covers all damage except interior damage (stains, burns, excessive dirt) and theft without returning keys. Scratches or dents? No charge with Full Pack. (Source)
Are there mileage limits?
No. MalagaCar includes unlimited mileage in all packages. (Source)
Can someone else drive the car?
Yes. Additional drivers are free but must be listed on the rental agreement and meet age/license requirements. Anyone not on the contract voids insurance. (Source)
What happens if I get a parking ticket?
You're responsible for the fine plus €40 admin fee. MalagaCar receives the fine notice, pays it, then charges your card. They'll notify you by email. (Source)
Can I drop off early and get a refund?
No. Early returns are at manager's discretion. Normally no refunds for unused rental days. (Source)
What's included in the basic rate?
Fuel policy same/same, partial damage cover (€1,000-1,200 excess), occupants insurance, roadside assistance (with fee), unlimited mileage, VAT, free cancellation. (Source)
Do I need to wash the car before returning?
Not required, but excessive dirt or interior mess may result in cleaning fees. Remove trash and avoid messy foods inside. (Source)
How long does deposit refund take?
MalagaCar releases funds within 1-2 business days after return, but your bank may take 3-10 days to process. Foreign transaction fees may apply twice for non-Euro accounts. (Based on typical car rental deposit processing times; confirm with MalagaCar for their specific timeline.)
📚 Sources & Verification
Primary sources are MalagaCar’s official pages (website, Terms & Conditions, FAQ). Some details are also cross-checked against third‑party pages that reproduce or summarize MalagaCar terms — always confirm the latest rules on malagacar.com.
- MalagaCar Official Website — Accessed February 13, 2026
- MalagaCar Contact Information — Accessed February 13, 2026
- MalagaCar Terms & Conditions (Freshdesk) — Accessed February 13, 2026
- MalagaCar Blog/FAQ – Required Documents — Accessed February 13, 2026
- MalagaCar Blog/FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions — Accessed February 13, 2026
- HireCarsInSpain – MalagaCar Terms (third‑party copy) — Accessed February 13, 2026
- Villa Conmigo – “General terms” PDF (third‑party copy) — Accessed February 13, 2026
Stock photos used under the Unsplash License (attribution not required).
Planning Your Malaga Trip?
Check out our complete travel guide for more insider tips and recommendations.