Booking choice: The day trip from Málaga and the Costa del Sol, 6 to 8 hours. Book this Tour details
One way in, one way out. You enter at the north access near Ardales and leave at El Chorro, in the municipality of Álora, and the rules say access is from the north unless you have special permission. The two ends are linked by road and by a shuttle bus. They are not linked by the path: you cannot walk back.
That one fact shapes every option below. Drivers park at one end and use the shuttle. Train travellers arrive at the wrong end and ride the shuttle up. Coach tours drop you at the top and wait at the bottom.
The quick answer
Driving: park at the Visitor Reception Centre, take the shuttle to the north access, walk, then ride the shuttle back. By train: Renfe to El Chorro station, then the shuttle up. No car and no wish to juggle timetables: the day trip from Málaga and the Costa del Sol has a coach waiting at the exit.
Where does the Caminito del Rey start and finish?
It starts at the north access near Ardales and finishes at El Chorro. The walk is one way, always downhill.
The mandatory rules set the direction: in from the northern zone (Ardales), out at the south, so the visit always runs downhill. The total is 7.7 km, of which 2.9 km is boardwalk, according to the official FAQ. At the end you return your helmet at El Chorro, and the bus stop is about 300 m away.
The control booth at the north access is not where you park. From the shuttle stop near El Kiosko it is about 25 minutes on foot, the rules say, and from the Ardales car park it is a 20-minute walk through a lit tunnel or 35 minutes past El Kiosko.
How do I get to the Caminito del Rey from Málaga by car?
Take the A-357 towards Ardales, then the MA-5403 to the entrances. The Visitor Reception Centre is 57.7 km from Málaga.
The official directions are short: A-357 to the Ardales junction, then the MA-5403. The official home page puts the Visitor Reception Centre, at the Puerto de las Atalayas, 57.7 km from Málaga and 6 km from the Ardales crossing. The last part is a winding mountain road. Drive it in daylight if you can.
There are three car parks to choose from, each with a small fee:
| Car park | How you reach the gate | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Reception Centre | Shuttle to the stop near El Kiosko, then about 25 minutes on foot | Book a space online with your ticket, or pay on arrival if there is room; arrive 1 hour early |
| Ardales municipal car park (P1) | About 20 minutes through the tunnel or 35 minutes past El Kiosko | Closest to the start; you need the shuttle back from El Chorro |
| El Chorro car park (P2) | Shuttle north first, then walk back to your car at the end | Under refurbishment but open; arrive 1 hour early |
Our pick for a first visit is the Visitor Reception Centre. It has a visitor desk, and the shuttle handles the rest.
Should you park at the north or the south end?
North if you want to walk first and relax after. South if you would rather end the day at your car.
Park north (Visitor Reception Centre or Ardales) and the shuttle comes at the end, when you are tired but done. Park at El Chorro and you ride the shuttle first, under time pressure, then finish next to your car. That second plan suits people who hate waiting for a bus at the end of a hot walk.
Either way, the shuttle ticket covers unlimited trips on the day, so you are not paying twice. The guided tour from El Chorro solves the same problem: it meets at La Garganta, by El Chorro station, and the shuttle to the north gate is included.
Start and finish by El Chorro station: shuttle to the north gate, a guide in your language and water included.
Book thisCan you get to the Caminito del Rey by train?
Yes. Renfe regional trains stop at El Chorro-Caminito del Rey station, at the south end, and the shuttle takes you up to the start.
The station is called El Chorro-Caminito del Rey, on the MA-5403 in El Chorro. Trains run from Málaga María Zambrano, including Proximidad services on the Málaga to El Chorro-Caminito del Rey route, and Media Distancia trains on the line from Seville. The Ministry of Transport extended the Proximidad service in June 2026.
Timetables change, and they are thinner than city lines. Check renfe.com before you book your entry slot, not after. Then work backwards: train arrival, a walk to the shuttle stop, a 15 to 20 minute ride north, about 25 minutes on foot to the gate, and 30 minutes at the access before your slot. A late-morning slot gives you room.
At the end of the walk you are back in El Chorro, near the station. Check the time of the last train before you set off.
How does the Caminito del Rey shuttle bus work?
It runs along the MA-444 between El Chorro and the north access in both directions. One ticket covers unlimited trips that day.
The official shuttle page and the FAQ give the essentials. The bus is not run by the Caminito del Rey itself. You buy the ticket online with your entry, or pay the driver in cash: card payments are not accepted. The ride takes 15 to 20 minutes to the stop near El Kiosko, and the same ticket works all day in either direction.
Most tour listings that meet at the north access say the shuttle is paid separately, in cash. Keep coins in your pocket even if you booked a tour. The exceptions: the tour from El Chorro includes it, and the coach day trips do not need it.
Can you get to the Caminito del Rey without a car or a tour?
Yes, by train and shuttle. A taxi from Málaga works too, but it is a long, costly ride, and you must plan the pickup.
The train is the best option without a car. A taxi or ride-hailing car from Málaga is possible, and the cost is in a different league from the train. Agree the fare before you leave, and book the return pickup at El Chorro in advance: the official FAQ warns that phone signal in the gorge is almost non-existent except on Vodafone.
From Seville, Media Distancia trains reach El Chorro directly, according to the Adif station page. It is a long day each way, which is why the day trip from Seville exists: coach, entry and a guide, with a stop in Osuna on the way back.
Is a tour from Málaga easier?
Yes, if you have no car. A coach takes you to the north access and waits at the exit, so the one-way problem disappears.
Three day trips on this site include transport, entry and a guide or tour leader. Here is what each listing says:
| Day trip | Pickup points | Length (listing) | Extra stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Málaga & Costa del Sol | Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola | 6 to 8 hours | Breakfast break in Ardales |
| From Málaga, all included | Avenida de Andalucía, central Málaga | 7.5 hours | Breakfast and lunch stops, sweet wine and olive oil tastings |
| From Seville | Three meeting points in central Seville | 10 hours | Break at El Kiosko, lunch stop, Osuna |
Meals are paid by you on the Málaga trips, the listings say, and the Seville lunch break is free time. Bring cash for breakfast.
No car, no timetables: a coach from Málaga or the coast, the entry and a guide, and a bus waiting at the exit.
Book this Tour detailsHow early should you get to the Caminito del Rey?
Be at the access 30 minutes before your slot, and at the car park at least an hour before that.
The rules ask for 30 minutes at the access point before your scheduled time. The FAQ adds that drivers should reach the car park at least an hour early. Between the two sit the shuttle and a walk of about 25 minutes. Groups go in every 10 minutes.
Our rule of thumb: arrive at the car park 90 minutes before your slot on a weekend, an hour on a quiet weekday. Use the toilets before the gate, because there are none on the route.
Coach, entry, a tour leader, then sweet wine and olive oil tastings on the way back to Málaga.
Book thisFrequently asked questions
How do I get to the Caminito del Rey from Málaga without a car?
Take a Renfe train from Málaga María Zambrano to El Chorro-Caminito del Rey, then the shuttle bus to the north access. A coach day trip from Málaga is the alternative.
How much is a taxi from Málaga to the Caminito del Rey?
Much more than the train. Agree a fixed fare with the driver before you set off, and book the return pickup from El Chorro, since phone signal there is weak.
Where should I park for the Caminito del Rey?
The Visitor Reception Centre car park is the simplest: book a space with your ticket and take the shuttle to the start. Arrive at least an hour before your slot.
Is the shuttle bus included in Caminito del Rey tickets?
No. It is a separate small fee, bought online or paid in cash to the driver. The guided tour from El Chorro is one of the few products that includes it.
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option, and live availability on the booking page.
From Málaga & Costa del Sol: Guided Day Trip
- Coach from the city and the coast and back
- Entry ticket and expert guide
- Helmet and safety briefing
Tickets, Guided Tour, Shuttle & Water
Start and finish by El Chorro station, shuttle included, five guide languages
From Málaga: Caminito del Rey All Included
Coach, entry, a tour leader, sweet wine and olive oil tastings
