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Sitting on Spain’s coast, this sunny route from Valencia to Malaga takes you from one coast to another, with the 4-hour journey delivering you to the Costa del Sol. The perfect way to see the sea in two uniquely different ways, anyone who wants to combine a quintessential beach break with a bit of city slicking will love this trip. Renfe’s AV-City trains will carry you from coast to coast, with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi included as well as food carriages on most services to keep you refreshed.
Go from old to new, starting with the stunning Valencia Cathedral and Central Market, one of the oldest markets in Europe, with delicious treats across hundreds of stalls. Modern marvels include the awe-inspiring architecture of City of Arts and Sciences, a park that holds the city’s museums and aquarium. Malaga awaits, where the world-famous sandy beaches offer the perfect place to soak up some sun, but where history and culture can still be enjoyed. Come face to face with Picasso’s masterpieces or step into history at the city’s Roman theatre. Enjoy some maritime merriment in Spain, start by checking out our journey information below!
It takes an average of 6h 54m to travel from Valencia to Málaga by train, over a distance of around 291 miles (468 km). There are normally 10 trains per day travelling from Valencia to Málaga and tickets for this journey start from £7.24 when you book in advance.
First train | 09:15 | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 21:10 | |
Departure station | Valencia | |
Arrival station | Málaga | |
Journey time | From 5h 25m | |
Distance | 291 miles (468 km) | |
Frequency | 10 trains per day | |
Changes | 1 change | |
Price | From £7.24 | |
Train and bus operators |
Operating since the end of 2022, iryo is a new high-speed train company in Spain. It’s a consortium between the Spanish airline Air Norstrum and the train company Trenitalia, one of the greatest leaders in European rail transport. The first private Spanish high-speed company to operate, iryo runs high-speed services on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona route and connects Madrid – Cuenca – Valencia/Alicante and Madrid – Cordoba – Seville/Malaga. They are doing this all with a fleet of ETR1000 model trains that offer the highest level of comfort in Spain, with a combination of advanced propulsion and highest quality onboard services, including WiFi connection and catering service. 98% of the parts of the trains are 100% recyclable, making this trip sustainable as well!
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced experience without compromising on the best service and comfort, Inicial Class is ideal for you!
Singular Class is ideal for business travellers looking for flexibility and comfort. If you need to, you can adapt your ticket to your needs at the time.
If you're looking for added comfort and full flexibility, Singular Only YOU class is a fantastic choice, with access to select hotels too.
iryo's Infinita Class offers plenty of amenities on board, including wider leather reclining seats, free WiFi and at-seat meal service (Infinita Bistró) offering a complimentary gourmet meal. You'll need to book your meal 24 hours in advance.
You can carry up to 3 pieces of luggage on iryo trains, as long as they do not exceed 25kg in total. These 3 pieces can be 2 suitcases with a maximum size of 85 x 55 x 35cm and a backpack or handbag that does not exceed the dimensions of 36 x 27 x 15cm.
iryo offers different menus with high-quality products in all classes. You can buy your favourite meal from their onboard restaurant/bar carriage, which is usually near coach 2.
If you’re travelling in the Infinita Class, you can enjoy the Infinita Bistró service – your meal will be served straight to your seat. Please note that you’ll need to book your meal at least 24 hours in advance.
You can enjoy free WiFi in all classes on iryo trains, as well as an onboard entertainment platform providing a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news and Spotify.
Children aged 0-3 travel for free on all iryo trains. Children aged 4-13 get a discounted ticket while those aged 14-18 need to pay the full price. Please note that children aged under 18 need to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
You can take your bike on board iryo trains for free if it’s folded and does not exceed 90 x 120 x 40cm. Also, your bike must travel without the pedals and with the handlebar rotated 90 degrees.
iryo allows pets that do not exceed 10kg in weight, as long as they travel inside a carrier with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35cm. You'll need to buy a ticket for your pet in advance. In addition, guide dogs can travel at no additional cost.
There are seats for people with reduced mobility on iryo trains. Step-free access is also available both when boarding and when getting off the train.
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Valencia to Málaga by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
The average journey time by train between Valencia and Málaga is 6 hours and 54 minutes, with around 10 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
The fastest journey time by train from Valencia to Málaga is 5 hours and 25 minutes.
Train ticket prices from Valencia to Málaga can start from as little as £7.24 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
No, there are no direct train services from Valencia to Málaga. Travelling from Valencia to Málaga by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
The first train from Valencia to Málaga leaves at 09:15. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
The last train from Valencia to Málaga leaves at 21:10. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
Trains travelling from Valencia to Málaga cover a distance of around 291 miles (468 km) during the journey.