Budget guide
What it costs to drive on the Costa del Sol
The running costs beyond the hire price, so your holiday budget holds up.
Toll motorway or free road
From the airport, the MA-20 and A-7 carry you along the coast at no charge. Past Fuengirola you can switch to the AP-7, a toll motorway that is quicker when summer traffic builds.
Toll prices change with the season and the time of day; check the current rates before you set off, and keep a card handy at the barriers.
Fuel and parking
Motorway service stations stay open around the clock and supermarket forecourts in town are usually cheaper. Many stations switch to self-service at night.
Blue lines on the kerb mean paid parking (zona azul): buy a ticket at the meter or by app. Underground car parks in Málaga and Marbella charge by the minute.
Avoiding fines
Limits are 120 km/h on autovías and autopistas, 90 km/h on ordinary roads and 30 or 50 km/h in built-up areas. Fixed and mobile cameras are common on the A-7.
Everyone wears a seat belt and children under 135 cm need a suitable child seat. Using a phone in your hand while driving is fined.
The hire price is fixed
Quote now and see the total before you pay.