Malaga Airport is the portal into the Costa del Sol. With over 161,000 flights a year, carrying over 20 million passengers, it’s one of Spain’s largest airports.
More than its destinations and proximity to popular tourist towns, it has a wide array of car rental options. For all budgets and family sizes, the car hire services can really ramp up the enjoyability and flexibility of a holiday.
A car rental can mean heading to the Andalusian national parks, discovering the many hidden beaches and caves, as well as the charming mountainous villages. You can disregard bus timetables and take detours that lead you to surprising encounters – from sunsets to eagles.
Car Rental Companies at Malaga Airport
Car hire Malaga Airport has over 20 car rental companies, providing visitors with more choices than they really need. This is one of the reasons why Malaga Airport is loved around the world, although the close proximity to Ronda, Marbella, and Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema may have something to do with it.
These car rental companies can be overwhelming, so we need to break them down. They can broadly be categorised into two groups: those with desks inside the airport terminal and those located off-site.
On-Site Car Rentals
Renting from companies located directly at the airport offers immediate convenience. Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar, and Hertz are among the providers with desks in Terminal 2.
The primary advantage here is the sheer speed with which you can collect your vehicle and start your journey. However, this convenience can come at a premium, with on-site rentals typically being more expensive than their off-site counterparts.
Pros:
- Immediate access to vehicles
- No need for shuttle transfers
- Ideal for travellers in a rush
Cons:
- Generally higher prices
- Potentially limited vehicle selection during peak seasons
- Longer queues during busy periods
Nearby Car Rentals
Many reputable car hire companies operate just outside the airport premises. These include CarGest, Europcar and Hertz. While requiring a short shuttle ride (CarGest shuttle is a 2 minute walk away), these companies often provide more competitive pricing and a wider range of vehicles.
Pros:
- Usually cheaper
- Broader vehicle selection
- Often newer, well-maintained fleets
- Shorter queues
Cons:
- Short wait for shuttle transfers
- Slightly longer process to reach your vehicle
Sometimes, you may find the time it takes to get a nearby car rental is actually faster than an on-site one. While it’s not always the case, it can be during busy periods when on-site car rentals have a long queue of customers.
Evaluating Services and Pricing
Vehicle Selection and Quality
The range of vehicles available at Malaga Airport is extensive, catering to various needs. There are many compact cars, which are ideal for city exploration (older villages also have very narrow streets in Spain) to larger vehicles suitable for big families and lots of luggage. Most companies offer a diverse fleet rather than specialising in just one car type. However, not all companies will have very high-end sports cars, so if this is important, it’s something that may need to drive your primary criteria.
Pricing and Transparency
While attractive rates might catch your eye, it’s important to really examine the terms and conditions. Some companies may advertise low base rates but add significant charges for insurance, additional drivers or even fuel policies. It’s also important to know if the company wants you to leave a full tank at the end or not.
Try to realistically think of the fees and add-ons that you may incur by your anticipated behaviour (or consider things that could go wrong) and factor it into the base price. Now you can compare your expected price and perhaps a worst-case scenario.
One of the best ways to find out hidden fees (besides looking in the fine print) is from customer reviews…
Customer Reviews and Experiences
Customer feedback provides valuable insights into the real-world performance of car rental companies. CarGest, for example, has 4.6 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, and it can be interesting to read through some experiences before pulling the trigger on a company. Most of the defining factors will be around customer service (polite staff), waiting times, and reliability (i.e. being open and having the car that you were promised).
Conclusions
Choosing the right car rental company at Malaga Airport depends somewhat on your specific needs and budget, but generally you want to decide whether you’re going for an on-site company or off-site.
While on-site rentals offer more convenience (usually, if the summer queues aren’t too bad), nearby companies like CarGest provide better value and a wider selection.
Ultimately, a car rental can transform a holiday, making it possible to see much more. But, no matter how reputable your company is, it’s worth taking pictures before getting in the car to make sure you have a record of scratches and dents. Also, for what it’s worth, take a picture of the fuel tank gauge.
