Gibraltar to Malaga
Oct 23, 2014, 3:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Australia
Posts: 315
Gibraltar to Malaga
Hello there,
Sorry, i'm not sure whether it has been repeating.
I'm planning to travel from Gibraltar to Malaga in summer 2015. I am wondering how to get there? I know there's a bus but no timetable in summer 2015. Is it safe for me to travel alone?
Thanks
Bluesky
Sorry, i'm not sure whether it has been repeating.
I'm planning to travel from Gibraltar to Malaga in summer 2015. I am wondering how to get there? I know there's a bus but no timetable in summer 2015. Is it safe for me to travel alone?
Thanks
Bluesky
Oct 23, 2014, 5:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 309
Bluesky:
Since you are from Australia, I assume you are not an American. Getting into Gibraltar by car was easy. Leaving by car, my wife and I witnessed an almost unbelievable sight perpetrated on the "British" occupants of the car in front of ours. Spanish Immigration more than thoroughly opened/trashed the Brits possessions. Ultimately, nothing found and they were free to go. Fortunately, I pulled up and stuck out the window 2 American Passports. Spanish Immigration did not even look at Passports but simply waived us through. My impression of Spanish Costa Del Sol, particularly for Females, is caution first. I do not know about Bus Timetables, but caution is advised.
Since you are from Australia, I assume you are not an American. Getting into Gibraltar by car was easy. Leaving by car, my wife and I witnessed an almost unbelievable sight perpetrated on the "British" occupants of the car in front of ours. Spanish Immigration more than thoroughly opened/trashed the Brits possessions. Ultimately, nothing found and they were free to go. Fortunately, I pulled up and stuck out the window 2 American Passports. Spanish Immigration did not even look at Passports but simply waived us through. My impression of Spanish Costa Del Sol, particularly for Females, is caution first. I do not know about Bus Timetables, but caution is advised.
Oct 23, 2014, 11:20 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Best to walk to La Línea and go from there.
http://www.avanzabus.com/web/archivo...e-La-Linea.pdf has the times currently. It is likely to change by next summer, though.
Also blablacar.com may be good for this.
http://www.avanzabus.com/web/archivo...e-La-Linea.pdf has the times currently. It is likely to change by next summer, though.
Also blablacar.com may be good for this.
Oct 24, 2014, 3:12 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 75
You walk across the border to La Linea and walk five odd minutes to the bus station, maybe ten with a suitcase. Timetable as already advised above.
'Is it safe for me to travel alone?' - Why would it not be? Are you leaving your street smarts at home?
'Is it safe for me to travel alone?' - Why would it not be? Are you leaving your street smarts at home?
Oct 27, 2014, 5:07 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum Pro (LT Gold), Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, National Exec,Hyatt,Melia, BA Exec, Iberia+
Posts: 527
La Linea is an ugly port town. I wouldn't stay several days in either place. I'd go 20 minutes west and stay in Tarifa, one of my favorite beach towns in all of Spain and much less built-up than most of the Costa del Sol. The beaches are more designed for kitesurfing and it's windy on the Atlantic Ocean side, but the town itself is a delight.
Oct 27, 2014, 6:19 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
Yes (subject to one note below*).
The border is open 24/7, and people on both sides cross back and forth (there are about 10,000 Spanish cross border workers - who come into Gibraltar daily to get to their jobs).
* = assuming you have the normal ability to enter Schengen multiple times from your passport and/or visa.
The one issue to be weary of is 'single entry' Schengen visas, which some people have - although far fewer than previously - as Gibraltar (like the UK and Ireland) is not part of the Schengen area. If you have a 'single entry' Schengen visa, then you would be exiting Schengen when you cross from Spain to Gibraltar.
Spanish and Gibraltar border agents are aware of this, and will usually stop and advise anyone who they think might have an issue (to check they do want to cross).
HOWEVER: Most people have multiple entry Schengen visas these days. And I don't know your nationality, but I know (for example) many US passport holders who have crossed a couple of times a day, etc. And people with multiple entry Schengen visas.
Indeed while we are on the topic, remember the basic guide rule that IF you need a visa for the UK (don't know your passport status), then you generally also need a Visa for Gibraltar - but it is a separate visa.
But I don't want to put you off at all. Formalities at the Gibraltar-Spain border are actually not demanding, usually just waved through, with a cursory glance. You might have heard about politically motivated queues caused by Spain at times - these are 'go slow' when they happen, - the Spanish border guards still don't really look at your stuff very closely - as that is their way of telling you (human to human) that they are being told to go slow from Madrid, rather than anything personal with you.
But as I said, loads of people cross back and forth every day.
Just keep in mind with 10k border workers, there is a 'rush hour' in the morning to get in before 9am, and the same to leave from about 4-6. Any politically motiviated queues are on top.
Several nights: Gibraltar - assuming you are visiting Gibraltar!
If exploring elsewhere, then elsewhere.
La Linea is indeed quite a poverty stricken town. There are only two hotels you could consider in La Linea:
Asur Hotel - which is walkable to the border.
AC Hotel La Linea by Marriott - which is a bit further, but a very fit person might want to walk it.
But if visiting Gibraltar over more than one day, I'd say stay in Gibraltar. And to contradict 'Spainlover' I'd happily stay in Gibraltar.
I will agree with him that Tarifa beach is nice and unspoilt, but that is visiting a different place, I would certainly NOT advise driving back and forth from Tarifa to visit Gibraltar.
The border is open 24/7, and people on both sides cross back and forth (there are about 10,000 Spanish cross border workers - who come into Gibraltar daily to get to their jobs).
* = assuming you have the normal ability to enter Schengen multiple times from your passport and/or visa.
The one issue to be weary of is 'single entry' Schengen visas, which some people have - although far fewer than previously - as Gibraltar (like the UK and Ireland) is not part of the Schengen area. If you have a 'single entry' Schengen visa, then you would be exiting Schengen when you cross from Spain to Gibraltar.
Spanish and Gibraltar border agents are aware of this, and will usually stop and advise anyone who they think might have an issue (to check they do want to cross).
HOWEVER: Most people have multiple entry Schengen visas these days. And I don't know your nationality, but I know (for example) many US passport holders who have crossed a couple of times a day, etc. And people with multiple entry Schengen visas.
Indeed while we are on the topic, remember the basic guide rule that IF you need a visa for the UK (don't know your passport status), then you generally also need a Visa for Gibraltar - but it is a separate visa.
But I don't want to put you off at all. Formalities at the Gibraltar-Spain border are actually not demanding, usually just waved through, with a cursory glance. You might have heard about politically motivated queues caused by Spain at times - these are 'go slow' when they happen, - the Spanish border guards still don't really look at your stuff very closely - as that is their way of telling you (human to human) that they are being told to go slow from Madrid, rather than anything personal with you.
But as I said, loads of people cross back and forth every day.
Just keep in mind with 10k border workers, there is a 'rush hour' in the morning to get in before 9am, and the same to leave from about 4-6. Any politically motiviated queues are on top.
Which place is better to stay for several nights? Gibraltar or La Linea?
If exploring elsewhere, then elsewhere.
La Linea is indeed quite a poverty stricken town. There are only two hotels you could consider in La Linea:
Asur Hotel - which is walkable to the border.
AC Hotel La Linea by Marriott - which is a bit further, but a very fit person might want to walk it.
But if visiting Gibraltar over more than one day, I'd say stay in Gibraltar. And to contradict 'Spainlover' I'd happily stay in Gibraltar.
I will agree with him that Tarifa beach is nice and unspoilt, but that is visiting a different place, I would certainly NOT advise driving back and forth from Tarifa to visit Gibraltar.