Nerja Transportation

Ok this is not a tip but more me needing some help!!!!!

We do not want to pay for a taxi or hire a car.

we arrive on the 15th May at 9:50pm at Malaga airport, out villa is free on the 16th in Nerja.

As you have probably guessed we are trying to do this on a small budget.

I need help with the best way to get to Nerja, and somewhere to stay for the first night, any help would be really good!

Thanks

I have been travelling to Nerja for over 15 years and I now live in Nerja. We have often gone several times per year and found it conveniant to get a Taxi from Malaga Airport to Nerja and have used Nerja Taxis (http://www.nerjataxis.net). You can book online with them and they have (or had until recently at least) english speaking staff. The prices are about the best I have found at 65e per trip and they have always been reliable and on time. I have compared the prices of the likes of Resort Hoppa and Shuttle Direct who both come out at over 100 euros per trip and offer nothing better. The drivers I have had have been careful and helpful and have been on time. I have also made bookings with individual taxi drivers in Nerja over the years but have been let down on occasion. I think its best to use a booking service like Nerja Taxis as you know exactly what you will be charged and have your print out in hand. I have also used Nerja Taxis for trips around the locality and its often been the same driver who picked me from the airport. I have also been to Granada and Alhambra with them. All in all - pre booking is advisable (especially when they know you will be back!)

When we travel, we like to be independent to do our own thing and it usually involves getting off the beaten track. As a result, we almost always hire a car if it makes any sense at all given the circumstances of where we are visiting. In this case, because Sue's sister was joining us from England for eight days of our trip, I had to go one size larger than normal to accommodate three suitcases. It turned out to be a diesel Ford Focus station wagon with a 5-speed manual transmission. There was enough space in the rear for the suitcases plus a few other odds and ends as well as a flap that covered-up everything from prying eyes.

We hired it from Red Ribbon Car Hire Spain but picked it up from the Goldcar desk 500-km distant at the Alicante airport - at a daily rate of 18.26 Euros. However, when all the extras like insurance and diesel surcharge were added in, the total for 18 days came to 618 Euros.

Everywhere we went in Spain, we found the roads to be in excellent condition - even on small secondary roads in the Sierra Nevadas or along some 'off-the-beaten path' coastal roads. I must be a crazy driver, because the legendary Spanish drivers did not bother me at all. The biggest problem with this Group F-size car was in towns, trying to squeeze it into one of the few small parking spots that one might chance upon. It did not give us any mechanical problems during the 3240-km (~2000 miles) we drove it.

Getting to Nerja is easy by bus from Málaga town centre. There are 2 buses stations - one main station, where there are both national and local buses passing through, and another station next to the port (only 5 minutes by taxi from the first one). The port bus station is in fact simply a kiosk on the side of the main road, with 4 or 5 bus stops serving buses to the local area/Andalucian region.

From either station you can catch a bus at regular intervals (about every 30 minutes at peak time) for less than 4 euros to Nerja. The journey lasts around an hour. Note that arriving at Nerja 'bus station' you will also find it is a kiosk on the roadside (so make sure you don't miss it!)... the staff here are friendly and informative regarding travel should you wish to continue a further journey or simply check up on a return journey timetable etc.

Nerja is 50 km from Malaga.

We were 'greeted ' by our taxi driver (associated with the apartment rental, NOT Jose in my other tip) who I have to say, was a sourly British ex-pat, who seemed oblivious to the fact that we were here for a good time and a holiday, moaned the whole journey about the price of things since the Euro and wouldn't let the Small Person open a window for fresh air. (We won't use them again!)
To Nerja by cab. 60 - 90 Euros

There is an airport bus, (around 7 Euros I think). You first have to catch a bus from the Airport to Malaga central bus station, a short ride, frequent buses. Buses to Nerja end around 8pm.

On other trips, we have found retrieving hire cars from Malaga airport is a rather hellish experience, which is why we chose this option this time.

Tip - Book direct a car hire company that come and meet you and take you right to your car, rather than use an agent or broker.

Cabs back to the airport were booked they day before, with a Spanish company local to the apartments. (I have the info somewhere, will try and dig out).
Clean cars turned up right on time and drivers were pleasant, (especially nice to my Mum, who was travelling back a day or two before us).

Reliable, safe and reasonably priced taxi company based in Nerja/Almunecar :

Jose Manuel Cabra Ruiz :
Tel : 608 459 834 or 952 52 30 39

Book by telephone (a little English spoken, it's enough).

They will meet you from the airpot and get you back without any fuss. Their cars are clean and have electric doors.

Safe drivers and Jose himself is well known in the area.

Aiport to Nerja, roughly 90 euros.

Highly recommended.

Getting around Nerja is easy by Taxi. 'In town' journeys only cost ?5 and are a good idea late at night to get safely back to your hotel, villa or apartment.

Taxis arrive much faster than in England and most bar owners will call one for you. Some may charge you for the phone call, however.

Also in the hottest part of the day, a taxi will save having to walk, especially uphill, in all that heat. Even more so if you have already been out walking all Morning / afternoon / Day.

If on your first visit to Nerja, and especially if you have children with you, a tour of the streets can be had for €3 on what can only be described as a road train. It has two carriages and trips round the streets of Nerja past most of the bars and along the little side streets. It gives the new visitor a glimse of the scale of Nerja.

Known by the English locals as the "Wally Trolley", it starts from down by the Balcon de Europa which is on the sea front near to the main church Iglesia El Salvador. It runs quite late too, so is not just a daytime tour.

LATEST :-
The "Walley trolley" is not allowed to make intermediate stops due to complaints from Taxi owners claiming that people are using the 'Wally Trolley' at €3 instead of their taxis at €5.
Only a circular tour will be possible.