How to travel between Madrid and Malaga this Easter: rail delays and alternatives

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With AVE repairs in Álora extended, only 15,000 seats remain. Compare plane, bus, and car options for Semana Santa

Ignacio Lillo

Málaga

Wednesday, 18 March 2026, 12:28

The number of people that the high-speed train carried between Madrid and Malaga during last year's Easter Week illustrates the debacle following the announcement that Malaga's AVE line will not reopen before the end of April.

According to SUR's calculations, a total of 75,000 people used the trains of the three operators (Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo) during the festive period in 2025. Given that only Renfe offers trips this year, at a reduced frequency, the number of visitors by train will be hardly a fifth of that.

Key travel impact: What you need to know

• Reduced Frequency: Services have dropped from 26 daily trains to just seven in each direction.

• Extended Travel Time: The journey now takes 4.5 hours due to a mandatory bus transfer between Malaga María Zambrano and Antequera-Santa Ana.

• Sole Operator: Only Renfe is currently operating; private competitors Iryo and Ouigo have suspended the route during the repairs.

Note on Álora Repairs: Engineering teams continue to stabilise the slope and repair tracks in Álora following recent structural damage. The central government insists the rail link will be restored by the end of April.

The visitors during this time of year are mostly Spanish residents, either coming to see Malaga's Semana Santa or returning to be with family.

Also important is the number of foreigners who land in Madrid after a long-haul flight from the US, Canada, Latin America or Asia and then start their journey through the country.

One rail operator

This year, only Renfe will run the connection, with a bus alternative from María Zambrano to Antequera-Santa Ana and vice versa.

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