Here is your chosen destination. Great! But if it's your first time, where do you start to prepare your visit? Follow the guide...
By plane, by car, by bus...
All roads lead to Tarifa, but luckily Tarifa does not have an airport, so you can choose between those of Malaga, Jerez, seville or gibraltar depending on your starting point or the prices charged by tour operators. Sometimes we are surprised at the offers that we can find.
Then count between an hour and a half to two hours of driving on average. There are a large number of car rental companies all around the airports, especially Malaga airport, which is the largest in the region.
No car? No worries! Fast and comfortable transfers are also available. At the exit of Malaga airport for example, follow the signs to reach the bus station which is about 2.5 km from the airport. There are shuttle buses from the airport to take you to the bus station.
Once at the bus station, you can buy your ticket from the ticket office of the bus company of your choice. Several bus companies operate the Malaga to Tarifa route, so you have a wide choice of timetables and prices. It is recommended that you check the timetables in advance to avoid prolonged waiting at the bus station.
The company Avanza Grupo is the fastest, we have already tested it and no complaints, the bus is comfortable. The bus trip takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Be aware, however, that the buses all stop at Algeciras, there is no direct! Once there, you will have to reconnect to get to Tarifa. The company COMES makes regular trips (+/- every 30 minutes) from the San Bernardo Bus Station. Travel time: between 30 and 43 minutes depending on the stops. The first departure is at 06:00 and the last at 21:00.
However, a car is the fastest and most comfortable way to get to Tarifa.You will also need it if you plan to visit the area or transport your kite equipment to some more remote beaches.
Do you want to go on an adventure in Spain without sacrificing your comfort?
One solution is the one proposed by Vanbreak. You have the choice between a wide selection of models of vans and vans, new and luxurious, to meet all your desires and offer you an unforgettable road trip experience, in complete autonomy. Simple, digitized and secure, no need to compromise between adventure and comfort, their campervans guarantee you both!
Coming from Malaga, you will have to take the Autovía del Mediterráneo to Algeciras, at a charge, and then follow the N-340 to Tarifa. An alternative is to drive along the coast to avoid tolls. It takes 20 minutes more.
Very busy in the middle of the summer season, patience will be your friend... mornings and beach outings are rather “busy” on the national road between Tarifa and Bolonia.
There are several routes to get to Tarifa. What we recommend is that you look at the route that interests you the most according to your place of departure, easy if you follow the directions on Google Maps.
Below are shortcuts to Google Maps.
We also recommend that you look at the itinerary in Via Michelin, because they detail all the possible routes and indicate the time, the distance, the cost of gas and tolls for each of the options... quite practical to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Personally, we travel by car when we have to go up north... and vice versa. Crossing Spain in one day to rest in San Sebastian is pure happiness. It's part of the vacation!
It's not the same for France where the motorways are more tiring, because generally busier, and in winter the landscape is less pleasant... but hey, we're redoing the world during this time and that's great 😉