By Lesa 
When flying in at Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport from the north, you’ll pass the vast mountains and see the dotted use of olive groves. As you get closer, Guadalhorce River lies just below adjacent to the historic city center.
Upon landing, the excitement is real, and all you want to do is begin exploring. This article will go into why hiring a car is going to be your best shot at seeing the best of the region, and how to go about it.
Why consider car rental at Malaga airport?
A seamless start to your Costa del Sol adventure
Malaga airport has a few options to get into the city. The bus is cheap and only takes 20 or so minutes, while taxis can be priced at a premium, with drivers often refusing to take short journeys.
What is easier, is pre-booking a car hire Malaga airport. The reason for this is that the price is fixed beforehand, and you know that you can drive directly to the door of your hotel or villa. While a taxi can in theory, it may not be a good option for rural accommodation. With modern GPS on your phone, it’s never been easier just to do the door-to-door service yourself.
Greater freedom and flexibility vs public transport
Costa del Sol has public transport links, and they’re pretty impressive depending on where you’re visiting from. But, like with all transport links, they limit the flexibility of your days out. Spontaneously taking a detour, perhaps a small village that doesn’t even come up on a map, is pretty much out of the question. Unless you’re going on a walking holiday akin to Camino de Santiago, a car will allow you to go anywhere, at any time.
CarGest: Your trusted car rental partner
Once you’ve decided on getting a hire car, the next decision to make is which company. To decide on this, you should take into account a combination of factors, such as price, customer service, reputation, transparency, and car selection. Among the many choices, CarGest is frequently considered a solid, reliable option for a low-stress experience.
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
One anxiety many of us have when renting a car is that this expensive machine you’re borrowing could get scuffs or marks – or you may simply be accused of getting them. CarGest tackles these concerns by using transparent pricing, where you’re quoted exactly what you pay and what for, and the optional extras. Of course, you can take pictures of the car before getting in it, but the company takes its trusted reputation very seriously.
Wide range of modern vehicles for every traveller
CarGest has a big fleet, and so every traveller can meet their car needs. From small Fiat’s and Nissan’s, which make navigating the narrow cobbled streets of Malaga a breeze, to 9 seater minibuses and 4x4s. The vehicles are well looked after, meaning they will be clean once you’re in them, and are modern, meaning you will be hit by a refreshing wave of AC once inside.
Excellent customer service and easy online booking
CarGest has over 2,500 Google Reviews and a very respectable rating of 4.6. The reason for this isn’t their cars, but their customer service. The website is easy to use and to the point, while the workers at the airport help you get the keys as soon as possible. The workers are often multilingual and ready to help with the paperwork should you need it.
How CarGest enhances your Malaga experience
Discover hidden beaches and white villages
Malaga has its fair share of popular resorts and towns like Marbella and Torremolinos. These are great, and for the most part, public transport will do (assuming you’re staying in the urban areas). But what the south of Spain is truly about, is the coastline, mountains, and whitewashed villages. Ultimately, it’s going to be a lot easier to reach views that will live forever in your memory when using a car, because you can take the direct route.
Plan your own schedule and avoid tourist crowds
Tour groups and public transport can work for some people, but they operate on fixed timetables. The implication of this goes beyond flexibility – it actually impacts your experience, because everything you visit will be at peak times. If you want to experience the best spots for yourself, you can get up early (or get in the car late in the evening), and head down. Ronda for example is extremely photogenic, but it’s also very popular. Getting the perfect picture of the bridge can mean going at odd hours, when crowds are low.
Travel comfortably with family or friends
Getting a bus may be just a couple of euros, but when there’s a group of 8 of you, this quickly becomes uneconomical. The price of a rental car can be pooled together, and it also makes it easier to carry the luggage, beach gear and baby strollers. It also opens up more opportunities for spontaneous purchases at local markets, such as a nice leather bag made in the region, as you can store it in the car.
Practical tips for renting a car in Malaga
What to know before booking
Always book your rental car in advance. This is paramount because when you arrive during peak season, you will not only be charged more but you’ll have less choice of car. Make sure you have a valid license (you may need an IDP if you’re coming from outside of the EU), along with checking the minimum age requirements for the specific car you want, as well as understanding that credit cards are typically the method of payment.
Insurance, fuel policy, and rental conditions
It’s worth understanding all of the different types of insurances, such as Collision Damage Waiver, which comes with an excess. Look at the additional coverage options, which can often eliminate the excess, which may put you at rest on the unfamiliar roads.
Fuel policy is often full-to-full, but double-check that it is (this is the lowest risk approach, as there can be no disagreements over usage). But, the contracts should always be read fully, because they may contain things like restricting where you travel to (i.e. not Morocco), as well as the proper procedure in the event of a breakdown.
Enjoy Malaga with Total Freedom
Hiring a car at Malaga Airport is the freest way to enjoy Malaga. It’s also potentially the most efficient when in a group of five, as the daily price per person can be as low as 5 euros. Generally, it’s worth every penny for those who aren’t planning on sunbathing in a resort all week.
Why so many travelers recommend CarGest
CarGest has thousands of positive reviews because they deliver on their promises. Pricing is clear and upfront, there are many cars to choose from, and the customer service is more than helpful. There can also be a problem with waiting times for many companies, but CarGest typically doesn’t get overwhelmed by people who are turning up with no pre-booking, because it’s not the first rental place you see in the airport.
Make the most of your trip with the right car rental
Whether or not you have a car will define what type of trip you have. There are certainly valid reasons for both, but having a car simply means you will be able to see more and see the natural parks and hidden beaches. Investing in a car can also mean avoiding the unpredictable costs of taxis and the unpredictable nature of bus timetables.