Getting to Gibraltar

This post is dedicated to the various ways of getting to Gibraltar! While not a detailed guide, it aims to bring together in one place the main options for reaching the Rock. For a more comprehensive guide, please check out our mobile guide to the Rock..

Getting to Gibraltar by car

… to a car park on the Gibraltar-Spanish border The most popular way to reach Gibraltar is by car, especially for those holidaying on the Costa del Sol. However, we recommend leaving your vehicle just before the border, in La Linea de la Concepción, and crossing the border on foot (read more in this post). Although there is some parking space available in Gibraltar city centre (you can find it on this map), it is often reserved for residents.

While the tunnel under the airport has made access to Gibraltar easier, traffic jams can still occur near the border crossing.

In general, it’s best to explore Gibraltar on foot or by using the city’s well-functioning public transport.

Flight to Gibraltar

Gibraltar has its own airport, primarily served by British airlines such as British Airways and EasyJet. The opening of the tunnel in 2023 has improved access to the peninsula and eliminated the need to stop traffic for the airport’s runway crossing, paving the way for an expanded route network in the future.

For more information, visit the airport’s main website here. IATA code: GIB. The airport is just a few minutes’ walk from the final bus stop at the border crossing.

Other airports within a few hours’ drive include Malaga (the main airport on the Costa del Sol) and Seville. Both are approximately a 2-hour drive from Gibraltar. Direct buses operate from Malaga airport to La Linea, the border town – check available connections on the Avanza website.

Mobile Guide to Gibraltar

Click to find out more

Audio Tour of the Main Street and the Skywalk platform

Bus service via the coast

There are no long-distance buses that reach Gibraltar directly. However, it is possible to get to nearby towns such as La Linea de la Concepción and Algeciras. Services are operated by providers such as Avanza and depart from places like Malaga and Marbella. Note: The Avanzabus website may not be accessible from abroad, so you might need a VPN.

There are also local buses from Algeciras to La Linea (line M-120). The timetable is available on the CTMCG website. The bus terminal in Algeciras is located next to the train station. Note that this bus does not pass through the port.

Train to Gibraltar?

Southern Spain has limited rail coverage. The nearest AVE (high-speed train) stations are in Malaga, Seville, and Cadiz, each about a 2-hour drive from Gibraltar. As a result, rail is not a feasible option for reaching the peninsula.

The closest train station is in Algeciras, a major port across the Bay of Gibraltar. However, the winding rail line and the use of traditional diesel trains make it less convenient. In 2024, only a few trains reached the city daily, including one direct train from Madrid. Timetables can be found on the RENFE website, Spain’s national rail operator.

From Algeciras, you can reach Gibraltar by taxi or by taking the M-120 bus to La Linea de la Concepción. The timetable is available on the CTMCG website. The bus terminal is located near the train station.

Getting to Gibraltar by sea?

Gibraltar is also a port of call for cruise ships. The terminal is located on the west side of the peninsula, near the western end of the runway. It is about 1.5 kilometres from the town centre and over 3 kilometres from the lower lift station on the Rock. Taxis are recommended for convenience.

A reminder…

Whichever transport option you choose, remember that Gibraltar, like the UK, is not in the European Union and is not part of the Schengen Area. This means border checks are required when entering Gibraltar from Spain, or going back to Costa del Sol. British citizens will need either a passport or an identity card to pass through border control.