Once you finish your walk at Caminito del Rey, you can take the return bus (shuttle) service which runs approximately every 30 minutes. The cost of the bus service is 2.50 Euros. However, make sure that you have the correct change as the drivers do not accept credit or debit cards. It’s also important to note that paying with a 100 or 50 euro note may cause some frustration to the drivers who run the bus services for the Caminito del Rey.
Book a guided tour through Viator
An alternative is to book a guided tour ticket for the Caminito del Rey at the Viator website here. Then you don’t have to worry about the shuttle buses as all will be arranged for you.
See if you can get the “combined” ticket when you book your tickets
Alternatively you should be able to buy the combined entry and shuttle bus ticket when you reserve on the official online booking system at 12,50 euros per person…
Remember that you will need to get the return bus journey if you have parked your car at the starting point as the Caminito del Rey can only be walked in one direction from Guadalhorce reservoir / Kings chair / Kiosko bar side to the El Chorro / train station side.
Bus services for the Caminito del Rey start from El Chorro at 08:30 and run every 30 minutes (on weekends) and hourly on weekdays until 17:30 . The buses run from Tuesday to Sunday as the Caminito del Rey is closed on Mondays. (Check the official website when you buy your entry tickets as timetable are liable to change.)
NOTE: In summer the bus service is scheduled from 07:40 to 20:00. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes to reach the car park at the visitor centre and another 5 minutes if you are parked somewhere near the restaurant “el Kiosko”.
The car park at the information centre for the Caminito del Rey.
More information on how to get your entrance permit here.
Get your guide for the Caminito del Rey
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Caminito del Rey Shuttle Bus: Complete FAQ Guide for Hikers
The Caminito del Rey is a stunning cliffside trail in Málaga, Spain. Because the route is linear—from the northern entrance near the Guadalhorce reservoir (El Kiosko) to the southern exit at El Chorro—a shuttle bus service connects the trail ends. This service is essential for those who park at the start and need a ride back after completing the walk.
The fare is €2.50 per person. Payment is made directly to the driver in cash only, and you must have exact change. Large bills like €50 or €100 are not accepted, and card payments are not available.
The bus runs Tuesday to Sunday, as the Caminito del Rey is closed on Mondays. On weekends, buses run every 30 minutes from 08:30 to 17:30. On weekdays, service is hourly. During summer (high season), hours extend from 07:40 to 20:00. Always confirm updated schedules when booking tickets.
The journey from El Chorro back to the northern start point takes around 15–20 minutes. If you park at the information centre, the shuttle first stops at the Kiosko area, followed by a 15- to 20-minute walk to the trailhead. Plan your arrival accordingly to avoid missing your timed entry.
Yes. You can buy a combined ticket that includes trail access and shuttle transport via the official website for €12.50. This guarantees your shuttle access and saves time on the day.
Visitors can book guided tours via platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide, which often include full transport. Alternatively, if you travel by train to El Chorro, take the shuttle before your hike to the trailhead, then walk back to the station after finishing.
The shuttle is a basic minibus and accepts both adults and children. While it’s not wheelchair-accessible, most people with moderate mobility can board with assistance. Keep in mind that the trail itself includes stairs, bridges, and narrow walkways.
Independent guides like this one and other regional tourism websites provide helpful planning tips, including info on transport, parking, and accommodation.
✔ Confirm your trail start location, especially if there are detours or repairs.
✔ Arrive early to account for parking, shuttle wait times, and walking to the entrance.
✔ Bring exact change for the bus fare.
✔ Pack water, sun protection, and wear sturdy footwear.
✔ If staying locally, consider nearby guesthouses or hotels listed on trusted guides.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!
Hi I have just booked tickets for the Walk. I know where you get to the start of the walk. but at the end of the walk can you please tell me where you get the tickets for the bus or can you just pay on the bus. I booked my tickets and didnt see an option for paying for the bus so just took the tickets.
Hi Fiona… You can buy the tickets on the bus but make sure you have the change with you as I have had some feedback from people saying the drivers get a bit grumpy if you try to pay with a 50 euro note! 🙂 Have a great time and do let us know how you get on by leaving a comment here if you would like to…
The hike itself was nice and easy, nothing to complain about! But the shuttle bus system after, has room for improvement!
We ended up waiting almost 2 hours after our hike and didn’t get time for anything else we planned this day. The buses does not come often, they are packed, people were cutting in the line and generally a really unpleasant experience. When the second bus arrived and we got to enter, we were told off because we didn’t have cash, and they didn’t take card. How were we supposed to know the ticket office was in the hotel? We waited again in the back of the line, and didn’t get on until the second bus again arrived, and we waited forever on top of lots of other people. It ruins the experience and is not sanitary in terms of covid either. The taxi was also at least 20 minutes away.I really hope you improve this for later, because at this point, I’m not recommending people to go.
Thanks for your feedback Tina. Sorry you had a bad experience. I would recommend telling the people at the official website as well or maybe a comment on their facebook page…
Hi Clive,
thank you for your answer. I didn´t saw that we have to be at the checkpoint 30 minutes before we start. Our start time is 9.30 . We were so happy to get this tickets and now I hope that we are there right in time….
Hi there… So you really need to be parked for 8:30am in order to have enough time to walk to the checkpoint and be there at 9am…. Remember it takes about 30 minutes to walk from where you park your car around the kiosko bar area to the checkpoint…
Hello, we are very happy, to get a ticket last minute for friday. For our navigation to the right entrance, please can you mail us the adress? On our ticket we only found accesso norte.
Thank you!
Best regards