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 Clive, not sure if you are still running the site. We are going on the guided tour at 3.40pm today.
I think we will get the 2.30 bus at the south entrance to get to the start on time.
On the tickets I changes the names but just put my passport number on the. All as I didn’t know the others… do you need the passports and correct id’s on the tickets to get in? Thank you.
Hi Anna… Let me know how you get on, especially with your ID not matching you entry tickets?
Can I park at El Chorro, get the bus to the start at 13.00 , do the walk and then return to the car?
Hi John, that shouldn’t be a problem.. Quite a few people do that. I suggest you be there for 11 ish to park the car and get the 11:30 shuttle bus to the kiosko/kings chair area.. From there it is a 20 minute walk to the start point and you should really be there half an hour before your entry time… Don’t forget your entry tickets in the car, like I heard somebody did last month!!!! 🙂 Have a great day and let me know how you get on…
Hallo Clive,
Wir sind Ende Mai in El Chorro und haben für Samstags Tickets für 12.20 Uhr bekommen. Da wir aber im La Garganta wohnen, könnten wir auch früher zur Tour starten. Auf Nachfrage wurde uns 10.00 Uhr angeboten. Jetzt sind wir aber unsicher, wo genau wir um 10.00 Uhr sein müssen und wie lange wir mit dem Shuttlebus bis dahin brauchen. Kannst du uns bitte eine Info schicken, wie viel Zeit wir einplanen müssen vom la Garganta bis zum Eingang? Wir müssen uns sehr bald entscheiden und freuen uns über deine Nachricht.
Vielen lieben Dank, Gaby
Hallo Gabi. Ich spreche kein Deutsch, also benutze ich den Google-Übersetzer.
Der Shuttlebus fährt vor Ihrem Hotel ab und bringt Sie rechtzeitig zum Startpunkt des Caminito. Fragen Sie das Hotel, wenn Sie dort ankommen, um weitere Informationen zu erhalten.
Hi Clive, thanks a lot for that information. I have already contacted the hotel and hope to get the answer quickly. 🙂
Hi,
so apparently the shuttle buses only run till 4.30pm. Our entry slot for the hike is at 3pm, so we won’t make the whole hike by 4.30pm. Is there any other way to get back to the car park after the last shuttle bus has left?
Hello,
I would like to know how much does the shuttle bus costs to get back up at the starting point of Caminito del Rey? To (Sillon del Rey) parking spot. And, does it requires to book a ticket for the shuttle bus? And if so – where can I book it?
Best regards,
Kristine Prince