So, you have been to the official website to book your tickets for the Caminito del Rey and to your dismay the dates you want are full and all the tickets are sold out. (agotado!). No tickets for the Caminito left online? No problem (hopefully)…..Not to worry as there are a few other ways that you can get your ticket.
Viator Caminito de Rey Tickets
An alternative to the official website is to book a ticket for the Caminito del Rey at the Viator website here.
Get Your Guide Caminito de Rey Tickets
Unlike the official Caminito del Rey site, this ticket includes a full refund option — giving you flexibility and peace of mind
Explore the breathtaking Caminito del Rey in El Chorro, once famed as one of the most dangerous hiking paths in the world, with this convenient entry ticket. Enjoy peace of mind with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and keep your travel plans flexible by reserving now and paying later. Your ticket is valid for one day, so you can choose the perfect time for your adventure — simply check availability to find your ideal starting slot. Get your entry ticket here.
Listen to the podcast
Missed out on online tickets for the Caminito del Rey? Don’t panic—there are still ways to get in! In this episode, we break down Clive Muir’s expert tips on securing last-minute access. From booking through third-party platforms like Viator and Get Your Guide to leveraging hotel connections or arriving early for limited on-site tickets, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we explore other helpful resources, including Ronda Today and Visiting Cadiz, for more travel insights. Tune in for practical advice on navigating Andalucia’s top attractions!
Get your Guide for the Caminito del Rey
If the reservation system is full and you don’t want to use the suggestions further down this page, have a look at these links for guided visits to the Caminito del Rey from Get Your Guide. This is an excellent option especially for larger groups. There are lots of trips are organised from many areas along the Costa Del Sol and other main cities.
Hotels can help with your Entry ticket for the Caminito del Rey
Firstly, stay in a local hotel such as the Posada del Conde or the Garganta Complex. These are the two hotels nearest to the walk that can get the tickets for you. (When you make the booking, make sure that you add a message to say that you are specifically booking because you want to walk the Caminito del Rey.) If the hotels are full then other hotels found on booking.com can help as well such as the fantastic Hotel Magdalena closer to Antequera.
Turning up at the gate
Secondly, Just turn up and buy your ticket at the gate. (10 euros each and you can pay by card as well as cash). THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMMENTED THAT THEY WERE ALLOWED TO PAY AT THE GATE.
Latest comments are that there are just 50 tickets available at the gate and people are turning up to queue as early as 07:00 am!
This is because there are a percentage of tickets (6% of the 1100 people allowed in daily.) When you can enter depends on how many people turn up for each allocated time slot. The maximum amount of people that enter every half an hour is 60 people so if you are there to buy your ticket at 11am and there are only 45 people checking in then you will be allowed to go along with that group… If there are 60 people you will have to wait for the next group in 30 minutes time.
Speaking with the manager there she told me that very rarely do people have to wait for more than an hour and on this day she had sold over 60 entries at the gate and the people went in almost straight away but, she did say…”Try to get here as early as possible for the morning entries and weekends or holidays can be more complicated sometimes meaning people get turned away”
Even if you do have to wait a while, it really isn’t a hardship to sit and admire tha amazing scenery at the entrance to the Caminito del Rey!
Remember that the entrance for the Caminito del Rey is at the reservoirs/kings chair/el kiosko side... The north entrance. You cannot start the walk from the El Chorro (south) side…
If you are staying in malaga go to a train station and see if you can get the combined ticket…. Click here to read more about the combined ticket! This is now discontinued.
So, there you go. No tickets for the Caminito left online? No problem (hopefully)
Frequently Asked Questions: What to Do If Caminito del Rey Tickets Are Sold Out
Yes! While the official website might show no availability, many travelers still manage to secure entry through alternative methods like tour platforms, hotels, and limited on-site tickets.
Tour Companies: Reputable platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide often hold blocks of tickets, even when the official site is full. These typically include guided tours and transport options.
Local Hotels: Accommodations near the trail — especially Posada del Conde and Complejo Turístico La Garganta — often reserve tickets for guests. Mention your interest in walking the Caminito when booking.
On-Site Tickets: About 50 same-day tickets are released at the gate daily (€10). Arrive early — people start queuing as early as 07:00 AM, especially on weekends.
To improve your chances, arrive by 07:00–07:30 AM. The ticket booth opens around 08:45 AM, but the queue often forms much earlier. Tickets may sell out by 09:00 AM, particularly on weekends or holidays.
General Entry lets you explore the path on your own.
Guided Tours include a licensed guide and are often more available than standard tickets. Tours move at a slower pace, but provide great context about the trail’s history, geology, and wildlife.
Expect 2–4 hours for a self-guided walk. Guided tours may last slightly longer due to stops for commentary.
No toilets are located on the path itself. Restrooms are available only at the north entrance and south exit. For snacks and drinks, you’ll find bars at the north trailhead (El Kiosko) and near the south exit.
The trail may close during high winds or storms due to safety concerns like rockfalls. Refunds vary depending on your booking source — some platforms are better about issuing them than others. Even if closed, nearby spots like El Chorro or the reservoir area offer scenic alternatives.
Bring water, snacks, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), and sturdy shoes. UV levels can be intense, and there are no shaded rest points or vending facilities on the path. Don’t forget your camera!
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, we’be been to Caminito without tickets on 3-07-2019(thu). Arrived there at 10am, there was already about of 40 people in front of us (without tickets). Within 30-40 minutes we were allowed to by the tickets!
Thanks for that update Lena, it’s good to know that getting tickets is still possible if the online system is full and you turn up early at the entrance….
hi
im looking for tickets around the 8th of august. there are only tickets with a guide – can you tell me what that includes and if its in english?
and do you know if there are any other interesting hiking tours in the area?
thanks!
Br
Therese
Hi Clive, just wondering what my chances are of doing the hike if I buy the combined ticket early in the morning to do the hike same day. Keeping in mind the earliest train that gets to El Chorro is 10:46am :/ If I am able to secure a combined ticket in the morning would I be able to do the hike regardless of what time I get there?
Hi Vincent, as far as I am aware the last train back from el Chorro to Malaga is 19:54 (please double check when you buy your tickets) So, that would leave you plenty of time to train from Malaga to El chorro, shuttle bus to the walk start point, do the Caminito del rey back to el Chorro and then return by train to Malaga.
I am interested to see the stuff. But my daughter is not fit enough to walk the whole way. Is there a way to do it partially or get some glimpses from outside or do I have to skip it altogether?
Hi, From the el chorro side there are good views of the walkway and you can walk up to see a closer vier of the suspension bridge…. From the lakeside/el kisoko bar area you can walk down to the start point past and this has lovely views… Unfortunately once you are on the Caminito del Rey you can’t go part way then turn back. The whole area is very beautiful and wll worht a visit. look at the post on Bobastro ruins here on this website for another place to visit whilst you are in the area.
Very helpful information on the website Clive. I’m wondering if any readers or hikers have had recent success buying the combined train + bus + C. del Rey ticket at Malaga train station and what time you purchased it and if it was a weekend day. I was recently in Malaga and had intended to do it then but was side-tracked sight-seeing and getting in beach time. I live in Madrid so it’s quite a distance to travel back there again….but if I hear of success stories buying the combined ticket I’ll risk it.
Hi Helen, yes there has been some positive feedback with regards to buying the combined train and entry ticket but of course, leaving it to the actual day is taking a risk. The people who have commented have bought their tickets a few days or a week or so in advance. Do you know anyone in Malaga that could get the ticket for you? Best of luck and let me know how you get on.