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!
Today, 18.06.2021 I went in the morning at the train station and I found there are no more combo tickets available to sell due to COVID.
Hi Costin, thanks for the update….
hello
just wonder is the ticket at the train station be sold on august 2020?
we trying to buy tickets online but they been sold out in minutes…
As far as I am aware the tickets are available at the train station…..
Hi Clive,
I just want to give a short feedback. We have managed to visit Caminito del Rey on 23rd October based on the information I read here. As our accommodation in Malaga was very close to the train station I got there early. At 7:00 am there were still 63 tickets out of the 70 without guide, so I could buy for us without any problem. There were noone at the ticket machine at that time (still dark :)).
The train and bus combo was easy to follow, and we got straight in so we could do the trip and reach the 15:50 train back to Malaga without any problem. Thank you, Timea
Thanks for the feedback Timea and I am glad it all worked out well for you using the train ticket system to get to walk the Caminito del Rey.
Hi Clive, I will be staying in Nerja in October and would like to do the CDRey. I was thinking if hiring a car and trying to get my ticket on arrival. Do you think this is feasible?
Hi Liz (Your name is familiar have we met?)
I have been told by the official office for the Caminito del Rey that there are 50 tickets available at the entry point each day (Apart from mondays of course when it is closed). The advice is to get there as early as possible and if you arrive later than 10 am there probably wont be any tickets left… A very early start from Nerja… 🙂
Just in case you dont get a ticket, In Nerja there is also a fantastic walking guide called John keo. You can find info about him on our Wildside Holidays website… https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/john-keo-walking-tours/
Let me know how you get on! 🙂
Clive
Hi Clive, thank you for your help, we got to the machine at the Maria Zambrano station at 8:10am and got the combo tickets today! The walk was great and I’m so happy we got the tickets. We took the train and bus (as inclyded in the combo ticket), and when we arrived others were being turned away as there were already no more tickets left on site to purchase! The queue for us had barely anyone in it but the queue for those buying tickets was long.
Excellent Chere, thanks for thr feedback!