One of the most important things to consider when buying a new home in Spain is how you will get about when you are staying there, or when you move to Spain. Do you want to be within an hour's drive from the airport, for example - if so then a holiday home in Marbella would be better than one in Sotogrande. Here is a general overview of transport and motoring on the Costa del Sol.

Transport

Bus services on the Costa del Sol are regular and generally punctual. There is a bus station in all the major towns on the coast, with frequent services between them, and services (all be they infrequent) to the inland villages too. The main bus-station in Malaga is the departure and arrival point for all long distance routes and routes of less than 30 kilometers from malaga start from the main bus stop at Muelle Heredia (next to the Port).Daily buses leave for: Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Churriana, Rincón de la Victoria, Portal de San Cayetano and Campanillas. There is also a train service from Malaga to Fuengirola (see below), and other bus routes run more regularly from Fuengirola to Marbella and beyond

Taxis: There are not many illegal taxis in Málaga, but it is always a good idea to be cautious. Official taxis in different towns are painted in different colours, but all of them will have an official identification document for the driver. Fares within Malaga are calculated with a meter, but all other journeys have a fixed price, which should be agreed upon before setting off.

Car hire:Many major national and international car rental companies operate from Malaga Airport and you should find it easy to book online, or even to hire a car on the day when you arrive. You may however find a cheaper company in your nearest town.

Trains:There is a highly efficient local train service which operates every half hour between Málaga and Fuengirola. For towns on the Costa del Sol beyond Fuengirola, the bus station is only a short walk from fuengirola train station. There is also a regular train service from Málaga city to other destinations throughout Spain.

Motoring in Spain

Documents Required:
Any EU Driving Licence is accepted for driving in Spain. If you come from outside the EU, you are advised to obtain an International Driving Licence. A valid driving licence is required at all times when driving in Spain, as are your insurance documents and the ownership documents for the car. Third party insurance is compulsory in Spain. If you are driving your own car to Spain, then you should check that your insurance covers you for driving in Spain. Traffic Offences: On the spot payment of fines (reduced by 30%) is compulsory for non-residents.