Since the summer of 2024, Renfe, the Spanish railway company, has been operating a daily high-speed train between Murcia and Malaga. This marks the completion of the first phase to significantly improve the connections between both the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida and the Costa del Sol, making them faster, easier, and more flexible. Every day, the train runs once in both directions. In the coming years, other routes will need to be developed first, so that the puzzle of quickly connecting southern Spain with both Coasts becomes a reality. For example, work is already more than halfway done to connect Almeria to Murcia with a high-speed train. Efforts are also being made to improve connections between Almeria, Granada, and Seville.
The problem with the newly launched train connection is that the speed is completely offset by the long detour taken. From Malaga, the train first heads north to Madrid before traveling back south to Murcia.
The train from Murcia to Malaga departs daily at 3:32 PM and arrives in Malaga at 10:36 PM. It makes stops in Orihuela, Elche, Alicante, Albacete, Cuenca, Madrid, and Cordoba, among others. On the return trip, the train departs from Malaga at 8:05 AM and arrives in Murcia at 2:37 PM, skipping Cordoba this time.
The Spanish government's idea to establish this connection has several reasons. It aims to significantly improve economic and social interaction between the two important regions. Another reason is to promote the tourism industry between the cities along the route. However, as mentioned, more work is needed to quickly and effectively connect the Costa del Sol, Blanca, and Calida.
Ticket prices depend on the season and the booking time. For exact information, please visit the Renfe website.