London to Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol, and it is one of the most heavily flown short-haul routes out of the UK. A dozen daily non-stop departures keep fares remarkably low: checking every return fare on sale, the typical price is £32 and the whole spread runs only to £109. This guide covers who really flies the route, what a return actually costs in pounds, and when to book.
Route: London (LGW / LHR / LTN / STN / LCY) → Málaga–Costa del Sol (AGP)
Distance: approximately 1,750 km (1,090 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 2h 45m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — every fare we found is non-stop. Wizz Air UK dominates the cheap end from Gatwick, with Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Iberia, British Airways and Jet2 also on the route from various London airports. With this much competition a direct flight is both the fastest and the cheapest option.
Fares from London to Malaga (GBP)
Malaga is a summer beach route first and foremost, so prices swing hard with the season. The winter months are a bargain — the Costa del Sol also draws golfers and winter-sun seekers — while July and August, when the beaches fill, are by far the dearest. Easter and the late-spring bank holidays are secondary peaks. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low-medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | high (Easter) |
| May | — | high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | very high (summer) |
| August | — | very high (peak) |
| September | — | high |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | medium-high (Christmas) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this route is cheaper than most people expect: the median return is £32 on Wizz Air UK from Gatwick, and the dearest fare in the entire sample is £109. So a return under about £40 is the normal price rather than a find, and anything approaching three figures is worth a second look at other dates. Those are hand-baggage fares — add a cabin bag or hold bag before comparing them with Iberia or British Airways, whose fares here start near £98 but include more.
Airlines on this route
Every worthwhile option is non-stop — no connection is faster or cheaper on a route this well served. The carriers are:
- easyJet — the biggest operator, non-stop from Gatwick and Luton; usually the widest choice of days and lowest lead-in fares.
- British Airways — non-stop from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City; full-service, with a cabin bag included.
- Ryanair — non-stop from Stansted and Luton; rock-bottom base fares, but check the bag and seat add-ons.
- Jet2 — leisure-focused, non-stop from Stansted; generous checked-bag allowance on package-style fares.
- Vueling — non-stop from Gatwick; the Iberia group’s low-cost arm, often competitively priced.
With five carriers on the route, fares are keenly priced — the choice comes down to your London airport, your travel dates and whether you need a checked bag.
When to book & how to save
- Book summer trips 2–4 months ahead. July and August fares to Malaga rise steadily and rarely fall at the last minute — early booking is the single biggest saving.
- Travel off-season (November to February) for the lowest fares; the Costa del Sol stays mild, and returns can undercut a night out.
- Avoid the school holidays — the summer break, Easter and late-May bank holidays are the clearest price peaks.
- Compare the all-in price: the lowest easyJet, Ryanair and Vueling fares are cabin-bag-only, while Jet2 and British Airways often include more — check the total.
- Be flexible on London airport: Gatwick, Luton and Stansted departures are frequently cheaper than Heathrow, and all land at the same Malaga airport.
Arriving in Malaga
Flights land at Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), about 8 km southwest of the city. The easiest way in is the Cercanías C-1 train, which runs every 20 minutes to Malaga city centre in about 12 minutes (around £2) and continues along the coast to Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola. A taxi to central Malaga takes 10–15 minutes and costs roughly £18–£22. Malaga uses the euro, so carry some for the train and transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from London to Malaga?
Yes — lots. easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2 and Vueling all fly non-stop from London. With five carriers on the route, a direct flight is always the fastest, and off-season it is also extremely cheap.
How long is the flight from London to Malaga?
The non-stop flight takes about 2 hours 45 minutes southbound, and a similar time coming back. That makes it comfortably a same-day journey and an easy long-weekend option outside the summer crush.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Malaga?
Less than most people expect. Across the dates we could price, returns ran £32–£109 with a median of £32 — that is a return, not a one-way. Summer is the dearest stretch and school-holiday weeks in July and August can go higher than anything in this range, so price those dates specifically rather than assuming the off-season figure holds.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Malaga?
November, January and February are the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns in those months started at £32. July and August are the summer peak and cost noticeably more, so check those dates on their own rather than assuming the winter fare.
Which airlines fly from London to Malaga?
Wizz Air UK from Gatwick carries the great majority of the cheap fares on this route, at £32–£101, with Ryanair level with it at £33–£34. easyJet (Gatwick and Luton) and Vueling run £71–£109, and Iberia sits at about £98. British Airways and Jet2 also fly the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. All are non-stop; the low-cost fares assume you travel light.
Which airport do I fly into in Malaga?
You arrive at Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), about 8 km from the city. The Cercanías C-1 train links it to central Malaga in around 12 minutes and continues to the coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola.
How far in advance should I book London to Malaga flights?
For summer, book 2 to 4 months ahead — peak fares climb steadily and rarely drop late. For the off-season you can leave it closer, often 3 to 6 weeks, and still find low fares thanks to the sheer number of flights.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be cheaper than a Friday-out, Sunday-back weekend, and being flexible by a day or two can save £20–£60 on a return, more in peak summer.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
