Getting to Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar sits at the southernmost tip of Europe, with a land frontier with Spain on its northern front. The Strait of Gibraltar is the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and Gibraltar is a popular departure point for trips to North Africa by ferry.

Accessible by air, road and bus, Gibraltar is 700kms from Madrid. Once in Gibraltar, the small distances between attractions make much of the territory navigable on foot.

By car

The frontier with Spain at La Linea is the only international land crossing to Gibraltar. From Barcelona (1,200kms), taking the A7, E15, A92, A359, N331 and the E15 will lead you to Gibraltar, accessible via the crossing at La Linea. From Madrid (700kms), take the E5, E902, A92, A359, N331 and the E15 to La Linea.

When you reach the border, there are sometimes delays, as there can be queues of cars waiting to clear immigration. If you are on a daytip to Gibraltar, it is worth considering parking your car at La Linea and walking across. The border is open 24 hours. Driving in Gibraltar can be tricky due to the narrow roads and the difficulty of parking, with many visitors choosing to leave their vehicles at La Linea instead.

By rail

Regular high-speed trains run from Madrids Atocha Station to the nearest major rail centre to Gibraltar, at Algeciras, Spain; the journey takes 6 hours. From Algeciras Station, it is only a short bus ride to Gibraltar. There are no rail services within Gibraltars small territory.

By bus

It is possible to take a bus to La Linea, the border crossing with Spain, from where it is only a five minute walk to immigration. There are no direct buses to Gibraltar from Spain. Frequent bus services link La Linea with Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, Cadiz, Huelva, Granada and Algeciras. Bus connections with most major European centres can be made at Malaga, with the journey from Malaga to Gibraltar often involving a change at Marbella.

There are limited local bus services within Gibraltar, with two services running from the airport into town, stopping at various central locations along the way.

By air

Gibraltar Airport, just north of town, offers flights to and from most major European destinations, with frequent services to London and Luton airports in the UK. Flight time from London to Gibraltar is 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Facilities at the airport include two cafs serving a selection of hot and cold snacks and beverages; the Peninsula Lounge, offering complimentary beverages, snacks and newspapers to first and business class passengers as well as paying guests; and a duty-free shopping outlet. There are limited parking facilities at Gibraltar Airport situated within walking distance of the small terminal.

Local buses serve the airport every 15 minutes for trips into town, only one kilometre away. Buses operate from 09:00 to 21:30 and stop at Market Place. Taxis are also available for the journey into town, while some hotels may provide courtesy pick-ups for guests with bookings.

Alternatively, it may be cheaper for some visitors to fly into Malaga, Spain, depending on their destination of departure. Malaga offers regular domestic connections within Spain and flights to most European capitals, with many budget airlines operating services from here.

By ferry

Regular ferry services from Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco operate year-round, with services available three times a week. The journey is pleasant, taking only 2 hours and offering fantastic scenery along the way. Ferries can carry vehicles, but advance booking for vehicle crossings is necessary.

Taxis

Taxis operate within Gibraltar and are available from the airport, from outside the main entrance. Visitors can either pre-book taxis by telephone or they can hail them in the street, although taxis can be hard to find if you are in an out-of-the-way location. Most hotels will be able to assist you in hiring a cab and services are normally metered.