Malaga - Melilla
Ferry to Spain
Malaga - Melilla
Ferry to Spain
Fares for the Malaga to Melilla crossing usually range somewhere between $27* and $1502*. Most travellers pay around $755* for a Malaga Melilla ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $27*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $208* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $822*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked August 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Malaga Melilla route generally kick off from Malaga at around 08:30, and the last departure of the day is usually around 23:59.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Malaga and Melilla is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Balearia carries vehicles on the Malaga to Melilla route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Malaga to Melilla ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, Balearia takes bicycles on the Malaga to Melilla crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, Balearia carries foot passengers between Malaga and Melilla.
Pet owners are in luck — Balearia allows pets on board between Malaga and Melilla. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $527.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked August 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Malaga to Melilla route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Malaga to Melilla crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Malaga to Melilla on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Malaga to Melilla ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Malaga - Melilla Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $208 | |
| Average Price with Car | $822 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $281 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $545 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $577 | |
| Malaga - Melilla Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Spain |
| Destination | Spain |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Balearia |
| Average Price | $755 |
| Average Pet Price | $527 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 6 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 6 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 6 h |
| First Ferry | 08:30 |
| Last Ferry | 23:59 |
| Distance | 124 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
The Spanish city of Malaga is located in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, and is on the Costa del Sol (the Coast of the Sun). The city lies on the Mediterranean Sea coast and is around 100 km to the east of the Strait of Gibralta and around 130 km from the coast of north Africa Many tourists are drawn to the city, and its surrounding area, because of its subtropical climate which is characterised by hot and sunny summers and mild winters. The famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, and so was the Hebrew poet and Jewish philosopher Solomon Ibn Gabriol and actor Antonio Banderas. The city is home to a number of monuments including the Alcazeba Arab citadel and is also home to the religious processions which form part of Malaga's Easter Week of celebrations, which have been declared a Festival of Tourist Interest.
Other historic monuments in the city include the Baroque Cathedral which is commonly known as La Manquita (One Armed Woman) and the recently restored Roman Theatre. Located high on a hill above the city is the parador which is located in the Gibralfaro Castle. It is a great place to stay or simply to have a leisurely lunch, with its fantastic views over Malaga and out across the port to see.
Malaga Ferry Port is situated adjacent to the old city of Malaga. Ferry services from the port operate to Melilla.
The Spanish administered city of Melilla is located on the north west coast of Africa, and shares a border with Morocco and is separated from the Spanish province of Grenada and Almeria by the Alboran Sea. Also located close to the city is the Moroccan settlement of Beni Ansar, which is to the south, and is the nearest Moroccan city is Nador. Like the city of Ceuta, Melilla used to be a free port before Spain joined the European Union and in 2011 the population stood at just under 80,000 which is made up of Spaniards, ethnic Riffian Berbers and a small number of ethnic Spanish Jews. The two most spoken languages in the city are Spanish and Riffian-Berber although the only official language is Spanish.
From Melilla's port there are several daily connections to Almeria and Malaga in Spain. Many people travelling between Europe and Morocco use the ferry links to Melilla, both for passengers and for freight.
