How early should I leave Gibraltar for a flight from Malaga?
Short answer
Aena advises being at Malaga airport three hours before a flight to the UK or elsewhere outside Schengen, and two hours before a Schengen flight. With about an hour and a half on the road, leave Gibraltar at least four and a half hours before a UK flight.
Detailed answer
Aena's advice
For Malaga airport, Aena recommends arriving:
- Three hours before departure for flights outside the Schengen area, which includes flights to the UK.
- Two hours before departure for flights within Spain and the Schengen area.
Working back from your flight
- Drive: about an hour and a half from Gibraltar, more in summer or in heavy traffic leaving Gibraltar.
- Parking: allow about 20 minutes more for the long-stay car park and its shuttle bus, which runs every 15 minutes.
- At the airport: three hours for a UK flight.
So for a 12:00 flight to London, leave Gibraltar by about 07:00. For a Schengen flight you can leave an hour later.
Coming home
Allow an hour and a half after collecting your car. A return landing late at night means arriving home after midnight; a transfer avoids the late drive.
Gibraltar Bites' free Which airport? tool shows how early to leave for Gibraltar, Malaga, Jerez and Seville, based on the flight you choose. Checked on Wednesday 28 October 2026.