Practical guide
Directions to La Manga del Mar Menor
There's only one road in, and in August it shows. Routes, airports, buses and the best arrival times to avoid the queues.
At a glance
You can drive to La Manga del Mar Menor along the RM-12 from Cartagena (25 minutes) or the MU-312 from San Javier. The nearest airports are Región de Murcia (RMU), 35 minutes away, and Alicante-Elche (ALC), 1 hour and 15 minutes away. A single road, Gran Vía, runs along the 21-kilometre strip, and addresses are given by kilometre point.
By car, as most visitors arrive
From the city of Murcia, it's 70 kilometres along the A-30 and RM-12: an hour without traffic. From Alicante, take the AP-7 and then the RM-19, around an hour and a quarter. From Madrid, allow about four and a half hours via the A-3 and A-31.
The bottleneck is always the same: the roundabout at the entrance to the strip, near km 0. In July and August, queues build between 10:00 and 13:00, then again from 19:00 to 21:00. If you can choose, arrive before nine in the morning.
From the airport
Región de Murcia (RMU), in Corvera, is the nearest airport: 55 kilometres, or around 35 minutes away. The terminal has car hire desks and fixed-fare taxis to La Manga.
Alicante-Elche (ALC) has far more international flights and is 1 h 15 min away. If you're flying from outside España, ALC is usually the better option despite being further away.
Without a car: buses and trains
The intercity bus connects Cartagena and Murcia with La Manga, then follows the whole length of Gran Vía, stopping every few hundred metres. In summer, it runs every 30 minutes until midnight.
There is no train to La Manga. The nearest station is Cartagena, where you'll need a bus or taxi. If you're staying between km 3 and km 9, you can manage all week without a car.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Murcia to La Manga?
An hour's drive along the A-30 and RM-12, around 70 kilometres. In August, allow an hour and a half for traffic on the approach.
Can I get there by train?
Not directly. Trains run to Cartagena; from there, take a bus or taxi for another 35 minutes or so.
Will I need a car once I'm there?
It depends on the kilometre point. Between km 3 and 9, supermarkets, a pharmacy and restaurants are within walking distance. Beyond km 13, you'll need a car.