Located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, where Europe faces Africa, Gibraltar is a popular destination for both tourism and business. Despite its small size, the British Overseas Territory offers an impressive range of cultural and natural attractions. And Gibraltar’s robust regulatory framework, favourable tax regime and proximity to key markets make it a premier destination for businesses and investors alike.
Passports are required by all visitors to Gibraltar, except EU nationals who are in possession of a valid national identity card. The territory is not part of the Schengen area. Travellers from certain countries require a visa. To find out whether you need a visa to come to Gibraltar to visit, study or work, see the Gibraltar Borders and Coastguard Agency website.
There are various ways to travel to Gibraltar, depending on where you are starting from.
✈️ By Air
Gibraltar International Airport is served from the UK by British Airways and easyJet and the flight time is around three hours. Direct flights are currently available from London, Bristol and Manchester (and Birmingham from June 2025).
You can also fly into nearby airports such as Jerez airport (a 1.5 hour drive to Gibraltar), Malaga (about a 2-hour drive away) or Seville (a 2.5 hour drive).
Click here for more information about landing at Gibraltar airport.
To reach the town or other sites, Buses 5 and 10 stop opposite the airport terminal (Frontier Terminus stop). You can then connect to other bus routes run by the Gibraltar Bus Company at the Market Place stop.
Tip: Hopper bus tickets are a convenient, flexible and hassle-free way to see all the top attractions in Gibraltar. The ticket allows unlimited travel on all Gibraltar bus routes operated by Gibraltar Bus Company and Citibus (a private urban transport company) for the day you redeem it. Board a bus, hop off at the attraction you would like to visit, and simply hop back on the next bus when you want to continue! A Hopper ticket costs £6.60 for adults and £4.40 for children under 12.
Taxis are also available at the airport. The taxi rank is just outside the main terminal building, and it takes around 10 minutes to reach the town centre, depending on the traffic.
The Gibraltar Hotel Shuttle also provides a service from the airport to the following hotels: The Rock Hotel, Sunborn Yacht, Holiday Inn Express, The O’Callaghan Elliot Hotel and The Bristol Hotel. £13 one way. Click here to reserve online.
🚘🏍️ By Road
You can drive into Gibraltar from the border town La Línea de la Concepción in Spain. To cross the border, all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and electric scooters must drive through two check points with Spanish and Gibraltarian customs and immigration officers.
However, if you’re planning a trip to Gibraltar, it’s really worth considering leaving your car in La Línea and crossing the border on foot. This means that you can avoid the lengthy queues of vehicles at the border, as well as the hassle of finding a parking space in the town, which can be difficult and requires a lot of patience!
🅿️ The Santa Bárbara car park is the closest and cheapest option with outdoor parking 2 minutes’ walking distance from the border. 6 hours = €13.20; 24hrs = €17.60; 7 days = €43. Book online here
If you prefer underground parking, try the nearby Isolux Corsán Centro or the Constitución Frontera car parks.
🚉 By Train
As there are no direct train connections to Gibraltar, the best option is to take a train to Algeciras station in Spain. From there you can take a taxi or bus to the Gibraltar border. The bus terminal is just opposite Algeciras railway station, and buses leave every 30 minutes to La Linea (the Spanish side of the frontier with Gibraltar). The journey takes 45 minutes. After a five minute walk from La Linea Bus Station, you can simply cross the border into Gibraltar on foot.
🚢 By Sea
Regular ferry services run from Tangier and Ceuta to Algeciras (Spain), about 45 minutes away.
Gibraltar is also a popular port of call for yachts, with berths and excellent facilities available in Ocean Village, Marina Bay and Queensway Quay Marinas. And buying marine supplies and fuel in Gibraltar can be cheaper than elsewhere, as there is no VAT.
It is also a favourite cruising destination, offering spectacular views of the Rock as passengers arrive. The cruise terminal is located on the western side of the territory, and is a three-quarter mile (1.2km) walk to the old town.
All vessels require clearance from by Port, Customs and Immigration. You can complete a Vessel Pre-Arrival Notification on the HM Customs Gibraltar website, which helps to streamline your arrival. Visit the Port Authority’s website for more information: https://www.gibraltarport.com/
As you can see, access to Gibraltar is easy, depending on your budget and travel preferences. Whichever means of transport you choose, the arrival is absolutely spectacular! And Gibraltar offers you an exceptional experience, with memories that will linger long after the journey ends.
Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by Vanessa Kingwell