Getting Around Gibraltar: A Local’s Guide (Updated for 2026!)

Getting around Gibraltar is surprisingly easy—if you know what you’re doing! This tiny British Overseas Territory clocks in at just under 7km² (yep, actually smaller than Heathrow Airport…), but don’t let its size fool you. With winding roads, steep hills, border queues and a literal airport runway you have to walk across to get to the city centre, it’s not always as straightforward as it looks on a map.

The good news? With a bit of planning, you can cram a lot into your time here without breaking a sweat (unless you’re climbing the Rock in August, then all bets are off). Whether you’re strolling down Main Street doing some window shopping, hopping on a local bus to visit Europa Point, or side-eyeing the monkeys from a safe distance, getting around is part of the experience.

As a local who has lived in Gibraltar for more than six years, I’ve come to understand Gibraltar’s quirks when it comes to public transport! In this guide, I’ll be sharing my top tips for getting around Gibraltar, whether you want to do as much walking as possible or you’re looking to relax on the local buses.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences I genuinely think are useful for planning your trip.

In a rush? Here’s my quick guide to Gibraltar!

⏳ Short on time? My top tips for Gibraltar are:

🛎️ Where To Stay:
🛌 The Eliott Hotel
🛌 Sunborn

🔥 Book ASAP:
🎟️ Private Taxi Rock Tour
🎟️ Dolphin Watching Excursion

📲 Stay Connected:
✅ Stay connected with a Gibraltar eSIM via Airalo.

🗺️ Don’t forget insurance!
✅ GlobeLink is my go-to for travel insurance!

🤩 Find the top tours and attractions in Gibraltar on GetYourGuide here!

Walking Around Gibraltar

When it comes to getting around Gibraltar, walking is, hands down, the best (and often the fastest and most convenient) way to do it. Our little territory is small so you can cover a lot of ground just on foot. Plus, with views of the sea on one side and monkeys judging your life choices on the other (okay, okay, they’re mainly just up the Rock, but they DO sometimes venture down to town!), it’s definitely not your average stroll!

One of the nicest scenic walking routes is from the border (after you’ve done your dramatic airport runway strut) through to Casemates Square. From there, wander down Main Street for some shopping, people-watching, and possibly a mid-morning ice cream.

Pro local tip: If it’s a busy day, I highly recommend walking down Irish Town rather than Main Street!

Ocean Village is also just a short walk away from Casemates, where you can grab a drink by the marina or enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants.

Walking really is one of the easiest ways to explore, especially if you want to take in the atmosphere. For visiting Main Street, Irish Town, Ocean Village, as well as getting to the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, walking is honestly the most convenient (and, obviously, the cheapest).

Planning on heading to Europa Point or wanting to go up the Rock? Well, that’s what the next sections are going to be about!

Top Tip: Wear comfy shoes. And if you’re visiting in summer, brace yourself—it gets hot (and humid). Like “why did I think this was a good idea?” kind of hot 🥵 Bring water, slap on lots of sunscreen, and for the love of all things holy, please don’t try to walk up the Rock at midday in flip flops, unless you’re reaaaaally keen on meeting our emergency services (and I really, really wouldn’t recommend it).

Getting Around Gibraltar by Bus

Getting around Gibraltar by bus is honestly pretty easy and a total lifesaver if your feet are threatening to mutiny after a morning up the Rock. The local bus network covers most of Gibraltar, with a few key routes that are especially useful for visitors.

You can find all the routes with their timetables on the website, as well as a tracker (that works 80% of the time at least). Be aware that the route timetables only list the departure times from the terminus, so it can be a little tricky to figure out the times it’ll arrive at other stops if you aren’t used to how long it usually takes.

Route 2 is probably the one you’ll use the most—it runs from Market Place (next to Casemates Square) all the way to Europa Point, which is about as far south as you can go without falling into the sea. If you’re arriving via the border or airport, Routes 5 and 10 will take you straight to the town centre.

As of 2026, you can now pay by card on Gibraltar Bus Company routes (1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9), but not on the Citibus routes (that’s 5 and 10), which are still cash-only. You can pay in Euros if you’re stuck, but the exchange rate’s a bit tragic so stick to pounds if you can.

Single fares are £1.80 or £2.50 return (for Gibraltar Bus Company routes) or £1.80 and £2.40 respectively (for Citibus routes). If you plan on using the buses a lot, the best deal is the Hopper ticket, which costs £8.80 for unlimited bus travel all day on ALL bus routes (both Gibraltar Bus Company AND Citibus routes) in Gibraltar.

Purchase your Hopper Ticket in advance online, so you can get unlimited journeys on all of Gibraltar’s buses as soon as you’re across the border. Tickets cost £8.80 for adults and £5.50 for children under 12. Book your Hopper Ticket here!

Buses generally run every 15 minutes on most routes you’ll be using as a tourist, but be aware that there can be delays during peak hours or when cruise ships are in town (especially on the 2, since this is the only bus that goes to Europa Point).

The route 2 bus in particular tends to get very full when residents are returning home from work, and when kids are heading home from school. If you can avoid getting the bus from the town area TO Europa Point from 4pm to 6pm, I highly recommend doing so.

Getting from the border to the city centre

The only buses that serve the border are routes X5 and 5/10 from Citibus. They leave from the airport bus stop and go under the runway using the Kingsway Tunnel. They are scheduled to depart every 15 minutes, with the X5 being the express route from the border to Market Place (Gibraltar’s main bus exchange) for Grand Casemates Square.

The 5/10 route will take you directly from the border to Boyd Street Terminus for the cable car (when reopened) and Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, with stops at locations like Ocean Village, Morrisons, and more.

Getting from the border to the cable car (and Gibraltar Botanic Gardens)

As mentioned above, the 5/10 will take you from the border/airport stop to Boyd Street Terminus, where you can then walk across to reach the cable car lower station, as well as the beautiful Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.

Alternatively, you can walk across the runway (a must do when in Gibraltar!) and get the number 6 bus, which will drop you slightly closer to the cable car station, just next to the Alameda Gardens (Gibraltar Botanic Gardens) car park.

Route 6 is a newly introduced route that covers a multitude of destinations in Gibraltar, including Commonwealth Park, Queensway Quay, and Catalan Bay.

Getting to Europa Point

If you’re planning on heading to Europa Point, then you’ll need to get the number 2 bus as this is the only one that will take you there.

Route 2 runs from Market Place (next to Casemates) to Europa Point every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends and public holidays.

Getting to the beaches

Gibraltar has lots of great beaches to visit and the majority are easily accessible by bus! The most popular to visit is Catalan Bay, with its colourful buildings and old Genoese vibes.

Eastern Beach and Catalan Bay are both easily accessible from the town centre on the newly introduced bus route 6.

Route 6 buses run every 15 minutes on weekdays (from 6:45am to 9pm) and every 20 minutes on weekends (dropping to every 30 minutes after 8pm).

It stops at Market Place, so you can easily get the bus from Market Place to Catalan Bay. With buses running so frequently, you don’t need to time your arrival precisely — just head to Market Place and you shouldn’t have to wait more than 15-20 minutes for the next one!

Gibraltar Taxi and Rideshare Options

If you’re looking to grab an Uber in Gibraltar—stop looking!

You won’t find any Rideshare apps like Uber, Bolt or Cabify here in Gibraltar. Honestly, our local taxi association has a fair bit of a monopoly, so don’t expect to find any alternatives if you’re looking for a taxi here.

The easiest way to get a taxi here in Gibraltar is to go to one of the taxi ranks, which can be found at Casemates Square and at Cathedral Square, on Main Street behind the Anglican cathedral (Church of the Holy Trinity). There are also taxi ranks at the border and at the airport, but in my experience, they only have taxis waiting there when a plane has just landed.

If you want to get a taxi to your hotel in Gibraltar when you’ve arrived by plane, simply exit the airport and the taxi rank is straight ahead of you. If you don’t have too much luggage and your hotel is near a bus stop, I highly recommend considering the bus instead (the 5/10 leaves from right outside the airport) as it’ll be much more affordable.

To get a taxi from anywhere else (e.g. from your hotel, from Europa Point if you don’t want to wait for the next bus on a Sunday, etc), then the easiest way is to simply call the Gibraltar Taxi Association and order a taxi.

Simply tell them where you want to get a taxi from and where you’re going to. Waiting times can vary from 5 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on how busy the service is at the time.

Generally speaking, most taxi journeys in Gibraltar range from around £8 to £25, with the higher amount being airport pickups if you have multiple people with lots of luggage. More often than not, a basic journey most places in Gibraltar will be around £8-13.

Additionally, one of the few ways to go up the Rock is by taxi tour. These are also run by the Gibraltar Taxi Association (and all drivers who operate these tours are licensed guides!) and these will cost you from £56 per person, and this price also includes the entry fee to the Nature Reserve (covering entry to St. Michael’s Cave, the Skywalk, the Great Siege Tunnels etc).

Getting Around Gibraltar: Going up the Rock

There are now two main ways to go up the Rock of Gibraltar: by taxi tour or hiking, since the cable car is currently closed.

If you’re visiting during this period, don’t worry! You’ve still got great options for seeing the top sights.

Of course, the most affordable option is hiking, where you will only pay the Nature Reserve entry fee, and that’s it. It’s also the most exhausting option, and not one I’d recommend in summer due to the intense heat and humidity.

There are several walking trails up the Rock to choose from, but the most popular is the Mediterranean Steps, known locally as the Med Steps.

For a more relaxed way to explore the Rock, a taxi tour is your best bet—especially while the cable car is out of action. These tours are ideal if you’re short on time, travelling with young kids, or just not keen on hiking uphill (I feel that, don’t worry).

If you have any mobility limitations, the taxi tour is absolutely the best option for getting around Gibraltar.

You’ll get to visit Gibraltar’s key highlights without breaking a sweat, plus you’ll have a local driver/guide, so you’ll also get insight into the history and quirks of Gibraltar along the way.

If you’re a group or a family, I highly recommend booking a private taxi tour with Gibraltar Victory Tours. This is a more extended route than the standard taxi tour and includes the Pillars of Hercules monument, St. Michael’s Cave, Skywalk, Top of the Rock, Ape’s Den, as well as the Great Siege Tunnels and the World War II Tunnels. This is ideal if you love military history especially!

➡ Click here to check availability and to book with Gibraltar Victory Tours!

While the cable car used to offer a great middle-ground option (ride up, walk down), you’ll now want to choose between a more active hiking day or a convenient guided experience.

FAQs about Getting Around Gibraltar

So, what’s the best way to get around Gibraltar?

Getting around Gibraltar is fairly easy once you know how, with a variety of options available from walking, to taking the bus, to using the local taxi service.

I hope this guide on getting around Gibraltar helps you plan your Gibraltar trip and makes your itinerary easier! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send me a DM on my Instagram, and I’ll be happy to help you out.

Happy trip planning!

Check out my other Gibraltar guides!

Is Gibraltar Worth Visiting? My Honest Review!

15+ Things You Need To Know Before Visiting: Everything You Need To Know Before You Visit Gibraltar

1 Day Gibraltar Itinerary: How To Spend One Day in Gibraltar

Where to Stay in Gibraltar: Best Hotels and Areas in Gibraltar (By A Local!)

Awesome Things To Do in Gibraltar: 10 Amazing Things To Do in Gibraltar (Beyond The Rock)

When’s The Best Time to Visit? The Best Time to Visit Gibraltar (By A Local!)

Travelling From Málaga to Gibraltar? Here’s How To Get From Málaga to Gibraltar

Need To Get From Estepona to Gibraltar? My Guide on Getting From Estepona to Gibraltar