Have been trying to find out if the fast train stops at the Malaga airport. We'll need to pick up a rental car and it would be more expedient to do this at the Malaga airport, rather than taking the train all the way to the Malaga train station, then back-tracking to the airport. Have not been able to find this info. Any suggestions.
I am not sure that the AVE goes to Malaga. I thought you had to change to a local at Linares. But in either case the train does not go pass the airport. I would get the car at the train station.
The airport station is on the separate coastal 'commuter' network, 15 minutes journey away. Sorry, if I do not understand - it is possible to hire a car at Malaga Maria Zambrano station. Why does that not work for you?
The AVE train is fast because it has few stops. Like Neil say, you will have to transfer to a local (Cerncanias) train to get to the airport. You can see the route here: http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/index.html
Frank and anyone interested - the AVE Madrid to Malaga is direct with zero to five stops depending your choice of departure time.