An Early Morning Departure from Paris
June 15, 2025
I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and took an Uber at 6:30 toward Paris Orly Airport (see on map).
It took just under 30 minutes from the 20th arrondissement, and the fare was €12.58.
As we approached the airport, the driver started speaking to us in French. We couldn’t understand most of it, but We caught the words “two minutes!” I guessed he meant, “Get your bags ready so you can get out quickly when we arrive.” Sure enough, when we reached the airport, We got out immediately. Apparently, Orly’s drop-off zone has a strict time limit and drivers are charged extra if they overstay.
Flying with Vueling Airlines
We were flying to Spain with Vueling Airlines. Since we had already checked in online, we went straight to security.
Traveling from France to Spain is easy — both are in the Schengen Area, so no passport control is required.
At the security checkpoint, a staff member said they needed to check my liquids. Everything was packed neatly in ziplock bags, so there was no issue.
We then visited the Premium Traveller Lounge using the Priority Pass.
The lounge was simple and clean, but not having a restroom inside was a downside. I didn’t use the restroom myself, but my partner said the one just outside the lounge was “catastrophically dirty.”
The Unexpected Baggage Fee
Because we were traveling light, we had bought Vueling’s basic fare without a luggage option (€80.74).
This fare allows only one underseat bag. Our backpacks looked compact enough, so we thought it would be fine.
However, my partner was nervous the whole time — “What if they don’t let us board? What if we have to pay extra?”
At boarding, a staff member asked us to place our bags into the size-check box. The underseat limit was 40×20×30 cm, and while our bags were slightly taller than allowed, they weren’t bulky. We passed without issue — or so we thought.
Once we were seated, another staff member came by and told us to check the bags again. We went back to the gate, placed the bag in the box, and this time were told, “The total dimensions fit, but it exceeds the 40 cm height limit, so you need to pay an extra fee.”
In the end, we each had to pay €60.
A person’s seat cost €80.74, while one small backpack cost €60 — unbelievable.
Had we added the cabin bag option in advance, it would have been only about €25.
It was a painful mistake. Since my partner had booked the tickets and looked more upset than I was, I decided to stay quiet. My partner barely spoke for the rest of the flight.
From Malaga Airport to Ronda
We arrived at Málaga–Costa del Sol International Airport (see on map).
From the train station connected to the terminal (see on map), we took a local train to Málaga María Zambrano Station (see on map), where the long-distance bus terminal is located.
Spain’s national railway accepts contactless payments, which is so convenient. I used my Visa card registered in Apple Pay — I can’t emphasize enough how easy this is.
Málaga María Zambrano Station is attached to a large, modern shopping mall with many familiar brands. It felt reassuring to see something familiar. The bus terminal (see on map) is just a short walk away.
We wanted to buy our tickets at the counter, but a sign said it would open at 3 p.m.
So, I tried buying tickets online, but both Visa and Mastercard payments kept failing.
Even my Mastercard, which I had registered for international travel before departure, was declined. Frustrating doesn’t even begin to cover it — what’s the point of that pre-travel notification system if it doesn’t work?
Exhausted, we sat down at Taco Bell (see on map) inside the mall. While retrying the payment multiple times, a Visa verification message finally came through. After confirming it, the payment succeeded and we finally got our tickets. I was so relieved — and by the way, I love Taco Bell. It’s delicious.
A Peaceful Ride to Ronda
We boarded our bus at Platform 31 and headed for Ronda.
Apparently, you can also pay for the fare onboard — even with a credit card — so buying tickets online wasn’t really necessary.
The bus was half-empty and comfortable, and the scenery outside slowly shifted from coastal to mountainous.
After about 1 hour and 30 minutes, we arrived at Ronda Bus Station (see on map).
It was incredibly hot.
Our Airbnb was about a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
From our room window, we could see Puente Nuevo, the iconic bridge of Ronda.
The apartment was spacious and comfortable — honestly, I could live here.
First Impressions of Ronda
When we went out to explore, I noticed orange trees along the streets — such a “Spanish” sight.
There was a beautiful square nearby, and I instantly fell in love with the town.
The old quarter, with its whitewashed walls and cobblestone streets, was full of charm and history.
We were exhausted from the day’s journey, so we stopped by a nearby Carrefour Express (see on map) to buy dinner: a baguette, cheese, spreadable cheese, Iberico ham (so good!), water, orange juice, and cherry tomatoes — total €17.24.
We enjoyed a simple meal at our Airbnb and went to bed early.
Summary
A long day of travel from Paris to Ronda, full of lessons learned — including how a slightly oversized backpack can cost nearly as much as a seat.
Still, the moment we arrived in Ronda, all the stress melted away. The white streets, the scent of oranges, and the view of Puente Nuevo made it all worth it.
