Vélez-Málaga is 35 km east of Málaga city along the A-7 coastal motorway or the slower N-340. By car from Málaga, allow 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. From the Costa del Sol resorts west of Málaga (Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella), the drive is longer but the motorway is fast.
Buses run from Málaga bus station (María Zambrano) to Vélez-Málaga several times daily, operated by Avanza and taking around 45 minutes. Local buses connect Vélez-Málaga to Torre del Mar (the coastal strip) and to some of the Axarquía villages, though for exploring the wine country a car is very useful. Málaga International Airport is the obvious arrival point for the region, about 40 minutes from Vélez-Málaga by car or taxi. The town has its own central bus station and is easy to navigate on foot once you're there.