Getting Around Lanzarote:
Car Hire & Transport

Do You Actually Need to Rent a Car in Lanzarote?

The honest answer: it depends entirely on what you want to do. Here are the three types of visitor and what we'd recommend for each.

Car Hire in Lanzarote: The Complete Guide

Lanzarote has a large number of car hire companies, ranging from the major international chains at the airport to local operators in the resorts. Prices vary enormously depending on how you book and who you book with — this section tells you exactly how to get the best deal.

Where to Book

The single best thing you can do is compare prices across multiple suppliers before committing to any one company. GetRentaCar searches over 900 providers simultaneously and consistently surfaces deals 30–40% cheaper than booking direct. Book at least 2–3 weeks before your trip for the best rates — last-minute airport walk-in prices can be double or triple the online rate.

Car Hire Price Guide 2026

These are realistic market rates for pre-booked online hire. Walk-in prices will be significantly higher.

Prices as of 2026, pre-booked online. Airport surcharges of €5–15 may apply. Always read what's included before confirming.

Insurance: What You Actually Need

Insurance is where car hire companies in Lanzarote (and across the Canary Islands) make their money. The base rate almost always includes third-party liability, but the excess on damage to your own vehicle is typically €800–1,500. Here's how to handle it:

• Check if your credit card includes car hire excess cover (many Visa/Mastercard Platinum cards do)
• Consider a standalone excess insurance policy (around €3–5/day from comparison sites)
• Decline the rental company's own excess waiver unless you have no alternatives — it's the most expensive option
• Full-to-full fuel policy is the fairest: don't accept "full-to-empty" pre-payment schemes
• Photograph the car thoroughly before driving away, including tyres and wheels
• Check what's covered for windscreen and tyre damage — often excluded from basic policies

Picking Up Your Car at Arrecife Airport (ACE)

Lanzarote Airport is compact and well-organised. Major rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall; smaller local firms operate from nearby car parks reachable by free shuttle bus. The rental car parks are a 3–5 minute walk or short shuttle from arrivals. Budget 20–30 minutes for paperwork and car inspection, longer in peak season (July–August, Christmas, Easter).

If your flight arrives late and you want to skip the rental desk queues entirely, a pre-booked private transfer from Arrecife Airport to your hotel makes excellent sense for day one — then collect your hire car from the resort or a local office the following morning.

Driving Tips & Rules

Driving in Lanzarote is genuinely pleasant — the island is small, roads are in good condition, and the traffic outside Arrecife is light even in high season. A few things to know:

• Drive on the right — overtake on the left
• Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on main roads, 120 km/h on the LZ-2 expressway
• Speed cameras are present on the main LZ-2 between Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen
• Seatbelts mandatory for all passengers including rear seats
• Zero alcohol limit for drivers with less than 2 years experience; 0.5 g/L for others
• Parking is free at almost all beaches and tourist sites
• Avoid parking in yellow-kerb zones and bus stops in Arrecife
• Keep your hire agreement and passport in the car at all times

The Bus Network: Arrecife Bus Routes

Lanzarote's public bus network is operated by Arrecife Bus (arrecifebus.com) and covers the main populated corridors reasonably well. Buses are modern, air-conditioned and cheap — but their frequency ranges from sparse to extremely sparse depending on the route. Here are the lines most useful for tourists:

Taxis, Private Transfers & Rideshare

Taxis in Lanzarote

Taxis in Lanzarote are metered, licensed, and generally reliable. You'll find taxi ranks at the airport, in Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, and Costa Teguise. Hailing a cab in the resort areas is usually straightforward during the day; at night and during busy periods, WhatsApp or phone booking is more reliable. Key approximate fares (2026 rates):

Fares are metered but these estimates are based on 2026 tariffs. Night rates (22:00–07:00) and Sunday surcharges apply. Tips are customary but not mandatory.

Pre-Booked Private Transfers

For airport-to-resort journeys especially, a pre-booked private transfer often works out at similar cost to a taxi but with the comfort of a confirmed price, name-board pickup, and a driver who monitors your flight in case of delays. Particularly good value for groups of 3–4 sharing the cost, or for families with children and luggage. Transfers can also be booked for day excursions — Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, or a full island tour with a fixed price agreed in advance.

Rideshare Apps

Uber does not operate in Lanzarote. Cabify has a limited presence in Arrecife but coverage outside the capital is unreliable. Your practical options remain licensed taxis and pre-booked transfers. For anything beyond a short hop in Arrecife, plan ahead.

Organised Excursions vs Your Own Car

Every resort has tour operators selling day trips to Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, the wine region, and beyond. These typically cost €25–50 per adult, run on fixed schedules, stop at the same places in the same order, and include hotels with long pick-up windows that eat into your day. Compare that to having your own car, where you control the schedule completely.

There are, however, two situations where organised tours genuinely make sense over self-driving:

• Timanfaya guided bus tour: The volcanic bus tour inside the national park is only available as part of an official route — private cars follow the same road but cannot stop. Taking an organised Timanfaya excursion that includes the park bus means you don't need to drive there at all
• Wine & food tours: If you want to visit the Bodega El Grifo winery and the La Geria wine valley with a driver, an organised tour lets you drink without worrying about driving home on the main roads
• For everything else — beaches, viewpoints, villages, ferry to Graciosa — your own hire car will serve you better
• A self-guided audio tour used while driving your hire car gives you the best of both worlds: expert commentary at your own pace

Getting To & From Lanzarote

Flights to Lanzarote (ACE)

Lanzarote's Arrecife Airport (IATA: ACE) receives direct flights from across the UK and Europe year-round, with frequency peaking November–March when the island is most popular with winter sun seekers. Search and compare flights to Lanzarote across all airlines — Kiwi's flexible search often uncovers cheaper routings via connecting hubs that the main airline sites don't surface. Book at least 8–12 weeks ahead for the best prices; the winter high season (December–February) books up particularly fast.

Ferry from Playa Blanca to Fuerteventura

The 25-minute Líneas Romero or Naviera Armas ferry between Playa Blanca and Corralejo in Fuerteventura runs multiple times daily and is a fantastic way to do a day trip to the neighbouring island. You can take your hire car on the ferry (book the vehicle passage in advance) or travel as a foot passenger and take a taxi or local bus in Corralejo.

Staying Connected

Mobile data is essential for navigation in Lanzarote — Google Maps works well across the island including the quiet northern roads and the wine region. Make sure you have a working data plan before you land. Saily's Spain eSIM activates instantly before travel and covers the Canary Islands fully. If you prefer a physical SIM alternative, Yesim offers competitive data packages with simple in-app management — especially useful if multiple people in your group need data.

Frequently Asked Questions