Lanzarote is small — around 60 kilometres from end to end, a drive of a little over an hour from Playa Blanca in the south to Órzola in the north — and its roads are excellent. But small doesn't mean easy without a car. Buses link the airport, Arrecife and the three main resorts well, yet none of them reaches Timanfaya, and the La Geria vineyards, the Manrique sites in the north and beaches like Papagayo and Famara are hard work by public transport.
This guide covers every way of getting around: hiring a car and what to watch for, how the buses work and where they go, taxis and transfers from the airport, the ferries to Fuerteventura and La Graciosa, and how to see the island's highlights if you'd rather not drive at all.
Transport at a GlanceDo You Need a Car in Lanzarote?
It depends on where you stay and what you want to see. This is the short version:
Best for Most Visitors
The only practical way to see Timanfaya, La Geria, the north and the wilder beaches at your own pace.
Best on a Budget
Cheap and frequent between the airport, Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca.
Best for Arrival
Door to door from the airport, and handy for short hops — expensive for day trips.
Best Without Driving
Day trips with pick-up in the resorts cover Timanfaya, La Geria and the north in one go.
| If you're staying in… | Without a car | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto del Carmen | Easy — beaches, restaurants and buses on the doorstep | A car for 2–3 days of sightseeing |
| Arrecife | Easy — the hub of the bus network | Buses and tours are enough |
| Costa Teguise | Good — flat, with buses to Arrecife | A car for the north and the south |
| Playa Blanca | Possible, but far from the airport and the north | Hire a car |
| Puerto Calero | Limited — no beach, few buses | Hire a car |
| Famara, Haría, the interior | Very hard | A car is essential |
Not sure where to base yourself? Our where to stay in Lanzarote guide compares every area.
Car Hire in Lanzarote: What to Know
Where to Pick Up
The airport is the easiest place: the main companies have desks in the arrivals hall, and several local firms meet you there or run a short shuttle to their car parks nearby. Picking up in your resort is an alternative if you only want a car for a few days of sightseeing — many people spend the first days at the beach and hire a car for the middle of the trip.
Insurance and the Excess
Basic rates include third-party cover, but usually with a large excess on damage to the car. The details are what make a cheap headline price expensive, so before you book check: the size of the excess and the deposit held on your card, whether tyres, glass and the underside are covered, and the fuel policy. Full-to-full is the fairest; avoid deals that make you pre-pay a full tank. Some local companies include full cover with no excess in the price, which makes comparing like with like important.
Photograph the car before you drive away, including the wheels and the windscreen, and again when you return it. It takes two minutes and avoids most disputes.
Driving and Parking
- Drive on the right; roundabouts are frequent, and traffic already on them has priority.
- Speed limits are generally 50 km/h in towns and 90 km/h on main roads, with higher limits on the signposted dual carriageway sections around Arrecife.
- The alcohol limit is lower than in the UK, and lower still for drivers with less than two years' experience — if you're visiting the bodegas, nominate a driver.
- Parking is free at most beaches, viewpoints and sights. In Arrecife, use the car parks rather than the blue and yellow zones.
- Some hire contracts don't allow the car on the ferry to Fuerteventura or on unpaved tracks, such as the road to Papagayo — check before you go.
Typical Drive Times
| From the airport to | By car |
|---|---|
| Arrecife | ~10 min |
| Puerto del Carmen | ~10–15 min |
| Costa Teguise | ~15 min |
| Puerto Calero | ~20 min |
| Playa Blanca | ~35 min |
| Timanfaya (Islote de Hilario) | ~30 min |
| Caleta de Famara | ~30 min |
| Órzola (La Graciosa ferry) | ~40 min |
Approximate, in normal traffic.
Buses: IntercityBus Lanzarote
The island's bus network, branded IntercityBus Lanzarote and run by Arrecife Bus, is centred on Arrecife. Buses are modern and cheap, and the network was expanded in 2025 and 2026, with more departures on the main routes and shorter waits in Playa Blanca. Timetables and current line numbers are on arrecifebus.com.
| Route | Service | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Airport ↔ Arrecife | Frequent on weekdays, about every 30 min; less often at weekends | Arrecife and connections to Costa Teguise |
| Airport ↔ Puerto del Carmen ↔ Playa Blanca | Regular through the day | Arriving without a car in the south |
| Costa Teguise ↔ Arrecife ↔ Puerto del Carmen | The busiest corridor, frequent | Hopping between the main resorts |
| Arrecife ↔ Haría & the north | A few departures a day | Not practical for day trips |
- Single fares are low — around €1.40 from the airport to Puerto del Carmen and around €3.30 to Playa Blanca at the last published prices.
- Pay the driver, or buy a rechargeable bono card for a discount on each trip; it can be shared by several people.
- At the airport, the bus stop is on the lower level, at the far right past the taxi rank.
- Services are reduced at weekends and on public holidays, so check the timetable for your day.
No bus to Timanfaya. No public bus reaches the national park, La Geria or Papagayo. Without a car, a tour is the only practical way to see them — see below.
Taxis, Ride-Hailing and Airport Transfers
Taxis are licensed and metered, with ranks at the airport, in Arrecife and in the main resorts. From the airport, a taxi to Puerto del Carmen takes about 15 minutes and typically costs €20–30 depending on the time of day; Costa Teguise is similar, and Playa Blanca, the longest run, costs considerably more. Night and holiday rates are higher, and cards are widely accepted. At busy times the airport queue can be long, which is when a pre-booked transfer pays off.
Uber is available in Lanzarote through its app, working alongside the island's taxis; what you'll be offered can vary, so check the app on arrival. For a fixed price and a driver waiting with your name, book a private transfer before you fly — especially worth it for families, groups or late arrivals heading to Playa Blanca.
Ferries: Fuerteventura and La Graciosa
Playa Blanca to Corralejo (Fuerteventura)
The short crossing from Playa Blanca to Corralejo, in the north of Fuerteventura, takes about 25 to 35 minutes, with sailings throughout the day from Fred. Olsen Express, Baleària and Líneas Romero. A day on Fuerteventura — the dunes of Corralejo, the old town, or the boat to Lobos — is easy from the south of Lanzarote. Not all ferries carry cars, and many hire companies don't allow their cars on board, so going as a foot passenger is usually simplest. See our Lanzarote vs Fuerteventura guide and our Lobos Island day trip guide.
Órzola to La Graciosa
From Órzola, at the northern tip of Lanzarote, ferries cross to Caleta de Sebo on La Graciosa in around 25 minutes, run by Líneas Romero and Biosfera Express. La Graciosa has sand streets and no paved roads, so bring cash for bike hire or a 4x4 taxi, plus water and sun protection. Órzola is about 40 minutes' drive from the airport; buses to the north are infrequent.
Round-Trip Ferry to Fuerteventura
Return ferry tickets from Lanzarote to Corralejo — the simplest way to plan a day on the neighbouring island.
Check Prices →
Lanzarote to La Graciosa
Cross the strait to the island without roads, with its sandy tracks and empty beaches.
Check Prices →Ferries to Gran Canaria and Tenerife leave from Arrecife's port; for flights between the islands, see our island hopping guide.
Seeing Lanzarote Without a Car
If you'd rather not drive, organised tours with pick-up in the main resorts cover the places buses don't reach. These are the ones we'd book.
Grand Tour of Lanzarote
Timanfaya, the green lagoon at El Golfo, Manrique's work, lunch in Yaiza and a wine cellar stop.
Check Prices →
Mini Cruise to Papagayo
See the Papagayo coves from the sea, with a stop to swim — no dirt track, no car needed.
Check Prices →
Kayaking & Snorkelling in Papagayo
Paddle along the Papagayo coast and snorkel in its clear water, with photos included.
Check Prices →Where to Stay Without a Car
If you won't hire a car at all, stay where the buses and restaurants are. Puerto del Carmen is the best base: 10–15 minutes from the airport, on the main bus routes, with most tours picking up there.
Hotel Fariones
On Playa Grande, with the town's restaurants a short walk along the promenade.
Check Prices →
Hotel Floresta
Family apartments two minutes from Playa de los Pocillos, about 11 minutes from the airport.
Check Prices →
Be Live Experience Lanzarote Beach
Across the road from Playa de las Cucharas, in a flat, walkable resort with buses to Arrecife.
Check Prices →Practical Tips
Book Car Hire Early
Cars, and especially automatics, sell out at Christmas, Easter and in summer.
Timanfaya Tickets
Sold online only, for a set time. Our Timanfaya guide explains how to book.
Check Bus Times
Weekend and holiday timetables are thinner. Check arrecifebus.com the day before.
Papagayo by Car
The last stretch is a dirt track with a €3 fee. See our Papagayo guide.
Driving and Wine
Visiting La Geria? Nominate a driver or take a tour — see our wine route guide.
Staying Connected
A Yesim eSIM gives you data for maps from the moment you land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Honest Verdict
For most visitors, hiring a car — even for just two or three days — is what turns a beach holiday into a trip around Lanzarote. If you'd rather not drive, base yourself in Puerto del Carmen, use the buses between the resorts and book tours for Timanfaya and the north. Either way, the island is small enough that nothing is far, and the ferries make Fuerteventura and La Graciosa easy day trips.
For the rest of your planning, see our Lanzarote travel guide and 5 days in Lanzarote itinerary, which groups the sights by area to keep the driving short.