Reisetipps
Rental Car, Bus & Taxi
How to get from A to B on Gran Canaria cheaply, flexibly and stress-free
It's easy to underestimate Gran Canaria. Everything looks close together on the map, but from the capital Las Palmas in the north down to the beaches in the south, it's easily 50 kilometers - and if you want to head into the island's interior, navigating the mountain curves really eats up time. There's no train or metro here. Which mode of transport works best for you really depends on your choice of accommodation and your plans. Here's an honest overview of your options:
Bus (Guagua): affordable and surprisingly well-developed
By the way, nobody in the Canary Islands says bus - here you travel by "Guagua" (pronounced: Wawa). The bus network is really well-developed. The green-turquoise long-distance buses from Global connect the airport, the capital Las Palmas, and the holiday resorts in the south. In Las Palmas itself, you simply take the yellow city buses (Guaguas Municipales).
The most important routes for travelers:
- Line 60: Airport - Las Palmas (San Telmo station and Santa Catalina at the harbor and Playa de Las Canteras). Journey time about 30 to 35 minutes, price around €3.
- Line 66: Airport - Playa del Inglés - Faro de Maspalomas. Around €3.50 to Playa del Inglés and about €4 to the lighthouse.
- Line 1: Las Palmas - Maspalomas via the coastal motorway, ideal for day trips. A single journey costs about €5 to €8.
- Line 5: connects the airport with Las Palmas and the south at night.
- From Maspalomas there are connections to Puerto de Mogán and Arguineguín.
Taxi: convenient for short distances and late hours
Taxis are practical within a town, for example in Las Palmas or around Maspalomas, and when you have little time or lots of luggage. At the airport, taxis wait right outside the arrivals hall. As a rough guide, these prices apply:
- Airport - Las Palmas (Vegueta/Triana): about €33
- Airport - Las Canteras: about €38
- Airport - Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés: about €40 to €50
- Las Palmas - Maspalomas: about €90 to €110
Taxis run on the meter, though some routes have fixed prices. Ask about the approximate price before the journey. If you want a fixed price without surprises, you can book a transfer in advance. Payment is possible both in cash and by credit card.
Rental car: freedom for mountains, beaches, and hidden gems
If you want to explore the island beyond the major towns, a rental car gives you the most flexibility. Villages like Teror, Tejeda, or Artenara, the dunes in the south, and hidden beaches can be discovered without worrying about timetables.
- Prices: On average, small cars often cost about €10 to €20 per day, mid-range cars about €30 to €40. In December and during holidays it gets significantly more expensive. Booking early pays off.
- Pickup: All major rental companies have stations at the airport, in Las Palmas, and in Maspalomas. So you can pick up and return along the way.
- Insurance: Make sure you have comprehensive insurance without excess and unlimited mileage. Read the fine print on fuel and deposit rules.
- Driving: On the motorways along the coast it's straightforward, in the mountains it's narrow and winding. Allow more time there. During rush hours there can be traffic jams between Las Palmas, the airport, and the south.
- Parking: In Las Palmas, parking spaces are scarce. Supervised car parks, such as in Santa Catalina, are the stress-free solution.
Our tip
If you're staying in Las Palmas, you can manage well without a car: on foot, with the city bus, and occasionally by taxi, you can reach almost everything. For trips to the south, Line 1 is suitable. If you want to see the mountains and remote beaches, it's best to rent a car for a few days. This is often cheaper and more relaxed than having one for the entire trip.