🚗 Canary Islands Car Rental Guide – Prices, Insurance & Airports
The Canary Islands are a paradise for road trippers — volcanic landscapes, sunshine almost all year, and endless beaches 🌞🏝️ Whether you visit Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, or El Hierro, renting a car is the best way to explore at your own pace.
This complete guide covers:
- ✅ Best places for car rental in each island
- ✅ Driving rules & parking tips
- ✅ Local vs international rental companies
- ✅ Insurance explained clearly
- ✅ Costs, deposit, fuel policy & more
Let’s get you ready for the road! 🛣️✨
🌋 Why Renting a Car in the Canary Islands Is the Best Choice
| Benefit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Full freedom of movement | No reliance on bus timetables |
| Access to hidden beaches 🏖️ | Many spots unreachable by public transport |
| Better for families or groups 👨👩👧👦 | More comfortable & cost-efficient |
| Stress-free island-hopping | Ferry-friendly rental options |
| Scenic drives | Amazing photo stops everywhere 📸 |
Public transport is decent only in large islands like Tenerife or Gran Canaria — elsewhere, a car is a must.
🏝️ Which Island Are You Visiting?
Here’s a quick overview to help you pick the right car 👇
| Island | Best car type | Difficulty of driving | Perfect for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | Compact + strong engine | Medium | Mount Teide, north coast |
| Gran Canaria | Compact | Medium–High | Mountain roads |
| Lanzarote | Any car | Very easy | Beaches & volcanic parks |
| Fuerteventura | SUV / Compact | Easy | Long beach drives |
| La Palma | SUV required | High | Steep mountain routes |
| La Gomera | Small + powerful | High | Hairpin roads |
| El Hierro | Small car | Medium | Short distances |
✈️ Where to Rent a Car: Airports & Major Cities
Most travelers pick up their rental directly at an airport — the cheapest and most convenient choice.
| Airport Name | Island | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife South Airport | Tenerife | TFS |
| Tenerife North Airport | Tenerife | TFN |
| Gran Canaria Airport | Gran Canaria | LPA |
| Lanzarote Airport | Lanzarote | ACE |
| Fuerteventura Airport | Fuerteventura | FUE |
| La Palma Airport | La Palma | SPC |
Cities where rental options are excellent:
- Tenerife: Santa Cruz, Costa Adeje, Puerto de la Cruz
- Gran Canaria: Las Palmas, Maspalomas
- Lanzarote: Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise
- Fuerteventura: Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste
Tip ✅: Airport rentals usually cost 10–20% less.
💰 Car Rental Prices in the Canary Islands (2026)
| Vehicle type | Low-season price | High-season price |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | €10–€25/day | €35–€60/day |
| SUV | €25–€45/day | €60–€90/day |
| Convertible 😎 | €40–€80/day | €90–€140/day |
| Electric | €35–€60/day | €80–€120/day |
High season = Christmas, Easter, July–August
Book 1–2 months in advance for the best deals.
🏢 Local vs International Car Rental Companies
| Company type | Examples | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | Cicar, TopCar, Orlando | Lower prices, simpler insurance, unlimited miles | Cars slightly older |
| International | Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise | New vehicle fleet, loyalty programs | More upselling & higher deposits |
Local companies are very popular because they include insurance with fewer hidden fees ✅
🛡️ Insurance Explained (Simple & Clear)
| Insurance Type | What’s Covered | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (CDW + TP) | Damage + theft with deductible | ✅ Minimum you should take |
| Full Protection / Zero Excess | No deductible, covers scratches & wheels | ⭐ Best stress-free choice |
| Third-Party Liability | Others’ damages only | Included by law |
| Cross-border coverage | Needed for island-hopping | Optional |
If your credit card already covers rentals → avoid duplicate coverage.
💸 Don’t Overpay at the Airport
Compare real-time rental deals with no hidden fees or credit card needed.
⛽ Fuel Policy — What to Choose?
| Policy | Good or Bad? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full-to-Full | ✅ Best | Pay only what you use |
| Full-to-Empty | ❌ Avoid | Artificial refueling fees |
Always take Full-to-Full.
🧾 Deposits, Payment & Age Requirements
| Requirement | Typical Rule |
|---|---|
| Deposit | €200–€900 (held on card) |
| Driver age | 21+ (sometimes 23+) |
| Young driver fee | €5–€10/day under 25 |
| Credit card | Usually required |
Tip: Some local Canary companies accept debit cards ✅
🚗 Recommended Car Models
| Budget | Suggested cars |
|---|---|
| Economy | Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, Renault Clio |
| Family trips | VW Golf, Toyota Corolla, Opel Astra |
| Mountain routes | Seat Arona, Jeep Renegade |
| Coastal cruisers (convertible) | Mini Cabrio, VW Beetle Cabrio |
| Eco-friendly footprint 🌱 | VW ID.3, Renault Zoe |
🚦 Driving Rules in the Canary Islands
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Speed limits | 50 km/h urban • 90 km/h countryside • 120 km/h highways |
| Seatbelts | Mandatory for everyone |
| Phone while driving | Only hands-free allowed |
| Parking zones | Blue = paid • Yellow = no parking |
| Roundabouts | Give way to traffic already inside |
Most roads are well-maintained, but mountain drives have sharp turns — take it slow 🚗⛰️
🅿️ Parking Tips by Island
| Island | Parking Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | Medium | Tourist zones busy |
| Gran Canaria | Medium-High | Las Palmas is crowded |
| Lanzarote | Easy | Plenty of free spots |
| Fuerteventura | Easy | Beaches have large parking |
| La Palma & La Gomera | Medium | Town centers are small |
Apps like Telpark help with paid parking.
🏜️ Best Road Trip Itineraries
🚘 Tenerife — Teide National Park
- Costa Adeje → Teide cable car → La Orotava
- Scenic roads through the clouds ☁️
- Stop in Masca, a breathtaking village
🏖️ Fuerteventura — Beach Explorer Route
- Corralejo dunes
- El Cotillo surf beaches
- Cofete — remote and stunning
4×4 recommended for Cofete ✅
🌋 Lanzarote — Volcanic Wonders
Timanfaya → Los Hervideros → Papagayo Beach
The roads are easy & super scenic.
🧳 Practical Tips for First-Time Renters
💡 Helpful advice:
- Take photos of the car at pickup & return ✅
- Check tire condition — many curvy roads
- No driving off-road unless permitted in the contract
- Electric cars available ⛽ EV chargers growing fast
🌍 Island-Hopping With a Rental Car
You can take rental cars on ferries — but only if allowed by the company.
Check terms before booking ✅
Popular ferry routes:
- Tenerife ↔ Gran Canaria
- Lanzarote ↔ Fuerteventura
- Tenerife ↔ La Gomera
Ferries: Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas
✅ Quick Booking Checklist
| Step | Done? |
|---|---|
| Book early (best rates) | ☐ |
| Choose Full-to-Full fuel policy | ☐ |
| Add insurance with zero excess | ☐ |
| Bring credit card for deposit | ☐ |
| Check ferry permissions | ☐ |
| Confirm mileage (unlimited!) | ☐ |
✨ Final Thoughts
Renting a car in the Canary Islands is:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- The best way to explore hidden gems 🌅
From lava fields to golden beaches — your adventure begins when you turn the key 🔑🚗💨
