How to Get to Las Palmas De Gran Canaria. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Airports & Airlines

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), also Gando Airport, is the main international airport for Gran Canaria and the entire Canary Islands. It is approximately 18 km (11 miles) south of Las Palmas. LPA is a modern, well-equipped airport.

Air Travel Information

A wide array of airlines fly to LPA: Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Jet2.com, Norwegian, TUI, Condor, Lufthansa, British Airways, Iberia, Air Europa.
Direct flights are available from many major European cities (London, Dublin, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Oslo).
Inter-island carriers: Binter Canarias and Canaryfly offer frequent connections to other Canary Islands.

Flight Seasons & Facilities

Direct flights from outside Europe are limited. Most travelers from North America, Asia, or Oceania connect through major European hubs like Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), London (LHR/LGW), Frankfurt (FRA), or Amsterdam (AMS).

Seasonal & Airport Details

Seasonal Fluctuations: Peak season (winter & summer holidays) sees more frequent flights and higher prices. Shoulder/low season usually has fewer direct flights but lower prices. Flexibility with dates can lead to savings. Dollar Flight Club for deals.
Airport Facilities: LPA has duty-free shops, fashion boutiques, local craft stores, various restaurants and cafes.
Services: Car rental desks are in arrivals, ATMs, currency exchange offices, free Wi-Fi, VIP lounges. Skyscanner for flight comparison.

Bus Transfers LPA

Global Bus Line 60 connects LPA to Las Palmas city center (San Telmo & Santa Catalina stations). Approx. 30 min to San Telmo, fare around €2.95. Very economical.

Taxi Transfers LPA

Taxis are outside arrivals. To central Las Palmas (Santa Catalina or Vegueta) costs approx. €25-€35. Confirm price or meter operation.

Car Rental / Private

Private transfers offer maximum convenience.

Land Transportation

Bus Services

Gran Canaria has no train network. Public transport relies on buses and roads.
Global (Guaguas Global): The main intercity bus company. Extensive connections from Las Palmas to towns, villages, and resorts (Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, Agaete, Teror).
Bus Stations in Las Palmas: Estación de San Telmo (central hub for intercity/local buses, convenient for Vegueta); Estación de Santa Catalina (near Las Canteras/port, convenient for beach).
Ticketing: Buy from driver (cash); for discounts, use "Bono Viaje" card for Global buses.

Self-Driving & Road Conditions

Requirements: Valid driving license. International Driving Permit (IDP) with original license for non-EU/EEA. Minimum age 21 (sometimes 23-25). Credit card for deposit.
Road Conditions: Generally well-maintained. GC-1 motorway along east/south coast. Inland roads (mountains) are winding, narrow, steep, need careful driving.
Parking: Challenging/expensive in central Las Palmas (Vegueta, Triana, Las Canteras). Look for underground public car parks (San Telmo, Plaza de la Victoria). Blue zones require payment.
Traffic: Heavy during rush hours. Road signage is clear. Speed limits are enforced (50 km/h urban, 90-120 km/h motorways). Strict drink-driving laws.

Car Rental Services

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A reputable platform for comparing and booking car rentals worldwide. Visit DiscoverCars.com.

Major Rental Brands

Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Goldcar operate in Gran Canaria. Booking in advance is recommended, especially in peak season.

Local Rental Companies

Cicar and AutoReisen are popular local companies known for good value and service. Consider full comprehensive insurance for peace of mind.

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry Services & Cruise Port

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a significant maritime hub. Sea travel is a good and scenic option for arrivals, notably from other Canary Islands or on cruises.

Sea Travel Information

Puerto de La Luz y de Las Palmas: The city's main port. One of the busiest cruise ports in the Atlantic.
Ferry Companies: Fred. Olsen Express (high-speed ferries to Tenerife, Fuerteventura, La Palma). Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea (ferries to other Canary Islands and mainland Spain, transport vehicles).
Cruise Ships: Popular port of call for international cruise lines, especially in winter. City center is easily accessible from cruise terminal.

Immigration & Connections

River transportation is not applicable; the city and island do not have significant rivers or river transport systems.

Port Procedures & Transfers

Immigration Procedures: Similar to airports for non-Schengen travelers. EU citizens face minimal checks. Cruise passengers have simplified procedures.
Connections to Land Transportation: Puerto de La Luz is adjacent to Santa Catalina Bus Station. Easy access to local buses (Guaguas Municipales) for city exploration.
Taxis are available at designated stands near the port for quick transfers to accommodation or city areas.

Departure Information

No specific exit fees or taxes are typically levied directly on travelers departing from Gran Canaria Airport. These charges are usually included in the airfare price when you purchase your ticket.

Departure Procedures & Timing

Airport Check-in: Arrive 2-3 hours before scheduled departure for international flights. 1.5-2 hours for domestic/inter-island.
Security: Pass through standard airport security checks. Prepare to remove electronics and liquids from bags.
VAT Refund: If a non-EU resident and purchases are eligible for a VAT refund, allow extra time to process paperwork. Look for "Tax Free" or "VAT Refund" signs.

Airport Facilities

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) has various facilities post-security, including cafes, restaurants, and duty-free shops where you can purchase last-minute souvenirs or local products. Lounges are available for eligible passengers.

Bus Station Facilities

Bus Stations (San Telmo, Santa Catalina): Basic facilities like waiting areas, kiosks selling snacks/drinks, and restrooms. These are mainly functional spaces for transit.
Limited shopping compared to the airport, focused on essentials for travelers.
No duty-free or extensive retail options at bus stations.

Important Travel Notes

Always check with your airline for specific check-in recommendations.
Ensure electronic devices are easily accessible for security checks.
For VAT refunds, have all original receipts and goods readily available.

Avoid last-minute arrival to prevent stress.
Do not pack liquids over 100ml in carry-on bags.
Do not forget to retrieve all documents after security or refund processes.

Local Transport Tips

Public Transit Overview

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria relies on an extensive and efficient bus network. The city does not have metro or tram systems. Guaguas Municipales operates the urban bus network. Global (Guaguas Global) operates the intercity bus network.

Bus Hubs & Routes

San Telmo Bus Station: Major central hub near Vegueta. Interchanges urban and intercity buses.
Santa Catalina Bus Station: Near port, serves Las Canteras and connects to some intercity routes.
Urban Routes: Line 1 (Teatro Pérez Galdós to Hoya de la Plata), Line 12 (port to Vegueta), Line 17 (Teatro Pérez Galdós to La Isleta/El Confital).

Ticketing & Efficiency

Tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver (cash only). For discounted fares on urban buses, consider purchasing a "Tarjeta Bono Fácil." It is a contactless travel card that makes each trip cheaper.

Fare Options & Tips

Single Ticket: Approx. €1.40 for Guaguas Municipales. Pay in cash, exact change.
Tarjeta Bono Fácil: Card costs €1.50, then load credit for cheaper trips (€0.85-€0.95). Tap for each passenger. Buy at kiosks, tobacconists.
Tips: Use official bus apps or Google Maps for real-time tracking. Always tap your travel card on the reader when boarding.

Accessible Transport

Most modern Guaguas Municipales and Global buses are wheelchair accessible with ramps and designated spaces.

Hours of Operation

Urban buses run from early morning (5-6 AM) to late evening (11 PM-12 AM). Some lines have reduced night services.

Frequency

Frequency varies by line and time, generally every 10-20 minutes during peak hours for urban buses.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing

Licensed Taxis

Taxis offer direct transportation, good for luggage or late-night travel. Official taxis are white, with a green light on the roof (indicating availability) and a diagonal blue stripe on front doors. A clearly visible taxi meter is inside.

Hailing & Fares

Hailing: Hail on the street if green light is on. Find at designated taxi stands (bus stations, hotels, shopping centers).
Fares: Metered. Different tariffs for daytime (Tariff 1) and nighttime/holidays (Tariff 2). Minimum fare ~€3.15 (day), ~€3.70 (night).
Payment: Cash always accepted. Many taxis take card payments; confirm with driver for smaller amounts. Airport to Las Palmas: ~€25-€35.

Ride-Sharing & Safety

Ride-sharing apps offer another direct transport option. Use official apps for fixed pricing before your journey. This helps avoid potential misunderstandings over fares. Always verify the driver and vehicle details match the app's information before getting into the car.

App Services & Safety Measures

Recommended Apps: Cabify and Bolt are popular ride-sharing apps operating in Las Palmas. Uber is not widely available.
Safety: Taxis are safe; licensed and regulated. Ride-sharing is safe when using official apps. Verify driver/vehicle details.
Warning: Avoid unregistered vehicles or individuals offering rides; they lack regulation and may pose safety risks.

Rental Options

Car Rental

Requires valid driving license (IDP for non-EU/EEA), passport, major credit card. Minimum age typically 21. Major international (Avis, Hertz) and local (Cicar, AutoReisen) companies are available. Book in advance. Consider full comprehensive insurance.

Motorcycle & Scooter

Available from specialized shops. Valid motorcycle license needed for motorcycles. Car license might suffice for smaller scooters (50-125cc). Minimum age applies. Helmets are mandatory.

Bicycle Rentals

Sítycleta public bike sharing (requires registration/subscription). Numerous private shops rent bicycles (road, mountain, city) and electric bikes. Good for exploring promenade/city.

Driving Laws & Parking

Drive on the right. Seatbelts are mandatory. Mobile phone use while driving is illegal without hands-free. Speed limits are enforced. Parking is challenging in central areas; use underground car parks. Blue zones (paid street parking) have limited time. No specialty vehicles like tuk-tuks.

How to Get to Las Palmas De Gran Canaria