How to Get to Arrecife. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Airport & Airlines

Major Airport & Carriers

Lanzarote Airport (IATA Code: ACE), also known as Arrecife Airport, is the sole commercial airport on the island.

Airlines Serving ACE

Budget Airlines: Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, Jet2.com, TUI Airways.
Flag Carriers: Iberia Express, British Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, Transavia, Brussels Airlines, Binter Canarias.
Typical Routes: Strong connections to major European hubs (UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Scandinavia) and mainland Spain.

Flight Availability & Pricing

Direct flights from non-European global hubs are generally limited or non-existent. Most travelers will connect via a major European city.

Seasonal Considerations

High Season (Winter, Summer holidays): Increased flight frequency and higher prices. Booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
Shoulder Season (Spring, Autumn): Good balance of availability and competitive prices.
Low Season: Slightly reduced frequency on some routes, but generally good availability and lower prices. Lanzarote is a year-round destination.

Airport Terminals

Lanzarote Airport has two terminals: T1 for international/mainland flights, T2 for inter-island flights.

Airport Services

ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, car rental desks, Wi-Fi.

Flight Deals

Consider Dollar Flight Club for flight deals and Skyscanner for flight comparisons.

Airport Transfer Options

Taxis & Public Bus

Taxi: Readily available outside terminals. ~10-15 min to Arrecife, €15-€20.
Public Bus (Guagua): Line 22 (Mon-Fri) and Line 23 (weekends/holidays) connect to Arrecife Bus Station. Line 161 connects to Arrecife and other resorts. Fares inexpensive (~€1.40 to Arrecife).
Car Rental: Desks at airport. Pre-book recommended.
Shuttle Services: Lots of accommodations have shuttles. Private shuttle companies available for pre-booking.

Car Rental Companies

International Brands: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Budget.
Local Canary Island Companies: Cicar and Plus Car often competitive rates.
Online booking through DiscoverCars.com is a good option.
Pre-book your car for better rates and availability, especially during peak seasons.

Land Transportation Considerations

Border Crossings

Not applicable; Lanzarote is an island. Arriving is by air or sea only.

Train Connections

Not applicable; Lanzarote has no trains.

Long-Distance Buses

Not applicable for arrival/departure to the island; these operate within the island.

Getting There by Sea

Ferry Services

Arrecife serves as a maritime hub for sea travel, for both inter-island ferries and cruise ships.

Inter-Island & Mainland Connections

Arrecife Port (Puerto de Arrecife) is Lanzarote's main commercial and passenger port.
Fuerteventura: Frequent services from White Beach (Lanzarote) to Corralejo (Fuerteventura) by Fred. Olsen Express and Naviera Armas. Less common services from Arrecife directly to Puerto del Rosario.
Gran Canaria: Services from Arrecife to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by Naviera Armas (longer journey).

Cruise Ships & Immigration

Arrecife serves as a popular port of call for international cruise liners.

Cruise & Port Information

Cruise Port: Cruise ships dock at La Boca pier, close to the city center. Passengers walk or take a short taxi ride.
Immigration Procedures: Standard passport control for international arrivals, similar to airports. Intra-Schengen arrivals have minimal controls. Cruise passengers often have documentation handled by the cruise line.
Land Connections: There are taxis at the pier. City center and bus station are within walking distance or a short taxi ride.

Mainland Spain Ferry

Occasional long-distance ferry services depart from Arrecife to Cadiz on the Castilian mainland.

Journey Details

Duration: Approximately 26-30 hours.
Operator: Naviera Armas.
Alternative: This offers an alternative to flying for some travelers.

River Transportation

Lanzarote has no navigable rivers.

Note

River transportation is not applicable in Lanzarote.
All maritime journeys relates to ocean ferries or cruises.
Check ferry company websites for specific departure/arrival points if traveling from a different island, as not all ferries dock directly in Arrecife.

Important Departure Information

Exit Fees: Spain charges no specific departure or exit fees for tourists from Lanzarote Airport. These are usually included in the airline ticket.
Timing: International/Mainland flights: Arrive 2-3 hours before departure. Inter-island flights: 1-1.5 hours before. Ferry departures: 30-60 minutes before (with vehicle), less for foot passengers.
Online Check-in: Utilize online check-in to save time, especially if you have no checked luggage.

Airport Facilities: Duty-free shops, retail outlets, restaurants, cafes, lounges, Wi-Fi.
Arrecife Port: Basic waiting areas, nearby cafes and shops for refreshments.
Peak Season: Allow extra time for airport procedures during peak travel seasons. Check flight status before heading to the airport.

Getting Around Arrecife & Lanzarote

Public Transport: Buses Guaguas

Lanzarote has an efficient public bus system, with Arrecife serving as the main hub.

System Overview & Routes

IntercityBus Lanzarote operates the island's public bus network; efficient and affordable.
Arrecife Bus Station (Estación de Guaguas de Arrecife) is the central hub for intercity routes (Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, airport).
Local lines operate within Arrecife (city center, Playa del Reducto).

Ticketing & Frequency

Fares & Operations

One-way Tickets: Purchase directly from the driver. Fares vary by distance (€1.40-€4).
BonoCard: Rechargeable pre-paid card; offers ~10-20% discount. Buy at Arrecife Bus Station.
Hours: Generally early morning (6-7 AM) to late evening (9-11 PM). Frequency varies (20-30 min for main routes, less for others). Reduced service on weekends/holidays.

Accessibility

Numerous newer buses have ramps and wheelchair spaces. Check with IntercityBus Lanzarote for certain information if accessibility is a priority.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing

Taxis are white cars with foliage roof lights; meter and license number visible. Hail on street or find at stands.

Car Rental

Renting a car exhibits the most flexible way to explore. Major international and local companies operate here.

Land Travel & Parking

Self-Driving Essentials

Renting a car exhibits the most adaptable way to explore Lanzarote.

Requirements & Companies

Minimum age: Usually 21-23. Driver's license: Valid national license (1-2 years held). IDP if non-EU/EEA.
Credit Card: Required for security deposit (in main driver's name).
Companies: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Budget. Local: Cicar, Plus Car (often competitive).

Road Conditions & Laws

Roads are generally well-maintained and easy to navigate. Signage is clear.

Driving Information

Drive on the right side of the road. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants.
Speed limits enforced: 50 km/h (urban), 90 km/h (rural), 120 km/h (motorways).
Motorcycle/Scooter Rentals: Available, similar requirements to cars.

Parking Information

Arrecife Parking

Street parking can be challenging in the city center.

Zones

Blue Zones (Zona Azul): Paid, limited to 1-2 hours. White Zones (Zona Blanca): Free parking. Yellow Lines: No parking.

Public Car Parks

Often underground in Arrecife (near Parque Islas Canarias or El Charco). Parking at attractions outside Arrecife is usually plentiful and often free.

Travel Insight

Book flights and car hire services well in advance for better rates and availability, especially if traveling during peak season.

How to Get to Arrecife