Frequently Asked Questions

May and June are the cheapest months, with economy cars often around €12-20 a day booked ahead. December is the most expensive because Christmas overlaps the winter-sun peak driven by UK, German and Scandinavian visitors.

At least three months ahead for Christmas and New Year, since the most organized northern-European visitors reserve even earlier. For the UK February half-term, book by January, roughly six to eight weeks out.

On the real all-in total, usually yes. Firms like CICAR and Autoreisen include full zero-excess insurance, unlimited mileage and a free extra driver with little or no deposit, while the chains advertise a low base rate then add a large deposit and a daily insurance upsell.

Spain is mostly manual, so automatics are scarce and cost about 20-50% more. If you can only drive an automatic, reserve as early as possible or you may be stuck with a manual.

For a resort-based holiday, no. Maspalomas is walkable, so many visitors rent for just the two or three days they explore the south coast or the mountains, then return the car. Fuel is cheap and there are no toll roads, so day trips stay affordable.

Drivers with an EU, EEA or UK photocard licence need no International Driving Permit. Visitors from the US, Canada or Australia should carry one alongside their home licence to be safe.

No. There are no toll roads anywhere in Gran Canaria or the Canary Islands, including the main GC-1 motorway. The only road costs you will face are fuel and paid parking.

No. A 4WD is never needed in Gran Canaria. Every paved public road, including the interior routes to Tejeda and Roque Nublo, is comfortable in a standard compact car as long as you drive to the conditions.

From 1 January 2026 the V-16 connected emergency beacon replaces the old warning triangle. Spanish-registered rental cars must carry one, and it reports your location to the DGT cloud when used. Confirm it is in the car at pickup, since failing to carry one can cost up to €200.

Fuel is cheaper than the mainland because of the local IGIC tax. Unleaded 95 runs about €1.37-1.44 per litre and diesel about €1.43-1.55. Fill up on the coast or the GC-1, as stations thin out above roughly 600 m.

For the coast, no, the Global buses and taxis can manage Playa del Ingles, Meloneras and Maspalomas. But to reach the mountains, the capital and the quieter beaches without slow multi-leg bus trips, a car is essential. Most visitors who want to explore the island rent one.

Local firms like CICAR and Autoreisen usually work out cheaper once everything is counted. They include zero-excess insurance and ask for little or no credit-card deposit, while chains often add counter insurance of 15-30 euros per day and block 1,000-3,500 euros on your card.

May and June are the cheapest, with economy cars around 12-20 euros per day. The most expensive period is December, where the same cars can reach 35-60 euros per day because winter is the island's peak season.

Not if you hold an EU/EEA licence or a UK photocard licence. Drivers from the US, Canada and Australia should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence.

From 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 emergency beacon replaces the red warning triangle. Spanish-registered rental cars must carry one, and it reports your location to the DGT in a breakdown. Check it is in the glovebox at pickup, along with the mandatory reflective vest in the cabin.

No. Every road on Gran Canaria is paved, including the routes up to Tejeda and Roque Nublo, so a compact car handles them comfortably. Remember that insurance does not cover damage on unpaved or off-road tracks, so stay on sealed surfaces.

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is about 32 km north of Maspalomas, roughly a 25-30 minute drive south on the toll-free GC-1 motorway. Allow 35-40 minutes in peak arrival traffic.

Most are. CICAR, Autoreisen, TopCar, Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Goldcar, Thrifty and Enterprise have desks on the ground floor with cars in the AENA car park, no shuttle needed. Record Go and some budget firms like Orlando and Gobycar use a shuttle or a meeting point outside International Arrivals.

Most in-terminal desks open 07:00-23:00, with CICAR open until about 23:59. For flights after midnight you can arrange out-of-hours pickup in your booking, usually for a surcharge of about €30-50. It must be requested in advance.

Local firms such as CICAR and Autoreisen include full insurance with zero excess and use pay-on-arrival, so they need little-to-no deposit. International chains advertise low base rates but block a €1,000-€3,500 credit-card deposit unless you buy their counter insurance at €15-30 per day.

EU/EEA and UK photocard licences need no IDP. Drivers from the US, Canada and Australia should bring an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Bring a passport or national ID and, for deposit firms, a credit card.

For the interior mountains and the Barranco de Guayadeque a car is essential. The south coast - Puerto Rico, Amadores, and Puerto de Mogan - is also served by Global buses, so you can reach the harbours without one, but a car gives you far more flexibility for the day-trip loops.

The old La Goleta trailhead is closed to private cars. Book a free online reservation at reservasroquenublo.com for the 09:00-17:00 window, then park at Tejeda or Cruz de los Llanos and either walk or take the Line 18 shuttle to the start of the short (~1.5 km each way) trail.

Only on the marked trails. The dunes are a protected 400-hectare nature reserve, and straying off the signed paths can bring a fine of €150-600. Stick to the routes and you can still get right among the sand.

Three loops work well: a south-coast day combining Puerto Rico or Amadores with Puerto de Mogan; an interior mountain day on the GC-60 via Fataga to Roque Nublo and the Pico de las Nieves viewpoint; or a city day in Las Palmas. Pick by the weather and the calima forecast.

The capital is about 55-58 km north, roughly 35 to 50 minutes up the GC-1 depending on traffic. Aim to park in an underground or public garage near Vegueta or Las Canteras rather than searching for a street space.