LPA Airport Car Rental for Maspalomas
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) sits about 32 km north of Maspalomas, a 25-30 minute drive south on the toll-free GC-1 motorway with no traffic lights.
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From LPA to Maspalomas by Car
Gran Canaria Airport, officially the Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria (IATA code LPA), sits on the east coast at the Bay of Gando near Telde. From the arrivals hall you join the GC-1 motorway heading south and reach Maspalomas in about 25-30 minutes, covering roughly 32 km. The route is toll-free with no traffic lights, so it is one of the easiest airport drives in the Canaries.
Playa del Inglés is even closer, about 28-32 km from the terminal. In peak arrival traffic, allow 35-40 minutes to be safe. Picking up a car at LPA means you can stop at a supermarket or a beach on the way down rather than waiting on a shuttle.
If you would rather not drive at all, Global bus lines 66 and 90 run from LPA to Faro de Maspalomas for around €4.05 (roughly 40-60 minutes), and a taxi costs about €40-75. A rental car is still the most flexible way to explore the island on your own schedule. See driving in Gran Canaria for road rules and parking tips.
Rental Desks at Gran Canaria Airport
Rental desks are on the ground floor (Floor 0) of the arrivals hall. Companies fall into two groups: those with a desk inside the terminal whose cars are a short walk away in the AENA car park with no shuttle, and off-airport or budget firms that use a shuttle or a meeting point outside International Arrivals (for example near the SPAR supermarket).
| Pickup type | Companies | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| In-terminal (walk to AENA car park, no shuttle) | CICAR, Autoreisen, TopCar, Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Goldcar, Thrifty, Enterprise | Fastest pickup; car park is a short walk from arrivals |
| Off-airport / shuttle or meeting point | Record Go, Orlando, Gobycar | Meet outside International Arrivals; allow extra time |
Local firms such as CICAR and Autoreisen use pay-on-arrival, include full insurance with zero excess, and ask for little-to-no deposit. CICAR is hugely popular, so its LPA desk queue can run 30-45 minutes at peak arrival banks; use online check-in where possible and arrive with your documents ready. Autoreisen queues are usually shorter.
International chains advertise low base rates but block a €1,000-€3,500 credit-card deposit unless you buy their counter insurance (€15-30/day), and some use full-to-empty fuel policies. To compare both kinds of supplier side by side, compare rental cars before you fly.
Opening Hours and Late Flights
Most in-terminal desks keep daytime and evening hours, so a normal afternoon or evening arrival is straightforward. The main thing to plan for is a flight that lands after midnight, when desks have closed for the night.
- Most in-terminal desks open 07:00-23:00.
- CICAR's desk typically stays open until about 23:59.
- For flights after midnight, out-of-hours pickup is possible only if you arrange it in your booking, usually with a surcharge of about €30-50.
- Always confirm your real landing time against the desk hours before you travel.
Booking a late-night arrival without arranging out-of-hours pickup is the most common reason travelers get stranded at the desk. Check the supplier's hours when you reserve, not after you land.
One-Way Rentals and Booking Ahead
One-way rentals are common on Gran Canaria: you can collect at LPA and drop the car in the resort or in Las Palmas. Local firms such as CICAR often waive the drop-off fee for rentals of 3 or more days, while chains may add a surcharge, so confirm the exact terms at booking.
Online booking vs walk-in
Reserving online ahead of time is almost always cheaper than a walk-in rate at the counter. In the December-March winter peak, walk-in cars can sell out entirely, so a confirmed reservation is the only reliable way to guarantee a car. If you are watching the budget, see cheap car rental in Maspalomas for ways to keep the total down.
- Documents at pickup: passport or national ID, a driving licence held 1-2 years, and a credit card for deposit firms.
- EU/EEA and UK photocard licences need no International Driving Permit.
- US, Canada and Australia drivers should bring an International Driving Permit alongside the home licence.
- Book early in winter peak and pick a pay-on-arrival local firm if you want to avoid large deposits.
Once you have the car, you can reach the dunes, the lighthouse and the inland villages without waiting on timetables. For inspiration on where to point the car first, see things to do around Maspalomas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Gran Canaria Airport from Maspalomas?
Are the rental desks inside the LPA terminal?
Can I pick up a car after a midnight flight?
Why do local firms ask for no deposit while chains block thousands?
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent at LPA?
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