VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Lanzarote: the easternmost large island of the Canaries, with its airport near Arrecife and resorts at Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.
Is a Car Worth It in Lanzarote?
Resorts such as Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca have local buses, but they do not serve the volcanic landscapes, wineries and viewpoints well. Distances are short and the main roads are in good condition, so a car makes sightseeing simple.
Our advice: book a small car for a few days, and do your sightseeing in the cooler hours.
Drive Times Across Lanzarote
Times are approximate and depend on traffic; use live navigation for the real figure.
| Route | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Airport (ACE) to Puerto del Carmen | ~5–10 km | about 10–15 min |
| Airport (ACE) to Costa Teguise | ~10 km | about 15 min |
| Airport (ACE) to Playa Blanca | ~40 km | about 40–50 min |
| Puerto del Carmen to Timanfaya | ~20–25 km | about 25–35 min |
| Arrecife to Haría | ~25–30 km | about 30–40 min |
| Playa Blanca to Papagayo beaches | ~5–10 km | about 15 min on the unpaved road |
Wind, Volcanic Roads and Papagayo
The island is windy, and strong gusts can push on a light car, especially on exposed coast roads and near Famara. The roads to Timanfaya and La Geria are paved and easy, but inside the park, visitors follow the official route. The beaches at Papagayo are reached by an unpaved road, and some rental contracts exclude unpaved roads, so check before you go.
- Check your contract before driving on any unpaved road; insurance is not valid off-road
- Do not leave valuables in a parked car at viewpoints
- Fines from cameras and police are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel on Lanzarote, or collected at the airport near Arrecife. Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and check the car card for any fee. Do not rely on a named office unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- Your national driving licence; licences issued in EU/EEA countries are normally accepted, while drivers from other countries may be asked for an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the licence — requirements depend on where your licence was issued and can change, so check with the agency before you travel
- Passport and the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Toll roads, fines, parking and any fuel shortfall are billed separately. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Driving in Lanzarote: Roads and Habits
Roads are quiet and mostly flat, with long straight sections. Wind and sun glare are the main hazards, and there are few lights outside the resorts. The ferry to Fuerteventura leaves from Playa Blanca, but rental cars usually cannot go.
- Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left, and at roundabouts give way to cars already on the roundabout, which circulate counter-clockwise
- Speed limits are signed and cameras are common, including fixed, average-speed and mobile units; as a general guide towns are 50 km/h or lower, conventional roads about 90 km/h and motorways up to 120 km/h
- Spain has toll motorways (autopistas, signed AP) and many free autovías (signed A) that run alongside them; ask the agency how tolls are paid and whether a fee is added
- Many cities have low-emission zones (ZBE) with camera enforcement; rules differ by city and change, so check the current rules for your route and ask the agency about the car's environmental label
- Street parking is often regulated (ORA): blue bays are usually paid with a time limit, green bays are usually for residents or cost more for visitors, and yellow lines mean no parking
- Strict drink-driving limits apply and police run roadside tests; the safest rule is zero alcohol. No handheld phone, and seatbelts are compulsory for everyone
- Fuel policy is usually full-to-full; return the car with the same level as at pick-up and keep the fuel receipt
- Do not take the car on unpaved tracks, beaches or dry riverbeds: insurance is not valid off-road
- Island rental cars normally stay on the island; ferries to other islands or to the mainland are usually not allowed, so check the terms