Car hire in Lanzarote: the complete guide to choosing well
Lanzarote is a compact island, but its must-see sites are spread from north to south: Timanfaya National Park, César Manrique's works, the La Geria vineyards and the beaches of Papagayo. With public transport poorly suited to touring visitors, car hire in Lanzarote is close to essential for exploring the island at your own pace. This guide takes you from booking to drop-off: where to collect your car, what to budget by season, which model to choose, what insurance to take out, and how to drive comfortably on the island's volcanic roads.
In a nutshell
- Where to hire: at Lanzarote Airport (ACE), the most convenient pickup point and often the most competitively priced.
- Budget: varies by season, booking online ahead remains the best way to save.
- Recommended car: a compact suits most visitors; an SUV adds comfort on the La Geria roads.
- Watch out for: access to the heart of Timanfaya National Park is restricted (visit via the official tourist bus route).
Why hire a car in Lanzarote?
Hiring a car in Lanzarote is the simplest way to make the most of the island. Lanzarote only stretches about 60km from north to south, but its major sites are scattered: Mirador del RÃo and Jameos del Agua right up north, Timanfaya and La Geria in the centre, Playa Blanca and the Papagayo coves down south.
Bus routes (guaguas) link Arrecife to the resort towns reasonably well, but serve the natural sites and inland villages poorly. Without a car, you end up relying on organised excursions with fixed timetables.
With a hire car, you can fit Timanfaya's volcanic landscapes, the La Geria wine route and a coastal sunset into a single day, entirely on your own schedule. It's also the most cost-effective option for a family or couple looking to explore several parts of the island.
Where to hire a car in Lanzarote
At Lanzarote Airport (ACE)
The most convenient option is to hire a car in Lanzarote straight from ACE airport, with unlimited mileage and fully comprehensive insurance. You can also pick up a vehicle in the main resort towns if you'd rather start your stay without driving.
César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (code ACE) is the island's only airport, located around 5-6km from Arrecife, in the municipality of San Bartolomé. Most major international brands and several local hire firms have counters or shuttles there. Collecting your car straight after landing avoids a transfer and lets you head straight to your accommodation. Our dedicated page on car hire at Lanzarote Airport (ACE) covers the agencies on site and what to expect.
A quick note from our own trip: we didn't actually hire our car in Lanzarote itself, but in Fuerteventura, before crossing to Lanzarote by ferry with the vehicle. The connection between the two islands is very straightforward: shuttles run daily and the crossing is genuinely pleasant. Travelling as a family of four with luggage, we'd opted for a small SUV. If you're combining both islands, this works well; for a Lanzarote-only trip, picking up at ACE airport as described above remains the simplest route.
If you only plan to drive for a few days, you can also hire mid-stay. Puerto del Carmen, the island's largest resort, has plenty of agencies; Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise also have several, as does Arrecife, the capital. You'll find more detail in our guide to hiring a car in Puerto del Carmen.
How much does car hire cost in Lanzarote?
Price mostly comes down to season, vehicle type and how far ahead you book. Booking online several weeks in advance remains the most effective way to save, particularly for school holidays and the European winter, Lanzarote's high season.
Indicative prices by season (compact car, per day)
- Low season: the best rates, outside school holidays and the European winter.
- Mid season: intermediate rates.
- High season (European winter, holidays): the highest rates, booking ahead recommended.
Price differences between agencies can be significant for an equivalent vehicle. The useful habit: compare hire agencies to find the best rate, whether in low or high season, checking exactly what's included in each offer (mileage, insurance, additional driver).
Which vehicle to choose: compact, SUV or 4x4?
For most trips to Lanzarote, a compact car is enough: the main roads (LZ-1, LZ-2) are in good condition and distances are short. An SUV adds a bit of comfort on the winding roads of La Geria or the LZ-67 towards Timanfaya, without being essential. A 4x4 is only worth it for a handful of unpaved tracks, such as the one to the Papagayo beaches.
For two-wheelers, check our dedicated page on scooter hire in Lanzarote.
Insurance, excess and deposit: what to check
Before signing, check three things: the excess, the deposit and the fuel policy. Base offers often include insurance with a high excess: for a scratch or a puncture, the amount left to you can run into several hundred euros.
Excess waiver cover (often sold as "fully comprehensive") removes or significantly reduces this liability. It can be bought from the hire agency or through the comparison site, usually cheaper the second way.
Points to check every time:
Driving in Lanzarote: rules and tips
Driving in Lanzarote is easy: you drive on the right, the road network is well maintained and signage is clear. A UK driving licence is sufficient; outside the EU, an international licence is recommended. The minimum hire age is frequently 21, sometimes with a "young driver" surcharge.
A few local quirks worth knowing:
A tip from our own mishap: watch out when you venture off the beaten track by car — the tracks are strewn with sharp little stones, and we got a puncture at Famara. Our car didn't have a proper spare, only a space-saver, limited in speed and distance, which we couldn't even fit ourselves: we had to call roadside assistance. You then need to find a garage to repair the tyre, when that's even possible — and if it happens at the weekend with the rental office closed, it's not the easiest errand.
We visited Timanfaya: the simplest approach is to drive there early in the morning and park in the car park. You then board the bus that tours you round the national park — there's no way to move around it under your own steam. The other option is a guided walking tour, but you need a guide and it's off-limits to children under 14. Timanfaya is one of the most visited sites on Lanzarote: check the current rules carefully, as visiting options are evolving to limit car access. Either way, the visit is genuinely worth it — the landscapes are spectacular, almost lunar, as our daughter put it.
What to do by car: route ideas
A car lets you split the island into three typical days out, never more than an hour's drive between two sites.
We'd chosen accommodation in the centre of the island, which made it very easy to get around, north or south alike. We'd hired the car for a week: Lanzarote is a small island, and a week gives you plenty of time to reach every corner of it. It's not unusual to drive the same roads more than once — we crossed the vineyards several times over, and enjoyed it just as much each time.
To go further, explore our Lanzarote guide or head back to the Canary Islands guide to compare the islands.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to hire a car in Lanzarote?
In most cases, yes: the island's major sites (Timanfaya, La Geria, César Manrique's works, the southern beaches) are spread out and public transport isn't well suited to touring visitors. A car remains the most flexible, and often most cost-effective, way to explore Lanzarote.
Where's the cheapest place to hire a car in Lanzarote?
By booking online ahead through a comparison site and picking up the vehicle at Lanzarote Airport (ACE), where competition between agencies generally keeps prices down. Last-minute bookings in high season are the most expensive.
What age and licence do you need to hire a car in Lanzarote?
Generally 21 minimum and a licence held for at least a year. A UK or EU driving licence is sufficient; for drivers from outside the EU, an international licence is recommended.
Can you visit Timanfaya park with a hire car?
You can drive to the park entrance, but access to the heart of Timanfaya National Park is restricted: it's explored via the official tourist bus route.
Automatic or manual gearbox?
Most economy vehicles offered in Lanzarote come with a manual gearbox. Automatics exist, but cost more and get booked up fast in high season: it's best to reserve one early.
Should you take out extra insurance?
Base offers often come with a high excess. Excess waiver cover ("fully comprehensive") avoids nasty surprises for a scratch, puncture or windscreen chip, for a generally modest daily surcharge.