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So, do you absolutely have to hire a car to visit Lanzarote? Your holiday is coming up and now’s the time to ask yourself the question. What type of vehicle, what you actually need, where to hire from, how much it costs. OK, fine, all the questions you ask yourself every time you hire a car, mainly to avoid falling into the traps and to make sure your stay goes smoothly.
Right, off we go, let’s look at all that!
Do you have to hire a car in Lanzarote?
Honestly, it depends!
- in Lanzarote, there aren’t as many options for lazing on the beach as in Gran Canaria, for example. It’s an island where it’s better to be mobile, even if the resorts (Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise…) have all the comfort you need, because Lanzarote’s most beautiful places and safe bets are outside those resorts.
- that said, there’s a pretty decent bus network that makes getting around fairly easy, except for 2 or 3 places like Timanfaya
- and there are also lots of tour companies that will pick you up and take you to Lanzarote’s most beautiful places, so it costs a bit more than a car, but it’s doable!
- the island is small, so you can easily stay in a resort (or anywhere, really) all week and explore from there: you never have far to drive to get to the other side
- then again, honestly, if you have a driving licence, given how cheap car hire is, it would be a shame to go without 🙂
- so if you want to explore the island a bit (or a lot), honestly I’d advise you to get a car, if you have a licence: as we’ll see below, it won’t blow your budget. It’ll cost less than the excursions.
- and if you’re not very confident, you don’t need to be an ace behind the wheel to drive in the Canaries. Driving is calm and perfectly normal
So yes, I recommend hiring a car , because it doesn’t cost much and it makes getting around the whole island much easier.
But exploring Lanzarote by bus or with tour companies is perfectly possible too. Just less flexible.
How much does car hire cost in Lanzarote?
On the various comparison sites you’ll see “Lanzarote from €4!”. Naturally, it’s tempting. And it’s not completely untrue! I’ve run lots of searches in low season: for a week’s hire, the base price is between €5 and €8 a day, so between €35 and €55 for the week, for a small model like a C1, Aygo or Fiat 500.
Running a “high season” search, i.e. a week in July or August, the price is between €100 and €120 for the week, so about €15 a day, which is still very reasonable!
But honestly, the prices are more than fair! Below are two searches I ran on Discover Cars for one week in low season and one week in high season. Click on them to see the image in full size.
And in the vast majority of cases, between the school holidays, high season and winter (which is a busy tourist season too), the average price for a decent small car will be around €10 a day.
What type of car to hire in Lanzarote
Right, it’s really simple. Lanzarote is a small island, fairly flat (it climbs a little in the north, but nothing too bad), and the roads are recent. There are a few gravel roads, but you can drive them in a normal car, no problem.
If I remember rightly, the first time I had an old-model Peugeot 208 and it was more than enough.
So the size and power of the car don’t really matter, because speeds are limited and the roads are well maintained.
What should guide your choice:
- something fairly comfortable if you plan on driving quite a bit each day. OK, the distances are short, but there are lots of places to visit, so a fair bit of driving. You might as well have some legroom
- an automatic, for comfort
- good air conditioning, because it can get hot and there’s no shade at all.
- a hybrid isn’t essential, because petrol is cheap and the driving is very steady, so you don’t use much fuel. Still, it always saves you a bit.
- if you’re coming to Lanzarote with your family, a bit more comfort, room and good air con
But in practice, given how cheap hire is, you can treat yourself or just go up a category, without needing a big SUV. It’s not essential, but it’ll be nice and comfortable!
Do you really need insurance?
Ah, good question! So yes, the roads are good, but there are several gravel roads, like the ones through the lava fields towards El Golfo and Timanfaya, up to some of the miradors (viewpoints) in the north, or to the little villages. Perfect for little dings and micro-scratches.
You should know that rental companies make a killing on this kind of incident, which they’ll charge you top price for (and which they won’t repaint, obviously). So insurance can be useful, especially as it isn’t expensive. For that, to avoid paying an excess deposit when you pick up the car, and to avoid that kind of hassle, it can come in handy.
That said, driving there is really relaxed and the risk of an accident is low, “but” there’s always a small risk.
This isn’t one of those countries where insurance costs you €20 a day. Here it’s a few euros, so in my view it can really be worth it without blowing the budget.
In short, I’d advise you to take out insurance for several reasons:
- it doesn’t cost much! Really, at these hire prices, it would be a shame to get stung by the rental company (excesses are high) to save €30-40 of insurance for the week.
- because you never know what might happen
- having insurance means they won’t take a big deposit when you pick up the car (the kind that blocks your card)
Which company should you hire from?
As Lanzarote gets fewer visitors, there are also slightly fewer cars and rental companies than in Gran Canaria or Tenerife. Still, there’s plenty of choice! Choice of cars and choice of companies. And that’s where you need to be careful.
You’ll find all the usual names like Hertz, Avis, Goldcar, Europcar… but personally I have a soft spot for the local companies, which are excellent across all the Canary Islands. I’ve used these ones, they have an excellent reputation and everything went smoothly:
- Topcar
- CICAR
- Autoreisen
Above all, though, I recommend comparing. Compare the companies, use comparison sites, and even compare the comparison sites, because they don’t have the same info or the same discounts with the companies. More on that below.
The usual checks when you pick up the car
The classic trick of car rental companies is to try to charge you for the slightest thing on the car: a scuff, a micro-scratch, an imaginary dent… in short, anything that might be “your fault”. Even when it absolutely isn’t.
So here’s an important tip (it’s basic, I know, but even I sometimes forget to do it): always take detailed photos of the car at the start of the hire. Check every mark or scratch listed on the contract and make sure everything has been noted. Otherwise, guess what: they’ll try to charge you for it afterwards.
So, for peace of mind, take photos:
- When you pick up the car.
- When you return it.
If the company then tries to blame you for a defect that doesn’t exist (and that happens fast when the return is done in a rush), just send them your photos. That’s usually enough to stop it dead.
Also remember to take a clear photo of the dashboard (fuel and mileage) at pick-up and drop-off. It’ll save you nasty surprises. For example, if you have to return the car with a full tank and the company says you didn’t
📍 Lanzarote · Geotrekking (3 h)
Nine kilometres on foot through the 1730 lava fields, away from the coaches, with a guide who explains the island's geology.
- Small group of 10 · water and snacks provided
- Optional hotel shuttle · no extra charges on site
- EN/ES guide · closed shoes required
Free cancellation
From 44 € / person
📍 Órzola · Lineas Romero (6 h)
Ferry to Caleta del Sebo, free time in the village, then a catamaran to Playa Francesa for a swim and paella.
- Guided tour · shuttle from most resorts
- Unlimited paella, beer, sangria and soft drinks · kayaks and snorkelling
- No shuttle from Playa Blanca on Sun, Mon and Wed
Free cancellation
From 66 € / person
📍 Lanzarote · Low Cost Tours Europe (9 h)
The island's three must-see sites in one day, Route of the Volcanoes included, with entry tickets already paid and a guide.
- Guided tour · all three tickets included
- Route of the Volcanoes by coach · skip-the-line
- Optional lunch on site, around €18
Free cancellation
From 89 € / person
📍 Puerto del Carmen · Lineas Romero (2 h)
Two hours on the bow nets, mojito in hand, while the sky turns orange off Puerto del Carmen.
- Mojito, drink and snacks included · shuttle from 17 hotels
- Spacious catamaran · nets and shaded areas
- Dolphins not guaranteed · commentary in EN/ES
Free cancellation
From 53 € / person
Which comparison sites to use
Are comparison sites really useful? I’d be tempted to say “it depends” (yes, I know, bold move!).
Hiring directly from the companies is possible, but it isn’t necessarily cheaper. Why? Because comparison sites have often negotiated special rates with them, which gets you better prices.
And the real plus of a comparison site is… comparing (who’d have thought?)! In a few seconds, you’ve got Topcar vs Goldcar in front of you, the prices but also the customer reviews. Especially the reviews, actually, because if you end up with a dodgy company, it can ruin your holiday.
So don’t hesitate to compare the comparison sites too!
Personally, I always use two, for peace of mind:
- Mainly Discover Cars
- Sometimes Booking (which took over Rental Cars)
Why these two? Because they’re reliable, clear, and they really put users’ reviews and comments front and centre. That’s really what guides my choice.
Another little tip: comparison sites don’t all have the same partnerships. So the offers vary. By checking two different comparison sites, you increase your chances of finding a good car, at the right price, with the right company.
And when it comes to avoiding hassle, count me in! 😀
To make planning your trip easier (and mine too!), I’ve created a map of Lanzarote with all the info you need (landscapes, viewpoints, accommodation…)
Is driving in Lanzarote easy, and what are the roads like?
Honestly, driving in Lanzarote is really easy.
People drive in a civilised way. OK, there’s always the risk of coming across the odd idiot, but it’s rare. There’s no pressure, you drive at your own pace, and people don’t overtake at all costs. The speed limit on the main road is 90 km/h max, otherwise 60. So it’s a relaxed pace.
The roads are in very good condition. The main roads are well maintained and wide, and there’s not much traffic. Honestly, it’s fine! On the other hand, be careful on the small side roads made of gravel. Normally they’re fine. There’s the one to Los Charcones, which is a lousy road full of potholes, so take it easy there. But otherwise it’s fine!
Can you hire a car and travel between several islands?
Absolutely! And honestly, it’s really handy 🙂
But keep one important thing in mind: picking up a car on one island and returning it on another can cost a fortune. A real example: I just tested a booking. I pick up a car in Gran Canaria and return it in Lanzarote a week later: boom, €380! If I do exactly the same hire and return the car where I picked it up, it drops to €45. Quite a difference.
A little tip: you can easily hop from island to island with the car thanks to the ferries. You pick up the car in Lanzarote, hop, ferry to Fuerteventura, hop again, ferry to Gran Canaria, all with the same car. The only catch is that you’ll have to go back to Lanzarote to return it. But you’ll have saved a whole lot of money.
To plan your crossings, head over to the Fred. Olsenwebsite, the specialist in crossings between the islands!
📍 La Asomada · Suites with private pool (517 reviews)
Self-contained suites in the island's interior, each with its own small private pool and a terrace looking out over the valley.
- Small private pool and terrace for each suite
- Breakfast delivered to your suite every morning
- Total peace and quiet, away from the resorts
From 145€ / night Free cancellation
📍 Playa Blanca · Seafront, adults only (1,287 reviews)
Adults-only seafront hotel in Playa Blanca, a stone's throw from the beach and the marina.
- Staff and location rated 9.7/10
- Large pool, spacious and bright suites
- Marina restaurants within walking distance
From 220€ / night Free cancellation
📍 Teguise · Historic mansion in the former capital (285 reviews)
Boutique hotel in an 18th-century mansion in Teguise, with a restaurant that has made its name.
- Breakfast with local produce, mentioned in almost every review
- Carefully kept period decor in the historic building
- Staff praised for their attention to detail
From 240€ / night Free cancellation
📍 Tías · Villa built into a volcanic cave (50 reviews)
Luxury villa carved into a volcanic cave in Tías, with a heated pool and large outdoor spaces.
- Troglodyte architecture built into the volcanic rock
- Heated pool all year round, garden and terraces
- Owner praised for being available and full of good advice
From 270€ / night Free cancellation
In conclusion
There you go, I think you know everything! Hiring a car in Lanzarote will make your holiday much easier, and above all it’s not a big expense, as we’ve seen. That said, with the various tour companies that take you to the main sights from the resorts, it isn’t essential. So it helps, but yes, you can manage without.
Which reminds me, I need to write you an article on visiting Lanzarote without a car.
Anyway, if you do get a car, compare above all, as we’ve seen. It’s not expensive, but really pay attention to the reviews of the companies. If it’s way cheaper than the rest, there’s a catch. And honestly, for a few extra euros a day, it would be a shame to miss out on a good company.
⭐️ You can find ALL the articles about the Canary Islands here
If you want to know more about the Canary Islands, here’s the list of articles I’ve written:
- The must-sees of Lanzarote – come and explore the most beautiful of the Canary Islands (completely objectively, of course!)
- Where to stay in Lanzarote – my tips for finding your ideal accommodation!
- When to go to Lanzarote – I describe in detail the pros and cons of each month!
- Visiting Lanzarote with your family – lots of activities for the kids, but for the parents too!
- Interactive map of Lanzarote – absolutely all the useful info gathered on a single map!
- Visiting Timanfaya National Park – a unique volcanic wonder, I tell you everything you need for a successful visit!
- Gran Canaria in 7 days – all the essential info to make the most of the island!
- Complete map of the best places to stay in Gran Canaria – plus the beaches, landscapes and all my practical tips in one place!
- Staying by the sea in Gran Canaria – my pick of places to stay right by the beach!
- Hiring a car in Gran Canaria – which companies to go for, which traps to avoid
- How to get to the island of La Graciosa – don’t miss this little gem just across from Lanzarote!
