Car Rental at Gran Canaria Airport

Airport travel guide

One of the two main islands of the famous Spanish archipelago, Gran Canaria is a lovely place to visit. Home to the city of Las Palmas, it also boasts some of the nicest beaches that are accessible by low-cost European air carriers. Here are four of its most notable attractions:

• Maspalomas Dunes. One of the six officially protected areas of the island, Maspalomas can be found at the far southern end of the island. In addition to the captivating desert-like landscapes, the area has some lovely beaches and all-inclusive resorts that are just outside the preserve’s borders. There’s also a botanical garden.
• Las Palmas. Gran Canaria is all about the beach, but its capital can be just as interesting to explore. The largest city in all of the Canary Archipelago, Las Palmas is on the island’s northeastern coast. In addition to having some of Gran Canaria’s most notable architecture and cultural institutions, like the Elder Museum of Science and Technology, Las Palmas is also known for its urban beaches.
• Risco Caído. An archaeological inland site near the island’s western coast, Risco Caido is best known for the ancient cave dwellings that saw some of the earliest human inhabitation on the island, and a site that some even consider a prehistoric observatory. The site can be explored by following the network of surrounding hiking trails that also provide an experience of the area’s cliffs and unique vegetation.
• Surfing. Sometimes called the Hawaii of Europe (despite technically being in Africa), the Canary Islands are known for their amazing waves and surf-friendly beaches for all levels from beginners to seasoned veterans. There are many popular spots for hitting waves around the popular beach areas in the south of the island, such as Playa de Ingles and the aforementioned Maspalomas, although when it comes to natural scenery, some visitors actually prefer the relatively more remote north. 

Top international routes

• Tenerife
• Arrecife
• Madrid
• Fuerteventura
• La Palma
• Barcelona
• Seville
• Malaga

Main airlines

Ryanair, Binter Canarias, Germania, TUI Airways, Vueling, and Norwegian Air Shuttle

Terminals

The single passenger terminal, made up of Zones A, B, and C, serves all flights. The terminal building was opened in 2014, replacing the old terminal that had been in use since 1973.

Location

Gran Canaria Airport is 19 km (12 mi) south of Las Palmas, the largest city on the island of Gran Canaria, and north of many popular beaches. Motorways GC-1, GC-3, and GC-23 are the main roads leading from the airport to Las Palmas.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $3 per day
• Medium cars - from $4 per day
• SUVs - from $3 per day
• Vans - from $18 per day
• Large cars - from $14 per day
• Convertibles - from $14 per day
• Station wagons - from $11 per day

Car rental desks

Most are located inside the airport terminal and are easy to locate.

Services and facilities

You’ll find a good amount of snack bars, fast food stands, a grocery store, and a 24/7 deli. Some of the airport shops sell local delicacies. Others are duty-free outlets that are available to all international travelers. You’ll also find several ATMs, two currency exchanges, a children’s play area, a first aid station, post office, pharmacy, and a chapel. The airport is well equipped for travelers with reduced mobility, and it offers additional help, but you should contact your airline in advance if you’d like this service.

Nearest gas station

Estación de servicio Cepsa, which has the same address as Gran Canaria Airport, can be reached in about one minute and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations nearby and on the island of Gran Canaria.