To travel to Gran Canaria, we will need information about the available transport options on the island. This will help you decide which option to choose on each occasion in order to reach the area you want to visit quickly and safely. On the Lopesan Hotels blog, we will give you some useful information about how to get around Gran Canaria.
Types of transport in Gran Canaria
How do you get around Gran Canaria? The easiest way is on foot. Tourists staying in hotels near the sea do not need any motorised transport to get to the beach for two reasons: they are only a few metres away and the terrain is mostly flat. However, travelling to the city and other towns on the island requires transport by car, bus or guagua, as the people of the Canary Islands call the bus.
Even so, if you do not want to walk to the beach or you want to travel to nearby beaches, Gran Canaria has an extensive bus network across the main tourist areas with low fares if you are not in too much of a hurry. There is also the option of private transport such as taxis or hiring a car to get anywhere in a short time.
If, in addition to enjoying the area where we are staying, we want to explore the island, the best way of getting around Gran Canaria is to plan in advance the places we want to visit, so that we know beforehand which means of transport are the most suitable.
Here are some tips on how to get around Gran Canaria:
Car hire
Depending on your holiday budget, hiring a car in Gran Canaria for your trip is a great option. It is a fast and comfortable way to get around the island.
The Canary Islands are one of the safest destinations in Europe. Do not worry about driving alone or late at night. The roads are properly signposted to guide you using GPS, your smartphone or simply by following directions from the locals.
To hire a vehicle, there are offices at the airport and many hotels also offer this service. If you choose this option, it is probably because you want to know how to get around Gran Canaria in order to explore it in depth and freely choose your own itinerary. In addition, fuel prices are lower than in many other cities in Spain, which is another advantage.
Just make sure to hire a car with unlimited mileage so you do not incur extra charges for exceeding a distance limit. You may also be interested in the additional driver service to share the driving if you are travelling with family. Finally, the most important thing is to have fully comprehensive insurance in case of any unexpected incidents on the road.
Bus or Guaguas
The most economical way to travel and learn how to get around Gran Canaria is by using its system of buses or guaguas. The company operating on the island is called Global, and its fleet is easy to recognise thanks to its large turquoise blue buses. In the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the company Guaguas Municipales manages this service and its fleet is distinguished by its characteristic yellow colour.
By guagua, it is possible to travel to different places of interest such as the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Mogán and Tejeda, among others. Likewise, the guagua network covers the entire island through the connections published on the official websites of these transport companies.
However, it is not the fastest means of getting around Gran Canaria, as several vehicle changes are often required to complete the journey to certain parts of the island. To reach more isolated or less visited towns and places, we recommend a little patience as well as setting off with enough time. On the other hand, within the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, bus connections and frequencies are much more extensive.
Taxis in Gran Canaria
Another option, if you are still interested in learning about how to get around Gran Canaria and you are short on time, is to travel by taxi. Taxi companies use white vehicles with the municipality logo displayed on the side. They are not overly expensive for short distances and, if at least four people are travelling together, the price is similar to the bus fare.
This changes when travelling from one municipality to another, as the fare increases considerably. For this reason, we recommend using public transport for long distances and taxis only for travelling near the hotel or within the city.
Getting around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by bicycle
As in other European cities, eco-friendly means of transport such as bicycles have also been adopted here, including for tourists. In addition, the importance of sport in Gran Canaria means that more and more residents choose to cycle in order to stay healthy and move quickly through the special lanes designed for cyclists.
This alternative for getting around Gran Canaria is available through the municipal rental service called Sitycleta. The price is around 3 euros per hour, although there is also a weekly rate for only 15 euros. It is perfect if you are staying in the city of Las Palmas, allowing you to explore its artisan markets or visit the best museums in Gran Canaria, which are located in the capital.
Getting around Gran Canaria with excursions
Excursions are an ideal alternative for getting around Gran Canaria without waiting for transport or driving yourself. If you simply want to enjoy a walk through the natural parks or visit the best coves in Gran Canaria, this is the best option. There are many agencies on the island that organise trips to all kinds of places of interest, and we recommend asking for information at your accommodation.
It is also perfect for reaching less accessible places without spending the whole day travelling. We suggest using the guagua for short routes and, if reaching a specific beach is difficult, joining an excursion instead. This combination will help maintain a perfect balance to save time and money.
Now that you know how to get around Gran Canaria, you will be able to better plan your journeys and organise your trip to discover every corner of the island. Whether by hire car, guagua, taxi, bicycle or organised excursions, getting around Gran Canaria is simple and safe.
To make the most of your stay, staying in the south of Gran Canaria is one of the best options, since from areas such as Meloneras, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés or San Agustín you can easily travel to many of the island’s most important attractions.
The Lopesan hotels in Gran Canaria boast a privileged location in the main tourist areas, from where you can organise excursions, hire a car or travel comfortably to discover beaches, villages and natural spaces during your holidays in Gran Canaria.
