Do you know how to take a car to the Canary Islands? If you want to enjoy a memorable holiday driving around the Canary Islands, in this Grupo Lopesan blog post we will answer all the questions and concerns you may have about this attractive travel option.
Why transport a car to the Canary Islands?
Transport is usually one of the most common inconveniences when visiting any destination. Problems such as excessive transport costs and limitations in accessing certain places are very common when organising a trip.
If you like feeling comfortable in your own vehicle and enjoying the freedom it gives you when travelling around, the idea of knowing how to take a car to the Canary Islands will sound increasingly attractive to you. The cost of transporting your own car may be worthwhile if autonomy and mobility are key advantages for you.
This becomes especially relevant when talking about the Canary Islands, not only known worldwide for their privileged climate, but also for their hidden natural spots and charming routes such as the Windmills of Fuerteventura, a route where you can discover part of the island’s history and its most representative places. However, enjoying this type of plan becomes very difficult if you do not have a car.
Which islands should you visit by car?
The eight Canary Islands are a true paradise recognised worldwide for the huge number of tourists who gather every year on their paradise beaches, natural parks and unique geological formations; and who enjoy their typical cuisine and leisure centres.
Without a doubt, one of the Canary Islands that is truly worth exploring by car is the spectacular Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria is not only the third largest island in the entire archipelago, but it is also known for being almost a miniature continent.
If you travel from north to south across this wonderful island in your car, you will be amazed by the incredible diversity of its natural landscapes and you may even discover hidden places such as the Cueva de Mil Colores.
How to take a car to the Canary Islands?
To take a car to the Canary Islands, you do not need a large budget, nor do you need to go into legal matters to transport your vehicle to one of the islands.
Unless you are changing your place of residence, you will not need to complete any customs paperwork or deal with the DGT (Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic). Traffic laws establish that cars can circulate for up to 6 months on each of the Canary Islands without requiring any type of customs procedure. After this period, it will be necessary to regularise the status of the car with the relevant authorities.
If you want to enjoy the perfect driving holiday around the Canary archipelago, you simply need to consider certain basic aspects before starting your road trip across the Canary Islands. Want to know more? Keep reading and discover everything you need to know!
1. Check ferry company availability
The first thing you should consider when taking your car to the Canary Islands is checking the availability of ferry companies operating routes from the Iberian Peninsula to the Canary Islands that allow vehicle transport onboard.
You should know that not all ferries offer vehicle transport services. Therefore, it is important to review the terms and conditions of each ferry company before purchasing a ticket.
If the ferry company allows cars onboard, we also recommend carefully reviewing in advance the guarantees offered by the transport service to preserve the condition of your vehicle during transport and delivery.
2. Compare ferry company prices
Once you have checked which ferry companies allow vehicle transport, the next step is to compare the prices and rates of each company.
Do not make a rushed decision — carefully analyse the offers and packages provided by the ferry companies and the additional cost involved in transporting your car to the Canary Islands.
Remember that the aim of understanding how to take a car to the Canary Islands is to enjoy the autonomy and comfort of driving your own vehicle, so besides the price, it is also important to review the guarantees and services offered by each ferry company.
3. Can you board with a rental car?
The answer to this question will depend on the policies of the car rental company you have hired. However, we can already tell you that the vast majority of companies do not allow or do not recommend taking a car from one island to another or transporting it outside the Iberian Peninsula.
When a rental car is taken to another island, the insurance may no longer be valid, meaning that any type of accident or damage would become your responsibility.
4. Travel during periods with fewer tourists in the archipelago
Another important aspect to consider regarding how to take a car to the Canary Islands is the season in which you plan to start your trip around the archipelago.
The Canary Islands are one of the tourist destinations with the highest visitor numbers all year round, so if you are planning to take your car, you should first check ferry availability and routes during the period you intend to travel.
You should bear in mind that during peak season months you risk running out of tickets or paying excessively high prices if you do not book in advance. That said, you will find greater availability during periods with fewer tourists such as April, May and September.
5. Book hotels with parking facilities
Booking hotels with parking is another important aspect you need to consider if you are travelling to the Canary Islands with your car. Keep in mind that not all hotels include parking among their services.
If you plan to take your vehicle to explore the Canary Islands, you should check that the hotel includes parking facilities among its services and that there is availability to park your car without any issues. This will save you time looking for parking spaces and guarantee that your car is always close to where you are staying.
At Grupo Lopesan we offer excellent hotels and accommodation services on some Canary Islands such as Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. Our hotels provide parking services where you can keep your vehicle completely safe.
If you have any further questions about our services, do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you!
