Car rental without a credit card in the Canary Islands
Why rent a car in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a year-round destination and one of the most popular places in Europe to rent a car. Each island has its own distinct character. From the lunar volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote and the towering dunes of Fuerteventura to the dramatic Teide volcano on Tenerife and the ancient laurisilva forest of La Palma. Often, the only way to discover that character beyond the resort strip is with your own transport. Public buses exist on the larger islands but run on limited schedules and rarely reach the viewpoints, volcanic parks, and rural villages that make the Canaries so rewarding. Rental car prices in the Canaries are among the most competitive in Europe, and all major suppliers operate year-round.
Popular destinations in the Canary Islands
Tenerife is the largest island and home to the Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site; a car is essential for the drive to the crater rim. Fly in via Tenerife Airport. Lanzarote (Lanzarote Airport) offers one of the most distinctive driving landscapes in Europe, shaped by the volcanic eruptions of the 1730s. Fuerteventura (Fuerteventura Airport) is the flattest and most road-friendly island, ideal for reaching the dune beaches of the Jandia peninsula. Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria Airport) combines beach resorts with a dramatic mountain interior around Tejeda and Roque Nublo. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the island’s capital and the largest city in the Canaries. La Palma (La Palma Airport) is the greenest and most mountainous of the main islands, with the Roque de los Muchachos observatory at its summit.
Driving in the Canary Islands
Spanish traffic law applies throughout the Canary Islands: right-hand traffic, speed limits of 50 km/h in towns and 90 km/h on open roads, with motorways on the larger islands at 120 km/h. The road networks on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura are well developed and easy to navigate. On La Palma and La Gomera, the mountain roads are narrow and winding but well-maintained; a smaller car is recommended. On Lanzarote, the roads through the Timanfaya National Park have specific restrictions and a one-way system. Petrol stations are plentiful on all islands. For a broader overview of driving in Spain, see car rental in Spain.
