Car rental in Lanzarote is a must for all tourists; there’s not much to do here without a car besides lounging on the beach. The majority of the island’s cool spots can only be accessed by car. Let me tell you about the peculiarities of car rental on Lanzarote, the nuances, pitfalls, and differences from other islands in the archipelago.

Car Rental in Lanzarote: Specifics

There’s a big article about car rentals in the Canary Islands, covering deposits, insurance, traffic rules, fines, and loads of other useful info in the linked article. Here, I’ll focus on what specifically relates to Lanzarote.

  • Lanzarote is the lowest island in the whole archipelago. Its highest point is just 607 meters above sea level. There are hardly any mountains, almost no winding roads, and the terrain isn’t too challenging to navigate, even for beginners.
  • Almost half of the island consists of lava fields, with no towns or villages, just roads. Traffic outside the island’s capital is minimal, and parking is much easier compared to other islands.

Important to Know:

Many first-time renters abroad, especially young drivers, tend to worry. Lanzarote is perfect for your first car rental experience. It’s simple, comfortable, rental companies are accommodating, it’s affordable, and you really can’t get around without a car here. Where else but Lanzarote?
car rental in Lanzarote review
I’ll give you an example of the “toughest” road on the island, where only one car can pass, and you need to maneuver around oncoming traffic carefully. All other roads are typical two-lane roads, and near Arrecife, they even have four lanes. Driving around Lanzarote is a joy.
  • If you’re planning a trip specifically to Lanzarote, make sure to read the island overview article. You’ll learn about the best places to stay, which resorts have sandy beaches, and how to get to Lanzarote optimally from other islands in the archipelago.
  • And of course, the article on Lanzarote’s top attractions will help you plan your perfect itinerary. You’ll find maps, opening hours, prices, and tips for visits. Plus, you’ll see how many locations you’d miss out on without a car.

Prices, Rental Companies, and Where to Book

Car rental in Lanzarote is hugely popular, evident from your first sightseeing stop. You drive along an empty road for half an hour, encounter a few cars, and arrive at your destination only to find a massive parking lot with nearly every spot taken.

As a result, there’s a plethora of companies on the island with varying booking conditions. The average rental price is 20-40 euros per day (for economy cars), depending on the season and how far in advance you book. There are some great deals, especially if you book three to four months in advance; you might even find cars for 10-15 euros.

Important:

Always pay attention to the deposit. This is the one aspect where requirements can vary widely. Some companies operate without a deposit, but most will ask for 300-500 euros, refundable at the end. Then there are companies with deposits as high as 1400 euros.
car rent lanzarote
Example of a Perfect Car Rental in Lanzarote.

Here are two major car rental services in Lanzarote. Your booking is fully protected with both of them.

  • DiscoverCars – All international car rental companies on the island work with this service. Personally, my favorites are Cicar and Budget. Both offer cars without a deposit and zero deductible insurance, meaning the rental includes full coverage, and you won’t pay for any damages. Both companies are in the photos above.
  • LocalRent – Another excellent company with great service.

Search for cars everywhere, book where the conditions are better or where you prefer. Both resources are reliable, offer 24/7 support, and have been in the market for a long time.

Lanzarote car rental: Travel Tips

Here are a few quick tips to make the Lanzarote car rental process more enjoyable and stress-free.

  • Though the island is small, nearly half of its territory is lava fields and desert. There’s nothing there, no shops, no gas stations. Try not to drive on an empty tank; there are gas stations on the island, but they’re not everywhere.
  • Car theft situations on Lanzarote are much better than on Tenerife or Gran Canaria, but they do occur. Keep all your belongings hidden in the trunk, don’t leave anything visible in the cabin. Windows might get smashed. But again, overall, Lanzarote is quite safe.
  • If you plan to stay in the center of Arrecife, parking might be problematic. Look for accommodation with private parking to make your life easier. Links to accommodation rental resources are provided at the end of the article.
renting a cal lanzarote
And here’s a little horror story for you: in the photo is the Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote. Within a 5km radius, there’s not a single village, only lava fields. In the foreground is the parking lot near the visitor center of the park. And in the distance, you can see a line of cars, that’s the queue for parking. As soon as a car leaves the parking lot, the first in line can enter. But to be fair, such a situation only occurs in the Timanfaya Park due to specific rules. You can learn more about it in the article about the island’s attractions, the link was provided earlier.

How many days do you need a car on Lanzarote:

For active tourists who want to explore the entire island, I recommend booking a car for a minimum of 4 full days. 4-5 days are enough to leisurely visit all the top locations on the island.

For those flying to the Canaries and don’t want to spend the whole vacation on one island, I recommend reading the article: Route through the Canary Islands, or how to better plan your vacation.

In conclusion: car rental in Lanzarote is a simple and affordable process. And honestly, I can’t imagine what to do here without a car, except lying on the beach. Of course, you could go everywhere with a personal guide in their car, but that’s a completely different expense level. Below are links to resources with individual excursions around the island. A car on Lanzarote will elevate your mobility to the skies.

Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:

  • Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.

  • Accommodation:
    • Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.

    • or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.

  • Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.

  • eSIM and internet: Airalo.

  • Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.

  • Travel Insurance: EKTA.