Gran Canaria Airport Transfers

Before any excursion, the first thing you have to do on a trip is the transfer from the airport to the hotel, and in Gran Canaria this is no exception. Here I will tell you what the best alternatives are for the moment you arrive on the island.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

9 min read

Gran Canaria Airport Transfers

Gran Canaria Airport | ©Ben Sutherland

Arriving at your destination airport during a trip is always a happy moment, but it also poses the first problem: figuring out how to get from there to the hotel you booked. In Gran Canaria this is no exception, but at least you have the advantage that the airport is not so far away from the main points of the island.

Whether you are travelling alone, in a group, with family or friends, the options are varied and suit all types of visitors. So that you can sort out airport transfers before you start looking at the best things to see and do in Gran Canaria, here are the alternatives available so that you can choose the one that best suits your travel plan.

1. Private transfer from Gran Canaria airport, the most comfortable option

Departing by car| ©Ricky Hernandez
Departing by car| ©Ricky Hernandez

If you are travelling with other people, this option will be ideal for you, because you will be able to choose a private vehicle that will be at your disposal from the moment your flight arrives at Gran Canaria airport, with a transfer for 5 passengers and with a final price per vehicle.

These private car transfers include the pick-up at the airport by the driver, who will be waiting for you in the arrival area with a sign with your name on it, a wait with a tolerance of 60 minutes from the moment the plane lands and the transfer of all the luggage to the destination hotel.

These transfers are available for all hotels in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, for accommodation in the area of Playa del Inglés, and for the south of the island, in the area of Maspalomas, although at the time of booking you can also enquire about other destinations on the island.

Details of interest

  • Price... Approximately 58 euros per vehicle for groups of up to 5 people.
  • Journey time... Approximately 30 minutes from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés or Las Palmas.
  • Advantages of this option... It is the most comfortable option and the best value for money if you are travelling with other people.
  • Recommended if... you are planning to visit Gran Canaria as a family or with a group of people.

2. Shared bus transfer from the airport of Gran Canaria, the most chosen alternative

Shared bus at the airport| ©Håkan Dahlström
Shared bus at the airport| ©Håkan Dahlström

If you are planning to travel to Gran Canaria alone or on a tight budget, you can opt for this option, which consists of a shared bus transfer from the airport to the main points of Las Palmas and other cities on the island. These transfers can be booked in advance online or booked once you arrive at the airport.

Note that these options are available non-stop during the day and are one of the most popular alternatives, although at night the services are more spaced out, so if you are arriving in the early hours of the morning you may have to wait a few hours for the next transfer to start.

This should also be taken into account if you are planning a short stay in the city, as it could take hours off your journey. If this is the case, here is a list of things you can do to discover Gran Canaria in 3 days

Please also note that these routes usually include several stops before you reach your destination. Shared buses are available for transfers to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas and the Dunes and other places on the island.

Interesting details

  • Price... Approximately 9 euros per passenger.
  • Journeytime... Approximately 60 minutes from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas or Las Palmas, although it will depend on the stops in between.
  • Advantages of this option... It is an economical option and very popular with single travellers.
  • Recommended if... You are on a tight budget and are travelling alone.

3. Transfer by private minivan from Gran Canaria airport, the best option for groups

Within the airport| ©Chenko
Within the airport| ©Chenko

If you are travelling in groups of up to 8 people, the best option is to hire a private minivan, in which you can comfortably transport all your luggage and choose the destination of your hotel, which could be in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Puerto de Mogán or any of the main towns on the island.

These transfers are direct, non-stop and can be booked at any time, so if you plan to arrive at Gran Canaria airport in the early hours of the morning it could be a very useful and comfortable option, unlike buses and other shared vehicles.

These transfers have a waiting time tolerance of one hour once the flight has landed. If you are planning to visit Gran Canaria in December or during the high season months I recommend booking in advance as this is a time when many groups of friends and families travel for celebrations, stag and hen parties or simply to cruise the island.

This is also a good alternative for groups visiting the island for weekend getaways, as is often the case during the summer months and high season. The private minivan transfer is often ideal for saving time and getting the most out of your visit to Gran Canaria.

Interesting details

  • Price... Approximately 28 euros per person, up to 8 passengers per vehicle.
  • Journey time... Approximately 40 minutes from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas or Las Palmas.
  • Advantages of this option... This is the most comfortable option if you are travelling in a group, have a lot of luggage or plan to arrive at Gran Canaria airport in the early hours of the morning.
  • Recommended if... You plan to travel in a group.

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4. VIP transfer from Gran Canaria airport for groups of up to 3 people, the most exclusive option

Touring the airport| ©Eduardo J
Touring the airport| ©Eduardo J

If you want to travel in maximum comfort, in the best cars and you are travelling with a small group of people, you can opt for a private VIP transfer, which is the most exclusive option among the transfers from Gran Canaria airport to your hotel in Las Palmas or in the main cities of the island.

With these transfers you are assured of a direct and comfortable journey, without stops and in the best cars. VIP transfers are available at any time and include a 2 hour courtesy wait from the moment the plane lands at the airport.

Whether you are going to the Vegueta area, Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés, you can opt for this transfer to travel in comfort and exclusivity.

Please note that these transfers are also available for the elderly or people with reduced mobility, although I advise you to make this clear at the time of booking. It is also a good option if you are planning a short stay on the island and don't want to waste time. If this is your case, here is a list of activities to discover Gran Canaria in 4 days.

Interesting details

  • Price... Approximately 45 euros per person, up to 3 passengers per vehicle.
  • Duration of the trip... Approximately 30 minutes from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas or Las Palmas.
  • Advantages of this option... This is the most exclusive option for transfers from the airport to the main points of the island.
  • Recommended if... You are travelling in a small group or with elderly people or people with reduced mobility.

5. Transfer in a shared minivan from Gran Canaria airport, a good value for money option

Outside the airport| ©Scott B
Outside the airport| ©Scott B

If you are planning to travel alone to Gran Canaria and want to find a more effective transfer than the shared bus, which usually includes more stops, you can choose the shared minivan, which is available 24 hours a day for transfers from the airport to the main points of Las Palmas and other cities on the island.

You can book these transfers in advance and you won't have to worry about flight delays or early morning landings, as the minivan transfer services are also available during night-time hours.

Plus, unlike the shared shuttle bus which includes stops at the most popular sites in Las Palmas, such as Castillo de la Luz, Vegueta or the Isleta Peninsula, the minivan includes stops at the city's hotels, so you'll travel right to the doorstep of your destination.

It also includes stops in areas close to the main attractions and theme parks of Gran Canaria, so it can also be an ideal option if you want to make an excursion as soon as you arrive on the island.

Interesting details

  • Price... Approximately 22 euros per person.
  • Journey time... Approximately 45 minutes from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas or Las Palmas, although it will depend on the stops.
  • Advantages of this option... It is a more effective and faster option than the shared bus and is available during the night.
  • Recommended if... You are travelling alone and want a more effective transfer from Gran Canaria airport to your hotel.

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6. Taxi transfer from Gran Canaria airport, the most popular option for night arrivals

Taxi in Gran Canaria| ©Henri Brizee
Taxi in Gran Canaria| ©Henri Brizee

Taxis are available around the clock at airports and are often a quick and effective solution, especially when you don't have a reservation, your flight was delayed or the plane landed in the early hours of the morning. Opting for a taxi will ensure 24-hour availability and a transfer with drivers who know the island.

Taxi transfers initially cost approximately 25 euros to Las Palmas and approximately 30 euros to Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés, the other popular areas of the island.

These journeys take about half an hour and are the quickest option for last minute hires.

While taxis are often emergency options, they are also very safe and convenient alternatives for getting from the airport to your accommodation in Gran Canaria, especially in the early hours of the morning when some of the private shared services are not available or it is too late to hire them.

Useful details

  • Price... Approximately 25 euros per transfer, to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and nearby areas.
  • Journeytime... Approximately 30 minutes from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas or Las Palmas.
  • Advantages of this option... This is the fastest option if you need a last minute transfer.
  • Recommended if... If you have not booked a transfer in advance, if your flight is delayed or if you plan to arrive at the airport in the early hours of the morning.

7. Transfer by public transport from Gran Canaria airport, the most economical alternative

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria| ©Nicolas Vigier
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria| ©Nicolas Vigier

If you do not want to use private transport, you are looking for a cheap alternative and you have enough time to opt for public transport, you can use the city buses to get from Gran Canaria airport to your hotel in Las Palmas, in Maspalomas or in the area of Puerto de Mogán.

Gran Canaria does not have a metro network, but it does have a wide range of city buses that will take you to every corner of the island and which include the airport on their route, especially if you plan to stay in Las Palmas, from where you will have access to the best tours of Gran Canaria.

If you want to travel from the airport to Las Palmas, you can take bus lines 60 and 91 and combine them with lines 10, 11 and 17 to the centre of the capital. This route is the fastest and will take you approximately 30 minutes, although there are usually more spaced out services during the night. You can also choose to combine lines 60 and 91 with lines 9 and 12 of the so-called guaguas municipales.

If you plan to travel from Gran Canaria airport to Maspalomas, you can opt for lines 1, 66 and 90, which will take you directly to the lighthouse area in just over an hour. You can also join line 91 with line 39. If you are travelling to Mogán you can combine lines 1 and 91 with lines 84 and 86.

Interesting details

  • Price... Depends on the route, but the fare for each journey on the public transport buses starts at 4 euros.
  • Journeytime... Approximately 30 minutes from Gran Canaria Airport to Las Palmas, 1 hour to Maspalomas and 1.5 hours to Mogán.
  • Advantages of this option... It is the cheapest option to get from the airport.
  • Recommended if... You don't want to opt for private transport and you have enough time to use public transport.