The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa, known for year-round mild weather, volcanic landscapes, and beaches across islands including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura.
Getting around the Canary Islands requires planning: each island has its own transport network, and inter-island connections are by air or ferry. Car rental is by far the most practical option on every island — it unlocks beaches, viewpoints, and villages unreachable by bus. On Gran Canaria and Tenerife, the public bus networks (TITSA and Global) cover most tourist areas cheaply. Taxis are metered, reliable, and not expensive by European standards. Inter-island travel is easiest by Binter Canarias flights (40–60 mins, €40–100); ferries are cheaper but slower. Fuerteventura–Lanzarote is the most convenient ferry route at just 25 minutes.
Transport at a glance
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book Binter Canarias inter-island flights at least 2 weeks ahead for the best fares — last-minute prices are 3–4x higher
CICAR is the best local car rental company — lower prices than multinationals and unlimited mileage included
Petrol is cheaper in the Canaries than mainland Spain due to IGIC — fill up before trips to remote areas
TITSA buses on Tenerife accept the Bono transport card (€15 preloaded) which gives a 30% discount on all journeys
The Tenerife tram (tranvía) runs every 7 minutes between Santa Cruz and La Laguna — far faster than driving in rush hour
Parking in Las Palmas city centre is very limited — use the pay car parks near Las Canteras beach or the port
Mountain roads on Tenerife (TF-21 to Teide) and Gran Canaria (GC-60) are steep with hairpin bends — take extra care and use low gear on descents
On El Hierro and La Gomera, public transport is very limited — car rental is the only practical option for exploration
The Fuerteventura–Lanzarote ferry (Fred Olsen, 25 min) is the easiest inter-island trip — no need to fly for a day trip between these two islands