Rental Car — Almost a Must!
On the Canary Islands, a rental car is almost indispensable if you want to see more than just the resort. The public buses are good, but they don't reach many of the most beautiful places (Masca, Cofete, Anaga Mountains, wine routes). Only in Las Palmas can you get by well without a car.
Prices & Booking
| Season | Small Car/Day | Compact/Day | SUV/Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season (May–Oct) | €12–25 | €18–35 | €30–55 |
| High Season (Nov–Apr, Christmas) | €25–45 | €35–60 | €50–90 |
| Christmas/Easter | €40–70 | €55–90 | €80–140 |
Local vs. International Providers
Local Providers (recommended!): Cicar, Autoreisen, PlusCar, TopCar — significantly cheaper than international chains, excellent service, transparent conditions. Cicar is the largest local provider and has stations on every island.
International Providers: Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt — more expensive, but more familiar. Compare via CHECK24 or billiger-mietwagen.de.
Important Notes
- Comprehensive insurance without excess is a must! The narrow mountain roads (Anaga, Masca, Tejeda) take their toll. Coverage via credit card (Barclays Visa, Advanzia) or book directly with the provider.
- Diesel: Cheaper than gasoline. Many rental cars have diesel.
- Automatic: Less standard on the Canary Islands than in Germany. Book early!
- Roads: The main roads are excellent (highways on TF, GC). Mountain roads are narrow, winding, and steep, but almost always paved. Exception: the track to Cofete (FV) — only with SUV or sturdy small car.
- Fueling: Gasoline is about 15–20% cheaper on the Canary Islands than in Germany (tax zone). €1.20–1.40/liter.
- Parking: Parking problems in tourist centers (Costa Adeje, Maspalomas). Blue zone = paid parking (0.50–1.50€/h). No problem in mountain villages and away from the coast.
- Ferry with Rental Car: Most local providers allow ferry transport to other islands — ask beforehand! Some charge an additional fee. Alternative: Rent a separate car on each island.
💡 Tipp
Cicar is the insider tip among Canary Islands connoisseurs: affordable, transparent, stations at every airport and port, hassle-free. Book directly via cicar.com — it's often cheaper than through comparison portals.
