Gran Canaria is the cheapest of the Canary Islands for car hire thanks to fierce competition between local champions. Off-season rates start around €12 / $13 per day for a manual compact, climbing to €40-55 / $44-60 in peak summer and Christmas. The local heroes — Cicar, Plus Car, Top Car, AutoReisen — routinely beat Sixt, Hertz and Europcar by 20-30 % and include full insurance with no deposit, no excess. Add zero toll roads across the entire island and Spanish IGIC tax (instead of VAT) and you have one of Europe's best value-per-day driving destinations.
LPA is the only commercial airport on Gran Canaria and the main pickup point. Local operators have dedicated counters and shuttles; international brands sit inside the terminal.
Average daily rates at LPA Airport by season
Compact car, booked 4-6 weeks ahead, insurance included
| Season | Manual Compact | Automatic Compact | Compact SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct) | €12-18 / $13-20 | €20-28 / $22-30 | €26-35 / $28-38 |
| Shoulder (Jan-Feb, Nov-early Dec) | €18-26 / $20-28 | €28-40 / $30-44 | €35-48 / $38-52 |
| Peak (Jul-Aug, Christmas, NYE) | €40-55 / $44-60 | €55-75 / $60-82 | €65-90 / $71-98 |
Monthly rate ladder at LPA
Average economy car, 2025-2026 data
The terminal has every brand. Local operators (Cicar, Plus Car, Top Car) operate shuttle-to-lot from across the road, typical pickup 15-25 minutes. International desks (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar) are inside the arrivals hall, slightly faster but pricier.
Most tourists stay in the south. Cicar and several locals have city offices here so you can skip the airport and pick up the next day after a transfer.
Smaller fleet but useful if you arrive by ferry from Tenerife and want a car to explore the north.
Founded 1968, the most loved Canarian rental brand. Full insurance with €0 excess included in every price, no credit card or deposit required, free additional driver. The fleet is newer than most competitors. 4.7 / 5 on Google across 8,000+ reviews.
4.5 / 5 on Google. Local family business with strong customer service. Slightly cheaper headline than Cicar, similar all-inclusive package. Free Las Palmas city delivery.
4.4 / 5 on Google. Strong on multi-island rentals (Gran Canaria + Tenerife + Lanzarote). Fleet age averages 16 months. Free additional driver and child seats.
4.3 / 5 on Google. Long-running operator with strong German tourist base. Slightly higher prices but predictable service and English/German fluency.
3.8 / 5 globally on Trustpilot. Largest fleet of premium and automatic cars. Counter upsells are firmer than at the locals; expect a €1,500-2,500 deposit hold.
Trustpilot 1.6 / 5 globally — among the lowest of the industry. Aggressive Plus-cover pitches at the counter, frequent damage disputes weeks after drop-off. Worth using only with standalone insurance and a walk-around video.
Trustpilot + Google review scores
Gran Canaria car rental operators, May 2026
Cicar, Plus Car and Top Car include full insurance with €0 excess in every booking — no add-on needed, no deposit held. This is the strongest reason to book local. If you book with an international brand, counter Plus-cover runs €8-15 / $9-16 per day; standalone third-party (RentalCover, iCarhireinsurance) is €4-6 / $4-7 per day.
Like Madeira, the Canary Islands have zero toll roads. Every motorway, tunnel and mountain pass is free. You do not need a Via T or any equivalent. Budget €0 for tolls.
Canary Islands fuel is taxed under IGIC (7 %) instead of mainland Spanish VAT (21 %), so prices are 25-30 % cheaper than the Spanish mainland.
| Fuel | Gran Canaria price | Mainland Spain | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (gasolina 95) | €1.18 / $1.28 per L | €1.59 / $1.73 per L | €0.41 cheaper |
| Diesel (gasoleo A) | €1.21 / $1.32 per L | €1.55 / $1.69 per L | €0.34 cheaper |
A full tank on a compact car (45 L) costs about €53 / $58 for petrol. Budget €40-55 / $44-60 for a full week of island driving.
Local Canarian operators beat the international chains by 20-30 % AND include full insurance — the gap is even wider than on the mainland.
Last-minute prices in late December and Easter can triple. Book 6-10 weeks ahead.
Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés desks are often cheaper than airport for the same operator. Plus you can take a €25 / $27 transfer on arrival day.
Refuel at the Cepsa or Repsol near LPA before drop-off. Cheaper than the prepaid full tank.
Full insurance is already included in Cicar / Plus Car / Top Car. Refuse the upgrade.
Dynamic currency conversion costs 4-7 % extra. Always say “EUR”.
True 7-day budget — smart booking vs walk-in
Compact car, January, all-in
| Item | Smart (Cicar) | Walk-in (Goldcar) |
|---|---|---|
| Base rental (7 days) | €140 / $153 | €280 / $305 |
| Insurance | €0 (included) | €84 / $92 (counter Plus) |
| Deposit hold | €0 (no deposit) | €2,500 / $2,723 |
| Tolls | €0 (no tolls in Canaries) | €0 |
| Fuel (300 km) | €32 / $35 | €55 / $60 (prepaid) |
| Total | €172 / $188 | €419 / $457 |
Top loops: Maspalomas → Mogán → Puerto Rico (coastal cliffs, 1h30 each way), the central mountain drive via Tejeda to Roque Nublo (2h, twisty), Las Palmas → Arucas → Teror (Atlantic north coast, 1h), and the dramatic GC-200 route past Agaete to Puerto de las Nieves.
Plus Car and Cicar both start at €13-15 / $14-16 per day in low season with insurance included and zero deposit. They consistently beat Sixt, Hertz and Europcar by 20-30 %.
No. The entire Canary Islands road network is toll-free. You do not need a transponder or any toll device.
Yes — Cicar accepts cash and debit cards with no deposit. Plus Car and Top Car offer similar flexibility. Most international brands still require a credit card with a €1,500-2,500 deposit hold.
Yes — Canary Islands fuel is taxed under IGIC (7 %) instead of mainland Spanish VAT (21 %). Expect €1.18 / $1.28 per L for petrol, about 26 % cheaper than mainland Spain.
Top Car allows it (you take the car on the inter-island ferry). Cicar generally does not. Always ask before booking; most companies charge a small ferry-use fee even when allowed.
LPA pickup takes 15-25 minutes via shuttle. The Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés desks are often faster (under 10 minutes) and equally well-stocked. Best for arrivals who can transfer to their hotel first.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program at no extra cost to you. Reviews based on Trustpilot, Google Maps and operator websites.
Last updated 19 May 2026. Verify prices and policies directly with the rental company.
