How to get to Lanzarote: flights, ferries and getting around the island

Getting to Lanzarote is straightforward: the island has good connections with mainland Spain and much of Europe. What’s worth thinking about beforehand is how you’ll get around once you’re there, which depends on where you’re staying. If you haven’t decided yet, take a look at our places to stay in Lanzarote.

By plane: César Manrique Airport

César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (code ACE) is on the east coast, between Arrecife and Playa Honda. According to Aena, it closed 2025 with 8,920,901 passengers, 2.4% more than the previous year. From the terminal, almost all of the central coast is 15 minutes away, while Playa Blanca, at the southern tip, is just over half an hour away.

Flights from mainland Spain

Direct flights operate year-round from Madrid and Barcelona, and in season from many other cities, including Bilbao, Seville, Málaga and Valencia. The flight takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes from Madrid, and just over 3 hours from Barcelona.

One recent addition: since March 2026, Binter has flown direct between Lanzarote and Santander, the Canarian airline’s first route between the island and mainland Spain. Also remember that the time in the Canary Islands is one hour behind the rest of Spain.

From the rest of Europe and other islands

Lanzarote receives many flights from the UK, Ireland, Germany and other European countries. If you’re already in the Canary Islands, Binter connects the island with Gran Canaria and Tenerife on flights of less than an hour.

From the airport to your accommodation

As you leave the terminal, you’ll find taxis, car hire desks and bus stops. In the Canary Islands, buses are known as guaguas. These are the main options:

• Bus 22D: connects the airport with the Arrecife transport hub, Arrecife, where you can catch services to the rest of the island.
• Bus 162D: connects Arrecife with Playa Blanca via the airport, with no need to change.
• Taxi: the most convenient option if you arrive late or have lots of luggage; Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen are around 10–15 minutes away.
• Hire car: pick it up at the airport and start exploring the island from day one.

Routes 22D and 162D have been running since May 2025 as part of the public transport expansion promoted by the Cabildo. Timetables vary by day and season, so check the schedule for the day you arrive before setting off.

By ferry: travelling by sea

Taking the boat makes most sense if you want to bring your car from mainland Spain or if you’re combining several islands. These are the main connections:

• Cádiz–Arrecife: Baleària runs one weekly departure from the port of Cádiz, with a crossing of around 28 hours. Cars, motorbikes, campervans and pets are allowed.
• Gran Canaria: Naviera Armas and Baleària connect Arrecife with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in around 6 hours.
• Fuerteventura: boats leave daily from Playa Blanca port for Corralejo with Fred. Olsen, Baleària and Líneas Romero. Crossings take 25 to 35 minutes.
• La Graciosa: from Órzola in the north, Líneas Romero and Biosfera Express cross to Caleta de Sebo in around 25 minutes.

The crossing to Corralejo is so quick that many travellers spend the day in Fuerteventura and return to Lanzarote to sleep. For the ferry from Cádiz, however, book well in advance if you’re bringing a vehicle in summer or at Christmas.

Getting around Lanzarote

Lanzarote is around 60 km from north to south, and the main roads are in good condition, so almost anywhere on the island is less than an hour away by car. The bus network serves the coastal strip between Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca well, but is less convenient for the interior and the north.

Buses

Almost all interurban routes leave from the Arrecife transport hub. Routes 1, 2 and 3 connect Costa Teguise, Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen. In January 2026, the Cabildo increased services on routes 60 and 62 between Arrecife and Playa Blanca, from 66 to 80 services a day.

There are fewer services to the north (Haría, Órzola) and to inland villages, and some routes run less frequently at weekends.

Car

It’s the most convenient way to see the island at your own pace: Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, Mirador del Río, La Geria and Famara Beach are spread across the island, and public transport to some of them is very limited.

In Timanfaya National Park, you can drive as far as the Islote de Hilario car park, but the volcano route is covered by the park centre’s own bus. Set off early in high season, as the queue of cars at the entrance can be long.

Taxi and bicycle

There are taxi ranks at the airport, in Arrecife and in the main tourist areas, useful for short journeys or getting back from dinner without a car.

The island is very popular for road cycling, especially in winter and spring, and there are bike hire shops in the tourist areas. Bear in mind, though, that the wind can make routes more challenging, particularly in summer.

When to go and practical tips

Lanzarote has good weather all year round, with mild winters and warm summers tempered by the trade winds. There are more flights in winter, when many Europeans arrive, and in July and August, when domestic tourism peaks. Spring and autumn are ideal if you’re looking for fewer crowds.

• If you’re staying in Costa Teguise, Arrecife or Puerto del Carmen, you can get around by bus and hire a car for just a couple of days.
• For Playa Blanca, the 162D takes you there without a change, but a car is very useful for exploring the south (Papagayo, El Golfo).
• If you’re staying inland or in an isolated villa, a car is almost essential.
• To visit La Graciosa, leave your car in Órzola: there are no paved roads on the island.

Where you stay determines a good part of your travel plans. At karmahoteles, we hand-pick our accommodation, one place at a time, and you’ll find the other islands on our Canary Islands page.

Frequently asked questions

Some of the most common questions from people planning a trip to Lanzarote.