Connect with rental companies across Tenerife and Gran Canaria through a single search.
Rodavia connects you with rental companies operating across the archipelago. Most travellers land at Gran Canaria airport Las Palmas (LPA Gando, positioned on the GC-1 motorway) or Tenerife South (TFS Reina Sofia, junction of the TF-1). Both terminals host desks from several local operators; you book online, receive a voucher, and complete the paperwork when you arrive.
The islands share logistics but differ in terrain. Gran Canaria offers Maspalomas beaches twenty-five minutes south of Gando and the serpentine GC-200 hugging the west coast. Tenerife splits traffic between southern resorts served by TFS and the northern capital accessed via TFN Los Rodeos on the TF-5. The Teide road TF-21 climbs through pine forests to Spain's highest peak.
Hire cars typically stay on their island. Fred Olsen and Armas ferries carry vehicles between ports, but most vouchers prohibit inter-island transfers. If you plan a two-island trip, arrange separate rentals or check terms with the company listed on your confirmation.
Traditional car hire in the Canary Islands follows a hold-and-release cycle: the desk blocks a sum on your credit card, returns it weeks later. Our partner companies accept booking advance online, which means you pay rental and insurance before arrival. The desk still asks for a card during check-in - covering fuel policy and any excess - but the amount is lower and debit cards work.
When you search, results show the total advance. That figure includes Third Party Liability, Collision Damage Waiver with stated excess, theft protection, and roadside assistance across the Canaries. Additional drivers, child seats, or GPS units appear as optional extras during checkout. Your voucher lists every item and the company's direct contact number.
More detail on why this structure suits debit-card holders appears in the dedicated section.
Car hire from Las Palmas airport Gran Canaria begins inside the terminal or at a compound two hundred metres from Arrivals. Shuttle buses run every ten minutes during daylight; after 22:00 expect a short walk. The GC-1 entrance sits five minutes east, putting you on the motorway to Las Palmas city (twenty minutes north) or the southern dune belt around Maspalomas (twenty-five minutes).
Tenerife South handles most leisure traffic. Desks occupy the ground-floor hall; off-airport suppliers park fleets along approach roads and send courtesy vans. Tenerife North serves domestic and inter-island flights; fewer rental counters operate there, but TFN remains useful if you're heading straight to Puerto de la Cruz or La Laguna.
| Vehicle category | Transmission | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Economy / Compact | Manual common | Town errands, short coast trips |
| Intermediate / Estate | Manual or automatic | Family groups, luggage volume |
| SUV | Often automatic | Forest tracks, Teide ascents |
| Minivan 7-9 seat | Manual or automatic | Large parties, cycling kit |
Speed limits follow mainland rules: 120 on motorways, 90 on open roads, 50 in built-up zones. Fuel costs less than the peninsula because IGIC regional tax sits below standard IVA. Stations cluster near airport exits and resort centres; mountain routes require planning.
Visitors often underestimate distances in the Canaries. Motorways hug coastlines; mountain crossings double journey times. Here are common pairings:
GC-1 southbound, twenty-five minutes in light traffic. Add ten minutes if you exit for Playa del Ingles shopping zones.
Coastal GC-1 then GC-500 west: fifty minutes. The GC-200 cliff road from Agaete takes ninety minutes with hairpins.
TF-1 northbound, fifteen minutes. Playa de las Americas sits five minutes beyond.
TF-1 north to junction 28, then TF-21 climbs through La Orotava pines: seventy-five minutes total. Park at the cable-car base or hike trails around Roques de Garcia.
TF-5 eastbound descends to the capital in fifteen minutes. Westbound toward Puerto de la Cruz takes twenty.
Current road conditions and weather warnings appear on regional traffic websites. Winter fog can close high passes; summer heat softens asphalt on exposed stretches.
After payment you receive a confirmation email with a voucher attachment. Print it or save the PDF to your phone. The document lists:
The company holds the contract. If you need to change dates or add equipment, call the number on the voucher; they'll confirm availability and adjust the booking. Cancellation terms vary by supplier - most allow free changes up to forty-eight hours before pick-up, but always verify in the fine print.
At the desk you'll present the voucher, a driving licence valid for at least twelve months, and a payment card matching the lead driver's name. Staff complete a damage report, explain fuel rules, and hand over keys. The entire process takes ten to fifteen minutes when terminals are quiet.
Yes. Because you pay the main rental and insurance in advance, the desk only needs a card for incidentals like fuel top-up or toll charges. Debit cards from Visa or Mastercard meet that requirement at all our partner companies.
Hire agreements usually prohibit taking a car on the ferry. Book one vehicle on each island or check your voucher terms. Fred Olsen and Armas operate inter-island passenger services; foot passengers cross in under two hours, then collect a second rental at the destination port or airport.
Call the rental company using the number on your voucher as soon as you know the new arrival time. Desks at LPA and TFS operate from early morning until the last scheduled flight; outside those hours some suppliers offer a key-box system with instructions sent by SMS.
No. You add seats during online checkout; the charge appears in your total before payment. Spanish law requires appropriate restraints for children under 135 centimetres. Bring your own or select the option when you book - desks keep limited stock.
Standard rental agreements cover paved roads including the TF-21 route to the cable-car station and the ring road around the caldera. Unpaved forest tracks may be restricted; your voucher will state any exclusions. Winter ice occasionally closes the summit access - check park alerts before you set out.