Gran Canaria Airport

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), also known as Gando Airport, is the main gateway to Gran Canaria, one of Spain's Canary Islands located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northwestern Africa. The airport is situated approximately 18 km south of the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and 25 km north of the major tourist resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles.

The airport handles over 13 million passengers annually, making it the fifth-busiest airport in Spain and the busiest in the Canary Islands. It serves as a major hub for leisure travel, with particularly heavy traffic from Northern European countries seeking winter sun.

The airport has two terminals in a single interconnected building:

• Terminal A: Domestic flights within Spain and flights to other Canary Islands
• Terminal B: International flights (primarily European charter and scheduled services)
• Terminal C: Inter-island flights operated by Binter Canarias

Both terminals share a common check-in area and are connected airside, making transfers straightforward. The airport features a distinctive curved architecture with good natural lighting throughout.

Gran Canaria Airport is located on the eastern coast of the island, making it roughly equidistant from the capital Las Palmas (north) and the main tourist resorts (south).

Typical travel times:

• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: 25-35 minutes by car/bus
• Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles: 30-40 minutes by car
• Puerto de Mogan: 50-60 minutes by car
• Puerto Rico: 45 minutes by car

The airport is well-connected to the GC-1 motorway, which runs along the eastern coast connecting the northern and southern parts of the island.

Taxi

Official taxis at Gran Canaria Airport are white with a yellow stripe and operate on fixed rates to major destinations. Taxi ranks are located directly outside the arrivals hall.

Destination	Fare	Time
Las Palmas city center	EUR 30-40	25-35 min
Santa Catalina/Las Canteras	EUR 35-45	30-40 min
Maspalomas	EUR 40-50	30-40 min
Playa del Ingles	EUR 38-48	30-35 min
Puerto Rico	EUR 55-65	45 min
Puerto de Mogan	EUR 65-75	50-60 min

Notes:

• Fares increase by approximately 10% on Sundays, holidays, and between 22:00-06:00
• Luggage surcharges may apply (EUR 0.50-1 per large bag)
• All taxis accept credit cards by law, though cash is preferred

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft are not available in Gran Canaria. Traditional taxi services are the primary option for private transport.

Alternatives:

• Cabify: Limited availability, operates in Las Palmas area
• Free Now: Available in some areas, can be unreliable
• Pre-booked transfers: Many hotels and tour operators offer airport transfer services; book in advance for resort destinations

Global Bus (Guaguas)

The Global bus network connects Gran Canaria Airport to destinations across the island. The bus station is located outside the arrivals terminal on the ground floor.

To Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:

1. Take Line 60 (direct express service)
2. Journey time: 25-30 minutes
3. Fare: EUR 2.95
4. Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes (05:30-00:00)

Line 60 stops in Las Palmas:

• San Telmo bus station (city center)
• Santa Catalina park (near Las Canteras beach)

To Southern Resorts (Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles):

1. Take Line 66 (airport to Faro de Maspalomas)
2. Journey time: 35-45 minutes
3. Fare: EUR 4.40
4. Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes (06:30-22:00)

Line 66 stops:

• Playa del Ingles (various stops)
• Maspalomas (Campo Internacional, Faro)

Bus Fare Information

Route	Line	Fare	Journey Time
Airport to Las Palmas	60	EUR 2.95	25-30 min
Airport to Playa del Ingles	66	EUR 4.40	35-40 min
Airport to Maspalomas	66	EUR 4.40	40-45 min
Airport to Telde	80	EUR 1.50	15 min

Tips:

• Purchase tickets from the driver (exact change not required)
• TransGC card: Reloadable transit card offering discounts
• Air-conditioned buses with luggage space
• Check schedules at globalsu.net or at bus stop displays
• Late-night service is limited; last buses typically around 22:00-23:00

Gran Canaria Airport offers parking facilities directly adjacent to the terminal building.

Airport Parking Options

Facility	Location	Rate
P1 (Short-term)	Terminal building	EUR 1.85/hour, max EUR 18/day
P2 (Long-term covered)	2-min walk	EUR 12/day (book online)
P3 (Long-term outdoor)	5-min walk	EUR 8/day (book online)
Express parking	Drop-off zone	First 15 min free

Tips:

• Book online at aena.es for discounts of up to 30%
• Peak summer and holiday periods may see lots full; pre-book recommended
• Free shuttle service from long-term parking P3

Gran Canaria Airport offers a reasonable selection of dining options in both landside and airside areas, with a focus on Spanish cuisine and international fast food.

Landside (Before Security)

• Cafe Bar: Traditional Spanish cafe with bocadillos and coffee
• Upper Crust: Sandwiches and pastries
• Vending area: Basic snacks and drinks

Airside (After Security)

• La Dehesa: Spanish tapas and local Canarian specialties
• Burger King: Fast food option
• Pans & Company: Spanish sandwich chain with bocadillos
• Cafe de Paris: Coffee and pastries
• Duty Free Cafe: Light meals and drinks
• The Beer House: Beer selection with snacks

Budget tip: Food prices at the airport are 30-40% higher than in town. Grab snacks before arriving or at the supermarket in Las Palmas.

Local specialties to try:

• Papas arrugadas: Wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce
• Queso de flor: Local goat cheese
• Bocadillo de jamon: Spanish ham sandwich

Free WiFi is available throughout Gran Canaria Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	WiFi-AENA or Airport Free WiFi LPA
Registration	Email or phone number required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Adequate for browsing and email; streaming may be slow

Tip: Lounges offer faster, more reliable WiFi connections.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though selection is limited compared to city shops.

Airport Locations

• Relay store (landside): Basic prepaid SIM options
• Duty Free shops (airside): Some SIM card options

Spanish Carriers

Provider	Typical Price	Data
Vodafone	From EUR 20	10 GB
Orange	From EUR 15	8 GB
Movistar	From EUR 20	10 GB
Lebara	From EUR 10	5 GB

Better alternatives:

• Las Palmas: More options and better prices at shops along Triana street or in Las Arenas shopping center
• Maspalomas: Phone shops in Yumbo Center and Faro 2 shopping center
• EU roaming applies to all Spanish SIM cards throughout Europe

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in both landside and airside areas. Major Spanish and international banks have machines available.

Currency

• Spain/Canary Islands: Euro (EUR)
• ATM withdrawal fees vary by your home bank; Spanish ATMs typically do not charge local fees

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall (multiple machines)
• Departures level near check-in
• Airside near gate areas

Currency Exchange

Interchange and other exchange bureaux are located in the arrivals area. Airport exchange rates include significant markups.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw euros from ATMs using a no-fee debit card (Wise, Revolut)
• Spain is card-friendly; credit/debit cards accepted widely
• Avoid exchanging currency at the airport whenever possible

Note: The Canary Islands are part of Spain and the EU, using the euro. Despite their location off Africa, no currency exchange is needed for travelers from mainland Europe.

Gran Canaria Airport offers duty-free shopping primarily focused on the international terminal area.

Duty-Free

• Dufry Duty Free (Terminal B): Main duty-free operator with spirits, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, and souvenirs
• Tax-free savings: Available for non-EU residents; EU residents benefit from lower Canary Islands taxes

Local Products

• Canarian wines: Local wines from Lanzarote and Gran Canaria vineyards
• Mojo sauces: Traditional Canarian condiments (red and green varieties)
• Aloe vera products: Gran Canaria is known for high-quality aloe vera
• Ron Miel: Canarian honey rum
• Gofio: Traditional Canarian flour made from roasted grains

Fashion & Souvenirs

• Relay: Books, magazines, and travel essentials
• Sunglass Hut: Sunglasses (essential for the Canarian sun)
• Spanish souvenirs: Various shops offering local crafts

Tips:

• The Canary Islands have reduced VAT (IGIC) of 7% compared to mainland Spain's 21%
• Best shopping selection is in Terminal B airside
• Tobacco and alcohol are significantly cheaper than in mainland Europe

Gran Canaria Airport has limited lounge options compared to larger European airports.

Sala VIP Gando (Priority Pass)

Location: Terminal B, airside

• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, or pay-per-entry (approx. EUR 35)
• Hours: 06:00-22:00
• Amenities: Snacks, drinks (including alcohol), WiFi, comfortable seating
• Quality: Basic but adequate; continental breakfast and light refreshments

Airline Lounges

Iberia VIP Lounge (Terminal A):

• Access: Iberia Business Class, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald
• Hours: Opens for Iberia flights
• Notes: Small lounge, primarily for mainland Spain connections

Credit Card Lounges

Limited credit card lounge access. Priority Pass is the most reliable option for lounge access at LPA.

Day pass: Available at lounge entrance, approximately EUR 30-40.

At/Near the Airport

Hotel Globales Tamaimo Tropical

• 15 minutes from airport in Telde
• Budget-friendly option
• Pool and restaurant
• From EUR 60/night

Hotel Cristina Las Palmas

• 25 minutes from airport, on Las Canteras beach
• 4-star city hotel
• From EUR 100/night

Near Las Palmas

• Reina Isabel Hotel: Beachfront on Las Canteras, from EUR 90/night
• Hotel Santa Catalina: Historic 5-star, from EUR 200/night
• AC Hotel Gran Canaria: Modern business hotel, from EUR 80/night

Near Southern Resorts

For early departures from the southern resorts, consider staying overnight near Maspalomas:

• Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia: 5-star luxury, from EUR 300/night
• Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas: All-inclusive resort, from EUR 150/night
• Bull Hotel Eugenia Victoria: Mid-range, from EUR 80/night

Note: There is no hotel directly at the airport. The closest accommodation is in Telde (15 min) or Las Palmas (25 min).

Gran Canaria is known as a "miniature continent" due to its diverse landscapes, from golden dunes to pine-covered mountains. The island offers year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches, and a blend of Spanish and Canarian culture.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Las Palmas (Vegueta old town)	30 min	Line 60 bus or taxi
Las Canteras Beach	35 min	Line 60 bus
Maspalomas Dunes	35 min	Line 66 bus or taxi
Playa del Ingles	35 min	Line 66 bus
Roque Nublo	1h 30 min	Car required
Puerto de Mogan	55 min	Car or bus
Teror village	45 min	Car recommended

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The island capital offers a mix of history, culture, and urban beach life:

• Vegueta: Historic old town with cobblestone streets, Columbus House, and the cathedral
• Triana: Pedestrian shopping street with local boutiques and cafes
• Las Canteras Beach: 3 km urban beach, one of Spain's best city beaches
• Santa Catalina: Port area with restaurants and nightlife

Maspalomas Dunes

The iconic Dunes of Maspalomas are a protected nature reserve featuring:

• 400 hectares of golden sand dunes
• The historic Maspalomas Lighthouse (Faro de Maspalomas)
• Nude-friendly sections of beach (Playa del Ingles end)
• Best visited early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and heat

Canary Islands Hopping

Gran Canaria's central location makes it ideal for island hopping:

Island	Connection	Journey Time	Frequency
Tenerife (TFS/TFN)	Binter Canarias	30 min flight	Multiple daily
Fuerteventura	Binter Canarias / Fred Olsen ferry	25 min flight / 2.5h ferry	Multiple daily
Lanzarote	Binter Canarias	45 min flight	Multiple daily
La Palma	Binter Canarias	50 min flight	Daily

Binter Canarias operates inter-island flights with competitive fares when booked in advance. Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas ferries connect to Fuerteventura and Tenerife.

Travel Tips

• Rent a car: Essential for exploring the island's interior and mountain villages
• Weather: Coastal areas enjoy 20-26C year-round; mountains can be 10C cooler
• Beaches: South is best for sun; north coast tends to have more waves
• Sunday closures: Most shops close on Sundays except in tourist areas
• Siesta time: Some local shops close 14:00-17:00

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Bus to Las Canteras beach, walk the promenade, quick swim
• 6-hour layover: Add Vegueta old town, visit Columbus House
• 8+ hour layover: Taxi to Maspalomas Dunes, lunch at a beach chiringuito, return via coastal road

Gran Canaria Specialties

• Papas arrugadas con mojo: Wrinkled potatoes with red/green sauce (island signature dish)
• Gofio: Traditional roasted grain flour used in many dishes
• Queso de flor: Protected-origin goat cheese from Santa Maria de Guia
• Bienmesabe: Almond cream dessert
• Ron Miel: Honey-flavored rum (excellent souvenir)
• Canarian wines: Volcanic wines from local vineyards