Your complete 2026 guide to car rental, local companies, pricing and driving tips
Local companies like CICAR, AutoReisen and TopCar offer 60-80% savings over international chains with superior service, comprehensive insurance included, and transparent pricing. Expect to pay €11-36 daily for economy cars with all-inclusive packages.
The Canary Islands offer one of the best car rental experiences in Europe, with excellent local companies providing superior value for money compared to international chains. Each island presents unique landscapes and driving experiences, from the spectacular volcanic routes of Tenerife to the wind-swept coastal roads of Fuerteventura.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know for 2026, including the best companies, current prices, documentation requirements, and specific driving tips for each island. We'll also show you how to avoid common tourist traps and save hundreds of euros on your rental.
Planning Tip: Check current weather conditions before driving with our weather and forecast, and consider public transport alternatives for resort-centered stays.
The market leader with over 15,000 vehicles across more than 40 offices on all seven islands. Founded in 1967 with a 4-star Trustpilot rating from over 26,000 reviews.
Reached 92% customer satisfaction in 2024 surveys, operating from the five main airports with unique benefits.
Over 40 years of experience with transparent pricing and modern fleets, including hybrid and electric options.
For Las Palmas: Autos Morenos - Excellent local company with competitive rates and personalized service in the capital of Gran Canaria.
Budget Option: TopCar.es - Often offers the best deals for longer rentals with reliable vehicles and simple booking.
Although available, international chains often disappoint with:
Brands like: Hertz (71% satisfaction), Avis, Budget, Sixt, Enterprise. Recent reports include incorrect documentation requirements and service issues.
Book in June for rates 66% cheaper compared to December.
Some major chains (especially Hertz) have incorrectly claimed that a universal IDP is required for North American travellers, while other companies immediately accept identical bookings.
Tip: Always have your IDP on hand to avoid delays, but know your rights and consider local companies for consistent policy enforcement.
€70-150 per year
€3-12 per day
€15-40 per day (€183+ per week)
CICAR, AutoReisen and TopCar include fully comprehensive insurance in the base price, eliminating the excess charges that international chains use as profit centres.
Premium credit cards offer coverage of up to $50,000, but generally as secondary insurance that requires upfront payment for damages and lengthy reimbursement processes.
Ideal for: Experienced travellers comfortable with claims processes. Not ideal for: First-time renters or anyone who wants simple, immediate coverage.
Excellent motorway infrastructure (TF-1, TF-5) covering 75% of the perimeter, but it also includes spectacular mountain routes that require skill and patience.
Features some of the most winding mountain roads in Europe (GC-200, GC-210) through spectacular inland landscapes.
Ideal for first-time international drivers, with flat terrain and well-maintained roads.
Flat terrain ideal for beginners, but strong winds from the Sahara can affect tall vehicles.
These islands require advance booking due to smaller rental fleets and offer the most spectacular driving experiences.
Use the parking meters, typically €1-3 per hour in urban areas
No payment required, but respect time limits
Strict enforcement with substantial fines
€80 fines for unclear violations near beach areas
€200 fines (€100 with early payment)
Follow the blue "P" signs for reliable options at €1-3 per hour
International chains charge over €183 per week for coverage that annual third-party policies provide for €70-150 per year.
Solution: Get an annual third-party policy or choose local companies with all-inclusive pricing.
Some companies incorrectly claim that a universal IDP is required. Recent reports include Hertz refusing rentals to North Americans with valid licences while other companies accept identical bookings.
Solution: Have the IDP ready but know your rights. Consider local companies for consistent policy enforcement.
Rental companies charge premium rates for prepay fuel options that local companies avoid with fair full/full policies.
Solution: Choose companies with transparent fuel policies. Avoid GoldCar and certain Thrifty offices known for scam attempts.
Failing to compare local companies with international ones means missing 60-80% savings and superior service quality.
Solution: Prioritise local companies (CICAR, AutoReisen, TopCar) for the best price and service.
Airport pickup fees can be avoided by choosing off-airport offices, while booking with less than 4 days' notice consistently shows above-average prices.
Solution: Book more than 4 days in advance and consider off-airport offices accessible with a short taxi ride.
While car rental offers the best flexibility for exploring the Canary Islands, public transport offers viable alternatives for specific travel patterns and environmental considerations.
Detailed comparison: See our complete public transport guide for routes, timetables and cost comparisons across all the islands.
The most comprehensive bus network (guaguas) with more than 100 routes connecting the main destinations. Excellent coverage for tourist areas and major attractions.
Excellent tram service between Santa Cruz and La Laguna. Bus connections available, but reliability issues were reported in 2024 reviews.
Up to 16 daily crossings on popular routes. 25-minute connection between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Operated by Fred Olsen Express, Naviera Armas, Trasmediterranea.
Car rental becomes very competitive with public transport costs, especially for groups or travellers planning diverse itineraries across several parts of the island.
Public transport is usually cheaper for single destinations
Car rental is competitive for multi-destination trips
Car rental is almost always more economical
The best local companies are CICAR (market leader with 15,000+ vehicles), AutoReisen (92% customer satisfaction in 2024) and TopCar (eco-friendly options). They consistently outperform international chains like Hertz, Avis and Sixt on price (60-80% cheaper), service and transparency.
Economy cars range from €11-36 per day with local companies, all-inclusive. Compact cars average around €31/day and SUVs run €16-65/day. Booking in June averages €12.64/day — about 66% cheaper than December's €37.57/day.
Not if you book with a local company. CICAR, AutoReisen and TopCar include fully comprehensive insurance with no excess in their base price. International chains often add €183+ per week for the same coverage. If you must rent from a chain, get an annual third-party policy (€70-150/year) instead of buying their counter insurance.
EU/EEA citizens: no — your standard licence is accepted. Non-EU visitors (including US, UK, Canadian, Australian travellers): an IDP is required alongside your original licence. Hertz in particular has been refusing rentals to North Americans without one, while local companies tend to apply the rule more flexibly. Bring an IDP to avoid problems either way (~$20).
21 years old is the standard minimum, though some companies accept drivers from 18. Drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge of €15-25/day. Your licence must have been held for at least 1-2 years, and some premium vehicle categories have stricter age requirements.
June is the cheapest pickup month (€12.64/day average), and the spring shoulder months (March-May) consistently offer the best value. Avoid July, August and December. Book at least 4 days in advance — last-minute bookings consistently show above-average prices.
Airport pickups are convenient but come with surcharges and longer queues, especially with international chains. Off-airport offices (a short taxi ride away) are typically cheaper. Local companies like CICAR and AutoReisen also offer free hotel delivery in tourist areas, which often beats airport pickup on both price and time.
No tolls on any of the Canary Islands — all motorways (GC-1, TF-1, etc.) are free. There are no city low-emission zones either. Speed enforcement is strict though: tolerance is just 3 km/h on roads under 100 km/h, and there's zero tolerance for mobile phone use. Alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l.
Remember: The Canary Islands reward exploration by car with access to experiences impossible to reach from a resort or via public transport. Choose wisely and explore freely!
Complete routes, timetables and cost comparisons for buses, trams and ferries across the Canary Islands.
Read the guideCheck the weather and road conditions in real time before driving with our complete webcam network.
View weather and forecastEU/EEA citizens do not need an IDP — a standard driving licence is accepted. Non-EU visitors (US, UK, Canadian, Australian travellers) need an IDP alongside the original licence. Hertz has been refusing rentals to North Americans without one, while local companies tend to apply the rule more flexibly. Bring an IDP to avoid problems either way (~$20).
June is the cheapest pickup month at €12.64/day on average, and the spring shoulder months (March-May) consistently offer the best value. Avoid July, August and December. Book at least 4 days in advance — last-minute bookings consistently show above-average prices.