Gran Canaria Airport sits on the east coast, between the capital and the southern resorts. That convenient position also creates confusion: the bus for central Las Palmas is not the same service that runs through Playa del Inglés, and a route ending at Maspalomas does not continue to Puerto Rico.
This guide starts with the decision and then gives destination-by-destination instructions. Bus prices come from current Aena and Global information. Taxi figures are broad estimates based on distance and the regulated meter; traffic, time of day, waiting and supplements determine the real fare. Private transfers and rental cars require a live quote for your dates.
Bus, taxi, transfer or hire car?
| Destination | Most useful direct bus | Published fare | Typical journey | Taxi estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Palmas | 60 to San Telmo/Santa Catalina; 1 to San Telmo | €2.30–€2.95 | 30–45 min | €30–€45 |
| Playa del Inglés | 66 or 90 | €3.50 | 30–45 min | €35–€50 |
| Maspalomas Lighthouse | 66, 90 or 36 | €4.05 | 35–50 min | €40–€55 |
| Puerto Rico | 91 | €5.45 | 50–70 min | €55–€75 |
| Puerto de Mogán | 1 | €6.80 | 70–95 min | €65–€90 |
Airport transport by destination
Airport to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Route 60
- €2.30 San Telmo
- €2.95 Santa Catalina
- ≈ 30–45 min
Route 60 is the clearest choice for the capital. San Telmo is best for Vegueta, Triana and onward island buses; Santa Catalina is closer to Las Canteras and the port district. For much of the day there are two services per hour. Route 1 also serves San Telmo and can extend your options.
If your accommodation is near Las Canteras, confirm whether your departure continues to Santa Catalina. Otherwise you will need a city bus or taxi from San Telmo. A taxi makes sense for a late flight, a group or an address far from either interchange.
A car is not automatically helpful here. Las Palmas has frequent urban buses, while parking near Las Canteras and Vegueta can be inconvenient. Hiring only for the days you leave the city often works better.
Airport to Maspalomas and Meloneras
- Route 66
- €4.05 to the lighthouse
- ≈ 35–50 min
- Check the final walk
Route 66 links LPA with Maspalomas Lighthouse through the resort corridor. Some services on routes 90, 36, 5 and 1 are alternatives. The lighthouse is convenient for Meloneras and the oasis, but “Maspalomas” covers a large area. Check the distance from the bus stop to your exact hotel.
For Sonnenland, Campo Internacional, Salobre or a hillside property, the last kilometre can change the calculation. Families with several cases may gain more from a taxi or fixed-price transfer than the simple bus fare suggests.
If you hire a car, confirm that parking is included. It is useful for mountain and west-coast days, but not essential for a beach holiday based around the promenade and organised excursions.
Airport to Playa del Inglés
- Routes 66 and 90
- €3.50
- ≈ 30–45 min
- Several resort stops
Playa del Inglés is one of the easiest southern destinations by public transport. Routes 66 and 90 stop at several points before continuing. Find the stop nearest your hotel rather than getting off as soon as the display says Playa del Inglés; the resort is bigger than it appears.
A taxi shortens the door-to-door journey and can be reasonable when divided by a group. A pre-booked transfer adds a known meeting arrangement and lets you request a suitable child seat or larger vehicle in advance.
Hotels around Yumbo, Avenida de Tirajana and Parque Tropical have useful local bus connections. A car is most valuable when several days of your itinerary are outside the south.
Airport to Puerto de Mogán
- Route 1
- €6.80
- ≈ 70–95 min
- Coastal stopping service
Route 1 connects the airport with Puerto de Mogán. It is excellent value and runs across a broad part of the day, but calls at coastal towns, making it considerably slower than a car. Use the luggage hold and confirm that your particular departure reaches Puerto de Mogán rather than terminating earlier.
For a couple in no hurry, the saving against a taxi is substantial. After a long flight with children, a booked transfer can remove nearly an hour of intermediate stops. The bus station is reasonably placed for the beach and marina, although some accommodation sits uphill.
Use our Puerto de Mogán guide for the market, beach and practical local transport.
Airport to Puerto Rico and Amadores
- Route 91
- €5.45 to Puerto Rico
- ≈ 50–70 min
- Steep resort slopes
Route 91 is the most useful direct service to Puerto Rico and continues towards Playa del Cura. The key problem is not storing luggage on the bus; it is the climb from the stop to many apartment complexes. Puerto Rico and Amadores are built into steep hillsides.
For a high property, a family or heavy cases, door-to-door transport has real value. Solo travellers staying near the valley floor will find route 91 hard to beat. See our dedicated airport to Puerto Rico and Amadores guide for the last-mile detail.
Choose for your travel party
Solo or couple
Arriving by day near a main stop? Take Global and spend the saving on the trip itself.
Family or group
Compare the whole taxi or transfer price, not the per-person headline. Request child seats before travel.
Late arrival
Do not assume a useful bus will remain. Check the final actual departure and secure a backup.
Using an official airport taxi
Taxis wait at the signed terminal rank. Aena advises passengers to avoid drivers offering rides elsewhere and to request a receipt. Published tariffs use a starting fee, price per kilometre and airport supplement. Night, holiday and special Christmas rates are higher.
That is why our table uses ranges rather than promising a fixed fare. A detour, queue, traffic or waiting time changes the total. If certainty matters more than flexibility, compare a private transfer quote.
When a private transfer is worth paying for
- Your hotel is on a hillside or well away from a bus station.
- You need child seats, a larger vehicle or space for sporting equipment.
- Your flight lands after the useful public-transport window.
- You want an arrivals meeting and one address agreed in advance.
Check whether the quote covers the entire vehicle, flight-delay waiting, luggage, cancellation and your exact meeting point. A shared shuttle may stop at several hotels; it is not the same service as a private transfer.
Hiring a car at LPA
Aena lists several desks in the arrivals areas, with rental vehicles collected from P1. Book ahead, understand the excess and deposit, and photograph the vehicle at pickup. Our Gran Canaria car rental guide explains insurance and local operators.
A car earns its cost when you plan to visit Tejeda, Artenara, Agaete, Guayadeque or remote viewpoints. It loses value during a week spent in Las Palmas or a self-contained resort, where it may simply accumulate parking charges.
Sources and checking method
Checked 2 August 2026. Bus figures are published fares; private ranges remain indicative.
Local author from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This guide matches official transport data with the practical needs of travellers carrying luggage, arriving late or travelling with children.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay on the bus by card?
Global supports contactless payment on its vehicles, but carry an alternative in case your card fails. Check the operator's current instructions before travel.
Where do airport buses leave?
Follow the public transport and Guaguas Global signs from arrivals. Check the route number and displayed destination before boarding.
Can I rely on Uber at LPA?
Do not base an airport arrival on a ride-hailing car being available. The immediate regulated option is the official taxi rank; pre-book a transfer for a fixed arrangement.
How much return-time buffer should I allow?
Add time beyond the normal drive, especially from Mogán and Puerto Rico. GC-1 traffic and stopping buses can lengthen the journey.