Connect with local rental companies across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro - no credit card hold, contract direct at the counter.
The Canary Islands sit off the West African coast, each island distinct in terrain and layout. You need a rental car per island - inter-island ferry crossings with hire vehicles are not permitted. Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas run passenger and vehicle ferries, but standard rental agreements block this. Book separately for Tenerife, Gran Canaria, or any other island you visit.
Our platform connects you with suppliers operating at Gran Canaria LPA Gando airport, Tenerife TFS Reina Sofia and TFN Los Rodeos airports, and every other major pick-up point. You pay an advance payment online, and the supplier details payment terms for the balance in your voucher. No credit card hold at the desk. Conditions and coverage specified in the voucher when you book.
Las Palmas Airport (LPA) sits on the GC-1 motorway, 25 minutes south to Maspalomas and 20 minutes north to the capital.
Reina Sofia (TFS) serves the resort zones. Most traffic heads north on the TF-1 toward Los Cristianos and Santa Cruz.
Los Rodeos (TFN) near La Laguna handles inter-island and mainland flights; fog can delay arrivals in winter months.
Arrecife (ACE) airport and town centre desks. Short drives to Playa Blanca or the northern wine region of La Geria.
El Matorral (FUE) near Puerto del Rosario. The island stretches long and thin - budget extra time for north-south journeys.
Traditionally, rental desks freeze funds on a credit card as security. The no-deposit model removes that step. You settle an advance payment when you book, and the supplier issues a voucher stating the contract terms. Balance payment and any optional extras are handled according to what the voucher specifies.
Debit cards are accepted because there is no hold to authorise. Bring your driving licence, passport or ID card, and the printed or digital voucher. Each supplier on our platform agrees to this arrangement before listing, so the process is consistent across islands.
Speed limits: 120 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on open roads, 50 km/h in built-up areas. Limits drop to 30 km/h in some town centres. Police enforce these strictly, especially around school zones.
Fuel is noticeably less expensive than on the Spanish mainland because the islands apply IGIC rather than IVA. Petrol stations cluster near airports and resorts; rural stations can be sparse on smaller islands. Most rentals come with a full-to-full policy.
Mountain roads wind steeply on Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria. Fog rolls in quickly at altitude. If you plan to reach Teide National Park or the Caldera de Taburiente, check weather forecasts and keep headlights on.
| Category | Examples | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Hyundai i10, Fiat Panda | Town drives, airport to resort, single or couple |
| Compact | Seat Ibiza, Opel Corsa | Mixed terrain, three passengers, moderate luggage |
| Estate | Skoda Octavia Estate, Peugeot 308 SW | Families, longer stays, sports equipment |
| SUV | Nissan Qashqai, Dacia Duster | Gravel forest tracks, higher seating, four adults |
Automatic gearboxes are less common than on the mainland. If you need an automatic, filter early - availability tightens in July and August. Manual transmissions handle mountain switchbacks well and are widely available year-round.
Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas operate the main ferry network. The Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife crossing takes around 80 minutes. Standard rental contracts prohibit taking a hire car on the ferry because insurance and registration issues multiply across jurisdictions.
If your itinerary covers multiple islands, book a car for each. Drop off at the airport or port on island one, take the passenger ferry, then collect a new vehicle on island two. The booking platform lets you add extra rentals in the same session, so you see all pick-up times and payment terms in one place.
Local suppliers operating at Gran Canaria and Tenerife airports often offer both on-airport and meet-and-greet services. Check the voucher for exact collection instructions - some desks sit inside the terminal, others operate a short shuttle to an off-site lot.
Yes. Suppliers listed on our platform accept debit cards because they do not place a credit card hold. You pay an advance payment online, and the voucher explains any remaining balance or optional charges at pick-up.
No. Rates vary by island, season, and supplier network. Tenerife and Gran Canaria have higher competition and more suppliers, which can mean more choice in budget categories. Smaller islands like El Hierro or La Gomera have fewer suppliers and sometimes higher rates.
Insurance policies are written per island, and vehicle registration creates complications if the car crosses to another jurisdiction. If you want to visit multiple islands, book a separate car for each and travel as a foot passenger on the ferry.
A full driving licence held for at least one year, a passport or national ID card, and the printed or digital voucher. Some suppliers ask for proof of return flight. The voucher lists exact requirements for each booking.
The islands apply IGIC instead of mainland IVA, so fuel costs noticeably less than in peninsular Spain. Prices are similar across all seven islands, though rural stations on La Gomera or El Hierro may charge a few cents more. Most rentals come with a full-to-full fuel policy.