Gran Canaria airport (Gando, code LPA) sits neatly on the east coast between the island's two big draws — the capital, Las Palmas, to the north and the sun-drenched southern resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles to the south — and the fast GC-1 motorway makes reaching either genuinely quick. Better still, Gran Canaria has one of the best public-bus links of any Canary airport, so you have real choice here between cheap, frequent buses, taxis, private transfers and hire cars. This guide lays out each option with rough journey times, so you can be at your hotel — southern beach or northern city — with the minimum of fuss.
Where is Gran Canaria airport?
LPA is roughly midway down the island's east coast, about 25 km from both Las Palmas in the north and the main southern resort zone. The GC-1 motorway runs right past the terminal in both directions, which is why transfers each way are so smooth. Whether you're bound for the Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas resort strip or the vibrant city of Las Palmas, you're looking at well under an hour. For the airport in context, see our Canary Islands airports guide.
| Destination | Rough drive from LPA |
|---|---|
| Playa del Ingles / Maspalomas | ~25–30 minutes |
| Puerto Rico / Puerto de Mogán | ~40–50 minutes |
| Las Palmas | ~20–25 minutes |
Photo: Sino Yu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · scaled
The fast Global buses
Gran Canaria's public bus network, run by Global (the yellow-and-blue guaguas), is the standout here. Fast, frequent express services link the airport directly with both Las Palmas to the north and the southern resorts to the south along the motorway — you rarely wait long, and fares are very low compared with a taxi. A rechargeable travel card brings the cost down further. It's an excellent option for budget-conscious travellers and solo visitors travelling light. The one drawback is the last-mile problem: you're delivered to a bus station or main stop, from which you may need a short taxi or a walk to your hotel. Our getting around guide explains the Global network in detail.
The airport buses run in both directions along the GC-1, so LPA is one of the few Canary airports where the public bus is a serious, sensible choice even with a suitcase — especially if your hotel is near a main stop in Las Palmas or the southern resorts.
Taxi
Official metered taxis queue outside arrivals and are the quickest door-to-door option. To the southern resorts you're looking at around half an hour; to Las Palmas a little less. Fares are regulated and reasonable, and for a group splitting the cost a taxi can rival the bus while dropping you right at your accommodation. It's the obvious choice after a late arrival or with young children and lots of luggage.
Private transfer
Pre-booked private and shared transfers are popular for the southern resorts, where a driver meets you by name and takes you straight to your hotel for a fixed, agreed price. Private is fastest and most comfortable; shared shuttles are cheaper but call at several hotels en route. Booking ahead means someone's waiting when you land — handy after a long flight. Our sister travel-logistics site is a useful place for comparing how to get from the airport to your resort.
Fares, bus times and travel-card prices all change over time — buy tickets or top up at the airport machines, check the last bus if you land late, and treat any figures you find online as "confirm locally". Only use official, marked taxis from the rank.
Hiring a car
Gran Canaria is a wonderfully varied island — dunes and beaches in the south, a dramatic green interior of ravines, pine forests and Roque Nublo at its heart — and a hire car unlocks all of it. The rental desks are at the terminal and the GC-1 gets you south or north within the half-hour. For a beach-and-pool week you may not need one; for exploring the mountains and quiet corners, it more than pays its way. Our car hire guide covers the practical side, from insurance to fuel.
Which should you choose?
- Budget, travelling light — the Global express bus is excellent value.
- Straight-to-the-door ease — taxi or private transfer.
- Group of three or four — a shared taxi often matches the bus on cost.
- Exploring the island — hire a car at the airport.
With the motorway on the doorstep and buses running both ways, Gran Canaria makes the airport-to-resort leg easy however you travel. For more on the island, see our Gran Canaria hub, and once transport's sorted, our guide to where to stay.