LAS PALMASLeaving Gran Canaria: transport guide
Gran Canaria Airport offers clear public transport options and relatively few reported taxi scams for an international destination, especially if heading to Las Palmas.
LPA (Gran Canaria) is the main international airport serving Las Palmas, Spain. The recommended way out is Global Bus Line 60 (~€2.30 - €2.95, 20-30 min to Las Palmas). Pickup is at Follow signs for 'Bus' from arrivals; buses depart frequently from the terminal.. The most common scam to watch for is "Fixed-price taxi offers". Fares on the AIRPORT → City Centre route typically run €2.30 - €35; anything above €50+ for taxi to Las Palmas without justifiable surcharges (night/weekend). is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.
Global Bus Line 60
- Typical fare
- €2.30 - €2.95
- Journey time
- 20-30 min to Las Palmas
- Pickup
- Follow signs for 'Bus' from arrivals; buses depart frequently from the terminal.
Compare your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Wait | Payment | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Global Bus Line 60 | €2.30 - €2.95 | 15-30 min | 💳Card / Cash | |
Taxi | €25-€35 | 5-15 min | 💳Card / Cash | — |
Private Transfer (e.g., Sixt, Ziptransfers) | €25-€35 | Pre-booked | 💳Card | |
Ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft) | Not available for airport pick-up/drop-off | N/A | 📱App | — |
Your first 30 minutes
- 1Locate 'Bus' signs.
- 2Buy bus ticket on board.
- 3Validate destination (San Telmo/Santa Catalina).
- 4Find your bus stop.
- 5Board the correct bus line.
Airport exit score
- Scam risk80
- Public transport90
- Ride-hailing60
- Signage clarity90
- Payment convenience85
Fare reality check
- €2.30 - €35ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
- Above €35 for taxi to Las Palmas, or €5 for bus.ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
- €50+ for taxi to Las Palmas without justifiable surcharges (night/weekend).Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
Best ways out, ranked
- 1
Global Bus Line 60
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- €2.30 - €2.95
- Journey
- 20-30 min
- Wait
- 15-30 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Most economical option.
- Relatively quick and direct to key city points.
- Frequent departures during the day.
Cons- May be crowded.
- Limited luggage space.
- Does not offer door-to-door service.
- 2
Taxi
- Cost
- €25-€35
- Journey
- 20-30 min
- Wait
- 5-15 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Door-to-door convenience.
- Faster than bus for some destinations.
- Good for groups or heavy luggage.
Cons- Significantly more expensive than bus.
- Potential for overcharging, especially at night or weekends.
- Traffic congestion can affect travel time during peak hours.
- 3
Private Transfer (e.g., Sixt, Ziptransfers)
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- €25-€35
- Journey
- 20-30 min
- Wait
- Pre-booked
- Payment
- 💳 Card
Pros- Fixed price, no hidden fees or surge.
- Meet-and-greet service.
- Comfortable and direct.
- Good for peace of mind, especially for first-time visitors.
Cons- Requires advance booking.
- Can be slightly more expensive than a metered taxi if you're lucky with traffic.
- 4
Ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft)
- Cost
- Not available for airport pick-up/drop-off
- Journey
- N/A
- Wait
- N/A
- Payment
- 📱 App
ProsCons- Not available at LPA airport.
- Will need to find alternative options.
Paying without surprises
- Always confirm if a taxi accepts card BEFORE starting the ride.
- Bus drivers appreciate exact change, but usually carry some for small notes.
- Pre-booked transfers are generally paid online in advance.
- Beware of broken card machines in taxis; it could be a scam to demand cash.
Common scams
Fixed-price taxi offers
Medium riskUnsolicited drivers offering a 'fixed' price from arrivals, often much higher than the metered rate.
HOW TO AVOID · Ignore solicitors inside the terminal. Go to the official taxi stand and ensure the meter is used.
Taxi meter manipulation
Medium riskDrivers hiding the meter or setting it to a higher 'night/weekend' tariff during standard hours.
HOW TO AVOID · Confirm the meter is running and visible, ideally at 'Tarifa 1' during the day. Query any suspicious readings.
Excessive surcharges
Low riskTaxis adding unjustified surcharges for luggage, extra passengers, or 'airport fees'.
HOW TO AVOID · Official taxi fares include a small airport supplement; verify published rates. Most common luggage is free.
What locals & travellers say
“For destinations other than Las Palmas beyond the south coast, a bus connection may be required from San Telmo or Santa Catalina station. Check Guaguas Global website for detailed routes.”
- "For destinations other than Las Palmas beyond the south coast, a bus connection may be required from San Telmo or Santa Catalina station. Check Guaguas Global website for detailed routes." — airporttransferportal.com
- "Night and weekend taxi tariffs ('Tarifa 2') are about 20% higher than daytime rates. Factor this into your budget." — airporttransferportal.com
- "The GC-1 motorway can experience rush hour congestion (7:30-9:30 AM, 5-7:30 PM), which will increase taxi travel time but doesn't change the metered fare substantially." — airporttransferportal.com
Arrival checklist
- Confirm destination and fare.
- Have Euro coins/small notes ready.
- Only use official taxis.
- Validate bus route before boarding.
Take it with you
LPA arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Gran Canaria?
- Global Bus Line 60. Confirm your exact stop in Las Palmas (San Telmo or Santa Catalina) before boarding..
- Are taxis at LPA safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: fixed-price taxi offers — Unsolicited drivers offering a 'fixed' price from arrivals, often much higher than the metered rate. Ignore solicitors inside the terminal. Go to the official taxi stand and ensure the meter is used.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at LPA?
- Yes — Ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft) works at LPA. Typical cost Not available for airport pick-up/drop-off, journey ~N/A. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from LPA to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the AIRPORT → City Centre route is roughly €2.30 - €35. Anything around Above €35 for taxi to Las Palmas, or €5 for bus. is high — €50+ for taxi to Las Palmas without justifiable surcharges (night/weekend). is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at LPA?
- Carry small local notes — Global Bus Line 60 expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Gran Canaria?
- Follow signs for 'Bus' from arrivals; buses depart frequently from the terminal.. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is LPA safe to arrive at late at night?
- Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically taxi meter manipulation. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
- What scams should I watch for at LPA?
- The most reported at LPA: Fixed-price taxi offers; Taxi meter manipulation; Excessive surcharges. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.