All the things it’s worthwhile to learn about hiring a automobile in Lanzarote
Should you’re going to do one factor in Lanzarote, make it this….rent a automobile!
I’ve simply returned from a stunning journey to Lanzarote. It was my fourth time to the island and it was by far the most effective, just because we employed a automobile.
This little magnificence actually helped to make our vacation so particular.
I’ve at all times liked Lanzarote. I like the fabulous climate, lovely resorts and the way simple and cheap it’s for a winter solar vacation. I’ve at all times stayed in a giant resort and didn’t actually depart the resort as a result of it had every little thing I believed I needed. Good seashores, a number of eating places and bars…what extra would I would like!?
However wow, there’s a lot extra to need in Lanzarote! There’s a lot to see and do and the massive resorts are only a tiny snippet of the island.
My expertise utilizing Zest Automotive Rental in Lanzarote
I employed a automobile by Zest Automotive Rental. I opted for the smallest automobile attainable as I figured it could be cheaper to run and simpler to park. We had a Dacia Sandero and it was completely excellent for 2x adults who had minimal baggage.
Costs can fluctuate with rent vehicles nevertheless it’s roughly £10 a day for a rent automobile in Lanzarote in October with Zest Automotive Rental. I feel this can be a good worth and it’s less expensive than getting a taxi!
One other factor I like about Zest Automotive Rental is which you can add an further driver at no cost. It was very nice to share the driving and even higher we didn’t need to pay additional for this.
I’d had e mail affirmation telling me to go to the TopCar rent desk on the airport so we headed straight there, gave the girl our driving licences and my bank card, signed a kind and headed out to the TopCar sales space out within the automobile park. We walked previous the taxi queue feeling fairly smug we didn’t want to affix it!
Most automobile rental firms require a bank card for a holding deposit. The cash was taken from my account and put again two days after returning the automobile with no injury
We got the keys on the sales space within the automobile park and located our automobile.
Earlier than setting off, I like to recommend filming all the exterior of the rental automobile. When returning, it will show that you’re returning the automobile in the identical situation it was given to you, which means you get your deposit again in full as shortly as attainable.
We drove previous the taxi queue, noting all of the folks from our airplane who nonetheless had an extended wait forward of them! (These smug faces had been again once more!)
I hadn’t pushed overseas for a few years so it took me a minute to get used to driving on the proper. Fortunately, the roads in Lanzarote are clean and comparatively quiet and with the assistance of Google Maps (and my very affected person co-driver!) we had been at our lodging very quickly.
We checked in after which went to Lidl to do a ‘huge meals store’ and liked having the automobile to replenish with meals!
We then spent 5 days exploring Lanzarote and had the most effective time.
Our favorite locations to go to had been:
- Playa de Papagayo
- Mirador del Río
- Jameos del Agua caves
- Arrieta Village
- Cactus backyard
- Timanfaya Nationwide Park
- Playa Blanca Pure Swimming Swimming pools – Los Charcones
- Lagomar Museum
We had completely no issues in any respect utilizing Zest Automotive Rental and will certainly use them once more!
Listed here are a number of the reason why you must 100% rent a automobile in Lanzarote
It’s so reasonably priced and means cheaper than taxis – It was really cheaper to rent a automobile than it could have been JUST for the return taxi journey to the airport.
The taxi queue on the airport is large – I as soon as waited over an hour to get a taxi from the airport to my resort. Selecting up a rent automobile took lower than quarter-hour.
Driving in Lanzarote is straightforward – The roads are completely clean and nicely signposted nevertheless it’s additionally pretty quiet and usually very simple to drive in Lanzarote. Locals don’t actually point out, they don’t stick to hurry limits they usually don’t use the within lane of roundabouts so that you’ve obtained to be a bit cautious however you shortly get used to it!
There’s a great deal of parking in every single place – One thing that has put me off driving overseas earlier than is parking (France, I’m speaking to you!) But it surely’s not an issue in Lanzarote and I didn’t as soon as battle to park.
You may see a lot extra – I visited some seashores you’ll by no means get to in a taxi or tour bus!
It’s nice if the climate is cloudy – Should you’re travelling to Lanzarote within the winter then there’s an opportunity you’ll have a day or two with unhealthy climate. Having a automobile on these days is good as a result of you’ll be able to whizz off on an journey that isn’t depending on a sunny day on the seashore or within the pool.
You are able to do every little thing in your individual time – Whereas it’s attainable to see loads doing excursions with tour firms, that is fairly restrictive and also you’re caught in a large group and on their time schedule.
It’s cheaper than tour firms – It’s additionally less expensive to rent a automobile in Lanzarote than it could be to take excursions.
The liberty is wonderful – It’s simply a lot enjoyable and feels so thrilling and liberating to have the ability to soar in your automobile and head off wherever you fancy for the day.
You are able to do a giant grocery store store – Should you’re self catering it’s actually helpful to have a automobile so you’ll be able to drive to the massive grocery store and lower your expenses by doing a ‘huge store’. All the resorts have smaller comfort shops nevertheless it’s a lot simpler and cheaper to drive to Lidl and do a giant store!
Lanzarote is small so you’ll be able to see loads – You may cross the island actually shortly to get about and see loads. Additionally, if the climate is unhealthy on one aspect of the island, there’s an opportunity it’ll be higher on the opposite aspect!
Suggestions for hiring a automobile in Lanzarote
Ship your designated driver by to the automobile rent desk first
I had an ideal expertise accumulating my automobile in Lanzarote, however I’ve had experiences previously the place there have been large queues on the rent automobile desks. This wasn’t the case in Lanzarote however I nonetheless suppose it’s price being conscious simply in case.
One time in Portugal it took over two hours to get our rent automobile. I used to be away with my household and we had a number of children and many baggage so it took us ages to get by arrivals. We had been the final household off our airplane to get there and the queue was already huge!
In hindsight, we must always have gotten the designated driver to whizz off the airplane, previous the crowds and thru safety shortly to be the primary within the queue for the rent automobile. The remainder of the household can cope with the bags and the youngsters!
Get an computerized should you’re nervous
Should you’re a bit nervous about driving overseas then I like to recommend hiring an computerized automobile. Even should you don’t drive an computerized at residence, you get used to it shortly. Altering gear isn’t tough nevertheless it’s one much less factor to consider in an computerized and it may possibly really feel unusual to vary gear when the gear stick is on the opposite aspect.
Take your telephone holder with you
You’ll in all probability be utilizing Google Maps to navigate your means round Lanzarote so I’d advocate taking a automobile telephone holder with you. It makes it simpler to observe the map with out relying in your passenger to carry your telephone the place you’ll be able to see it.
Use an eSim or add cellular information
Since leaving the EU, many people Brits now not have cellular information when overseas. Should you don’t then I like to recommend utilizing an eSim or ensuring your package deal consists of some cellular information in Spain. Should you’re utilizing Google Maps to get round you then’re going to want it!
Don’t neglect your bank card and pin!
You’re going to want a bank card to rent a automobile overseas. Not solely that however you’ll in all probability want your bodily card, not Apple Pay.
Should you’re like me and don’t often use your bodily bank card, be sure you dig out a minimum of 7-10 days earlier than you fly. Should you can’t discover it you’ll must order a alternative.
Use your wing mirrors
The toughest factor about driving ‘on the opposite aspect of the street’ is that this pure intuition to hug the curb. I can’t inform you what it’s however each time I drive on the proper I can’t assist however drive means too far over to the proper aspect of the street. You may spot the British folks in Lanzarote a mile off as a result of everyone seems to be driving all the best way to the proper!
Use your wing mirrors to verify you’re within the centre of the street, particularly when there are vehicles parked on the proper!
Different FAQs about hiring a automobile in Lanzarote
1. What paperwork do I must hire a automobile in Lanzarote?
You’ll want a legitimate driver’s licence, your passport and a bank card. Some firms do settle for debit playing cards however they often choose a bank card so I’d advocate ensuring the designated driver has a bank card with a restrict of a minimum of £600.
2. Do I would like a world driving allow to drive in Lanzarote?
In case you are from the UK or the EU you then don’t want a world driving allow, your nationwide driver’s licence is adequate. Non-EU guests may have a world driving allow (IDP) relying on their nation of origin.
3. How previous do I should be to hire a automobile?
Examine with the corporate you’re utilizing nevertheless it’s normally 21 or 25 and it’s usually costlier should you’re below 25. Most firms require drivers to be a minimum of 21 years previous, with a minimal of 1 yr of driving expertise.
4. What’s included within the rental worth?
This varies by firm, however with Zest Automotive Rental it included insurance coverage (reminiscent of third-party legal responsibility), an extra driver and limitless mileage.
You may wish to verify if extras like full insurance coverage protection, further drivers, or GPS are included.
5. What sort of insurance coverage do I would like?
Primary insurance coverage is commonly included, however it could have a excessive extra. With Zest Automotive Rental you’ll be able to decide to pay additional for extra insurance coverage. Many renters go for full protection or zero-excess insurance coverage to keep away from massive out-of-pocket bills in case of an accident.
Personally, I didn’t really feel this was vital in Lanzarote as a result of I knew the roads had been protected and comparatively quiet.
6. What’s the gas coverage?
With Zest Automotive Rental, the gas coverage was “full-to-full” which suggests the tank was full after we collected the automobile and needed to return it full.
In Lanzarote, not one of the petrol stations had been open at 5am after we went to the airport so I’m glad we crammed up the night earlier than we left.
7. Is it protected and straightforward to drive round Lanzarote?
Sure, driving in Lanzarote is admittedly protected and straightforward. Actually, I’d say it’s one of many best nations I’ve ever pushed in. The roads are all well-maintained and there’s comparatively gentle visitors exterior of vacationer areas. The island is small, so driving distances are brief. Nonetheless, some rural roads will be slim and winding however so long as you are taking your time it’s fantastic.
8. Are there any toll roads in Lanzarote?
No, there aren’t any toll roads in Lanzarote.
9. Can I rent a automobile at Lanzarote airport?
Sure, most automobile rent firms function at Lanzarote Airport (Arrecife Airport). It’s handy to select up your automobile immediately upon arrival and the vehicles are only a brief stroll from the arrivals space.
10. What are parking situations like?
We discovered parking to be very easy. In cities and vacationer areas, there are many public automobile parks and roadside parking, and a few resorts provide parking too. I didn’t need to pay for parking wherever.
11. Do I must e book a automobile prematurely?
Sure, I might, particularly throughout the excessive season (summer time and holidays). Reserving prematurely normally ensures higher costs and availability.
12. What sort of automobile ought to I hire in Lanzarote?
This is dependent upon your plans. Should you’re largely exploring the coast and cities, a small automobile is ideal. Should you’re planning on visiting distant areas or driving alongside rougher roads, an SUV or 4×4 is perhaps extra snug.
Subsequent time I’m going, I’ll positively rent an SUV as a result of we liked visiting Playa de Papagayo and the street there was fairly bumpy so it simply makes that drive a bit extra snug.
13. Is it price renting a automobile for the entire journey?
You might have seen you’ll be able to rent a automobile for a day or two or you possibly can rent it in your complete journey. In my view, it’s higher worth to rent it for the entire journey, even should you gained’t use it on a regular basis.
14. Are there any driving guidelines distinctive to Lanzarote?
The primary factor to notice is that the locals don’t use the within lane on roundabouts! Don’t even attempt to use the within lane since you’ll by no means get off the roundtable!
In addition they don’t actually point out!
Apart from that, commonplace Spanish street guidelines apply in Lanzarote. The velocity restrict is often 50 km/h in cities and 90-120 km/h on highways. It’s very simple to know the velocity restrict following the street indicators or utilizing Google Maps.
Seat belts are obligatory, and driving inebriated is strictly enforced. We did see police pull over some younger guys late at night time so I’m assuming this was alcohol associated.
15. Can I take the rental automobile to different Canary Islands?
Usually, automobile rental firms in Lanzarote don’t enable automobiles to be taken on ferries to different islands until explicitly permitted within the rental contract.
16. What ought to I do in case of an accident or breakdown?
Whenever you acquire your rent automobile you’ll be given a kind with a telephone quantity on to name in case of an emergency. You must instantly contact the automobile rental firm who will present help, and plenty of provide breakdown cowl. You may additionally must contact the police for accidents.
Usually talking although, breakdowns in rent vehicles are VERY uncommon as a result of the vehicles are nicely maintained they usually’re normally very new. The mileage is low they usually’re inspected after each use so it’s unlikely you’ll break down.