Gran Canaria Airport is located on the west side of Gran Canaria island, about 19 kilometers south of Las Palmas and 25 kilometers from the tourist hotspots on the south beaches of the island. This is the only airport on the island and one of the primary gateways to the Canary Islands of Spain. It handles over 13 million passengers annually with flights all over Europe and West Africa, Madeira, and the Azores.
Major Airlines - Binter Canarias, Ryanair, Vueling, Canaryfly
Gran Canaria Airport is a hub for 5 airlines:
Binter Canarias, the archipelago's flagship carrier, offers extensive domestic and international flights.
Canaryfly offers inter-island flights within the Canary Islands.
Ryanair flies to over 30 destinations in Europe.
Vueling operates flights to destinations in Mainland Spain and a few other European countries.
Norwegian Air Shuttle flies to several cities in Norway and Sweden
Additionally, more than three dozen other airlines operate regular flights between Europe and Gran Canaria. In winter, the airport also serves as a base for charter flights to destinations in Western Africa.
See more airlines operating at Gran Canaria Airport.
Check-in Process
For most flights, you can check in online beforehand to save time at the airport. Online check-in normally opens 24-48 hours before departure. If you have a digital boarding card, you can proceed straight to security and immigration (if flying out of the Schengen zone).
Alternatively, visit the check-in desks that are located on the upper floor of the terminal. This is also the bag drop-off area. Some airlines may charge extra fees for manual check-in.
The general rule is to check in at least 3 hours before departure for non-Schengen flights and 2 hours for Domestic and Schengen flights.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Gran Canaria Airport has a single terminal divided into three zones, each handling different categories of flights:
Zone A: Serves inter-island flights within the Canary Islands.
Zone B and Zone C: Operate flights within Schengen, including Mainland Spain.
Zone D: Handles non-EU international flights and features additional security and screening.
Dining Options
The airport offers various dining options, some of which are:
Exploring The World by Juan Perdomo: Located on Floor 2 of Departures (passenger-only zone), this brewery serves emblematic regional dishes, like papas arrugadas con mojo potatoes and the smash burger with fried Canarian cheese at its large terrace overlooking the runway and the sea.
O'Learys: A sporty, young, and comfortable restaurant-grill offering starters, grilled meats, salads, and sandwiches. Find on Floor 1 of Departures (passenger-only zone).
Burger King: The well-known American burger chain is located on Floor 1 of Departures.
Lounges
Gran Canaria Airport has the Sala VIP Galdós lounge located in the passenger-only zone on the second floor of Area C of Departures.
Access is available to business class passengers and certain frequent flyer members but anyone can purchase a 4-hour pass. The lounge offers work areas, various food options (including special diets), free Wi-Fi, a TV, and digital newspapers.
Transportation to and from the Airport
Gran Canaria Airport is connected well to the rest of the island and features several transport options for reaching or departing from it:
- Bus: 8 different lines call at Gran Canaria Airport.
Bus route 1 runs between the airport, the capital, and the tourist area of Puerto de Mogán in the southwest.
Line 11 goes to the village of Agüimes
Lines 5, 36, 66, and 90 go to Faro de Maspalomas
Lines 60 and 91 go to the island capital of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The frequency of most buses is 20 minutes and all lines stop at Floor 1 of Departures.
Price depends on distance - approximately 2.30 EUR to the capital or 6.8 EUR to Puerto Mogán
Taxi: Taxi ranks are on Floor 0 in front of the terminal. A ride to Las Palmas typically takes about 20 minutes and costs around 35-40 EUR. Always take a metered taxi, and confirm the approximate cost with the driver before agreeing.
Car Hire is an option if you want independence of travel. Choose from the several car rental companies that operate within the airport. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons.
Last but not least, you can book a private transfer directly to your hotel on the island. Explore private transfer options from Gran Canaria Airport.
Parking
Gran Canaria Airport has a general parking lot for short and medium stays and a long-stay parking lot.
The general parking lot is a three-story car park allowing quick access to the terminal building. Parking is billed by the hour.
The long-term parking lot is ideal if you will be away for a longer time. Prices depend on duration and billed per day. For current parking rates, visit the official airport website or contact the airport directly.
You will get a discount if you pre-book, although it’s not strictly necessary.
Hotels
There are no hotels directly on the airport premises. If you need to stay as close as possible to the airport, a good option is Elba Vecindario Aeropuerto Business & Convention Hotel about 12 kilometers away which offers a free shuttle service.
A close but more unassuming choice is Rickaty-Lodge Bed and Breakfast which is just 4 km south of the Terminal building.
Las Palmas, Spain
Yes
