Taxi or car hire in Lanzarote
There are two ways to explore the island: hire a car or get around by taxi, and neither always wins. This comparison explains when each one is worth it, including when the taxi is not the best option, so that you decide by your trip rather than by a general rule.
When hiring is worth it
If you are going to move several times a day, to beaches and viewpoints that are not on any line's itinerary, on your own schedule and with a set budget, car hire wins. It also wins if you are travelling with small children, eating out away from the village every night, or sleeping somewhere away from the taxi ranks.
When the taxi is worth it
If you make one or two journeys a day — airport, dinner, the occasional excursion — if you drink alcohol, if you arrive late or if you simply do not want to think about parking, the taxi comes out better. It also suits short stays, one-day trips and anyone who cannot be bothered with the logistics of a hired car.
Costs that do not appear in the first comparison
Hiring adds a daily price, fuel, parking, insurance with an excess and the small print on minimum age, mileage and deposit. The taxi adds the journey, waiting time and supplements. Comparing only the first figure of the day is the surest way to get it wrong: compare the whole trip.
How to decide
Count the journeys you will really make, check whether your accommodation has parking and sits on a bus line, and see whether hire is available on the dates that matter. If the answer is two short journeys a day in the centre, do not hire; if it is a lap of the whole island every day, hire and keep the taxi for the airport. Combining both is what most people do.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to use a taxi for the whole trip? ＋
Yes: there is no minimum number of journeys and no obligation to hire anything, and each trip is an independent service paid at what the meter shows. What the island does not have are chauffeur apps in the Uber style, so the route remains the rank or the dispatch.
What do I need to hire a car? ＋
A valid driving licence, a card in the driver's name and sufficient age: each company sets its own minimum and applies a supplement for young drivers. Ask about the insurance excess, the deposit return and the office hours before you book.
Can I hire a car and use taxis on the same days? ＋
It is common and there is no conflict at all. Many people hire for the days spent touring the island and use the taxi for dinner in town, or arrive by taxi on the night they land and collect the car from the following day.