Driving in Lanzarote

[smellyfeet]

DD (4yo) and I are going to Lanzarote early June. We are staying HB in a hotel with a kids club and pool, beach etc. I want to hire a car for a few days to explore, but wondering what your thoughts were. I have never driven a left hand drive car and I will be the only adult, plus my DD.

Whilst I am up for it, am I being a little crazy? Or are the roads quiet and easy enough to get around? What are the roads and the drivers like in Lanzarote.

Thank you in advance for any tips!

Hi, I was in Lanzarote a year ago. The roads were fairly quiet and the drivers were fine.

Driving a left-hand drive car would probably be easier for the first time if you hired an automatic rather than a manual, although after a few hours it will feel natural to do everything the "wrong way round..."

No, you're not being crazy, go for it. I've driven left-hand drive cars all over Europe & the USA and Lanzarote was one of the easiest places to navigate around (it's a small island and there is one big dual carriageway that runs the length of the island, with good signposts) and there aren't too many roundabouts!

Thanks, good to hear.

Do you remember if the cost of car hire fairly reasonable? ANd cost of fuel?

hire costs are pretty cheap - better than anywhere else we have visited. i think the fuel was reasonable too - can't remember my husband moaning anyway. agree with mrs about automatic - this is one of my husbands stresses, having everything on wrong side of the car. we found the roads to be very quiet (feb), plus you don't really have that many options as its not a complex road system.

There is a fantastic but scary mountain road in the North of the island with some wonderful things to see. If you can, definitely go there.

I think there are coach tours too if you're wary of driving yourself- but it's not to be missed. There is one good thing to see that you're sworn to secrecy about......

Go to Playa Famara in the North West of the island - beautiful natural surf beach surrounded by extinct volcanoes!

I would definitely do it. Some of the volcanic scenery is spectacular, and quite unlike anything anywhere else. The roads are fine - lots of euro investment means they are generally in good nick, and quite empty. We invested in the Spanish map for our sat nav - well worth it, as you didn't have to worry so much about getting lost, and could concentrate on the roads. Hope you have a lovely time :)

Look at this thread on Tripadvisor

Unleaded is currently about 1.04 euros, and diesel a bit cheaper at 1.00 euros. Not much difference in cost around the island, but make sure you return the car with petrol, as one or two firms may charge you massively for filling it up.

A small class 2 vehicle eg Fiat Panda or Hyundai i10 should cost under 90 euros for a week's car hire Lanzarote.

I agree about the excursions, and there is also a new hop on-hop-off anywhere coach tour system called Lanzarote Vision, that circulates round a number of them. There doesn't seem to be a website yet, but the tourist information offices have leaflets with the routes. The cost is 19.50 euros (adults) and 17.50 euros (children) for a full day ticket.

Aww - you will be fine.

We were in Lanzarote in Feb - and as we were staying in a private villa in Playa Blanca hired a car from the airport.

We chose an automatic - as we drive those at home - and it is just easier than thinking about gears and clutch..

It wasn't overly expensive - it does cost more generally for automatics but wasn 't bad. Got it from Cabrera Medina - and was 175 Euro for the week. The desk is just by the luggage carousel in Arrivals - and I went and sorted the car whilst DH got the bags. They charged us actually about 20 euro more, but that was for fuel. It was fine - we didn't need to top it up all week.

The cars are all parked in a big garage just across from the arrivals hall - each in a numbered bay. Oh, and when you return it -make sure you drive it in ot the arrivals - we got a bit stuck trying to find it - but know now!!!

Our villa was a bit remote - so it was useful to getout and about. Although we did use taxis too if we fancied a drink on an evening.

The roads are great to drive on -better than in the UK for sure - and they are rarely busy. You just have to concentrate when entering towns/resorts obviously.

Oh, and if you do take a car from the airport- ensure that the boot is large enough for your luggage!!

Thanks - it's just DD and I so we won't have much stuff.

I looked at resorthopper and it would cost me £105 for transfers, but on carhire3000 I can get a car for a week for £60!

I am just a bit anxious as I have never driven on the left in a left handed car. And it will be just me and the 4 year old!

I think I am going to do it. It might take me an age to get to the hotel, but an adventure!

Truly - it will be fine.

Just sit in the car when you get it - and familiarise yourself with the controls etc. No rush to set off straightaway :) In fact I spent the first 10mins wondering what the high pitched beeeping was - I checked that everyone had seatbelts on, doors were shut etc - DH realised that I hadn't released the handbrake fully - ha ha. ( OUr cars at home have auto handbrakes too!)

There aren't that many roads either - and they are well signposted. you have to try hard to get lost. any of the tourist maps will suffice for you to find your way around the island.

Enjoy!! I love Lanzarote - bit jealous... ;)