Go by bus on Gran Canaria

Exploring Gran Canaria by bus from Las Palmas offers British and Dutch visitors a sustainable, budget-friendly way to experience the island’s beaches, mountains and historic towns. The island’s intercity network is dominated by Global, a social-economy enterprise that operates 308 vehicles across 121 routes, covering more than 27 million km annually and transporting over 25 million passengers each year Guaguas GlobalDin Kollektivtrafikguide. Alongside Global, Guaguas Municipales runs the city buses in Las Palmas, while Guaguas Guzmán serves the north-west region, ensuring that a guagua (Canary slang for bus) can take you almost anywhere on Gran Canaria Gran Canaria InfoTransitland.

Las Palmas Bus Stations: San Telmo and Santa Catalina

Your adventure begins in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s two main intercity hubs: the Estación de Guaguas at San Telmo and the underground Intercambiador Santa Catalina. San Telmo sits just off the city centre, close to Parque Santa Catalina and the port, and is served by numerous Global lines linking the capital to the south coast and airport Gran CanariaWikipedia – Die freie Enzyklopädie. A short walk—or a quick hop on Guaguas Municipales—takes you to the Santa Catalina station, located beneath Plaza del Puerto, featuring over 20 bays and direct connections on Global’s longest routes across the island Wikipedia – Die freie EnzyklopädieLas Palmas Onboarding.

Key Routes from Las Palmas

From San Telmo and Santa Catalina, multiple Global lines radiate in every direction:

  • Route 1 (L1): The flagship coastal service runs from Las Palmas via Santa Catalina and San Telmo to Gran Canaria Airport, then continues south through San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Arguineguín and Puerto Rico before terminating at Puerto de Mogán, with departures up to every 30 minutes in high season Guaguas GlobalGuaguas Global.
  • Route 5 (L5): Linking Las Palmas with Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, Route 5 offers a straight southbound journey ideal for sunbathers and dune wanderers, operating approximately every 30 minutes during the day Guaguas GlobalDin Kollektivtrafikguide.
  • Route 60: The airport shuttle connects Estación de Guaguas (San Telmo) and Intercambiador Santa Catalina with Gran Canaria Airport in around 20 minutes, charging €2.30 from San Telmo or €2.95 from Santa Catalina Wikipedia – Die freie EnzyklopädieGran Canaria.
  • Routes 66/90/91: For a single-fare run (€4.05), these lines link the airport with Maspalomas and Faro de Maspalomas, stopping at Playa del Inglés en route, with hourly frequency Wikipedia – Die freie EnzyklopädieGran Canaria.
  • Routes 210/211/213: If you’re eager to explore the lush north, Route 210 departs Las Palmas (San Telmo) for Arucas in about 30 minutes, while Routes 211 and 213 connect to Firgas and Teror respectively, running on weekdays with frequencies of 40–60 minutes Din KollektivtrafikguideGuaguas Global.

Tickets, Fares, and the Free Transport Scheme

Since 2023, the Cabildo de Gran Canaria has maintained free public transport across the island, allowing you to hop on any bus without paying during your stay through at least the end of 2025 Cadena SER. When the free scheme expires, Global’s contactless SUMA card (formerly TransGC) and Guaguas Municipales city cards will offer discounted rates: the city buses charge a flat €1.40 per ride, while intercity fares will range from around €2.30 for airport runs to €4.05 for longer south-coast services Wikipedia – Die freie Enzyklopädienikateacher.com.

Timetables and Frequency

Main routes (1 and 5) run every 20–30 minutes from early morning until late evening, with reduced service at dawn and dusk, while airport shuttles and coastal lines operate hourly Guaguas GlobalDin Kollektivtrafikguide. On weekends and holiday fiestas, frequencies may drop, so always check the current schedules at the stations or online before you travel.

Buying Tickets and Payment Options

Under the free transport scheme, no purchase is needed—just board and validate if requested. Once fares resume, you can buy SUMA cards at ticket offices in Las Palmas and Maspalomas, top them up via terminals across the island, online or at SUMA machines, or simply pay cash on board (exact change preferred) for both Global and Guaguas Municipales buses Wikipedia – Die freie EnzyklopädieTripadvisor.

Practical Tips for Navigating the Guaguas

  • Real-time info: Download the Moovit app for live tracking, stop alerts and route planning in English and Dutch, preventing you from squinting at sun-baked timetables Din KollektivtrafikguideGuaguas Global.
  • Beat the heat: Stations can get busy and exposed; aim to arrive 5–10 minutes before departure, especially for airport buses and weekend trips.
  • Tourist offices: Pick up free bus maps, updated timetables and insider tips at any island Tourist Board office, including the one in Parque de Santa Catalina.

Top Day-Trip Suggestions

  1. Maspalomas Dunes: Take Route 5 or the L4 service (Las Palmas ↔ Tablero de Maspalomas) for a 45-minute ride to the Sahara-style dunes and iconic lighthouse, then stroll the beachfront promenade into Meloneras for seaside cafés Guaguas GlobalGran Canaria.
  2. Puerto de Mogán: Hop on Route 1 for its scenic coastal drive; in roughly 90 minutes you’ll arrive at this “Little Venice” known for its pastel-hued marina and waterside restaurants Guaguas GlobalGuaguas Global.
  3. Arucas and Firgas: Board Route 210 for a quick dash to Arucas, famed for its rum distillery and neo-Gothic church, then transfer to Route 211 for Firgas’s charming water-feature boulevard before returning on the same lines Din KollektivtrafikguideGuaguas Global.
  4. Interior Villages: Public buses to Tejeda, Roque Nublo and inland hamlets are infrequent or nonexistent; consider booking a guided minibus tour or hiring a car for flexible mountain exploration.

Scenic Journeys and Hidden Gems

Choose a window seat on Route 1 for sweeping bays and volcanic cliffs along the south-west coast, or ride Route 210 out of Las Palmas to glimpse the banana plantations and hillsides that frame the north coast’s lush scenery Guaguas GlobalDin Kollektivtrafikguide. For solitude and local flavour, explore the lesser-known stops on Routes 213 and 65 to Santa Brígida or Cruz de Tejeda, where tiny hamlets await the intrepid guagua-rider.

Bus Etiquette and Accessibility

Gran Canaria’s fleet features low-floor, wheelchair-accessible coaches equipped with USB charging ports, climate control and clear bilingual route displays Live it up, Las Palmas!Wikipedia – Die freie Enzyklopädie. Always allow disembarking passengers to step off first, validate your fare or card promptly, and keep noise to a minimum to respect fellow travellers and drivers.

Gran Canaria’s guaguas transform travel from a necessity into part of the adventure—linking city, coast and countryside with frequency, affordability and unexpected panoramas. Whether you’re seeking sun-drenched beaches, historic towns or remote mountain vistas, Las Palmas’s bus network is your passport to exploring every corner of this diverse island.