Is It Worth Hiring A Car In Fuerteventura? Here’s Everything You Need To Know (2024)
Is it worth hiring a car in Fuerteventura?
From scenic viewpoints, gorgeous sandy beaches, museums to picturesque villages & sublime sunsets – there’s so much to see & do in Fuerteventura.
And, if you are planning a trip to the island in 2024, you might well be asking yourself: “Should I rent a car in Fuerteventura?“
We asked ourselves the same question the first time we booked to visit the island – & our answer was a resounding YES, it is worth hiring a car in Fuerteventura , if you are planning to explore a lot of the island!
In this post, we will cover the most common questions people ask about hiring a car in Fuerteventura.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase or book through one of our links, we may make a small commission – at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 💗
Hiring A Car In Fuerteventura : An Overview
Is It Worth Hiring A Car In Fuerteventura?
We personally DO recommend hiring a car for your trip to Fuerteventura, especially if you want to extensively explore the island at your own leisure.
Fuerteventura is actually the second-largest of the Canary Islands (Tenerife being the largest!) & there are SO MANY picturesque towns to visit, epic viewpoints to get your photo taken & beautiful beaches to spend the day at.
It is very handy to have a car to be able to explore all these places at your own pace & for as long as you wish.
For us, hiring a car in Fuerteventura gives us the flexibility to get up & go wherever we want, anytime we want – without feeling restricted.
So YES we do recommend hiring a car in Fuerteventura *IF* you are planning to take in all the sights & explore most of the island.
On the other hand, if you are just planning on chilling by the pool, heading to the nearest bar for a cocktail & generally staying put – it may not be necessary to get a rental car. We will cover this in more detail near the end of our post!
What Do I Need To Hire A Car In Fuerteventura?
If you have decided that yes, you want the freedom to explore Fuerteventura at your leisure, these are the documents you will need & the requirements for hiring a car in Fuerteventura.
Note: we always encourage you to double-check your chosen rental agency’s policy regarding necessary documents, age & driving requirements before you book.
- Photographic Driving Licence – a full, valid driving licence is required for everyone planning to drive the rental car. Ensure your licence is up to date in accordance with your chosen rental companies policy. For citizens outside the EU, note you may require an International Driving Permit too.
- Credit Card – you will need a credit card to secure your deposit – this must be in the primary driver’s name.
- Passport – simply needed to prove your identity.
- Your Booking Confirmation
Other Possible Requirements
Although the legal driving age in Fuerteventura is 18, rental companies will most likely have different age requirements depending on their own policies. We have noticed that most of the rental companies in Fuerteventura require you to be 21+, however there may be a couple that will offer cars under 21.
Other important things to note:
- If you are under the age of 25, you may get charged a ‘Young Drivers Fee’
- If you are under a certain age, you may need to have been driving for a certain length of time
- Some cars may only be available to persons who are 30+
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Always make sure to read ‘Rental Conditions’. These can be found under the car picture on the desktop version of the website and should be read before booking, as they vary by supplier. The voucher, a document confirming the booking, will be sent to you after booking and can also be downloaded from the ‘My Booking’ section.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Car In Fuerteventura
Prices for car hire in Fuerteventura will vary depending on which car rental company you choose, how far in advance you book, how long you want the car for, which model you choose, the time of year etc.
According to the comparison website Discover Cars, the cheapest month to rent a car in Fuerteventura is June – when prices average about £12.52 per day. Surprisingly it is more expensive in December, with prices averaging £24.37.
Where To Hire A Car In Fuerteventura
Should you rent a car from Fuerteventura Airport or from a local company in the resort you are planning to stay at? Here’s our thoughts!
Fuerteventura Airport
There are many rental car companies at Fuerteventura Airport to choose from, & the prices are generally cheaper than hiring a car from a rental company in a town or local resort.
To get the best price for you car (& ensure availability), we suggest PRE-BOOKING your car from one of the rental companies at Fuerteventura Airport as soon as you have booked your flights. (rather than waiting until you get there!)
Booking well in advance of your trip means that you will get a better deal & save yourself some money! Plus it means the car is ready for you as soon as you touch down.
We personally find that being able to collect, & leave the car off at Fuerteventura airport is super convenient, easy & it saves you the hassle (and expense) of arranging extra transfers to your accommodation.
Local Towns/Resorts
The other option (which we have personally never done in Fuerteventura so can’t go into too much detail), is to wait until you get to your resort, & hire a car at a local company. For example there are rental car companies in most main towns such as Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste or Morro Jable.
The downside is that it will be likely more expensive to rent a car locally or on the day – as you haven’t booked in advance. You may also have to wait for a period of time (sometimes even the next day) until a car becomes available.
If you’d rather pick your car up from the town you are staying in & just get your own transfers to/from the airport, then we do suggest still pre-booking online, & select the option for pick up/drop off at your chosen location.
How To Hire A Rental Car In Fuerteventura
We recommend using the Discover Cars website to search for a car. We’ve used them several times now & they seem to always have the best rates.
Compare Car Rental Prices in Fuerteventura at Discover Cars!
Discover Cars compares car rental deals from various different local & international companies in Fuerteventura, in order to get you the best price for your car.
As we mentioned above, from our experience it is important to book well in advance of your visit to Fuerteventura to get the best deal.
TIP: We personally have had a good experience with TopCar, they’re professional & we’ve never had any issues collecting or dropping-off the our hire car.
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For the best experience with DiscoverCars.com, book with Full Coverage, take detailed photos of the car before you set off, choose fully prepaid cars, select suppliers with high ratings (8.0+), be mindful of mileage policies especially for long trips, always read the Rental Conditions for detailed information, and thoroughly review the Booking Confirmation.
Full Coverage With Discover Cars
We highly recommend taking out the full coverage option at the time of booking your car on Discover Cars.
This works out much cheaper than getting it at the rental desk in the airport.
The reason we choose the full coverage is to give us peace of mind that if we did happen to have an accident, then we would get the security deposit refunded from the full coverage.
To read more information about the full coverage option click here.
Quick Tips For Hiring A Car For Fuerteventura
Here are some things you may want to consider when booking your rental car:
- Size & Type of Car. Consider how many people are travelling & even how many suitcases you have. We travel as a couple so we usually book an economy car & it suits us perfectly.
- Pick Up & Drop Off Location. Consider where you want to pick up your car & drop it off when you leave. In our personal experience, Fuerteventura Airport is the most convenient!
- Driving Age & Requirements – Always make sure that you review the age & driving requirements of the car rental Company you choose.
- What Insurance Is Required – Check what insurance you need to hire the car. As mentioned above you can get insurance through the car comparison site you use, or when you book or at the car rental company.
Tips For Picking Up & Dropping Off Your Rental Car In Fuerteventura
Pick-Up 🚗
- Firstly, you want to ensure you have all necessary documents with you. This will include your booking confirmation, valid driving licence (for all drivers), passport, credit card (in main driver’s name) & any other necessary documents the rental company requires.
- Locate your rental car pickup location. The address or location of your rental car company will be shown on your booking confirmation. If you are picking up a hire car from Fuerteventura Airport, this will likely be either in the arrivals terminal, outside the front of the airport or close by to the airport (in which case you may need to take a shuttle.)
- Picking Up Your Rental Car. Once you have located your rental car office, make sure you have all your documents at the ready. Bear in mind you may have a small wait if there is a queue. They will check these documents & ensure you have enough money for the deposit on your credit card. You will receive the keys to your car at this point & either be directed to it’s location or escorted to it.
- Inspect The Car Before You Go & Take Pictures/Videos. We always recommend inspecting the rental for damages or scratches before you set off. You should receive a document that should show any current damage on the car. If you are unsure of anything or something isn’t listed, ask an employee. We also suggest taking pictures & videos of the car as proof (just in case!)
- Check The Current Mileage & Fuel Levels. For even more peace of mind, it’s good practice to take pictures of the current milage on the car, as well as the amount of fuel it has in the tank.
Drop-Off 🚗
- Fill Your Tank To The Correct Fuel Level. Your rental car company will state how much fuel needs to be in the vehicle on return. Usually you have to return it with the same amount as you received, however check your rental company’s individual policy.
- Don’t Be Late Leaving Your Car Back. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to locate the drop-off location for your car. At Fuerteventura Airport this is usually where you picked the car up from. If you arrive late you may incur additional charges.
TIP: There is a CEPSA fuel station pretty much right as you enter Fuerteventura Airport – this is where we normally fill the car up before dropping it off!
Driving In Fuerteventura : FAQ
Is It Difficult To Drive In Fuerteventura?
We found that Fuerteventura feels pretty easy to drive around, & the traffic on the island is very light.
The main roads are all well maintained, marked & signposted.
Like anywhere, if you go off the beaten track you may find a few dirt roads & we’ll be honest there are some windy roads to the town of Betancuria lol, but again they’re absolutely fine if you take your time!
In general we find that the main roads that you are likely to be driving on are pretty smooth. When we went in December 2023, we saw them updating some of the roads & building new ones too!
Are There Toll Roads In Fuerteventura?
One thing we love about Fuerteventura is that there are NO toll roads! Hurray!
It makes driving there feel much less stressful, as there’s no worry about ending up on a toll road by mistake!
Are There Plenty Of Filling Stations In Fuerteventura?
There are plenty of places to fill up your rental car tank in Fuerteventura.
The easiest way to find them is to search on Google Maps, or take even just take note as you drive around.
The most popular ones are Repsol, Cepsa, Disa & Shell.
What’s The Parking Like In Fuerteventura?
Honestly, we have never had too much trouble find a parking space in Fuerteventura, nor have we ever had to pay. Most towns seem to have plenty of on-street parking available. In the height of the summer some of the main resorts like Corralejo or Caleta de Fuste may be busier, but there should still be plenty of parking available.
Can You Drive From Fuerteventura To Lanzarote In A Rental Car?
One of the most popular things to do in Corralejo is to hop on a ferry & head to Lanzarote for a day trip. However – not every rental car company will let you take your car to another island, it will depend on their policy.
If you want to bring your car to Lanzarote (rather than going on foot) – we advise checking with the rental company before booking or in advance.
5 Tips For Driving In Fuerteventura
We personally find that driving in Fuerteventura is pretty straightforward! The roads are fairly quiet & are in good condition.
Here are some helpful tips for driving around Fuerteventura:
1. Have your documents & licence with you at all times
In the unlikely event that you get stopped by the police, it is a good idea to have your driving licence & rental car confirmation with you.
2. Take note of the nearest petrol stations
It’s always good to be aware of where the nearest petrol station – just in case! We usually just check on Google Maps before we set off.
3. Don’t leave any important belongings in the car
No matter where you are, it’s always a good idea to put important belongings out of sight. Pop your belongings in the boot, carry them with you or pop anything of value in the safe at your hotel.
4. Plan out your route before you set off
Google Maps is probably the easiest way to plan your route. It’s helpful to be aware of what direction you are heading & what the roads are like on the way. You can also find parking too!
5. If it’s your first time driving in Fuerteventura, take your time!
Driving somewhere new can be nerve-wrecking. Especially if you’re on the other side of the road lol! We suggest planning your route, get the satnav on (if you have one) & just take your time driving. We found that local drivers will overtake if we’re going too slow for them😂 ! There are also plenty of places to pull over, if you happen to get lost or just need a moment to reset.
Best Places To Visit In Fuerteventura With Your Hire Car
It takes about 2hrs 30 mins to drive in a car from the North of Fuerteventura in Corralejo, to the very South, at Puerto de la Cruz.
Along the way, there are lots of fun things to do, cute towns to visit & viewpoints to stop off at.
Here are just a few of our favourite towns we like to drive to:
1. Betancuria 🌞
Located right in the heart of Fuerteventura, you cannot miss a visit to Betancuria.
It’s one of the oldest towns, & actually used to be the capital of Fuerteventura.
Visit the main church in the town, grab a coffee at La Sombra or simply take in the peaceful atmosphere.
2. El Cotillo 🌞
We definitely recommend taking a trip in your rental car to El Cotillo.
It’s a small fishing village, in the West of Fuerteventura. Popular with surfers & beach lovers!
Also recommend catching a sunset in El Cotillo at one of the beaches!
3. Costa Calma 🌞
Costa Calma is a resort closer to the South of the island. It’s popular with holidaymakers who want a slower paced vacation!
You can wander the palm tree lined streets, spend the day at our favourite beach – Playa Esmeralda or grab your lunch at Rapa Nui Surf Bar! Check out our post all about things to do in Costa Calma here!
For more ideas on where to visit & things to do in Fuerteventura, read our blog post here!
How To Get Around Fuerteventura Without A Car
In the case that you are simply planning to stay in & around the hotel or resort you are staying at, & aren’t too interested in or have major plans on going further afield, then you may not need a rental car in Fuerteventura.
If you stay in the main resorts of Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable or even Costa Calma – there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars, beaches, walks etc for you to enjoy!
If you choose not to hire a car in Fuerteventura, you still have the option to catch the bus, book day trips or get a taxi!
Do keep in mind that you won’t have as much flexibility, ie: you can’t just pop in the car & go, you’ll have to wait on taxis, buses etc – and travelling to a certain place may take a bit longer. Also bus routes may not take you exactly where you want to go or they may not run on certain days.
You will also have to consider booking a transfer or taxi from Fuerteventura Airport to your accommodation.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Hiring A Car In Fuerteventura?
Hiring a car in Fuerteventura is the best way to explore the island.
It gives you the freedom to get up & go when you please, saves you time waiting on taxis or buses & means you can adventure off the beaten track too!
Hopefully this article has given you the information you need to hire a car for your next trip, & enjoy driving around the island of Fuerteventura!
Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions & we will do our best to answer!
Resources For Your Trip To Fuerteventura ☼
| ☼ Find the best flights to Fuerteventura from the UK & Ireland at Jet2.com ☼ Book your accommodation in Fuerteventura at Booking.com ☼ Rent a car to explore the island at Discover Cars ☼ Book sightseeing tours & activities at Get Your Guide |
Enjoyed this post? Read our other posts about Fuerteventura:
- 18 Interesting Things To See & Do In Fuerteventura
- 8 Laid-Back Places To Eat & Drink In Fuerteventura
- Why We Love Staying At H10 Playa Esmeralda (Hotel Review)
- Our H10 Ocean Dunas Review: Photos, Rooms & More!
- 6 Wonderful Things To Do In Costa Calma, Fuerteventura
- 7 Best Things To Do In Corralejo, Fuerteventura
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