Gran Canaria on a budget

Gran Canaria is one of the favorite holiday destinations for many tourists every year. The island has all-inclusive resorts and varied leisure offers. However, traveling to Gran Canaria doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of cheap accommodation and transportation options as well as fun activities for every budget:

• How expensive is Gran Canaria?
• Cheaper accommodation options
• How to move around cheaply?
• Top free or inexpensive activities in Gran Canaria

Keep on reading to find out how expensive Gran Canaria actually is and to get the best tips to save money on your trip to this beautiful island.

The impressive Roque Nublo Crag in Gran Canaria

How expensive is Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria’s tourist offer is incredibly wide. That’s why it can be very difficult to give a budget estimation for a trip to the island. However, you can rest assured that there are options available for all types of trips. 

The average price per night for a couple starts at around €40 and goes up to more than €300 for luxury hotels. There are also hostels that provide a cheap stay option for solo travelers.

Regarding food, there are local bars and restaurants in which you can have lunch or dinner for less than €10 per person including drinks. The average meal costs around €15 per person. 

Tip: do you want to save money on food? Stay at an apartment or hostel that has a kitchen!

Transportation costs will increase if you decide to rent a car, although there are cheap options, especially during low season. The public bus cost ranges from €1.40 to €9 per way depending on the route.

One of the highlights of Gran Canaria is its natural beauty. So most of the top leisure activities on the island like going to the beach or hiking in the mountains are free. However, if you want to go out at night, you can expect to pay around €10 per person to enter a club. Other activities like dolphin observation or an excursion to the water park cost around €30 per person.

Cheaper accommodation options

Gran Canaria has a wide variety of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to hostels and campings. So don’t worry, there’s a place to stay for every budget! 

If you want to relax and have all of the amenities of a hotel but don’t want to spend a fortune, you can book a 2 or 3-star hotel. The price for this type of accommodation starts at €40 the night for 2  people.

Another great accommodation option that is often cheaper than mainstream hotels is staying at an apartment. The price also starts around €40 per night for 2 people but most of them have a fully equipped kitchen so that you can save money on food.

For those who are solo traveling and would like to meet people on their trip, there is no better choice than a hostel. There are plenty around the island to choose from and the price can be as little as €15 the night per person.

Staying for free in Gran Canaria is possible. You’ll need to have a tent and book a spot in one of the 8 official campings on the island. There are also private campings with amenities such as bathrooms, a swimming pool and electricity where you can set up a 2-person tent for as little as €15 per night.

Keep in mind: wild camping isn’t allowed in Gran Canaria. Make sure to always get camping permission for free online.

Beautiful beach with clear water in the south of Gran Canaria

How to move around cheaply?

The easiest way to move around the island is by car. Especially if you want to visit the interior, having a car will make your trip much easier. The good news is that, depending on the season, you can rent a car for as little as €30 per day or €150 per week.

If you don’t have a car, don’t worry, the public transport in Gran Canaria works really well. There are frequent bus connections with all of the areas of the island. The fare for the inner city lines is €1.40 for a one-way ticket. For trips to other towns, the price varies per kilometer.

Tip: if you are planning on moving around Las Palmas by bus, it might be advisable to get a bus card. It costs €1.50, but it will give you a discount every time you travel.

Top free or inexpensive activities in Gran Canaria

Are you an adventurous spirit seeking exciting outdoor activities in Gran Canaria? Check here a list with the top activities to do for free or for little money:

• Go on a free walking tour around the city of Las Palmas.
• Spend the day on one of the amazing beaches of the island.
• Visit the beautiful Viera y Clavijo botanical garden for free.
• Stroll around Vegueta, the charming historical center of Las Palmas.
• Visit the Cueva Pintada archeological park for free on Sundays.
• Go on one of the many spectacular hikes on the island.
• Visit the interior of the island and be amazed by the Roque Nublo Crag or the Pico de las Nieves Peak.
• Eat traditional canary food in one of the many local restaurants called bodegones for cheap.
• Visit the Arehucas Rum Distillery and taste the best rums for €5.

Want to get to Gran Canaria or move around the Canaries at the best price? Then the ferry is the way to go! Compare all the available routes on our Map of ferries and book the ferry tickets that suit you best in just a few clicks.