SpainCanary IslandsWinter sunChecked Oct 2026

London to Lanzarote for Winter Sun

Lanzarote is a short-haul winter sun favourite, with winter daytime highs around 20°C, volcanic scenery and César Manrique's striking art sites. This guide covers flights from London, getting to Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise, and the best day trips.

~20°CTypical January daytime highs
Lanzarote (ACE)Direct from Gatwick, Stansted, Luton
~4h 15mDirect flight time

The short answer

Fly direct from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton to Lanzarote (ACE), about 4h–4h 25m. Bus 161 runs from the airport to Puerto del Carmen in about 20–30 minutes and on to Playa Blanca in about an hour, for a few euros. For Costa Teguise, a taxi takes 15–20 minutes, or hire a car to explore the island.

Winter sun essentials

Lanzarote is drier and flatter than the other Canaries, and small enough to cross in under an hour.

Weather

In January, daytime highs are usually around 20°C, with nights around 13°C and about 7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is light, a few days a month. The sea is cool at about 19°C, and it can be breezy, so bring a light jacket.

Timanfaya National Park

The 'Fire Mountains' are the island's must-see. The €30 ticket covers the 35-minute Route of the Volcanoes coach tour, geothermal demonstrations and Islote de Hilario. Tickets are sold online only for a set time slot (no box office), and the site is open 09:00–15:45 daily. You can't drive the volcano route yourself.

César Manrique sites

The island's artist-architect shaped Jameos del Agua (€17), Cueva de los Verdes (€17, online only), Mirador del Río (€9) and the Jardín de Cactus (€9). The César Manrique Foundation, his former home at Taro de Tahíche, is run separately. Book ahead online where you can, as time slots sell out.

Good to know

Lanzarote uses the euro and is on UK time all year. Bus drivers mostly want cash or coins. Uber and similar apps don't run as a normal service on the island, so use the taxi rank or pre-book.

Every way to get there

From London to Lanzarote, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly to Lanzarote, then bus 161

Best for most
Door to door6–7h
£ Cost£
Best forPuerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca
  1. London to Lanzarote (ACE)About 4h–4h 25m direct. easyJet, British Airways, Jet2 and TUI fly from Gatwick; Ryanair and Jet2 from Stansted; easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 from Luton. Typical return fares are around £100–£300, more at Christmas and half-term. Check current schedules.
  2. Bus 161 to Puerto del Carmen and Playa BlancaLeaves from both terminals. About 20–30 minutes and €1.40 to Puerto del Carmen, and roughly 50–70 minutes and about €3.30 to Playa Blanca. Weekday buses run roughly every 30–60 minutes from about 07:30 to 21:30, with fewer at weekends and every two hours or so on Sundays. Check the IntercityBus Lanzarote timetable.
  3. Or take a taxiMetered taxis wait outside arrivals: about €20–€30 and 15 minutes to Puerto del Carmen, or about €45–€60 and 30–35 minutes to Playa Blanca. Night, Sunday and holiday rates are higher.
Compare LGW–ACE flightsTransfer options: Lanzarote Airport → Puerto del Carmen

Carry coins or small notes for the bus; card payment is patchy.

2

Fly to Lanzarote and hire a car

Families
Door to door5–7h
£ Cost££
Best forExploring the whole island
  1. London to Lanzarote (ACE)About 4h–4h 25m direct from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.
  2. Pick up a hire car at the airportSeveral firms have desks in the terminals, with typical rates from about €20 to €50 a day depending on season and car size. Book early for Christmas and February half-term.
  3. Drive to your basePuerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are each about 15–20 minutes away; Playa Blanca is about 30–35 minutes.
Compare STN–ACE flightsPlan the drive

A car makes it easy to combine Timanfaya with the Manrique sites in the north; check your hire terms if you want to take it on the Fuerteventura ferry.

3

Fly to Lanzarote, then on to Costa Teguise

Door to door6–7h
£ Cost£
Best forStaying in Costa Teguise
  1. London to Lanzarote (ACE)About 4h–4h 25m direct from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.
  2. Taxi to Costa TeguiseAbout 15–20 minutes and typically €20–€30. There's no direct airport bus.
  3. Or bus via ArrecifeTake line 22 (weekdays) or 23 (weekends and holidays) to Arrecife bus station, about 15 minutes and €1.40, then change to line 1 for Costa Teguise. Allow 45–60 minutes in total.
Compare LTN–ACE flightsTransfer options: Lanzarote Airport → Costa Teguise
4

Trains to Cádiz, then the ferry

Flight-free
Door to door3–4 days
£ Cost£££
Best forAvoiding flying
  1. London to Cádiz by trainEurostar to Paris, then trains via Barcelona or Madrid to Seville and on to Cádiz. Most people stop overnight on the way.
  2. Baleària ferry to ArrecifeA weekly sailing taking about 28–29 hours. Fares start from about €134 one way, with cabins extra. Check it's still running and the sailing day before booking trains.
  3. Arrecife to your resortBuses run from Arrecife to Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, or take a taxi.
Train times: London → CádizFerries Cádiz–Arrecife

Make the journey part of the holiday rather than just a way to get there.

Where to stay in Puerto del Carmen

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Puerto del Carmen

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly to Lanzarote, then bus 1616–7h£Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca
Fly to Lanzarote and hire a car5–7h££Exploring the whole island
Fly to Lanzarote, then on to Costa Teguise6–7h£Staying in Costa Teguise
Trains to Cádiz, then the ferry3–4 days£££Avoiding flying

Where to stay

Lanzarote's three main resorts suit quite different holidays.

Your base

Puerto del Carmen

The biggest resort, with a long beach, an old harbour and plenty of bars and restaurants. About 15 minutes from the airport on bus 161 or by taxi.

Hotels in Puerto del Carmen
South coast

Playa Blanca

Quieter and more spread out, with sheltered beaches and the Papagayo coves nearby. Ferries leave from the harbour for Fuerteventura.

Hotels in Playa Blanca
East coast

Costa Teguise

Handy for the north's Manrique sites and the Sunday market in Teguise. Bus line 1 runs to Arrecife, the island's capital.

Hotels in Costa Teguise
25–35 min by ferry

Corralejo, Fuerteventura

An easy day trip from Playa Blanca. Fred. Olsen, Naviera Armas, Baleària and Líneas Romero sail across in about 25–35 minutes, roughly from 07:00 to 21:00, with adult one-way fares usually around €20–€32. Walk to the sand dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park, or take a car if your hire terms allow.

Hotels in Corralejo

Local tip: Book Timanfaya for a morning early in your trip: the last slots finish mid-afternoon and tickets are online only.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

How long is the flight from London to Lanzarote?

About 4h–4h 25m direct, depending on the airport and airline.

Which London airports fly to Lanzarote?

Gatwick (easyJet, British Airways, Jet2, TUI), Stansted (Ryanair, Jet2) and Luton (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2). There are currently no direct flights from Heathrow. Check current schedules.

Is Lanzarote warm enough in winter?

Usually, yes. January highs are around 20°C with about 7 hours of sun a day, though it can be breezy and the sea is cool at about 19°C.

How do I get from Lanzarote Airport to Puerto del Carmen?

Bus 161 takes about 20–30 minutes and costs €1.40, or a taxi takes about 15 minutes and typically costs €20–€30.

Do I need to book Timanfaya in advance?

Yes. Tickets for the Route of the Volcanoes (€30) are sold online only for a set time slot, and there's no box office at the park.

Can I visit Fuerteventura from Lanzarote?

Yes. Ferries from Playa Blanca reach Corralejo in about 25–35 minutes, with several operators sailing throughout the day. Adult one-way fares are usually around €20–€32.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.