Bus travel on Gran Canaria: Global and Municipales explained
Two networks, one island: how to get anywhere by bus
Gran Canaria has two separate bus networks: blue Guaguas Global coaches cover the whole island, while yellow Guaguas Municipales buses stay within Las Palmas. Here's what each fare costs, where to change buses, and how to get from the airport.
Overview: two networks, two colours
Gran Canaria doesn't have one unified public transport system — it has two completely separate networks, each with its own vehicles, fares and tickets:
- Guaguas Global (blue coaches): the island-wide network. It connects the capital, Las Palmas, with almost every town on the island — from the airport to Maspalomas to villages like Agaete or Tejeda in the mountains.
- Guaguas Municipales (yellow buses): the city network for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria only. These buses never leave the city.
You'll also see red double-decker sightseeing buses in the city centre. These are a separate tourist service, sold on their own day ticket (around €20), and have nothing to do with either public network.
Guaguas Global: the island-wide network
Guaguas Global runs around 120 routes, reaching the whole island roughly every 30 to 60 minutes on the main lines. Fares depend on the distance between fixed fare stops and are paid directly to the driver (cash or contactless). For the full route list and timetable PDFs, see our Guaguas Global overview page.
Guaguas Municipales: the yellow city buses
Within Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you'll use the yellow Guaguas Municipales. A single ticket costs €1.40, with cheaper multi-trip cards and a LIVE tourist card (24h/72h) also available. For all routes, fares and the stop map, see our Guaguas Municipales page.
From the airport into town or south to the resorts
Two Global routes matter most for anyone arriving at Gran Canaria Airport (LPA):
- Route 60 connects the airport with Las Palmas (San Telmo and Santa Catalina) — see our airport-to-Las-Palmas bus page.
- Route 66 connects the airport with Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, and route 91 continues on to Puerto de Mogán — see our airport-to-south-coast bus page.
Fares at a glance
| Route / ticket | Fare | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Guaguas Municipales single ticket | €1.40 | Municipales |
| Bono-2 (2 journeys) | €2.40 | Municipales |
| LIVE tourist card, 24h | €5.00 | Municipales |
| LIVE tourist card, 72h | €12.00 | Municipales |
| Airport → San Telmo (route 60/91) | €2.30 | Global |
| Airport → Santa Catalina (route 60/91) | €2.95 | Global |
| Airport → Faro de Maspalomas (route 66/90) | €4.05 | Global |
| Airport → Puerto de Mogán (route 91) | €6.80 | Global |
Fares correct as of 2026 — please check guaguasglobal.com or guaguas.com before you travel.
Key interchange points
If you're switching between the two networks, you'll usually pass through one of these:
- Parque Santa Catalina / Santa Catalina bus station — near Las Canteras beach and the cruise port. See our Santa Catalina bus station page
- San Telmo — the main bus terminal for the island-wide network, in the old town
- Vegueta — old town, market, cathedral
Frequently asked questions about buses on Gran Canaria
What does "guagua" mean?
Guagua is the Canarian word for bus — the same word used in Cuba. You'll rarely hear "bus" or "autobús" used locally.
Can I use the same ticket on Global and Municipales buses?
No. The two networks have completely separate fare systems and tickets. A Guaguas Global ticket isn't valid on the yellow city buses, and vice versa.
Do I need cash for the bus?
Not necessarily — both networks accept cash and contactless card payment from the driver. Multi-trip cards (Bono), however, must be bought in advance at a sales point, not from the driver.
Do buses run at night?
Guaguas Municipales runs a limited night service on some routes. Most Guaguas Global routes stop in the late evening — the last airport buses leave around 10–11pm.
Is the bus cheaper than a private transfer?
Yes, considerably — a scheduled bus from the airport costs €2.30–6.80, compared with €39–73 for a private airport transfer. The trade-off is fixed times and stops, rather than a direct drop-off at your accommodation.