How to Find Your Way Around Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)

How to Find Your Way Around Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) looks confusing when you arrive. But once you understand the basic layout, it becomes very simple. This guide explains the levels, the zones, and the one important exception to remember.

Overview: Gran Canaria Airport is really just one long, two-storey building. There are two levels and two zones. Once you know this pattern, you can find check-in, arrivals, and any special counter in seconds.

The Two Levels

• Ground floor (at road level): check-in and departures
• Lower floor: arrivals

The Two Zones (North–South)

• Left / North side: national flights (mainland Spain and other Canary Islands) – check-in and arrivals
• Right / South side, towards the control tower: international flights – check-in and arrivals

This gives you four clear "corners" in the building: national departures (upper floor, left), national arrivals (lower floor, left), international departures (upper floor, right), and international arrivals (lower floor, right).

Driving to the Airport

If you are driving yourself – in a hire car, a private transfer, or picking someone up – there is one simple rule to remember:

• National departures: enter on the right-hand side of the newer terminal front. This area is covered.
• International departures: continue driving towards the control tower. There is a short drop-off point directly in front of the international departures hall (stopping only, no parking).

Private cars are not allowed to enter the lower arrivals level – this is controlled by a checkpoint. If you are picking someone up, you need to wait on the upper level.

Important Exception: Ryanair Check-in

There is one exception to the pattern above: Ryanair check-in is located on the lower floor, roughly in the middle of the building – right at the start of the entrance to the national terminal area.

Getting There / Transport Connections

• Airport bus: regular bus services connect the airport with Las Palmas and with the south of the island (Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés).
• Private transfer: pre-booked transfers pick you up directly outside arrivals and take you straight to your hotel or apartment, without extra stops.
• Car hire: rental desks are located in the arrivals area; hire cars can be collected shortly after landing.
• Taxi: taxis are available directly outside the arrivals hall at both national and international zones.