For new residents or tourists, it can be a little confusing to navigate the island’s bus system, with many not in the know about the best sources of information and mobile apps. Here’s your guide to Lanzarote’s buses.
In this article we will give you a comprehensive guide to getting around on Lanzarote and list the best sources of information and times. You’ll soon be travelling the island at peace, knowing that you’re going in the right direction!
Your Bus Bible
Not only is it the official website for the island’s buses, but it also tells you everything you need to know. The newly redesigned www.arrecifebus.com website should be the first place you visit when you have a question regarding public transport on the island.
It lists the many lines and timetables, shows a map of the lines, has downloadable travel brochures and an FAQ section for all your questions.
Appsolutely Brilliant
The Moovit App is another essential for those that use the buses regularly. Simply enter the name of the area you wish to visit, and the app will find the appropriate bus lines to take, and how to get to each stop.
The app also lists bus times; however, buses can be late and often are late on Lanzarote. You can find the Moovit app on the Apple Store and Google Play store.
IntercityBus Lanzarote
The IntercityBus app is another brilliant addition to the roster and acts as an all-in-one place to access your bus card balance, next stops, bus routes, and lines and timetables. The app itself can show you your remaining balance on your bus card and will open the appropriate webpages or apps when you are trying to find out information on lines, timetables and routes.
Bus Travel Cards
If you use the buses often then you may want to think about applying for a bus card.
There are a couple different cards, which allow you to utilise a 10%, 20%, 30% or 50% discount on bus fares. The cards are contactless and are scanned on the bus when stating which stop you wish to travel to. Some cards can be recharged on the buses themselves, however, some require a trip up to the bus stations in Arrecife or Playa Blanca for renewal.
Some of the available discount cards are, BONO GENERAL (10% discount on bus fares, which anyone can apply for), BONO RESIDENTE (20% discount on bus fares, only residents can apply), BONO JOVEN (30% discount on bus fares, only residents can apply), BONO FAMILIA NUMEROSA (30% on bus fares, for resident families), BONO DISCAPACIDAD (50% discount on bus fares, for residents that suffer from a disability). Find all the card options here: https://arrecifebus.com/en/bonos/
For those that use the bus daily, the BONO RESIDENTE & BONO RESIDENTE CANARIO cards are the one for you. For just 20 euros a month (and an €2 charge when you apply for the card for the first time) you will have unlimited travel on buses for 30 days at the point of purchase. It is important to note that this card must only be recharged at the main Arrecife bus station or the Playa Blanca station, you cannot recharge it on buses.
You can apply for a card online or at the Arrecife Bus Station and the Playa Blanca bus station (a form can be completed on the www.arrecifebus.com website, however, you will still have to go to the offices at either station to present a passport photo and pick up the card.)
Update as of 2024, see the final paragraph below “Free travel for frequent users” to see new changes regarding travel with Bono Residente and Bono Residente Canario cards.
Delay Notices
To keep up to date with any bus delays, traffic jams or bus route diversions, follow the IntercityBus Lanzarote X and Facebook accounts here: https://twitter.com/intercitybuslz, https://www.facebook.com/intercitybuslzte.
Free travel for frequent users
As of 2024, residents of the Canary Islands using the Bono Resident Lanzarote and Bono Residente Canario card will have free travel. To get this you will need to record 15 bus trips within 3 months to qualify for free journeys (otherwise the card will be blocked and the user will be charged €20 per month for subsequent renewals.)
Previously only the Bono Residente Canario card would grant unlimited bus travel for just €20 per month, however, with the new free travel change both the Bono Residente Lanzarote and Bono Residente Canario cards are effectively the same, allowing for free travel as long as the user makes at least 15 trips within 3 months.
You can complete the application online at the arrecifebus.com website here: https://arrecifebus.com/en/bonos/bono-residente/ & https://arrecifebus.com/en/bonos/bono-residente-canario/
Those that already have a Bono Residente Lanzarote or Bono Residente Canario card can head to the bus station in Arrecife or Playa Blanca to request the documents needed to apply for the free travel offer.
