Motorhome to Lanzarote, is that possible? Sure it is! After doing a lot of research, we decided to go from Cadiz, Spain to Lanzarote. If you guys have looked at the options of taking your motorhome (or car) to the Canary Islands you might have noticed that it is somewhat of a jungle to sort out. We will sort all of that out for you!

Motorhome to Canary Islands, Lanzarote

This article will have all the information you might need and hopefully answer your questions about taking the ferry to Lanzarote. We will write a complete article with all the information about the different companies and locations later. This is all the information about the trip with FRS from Huelva to Lanzarote. If you want to go to Gran Canaria, you might book through the same page and just put the island that you want to get off at as your end destination.
Nowadays it is only possible to go with Armas from Cadiz (2024).  The information below is updated to go with Armas instead.

To make this as easy as possible for you to find what you are interested in. This article will first give you our experience of going with Armas to Lanzarote. We will then have an FAQ where we try to answer all the questions. If your question is not answered – please leave a comment and we will see if we can answer it!

Booking on location or online?

Well, you can do whatever you please. We decided to drive to the harbor in Huelva and get some information on-site. We wanted as much information as possible since we (read Annika) had a hard time sorting all of the information out. At the office, well more of a container, we got a pamphlet with some information. In the end, we booked it online. Since we knew that we would be doing some island hopping with our motorhome, we wanted to take the islands “as they come”.

You can take the ferry from Cadiz to Arrecife, Lanzarote with Armas. There are several options when you make your booking. One option is how you want to travel. Do you want just a pullman seat or do you want a cabin? Are you traveling with pets? How big is your motorhome and things like that. Our motorhome is 5,90 meters and for two persons and a motorhome, the price is 804€ (2024). That was the cheapest option with Pullman seats.

Volcan dl Tinamar – Armas ferry to the Canary Islands

Mini and I had totally different expectations of how the ferry would be. In my mind, it was a freight ferry (like the one that goes from Ystad, Sweden to Poland). Mini thought that it would be better than that and compared it more to a “mini cruise”. I lost this one. Mini was right. Volcano de Tinamar is a nice ferry with everything you might need during your trip over to the Canary Islands. There is even a pool that you can use.

Both Mini and I are experienced cruisers – and I say that with confidence. A couple of years ago, we teamed up with Royal Caribbean and cruised like crazy. We have been on a lot of different cruise ships and feel pretty comfortable when it comes to needs and the extras there are on a ferry. On the ferry, you have all you need. It is nicely maintained and there are a lot of places for you to explore during your trip. We walked around, visited the shop, the pool area, the restaurant, and the pub, and checked the whole ship out.

To cabin or not to cabin

There is a known saying and fact… that the cabin on the ferry is quite expensive compared to the ticket for the motorhome. That is true. There is a big price difference whether you choose a seat or a cabin. You can’t go without one or the other. The ticket for the Pullman seat is included. You get assigned a seat but during our trip, there were lots of seats that were not occupied and I believe that you can choose where you would like to sit.

The cheapest cabin will set you back about 577 euros extra for up to two people.  Mini and I checked out an outside cabin and it quickly became apparent that a cabin makes your travel a piece of cake. It is nice to have a place where you can keep your stuff and get a good night’s rest. Well, we were really glad to have it!

The food on the ferry from Cadiz to Lanzarote

We met a couple on the ferry that were going to Gran Canaria. The funny thing about that is that we met them in Portugal last year. This makes you think that the world is quite small after all. They gave us a tip about the food – great information that we would have missed unless they told us! They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the restaurant. Dinner costs 8,25 euros per person. However, if you go to the information desk, you can buy five tickets for meals for 30 euros. Each time you have a meal, you leave a ticket. This will save you 11,25 euros for five meals = a pretty good deal!

I noticed that when a family of four was buying their food, paying in cash. So the tip is to go to the information desk and buy your vouchers if you want to eat onboard.

So what about the food? I would say that it was ok but not more. You have several things to choose from, like meat and fish. However, even if it is a buffet, you are not allowed to take the food yourself – there is someone who is giving you the food that you choose. There are also several rules on how many different dishes you are allowed to pick. For example, a fruit cup is a dessert and there is also ice cream. If you take the fruit and the ice cream, you will have to pay extra since there is only one dessert that is included in the price.

Our food experience on the Ferry from Huelva to Arrecife, Lanzarote

I am not a picky eater (even if Mini says that I am). However, I love my food hot and unfortunately, the food that was served was more room-tempered than hot. But it tasted totally ok! We ended up eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner (splitting the last lunch between us). It was worth the 30 euros to avoid being hungry during our 26 hours onboard.

If I could wish for something – it would be that the food was way hotter when served. And also that I was allowed to have two desserts 😛.

How to spend your time on the ferry to the Canary Islands

We spent our time, walking around and checking out the ferry, eating and sleeping and laying around. We planned to get loads of work done since there is complimentary wifi. Well, we were being optimistic because wifi on a ferry is not what you might expect. We had none during the whole trip. Sure we could connect, but it was way too slow to even download our emails. But I did talk to another person and she said that the wifi was really good in the middle of the night.

Here are some tips on what you can do while being onboard Volcan del Teide

• Watch a movie – there are several tv:s placed on the ferry and you can watch movies. The movies are dubbed in Spanish but you have English subtitles.
• Read a book – This is a great time to read the book that you have been longing to read. Being stuck on a ferry gives you the opportunity to catch up on your reading.
• Take a walk – This might sound weird but is totally possible. There are several places around the ship where you can take a walk and admire the ocean. If the water is calm you can walk around for hours, just enjoying life.
• Sleep – What better way to kill time than sleeping? The beds in the cabins are good and make the perfect sleeping spot. If you are traveling without a cabin, you can still get some sleep in the Pullman seats or on a sofa.
• Work on your tan – There is no better time than on a ferry to work on your tan (if that’s your thing).
• Take a swim in the pool – That is an option, even if Mini and I ended up not doing this. The water was too cold for me but I bet that some of you would enjoy a dip in the pool!
• Eat – Whether you have brought your own snack and food onboard or you eat in the restaurant or café – this is a good way to enjoy yourself while on the ferry. And you know what they say… You gain at least five kilograms during a cruise.

Our experience of Volcan de Teide

We had a great time onboard Volcan del Teide on our trip with the motorhome to Lanzarote. It was awesome that we met our friends again (Swedes) and we had several meals together. We were lucky because the weather was super nice and the sea was calm so no seasickness. Ok, so we didn’t get that much work done but we had a great time. A lot of it was spent in our cabin – watching TV series on our phones.

We strolled around and I believe that we were everywhere where we were allowed. So would we recommend FRS for your trip? Sure thing! This is a nice company and all the people working there are super friendly and helpful. You can also watch our video that gives you an idea of how it was when we took our motorhome to Lanzarote.

FAQ – Bringing your motorhome to Lanzarote with ARMAS

If your question doesn’t get answered here, please leave a comment and we will try to answer it. We have been in contact with ARMAS so these questions are answered with actual facts and not just our opinions.

How much does it cost to take the ferry with a motorhome to Lanzarote?

The price starts from 804€ and is valid for 2024 but may change without notice. The price is for non-residents of Spain. If you are lucky enough to be Spanish, you pay a fraction of the price 😃.

How often does the ferry go to Lanzarote?

Once a week – every Saturday.

What days does the ferry leave for Lanzarote?

Each and every Saturday the ferry leaves from Cadiz and heads for Lanzarote.

What time does the ferry leave for Lanzarote?

The ferry leaves at 12.30. However, make sure to get there at least two hours in advance just to be on the safe side and so you don’t need to stress about it. Think of it as the same as if you were going to the airport – arrive early.

How long does it take to get to Lanzarote?

The ferry leaves at 12.30 on Saturdays and arrives at about 15.00 the day after in Arrecife, Lanzarote. So the whole journey takes 26 hours.

Where can I buy the tickets for the ARMAS ferry?

You can buy them either on their website Armas . They speak Spanish, English, French, and Arabic. Or if you prefer, you can go to their office in the harbor and book your tickets straight from the person behind the counter. Make sure that you pick your end destination since the ferry continues from Lanzarote to Gran Canaria and then to Tenerife.

Do I need to book in advance?

As long as there is room on the ferry, you can book really late. But if you want to be sure to get your spot – a reservation and booking in advance is preferred.

Do I need a cabin?

No, you don’t need it like you need the air. However, getting a cabin will make your trip much more comfortable. The pullman seats are comfortable so if you don’t mind sleeping in public you can skip the cabin. We saw some people that were sleeping in couches and sofas in different places around the ship so there are options if you don’t want, or can’t afford a cabin. Keep in mind that the trip from Huelva to Lanzarote takes 26 hours.

Can I access the motorhome during the trip?

Surprisingly yes you can! However, don’t get too excited because you are not allowed to stay in your car. There are several times during the trip when they open the deck so that you can access your car or motorhome. It is then open for half an hour and you can get some stuff that you might have forgotten or left some stuff if you want. This has nothing to do with the “company wanting you to get a cabin to make more money”. This is all about safety and nothing else!

When can I access my motorhome?

Here is the timetable for when you are allowed to go down to your vehicle. Don’t forget that you are traveling back in time so during the night your time changes back one hour. This means that when you wake up, you need to be sure that you have the right time. The worst case scenario is that you arrive an hour early then you get the information and you can come back when it’s time.

Timetable:
Saturday: 16:00 – 16:30 and 21.20 – 22.00.
Sunday: 07.30 – 08.00, 10.30 – 11.00.

Am I allowed to sleep in the car?

No, you are not! Read the “Can I access my motorhome during the trip” part.

Is there any wifi onboard?

Yes, there is wifi but don’t get too excited because the wifi is not that good. If you have been on the water before you might know that the internet access is pretty bad when it goes through a satellite. We heard that it works the best during the night, but we didn’t check that theory. During our trip, we couldn’t download our emails at all. However, the wifi is complementary so you can’t complain!

Where do I eat onboard the ferry to Lanzarote?

There is a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served between 07:30 – 10:30, lunch between 13:00 and 15:30 and dinner is served between 20.00 – 22.30. There is also a bar and a café if you want to buy some snacks or something else to eat. Make sure to buy a five-meal ticket at the information office for 30 euros to save some money. Otherwise, each meal will cost you 8,25 euros. Prices are from 2019

Can I bring my own food?

Sure you can. There are no signs or information that you are not allowed to bring your own food. We only brought some snacks and fruit and then we ate the rest on the ship. And there is another thing. There are microwaves on board so you can heat your food if you like – great service!

Can I travel with pets?

Yes, you can. There is a place on top of the ferry where they have crates for pets. However, if you want my opinion and you are planning to travel with your dog or dogs – stay up on the deck with your pets. There is loud noise and most of the dogs that we saw in the crates were stressed out and barking. You can walk your dog on that deck and you can take a fold-back chair to make your trip more comfortable. The dogs are not allowed inside the ferry or the restaurants. Minis opinion is that it is not that bad and that I am overreacting. The price for a dog is 3 euros. If you are traveling with a pet that weighs less than 6 kilograms, you can have him or her inside a pet carrier and inside the ferry.
Check out the rules and regulations on Armas webpage of bringing pets onboard.

Are there any shops onboard the Volcan de Tinamar?

Yes, there is a shop where you can buy typical duty-free products like perfume and alcohol.

Is there any entertainment onboard?

We heard that there was supposed to be entertainment onboard. However, at 23.00 we felt that we wanted to go to bed so either it was canceled or it just started later. But once we got to Arrecife, there were dancers out by the pool that performed and that was super cool!

What’s the difference between pullman seats and VIP seats?

The pullman seats are “regular” but comfortable seats that are located in rows around the ship. You get an assigned seat and that is yours for the duration of the trip. VIP seats are in a secluded area where you are only allowed to enter if you have booked the VIP seat. The chairs are a bit bigger and more comfortable. The lighting inside the VIP section is also nicer and not as bright as it is on the rest of the ship.