If you are planning a trip to Lanzarote, you should know some basic things about the island, like the time difference between Lanzarote and England. Here’s everything you need to know about the time zones, daylight saving changes, and how this can impact your holidays.
What is the time difference between Lanzarote and England?
Lanzarote and England share the same time zone, meaning there’s typically no time difference between the two. This makes it easier to coordinate if you need to make a phone call or work during your stay on the island.
Standard time zones in both regions
Lanzarote, as part of the Canary Islands, operates on the Western European Time (WET, UTC+0) or the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during standard time. But it shifts to Western European Summer Time (WEST, UTC+1) during daylight, saving time in summer. Unlike mainland Spain, which is one hour ahead (CET, UTC+1).
England operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0) in winter and British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) in summer. Note that GMT and WET are effectively the same, as are BST and WEST, so they have the same time.
It is interesting to note that while mainland Spain uses Central European Time (CET/CEST), the Canary Islands, due to their more westerly geographical position, maintain Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC+0) during standard time, thus aligning themselves with the United Kingdom.
Are Lanzarote and England in the same time zone?
Yes, as we mentioned before, Lanzarote and England have the same time zone the whole year. Because both regions align their WET and GMT time on winter and WEST and BST on summer. So. clocks in both regions chance on the dates.
For example, if it’s 5:15 PM in London, it’s also 5:15 PM in Lanzarote.
Although it’s not part of England, it’s also worth mentioning that Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory located south of the Iberian Peninsula, very close to Spain, uses Central European Time (CET) during the winter (UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (CEST) during the summer (UTC+2). Therefore, there is a time difference between Lanzarote and mainland Britain in this territory.
Does the time difference change during daylight saving time?
No, because both locations change clocks at the same time on summer.
When the clocks change in Lanzarote
Lanzarote has the European DST schedule. So, clocks go forward 1 hour to WEST (UTC+1) on the last Sunday in March. And go back 1 hour to WET (UTC+0) on the last Sunday of October.
Clocks are moved forward one hour on the last Sunday in March (1:00 AM becomes 2:00 AM).
When the clocks change in England
England follows the same DST schedule as Lanzarote. So clocks go forward 1 hour to BST (UTC+1) on the last Sunday in March. And go back 1 hour to GMT (UTC+0) on the last Sunday on October.
Time difference during summer vs. winter
As we said, clocks in Lanzarote and England shift at the same time on summer and winter. For references, mainland Spain is one hour ahead.
Also, it is important to know that you can drink tap water in Lanzarote.
How the time difference affects travel plans
The lack of a time difference simplifies travel between Lanzarote and England, but there are still practical considerations for a smooth trip to the island on your next holidays.
Flight times and arrival adjustments
Flights from England to Lanzarote typically take 4 to 4.5 hours. Since there’s no time difference, your arrival time in Lanzarote matches the local time.
So there will be no trouble and confusion when booking your Lanzarote Airport Transfer to get you from the airport to your accommodation.
Tips for avoiding jet lag or confusion
As there is no time difference, jet lag isn’t an issue when travelling from England to Lanzarote and backwards. So you could stay healthy while travelling, avoiding sleeping difficulties.
If you are coordinating activities with mainland Spain, we recommend setting your phone to display both times.
Check local schedules for dining and attractions. Confirm opening times of main attractions to avoid any confusion.
Travellers should only be aware of the clock changes that occur twice a year. That’s why if you’re travelling around the time change dates (late March and late October), set a reminder to change your clocks.
To sum up, there is no time difference between Lanzarote and England. On summer or winter, both share the same hour. So you will not get confused when travelling from one place to the other.
FAQ about Lanzarote and England time difference
Is Lanzarote always 1 hour ahead of the UK?
No, Lanzarote is not one hour ahead of the UK. Both regions share the time zone on winter and summer, so there is no time difference on the year.
Does Lanzarote follow British time?
Lanzarote and England have the same time. The clocks change on the same dates.
Is there a time difference between Lanzarote and mainland Spain (e.g., Madrid, Barcelona)?
Yes, this is one of the most common questions and a major source of confusion. Mainland Spain is on Central European Time (CET/CEST), which is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 in summer. Lanzarote (and the rest of the Canary Islands) is GMT/UTC+0 in winter and GMT+1/UTC+1 in summer.
Do I need to adjust my watch when travelling between Lanzarote and the United Kingdom?
No. The local time will always be the same in both locations.
Specialist in the tourism sector of the Canary Islands with a proven track record in experience management in Lanzarote. My work has always focused on promoting iconic destinations and optimizing transfer and excursion services on the volcanic island.
