Transport in Tenerife

Tenerife is a popular tourist island with a well-developed transport system that makes it easy to move between resorts, natural attractions and cities. The question of how best to get around is especially important for those who want to see as many interesting places as possible. A variety of transport options are available on the island, including public and private, allowing you to find a convenient way to get around depending on your itinerary and budget. In this review we will tell you how to get to the main points of Tenerife, what options are suitable for tourists and what to look out for when planning a trip.

Buses in Tenerife

Travelling around the island by public transport is organised efficiently, and bus routes cover almost all settlements. The main operator is Titsa (Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife), which provides connections between resort areas, airports and remote areas.

Bus service features

Diversified network of routes – covers both tourist areas and small villages.
Express lines – faster journeys with fewer stops.
Daytime and night-time operation – main routes operate from 05:00 to 23:00, night buses (guaguas nocturnas) operate after midnight.

Mapa_Turístico

Main routes and destinations

From the south airport (Aeropuerto Tenerife Sur, TFS):
- № 40: to Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.
- №111: to the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
- №711: overnight route to the capital.
From the northern airport (Aeropuerto Tenerife Norte (TFN):
- №102: to Puerto de la Cruz (Puerto de la Cruz).
- №20: to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Popular routes to resort areas:
- №473: Los Cristianos to Los Gigantes.
- №467: Costa Adeje to Las Galletas.
- №342: Costa Adeje – Teide Volcano.

Fares and payment methods

Payment is possible in several ways:

Cash – tickets are bought from the driver, but change is given with a maximum of 10 euros.
Ten+ card – a rechargeable card that saves up to 50% of the fare.
Ten+ Movil mobile app – an alternative to the plastic card.

Approximate fares:

A journey within one city – 1,50-2,00 euros.
Intercity journeys – from €2.50 to €10 depending on distance.
Journey from the south of the island to the capital – about 10 euros.

Discounts and season tickets

TITSA offers various options for travel tickets and season tickets:

Single ticket – the price depends on the route, payment is possible by bank card or cash.
Round-trip same day ticket – 10% discount for distances of 20 kilometres or more.
Ten+ card – rechargeable card to save on journeys.
- Day pass: 10 euros for unlimited journeys within 24 hours.
- 7-day pass : 50 euros for a week of unlimited journeys.
- Ten+ Wallet: top-up from €2 to €100, valid for 5 years.
Ten+ Móvil mobile app – buy tickets and passes online.

Getting to and from the airport by bus

To travel between Tenerife’s airports you can use bus route 343, which connects Aeropuerto Tenerife Norte (TFN) and Aeropuerto Tenerife Sur (TFS). Buses run daily at intervals depending on the time of day. The journey time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The fare is 12.40 euros and 8.90 euros with the Ten+ card. Up-to-date timetables and fares are available on the official TITSA website.

Advantages of buses

Savings – the cost is much lower than hiring a car.
Accessibility – you can reach most tourist attractions.
Comfort – modern buses with air conditioning and comfortable seats.
Environmentally friendly – lower CO₂ emissions compared to private transport.

Disadvantages and possible inconveniences

Delays – especially during rush hour.
Overcrowding – popular routes can be congested.
Irregular services in rural areas – in some villages buses run every few hours.

Useful tips for passengers

Check timetables and routes on the official Titsa app.
Prepare petty cash when paying in cash.
Use buses during off-peak hours (morning or afternoon) during the tourist season.
When travelling to mountainous areas, be aware of possible temperature fluctuations.

Bus transport is the best solution for comfortable and budget travelling around the island, especially for tourists who do not plan to rent a car.

Taxis in Tenerife

— convenient transport for travelling

In Tenerife, taxis are one of the most comfortable and quick ways to get around. This mode of transport is especially demanded among tourists who need to quickly get from the airport to the hotel, visit remote attractions or simply avoid long waits for public transport.

Features of taxis on the island

Taxis in Tenerife are officially licensed, and the cars are easily recognisable by their white colour and green lights on the roof. All cars are metered and fares are regulated by the government, ensuring transparent pricing.

Main features:

Car colour: white with the municipality emblem.
Availability of a meter: mandatory in every car.
Methods of payment: cash and bank cards (not in all cars).
Additional services: carriage of bulky luggage.

Fares and cost of journeys

Taxi fares in Tenerife depend on the time of day, travelling area and the amount of luggage.

Main fares (approximate prices):

Daytime (06:00 – 22:00) – the basic fare starts from €3.15 with a further charge of €1.10 per kilometre.
Night (22:00 – 06:00) and holiday – starts from 3,45 € and the price per kilometre is higher at around 1,26 €.
Additional fees:
- Entry and exit from the seaport or airport: 1,70 €.
- Luggage over 50kg: 0,50 € per unit.
- Waiting hour: 15,05 €.

Approximate costs for journeys:

Tenerife-South Tenerife Airport – Costa Adeje: about 30 €.
Tenerife North Airport – Puerto de la Cruz: 30 to 40 €, depending on traffic.

How to hail a taxi in Tenerife

On the street
- You can stop the car by raising your hand. If the green light is on, the taxi is free. The tourist areas and hotels are the easiest places to find a taxi.
By phone
- You can order transport through dispatch services, which work around the clock. Popular taxi services:
  - Radio Taxi: (+34) 922-621-313
  - Official Taxi: (+34) 922-397-074
  - Tele Taxi Isla: (+34) 922 632 222
Via mobile apps
- Localised taxi hailing services operate on the island, such as:
  - 1Taxi! – allows you to order taxis all over Spain, including Tenerife. Available for iOS and Android.
  - TaxiClick is a popular app for ordering taxis in Spain.
  - SIXT ride is a booking service for taxis and other transport.

Please note that international services such as Uber are not available in Tenerife.

Airport and long-distance travel

Taxis are one of the most convenient modes of transport for airport transfers. Drivers know the main resorts and hotels, so the journey will be comfortable.

Examples of routes and costs:

Airport South – Los Cristianos: 23-28 € (15 km, 15-20 minutes).
Airport South – Puerto de la Cruz: 90-100 € (90 km, 70-80 minutes).
Airport North – Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 15-20 € (15 km, 15 minutes).

Tips for tourists

Choose official taxis with the municipality’s logo.
Check the method of payment – not all cars accept cards.
Check the meter before travelling.
Use apps to hail a taxi during busy hours.
Pay attention to fixed fares when travelling to the airport.

Taxis in Tenerife are fast, convenient and safe, especially for tourists who appreciate comfort and efficiency.

Ferries (maritime services) in Tenerife

Main ferry routes

Ferry services play an important role in the region’s transport system, connecting the island with the other Canary Islands and the mainland. The main routes include:

Tenerife
- Gran Canaria: One of the busiest routes with regular flights.
- La Palma: Convenient sea connection to the island of La Palma.
- La Gomera: A key route to connect with the neighbouring island.
- El Hierro: Allows access to the most remote island in the archipelago.
- Mainland Spain: Ferries run to the ports of Cadiz and Huelva.

Operating companies

There are several major operators involved in the maritime services:

Fred. Olsen Express – high-speed ferries for convenient travelling between the Canary Islands.
Naviera Armas – offers both fast and standard ferries.

Main ports of departure and arrival

Port of Santa Cruz deTenerife (Puerto de Santa Cruz de Tenerife) – the largest port where ferries depart to the mainland and other islands.
Puerto de Los Cristianos is an important hub for routes to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.

Flight schedule and frequency

The frequency of flights depends on the route:

Between islands – flights operate daily, and several times a day on popular destinations.
To the mainland – flights operate several times a week, depending on the season.

Journey length

Travelling time varies depending on the route and type of ship:

Tenerife
- Gran Canaria: about 1-1.5 hours (fast ferries) or up to 3 hours (standard ferries).
- La Palma: 2.5 to 4 hours.
- La Gomera: about 50 minutes.
- El Hierro: about 2.5 hours.
- Mainland: about 30 to 40 hours.

Booking and ticket prices

Tickets can be purchased online on the carriers’ websites or at port ticket offices. The cost depends on the route, type of ferry and class of service:

Short routes (e.g. Los Cristianos to La Gomera): from 30 euros one way.
Longer routes (e.g. Santa Cruz to Cadiz): from €100 and up.
Additional options: transport, comfort classes, cabins.

Transport

Ferries offer the possibility of transporting different types of vehicles, making them a convenient option.

Cars – the cost of transport varies from 50 to 250 euros depending on the route and type of ferry.
Motorbikes and scooters – cheaper to transport, from €20.
Bicycles – in most cases carriage is free, but registration is required on some routes.
Campers and motorhomes – special tariffs depending on the length and weight of the vehicle.
Lorry – separate tariffs depending on tonnage and type of cargo.

Services on board

Ferries provide a wide range of services for a comfortable journey:

Cafes and restaurants.
Lounge areas and playgrounds for children.
Wi-Fi and charging sockets.
Sleeping cabins on longer routes.

Conclusion (ferry services)

Ferry services are an important part of the transport infrastructure, providing convenient and regular connections to other islands and the mainland. A well-developed system of routes and flexible timetables make maritime transport popular with residents and tourists.

Air travel and air infrastructure in Tenerife

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is a key aviation hub in the Atlantic region. Thanks to its well-developed air infrastructure, the island provides stable connections to Europe, mainland Spain and other continents, offering tourists a wide range of routes and convenient travel options.

Main airports of Tenerife

Tenerife North – Ciudad de La Laguna Airport (Aeropuerto de Tenerife Norte – Ciudad de La Laguna, TFN).

Location: Municipality of San Cristobal de la Laguna, 11 km from the capital of the island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Main destinations: Domestic flights between the Canary Islands, as well as flights to mainland Spain and a limited number of international routes.
Passenger traffic: In 2023, the airport handled around 6.1 million passengers.
Special features: This airport is particularly convenient for passengers travelling within the archipelago or heading to Madrid, Barcelona and Seville.

Tenerife South Airport (Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur, TFS)

Location: Granadilla de Abona municipality, 60 km south of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Main destinations: International flights from most European countries, as well as charter and scheduled long-haul flights.
Passenger traffic: In 2019, the airport served more than 11 million passengers.
Features: The main airport for travellers arriving on the island. It has well-developed infrastructure including a duty-free zone, car hire and convenient transport links to resort areas.

International and domestic flights

Tenerife has stable air links to many European and international destinations. Among the airlines operating flights to the island are:

Budget carriers: Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air – offering affordable flights from many European cities.
Traditional airlines: Iberia, British Airways, Lufthansa – operate regular flights with a high level of comfort.
Charter operators: TUI fly, Jet2.com – focused on tourist transport, mainly from the UK, Germany and Scandinavian countries.

Domestic flights between the Canary Islands are provided by Binter Canarias and Canary Fly, which offer regular flights with minimum journey time (30-50 minutes on average).

Air travel tips for travellers

Booking flights: It is recommended to monitor fares in advance through aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google Flights to get the best prices. During the season, demand is high, so buying tickets a few months before travelling will help you save money.
Check-in and passport control: For EU and Schengen citizens, a valid ID card is sufficient. Travellers from other countries are advised to familiarise themselves with Spain’s visa requirements in advance.
Transport links to airports:
- TITSA buses offer regular services to the main tourist areas of the island. Popular routes are №111 (airport south to Santa Cruz) and №343 (airport north to airport south to Los Cristianos).
- Taxis are available at airports 24 hours a day, but fares may vary depending on the time of day and destination area.
- Car hire is available in the terminals from international companies such as Hertz, Avis and Cicar.
Safety: The island is considered safe for travellers, but it is recommended to follow standard precautions – keep an eye on personal belongings and use official transport services.

Conclusion on air travel

A well-developed aviation infrastructure and a wide range of flights make Tenerife an easily accessible and convenient destination for travellers. Whether you are arriving for a beach holiday, active tourism or a business trip, the island’s airports offer comfort and convenience.