Tenerife welcomes over 5 million visitors annually and is the easiest Canary Island to reach, with two airports handling direct flights from across Europe. As an autonomous community of Spain, Tenerife uses the euro, follows Spanish customs, and has well-developed tourist infrastructure. This FAQ covers the practical details: airports and transport, costs, visas, tipping, safety, and local customs that help you avoid common first-timer mistakes. For the complete Tenerife travel guide covering all resort areas, weather data, and things to do, browse the full collection of articles below.
Tenerife Travel Tips: Airports and Getting There
Tenerife has two airports. Tenerife South Airport (TFS, also called Reina SofÃa) handles 85% of tourist arrivals and is 15-20 minutes from Costa Adeje/Los Cristianos by car. Tenerife North Airport (TFN, Los Rodeos) is 10 minutes from Santa Cruz and La Laguna, handling mainly inter-island flights and some mainland Spanish routes. Check your ticket carefully , the two airports are 70km apart with an hour’s drive between them. A taxi from TFS to Costa Adeje costs €25-28 (20 minutes), to Santa Cruz €65-70 (45 minutes). From TFN, a taxi to Santa Cruz costs €12-15 (10 minutes), to Puerto de la Cruz €35-40 (30 minutes). Public bus (TITSA) route 40 runs from TFS to Costa Adeje (€3.70, every 30 minutes). Route 111 connects TFS to Santa Cruz (€9.35, every 30 minutes, 50 minutes). Both airports have car rental desks (Cicar, AutoReisen, Hertz) with rates from €15/day in low season. Read more in the weather by month guide.
Tenerife Travel Tips: Getting Around the Island
TITSA buses (called guaguas locally) cover the entire island with a hub-and-spoke system centered on Santa Cruz Intercambiador. Single fares range from €1.40 (local routes) to €9.35 (cross-island). A Bono card (€15 or €25 top-ups available at bus stations and tobacco shops) gives 30% discount on fares. The tram (TranvÃa de Tenerife) Line 1 connects Santa Cruz to La Laguna in 15 minutes (€1.35, every 5-10 minutes, 6:00 AM-midnight). Car rental is the best way to explore beyond the resorts , rates from €15-25/day with Cicar or AutoReisen (local companies, full insurance included, no deposit required). Driving is easy: the TF-1 motorway runs along the east coast from Santa Cruz to Adeje, and well-maintained mountain roads access the interior. Gas stations are scarce in the Anaga and Teno mountain ranges , fill up before heading into rural areas. Parking in Santa Cruz costs €1.50-2/hour in underground lots. Free parking is available at most beaches and trailheads if you arrive before 9:30 AM. Read more in the best time to visit guide.
Tenerife Travel Tips: Visas, Currency, and Documents
Tenerife is part of Spain and the Schengen Area. EU citizens need only a valid national ID card. UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (passport required, minimum 3 months validity beyond departure date). US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens also get 90 days visa-free. The currency is the euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available in all resorts and towns , avoid Euronet ATMs (blue and yellow, high fees) and use bank ATMs (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank). Cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and supermarkets. Smaller bars, guachinches (local eateries), and rural shops are often cash-only. Tipping is not expected but appreciated: 5-10% for good restaurant service, €1-2 for bar service, and rounding up for taxis. Read more in the things to do guide.
Tenerife Travel Tips: What Things Cost
Daily budgets: €50-70/day for a budget traveler (hostel/guesthouse, local restaurants, public transport). €100-150/day for mid-range (3-star hotel, mix of restaurants, one paid activity daily). €200-350/day for luxury (5-star resort, fine dining, rental car). Sample prices: espresso at a bar €1.20-1.50, beer (caña) €1.50-2.50, glass of local wine €2-3, menú del dÃa (3-course lunch with drink) €10-14, dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant €35-50. A week’s car rental from €105-175. Siam Park entry €42, Teide cable car €38 return. A 1-hour whale-watching boat trip costs €25-35. Supermarket prices (Mercadona, HiperDino) are slightly higher than mainland Spain , budget €50-70/week for self-catering groceries. Read more in the events and festivals calendar.
Tenerife Travel Tips: Safety and Health
Tenerife is very safe with low violent crime rates. The most common issue is petty theft , keep bags zipped and phones out of sight on busy promenades and at crowded events (Carnival, markets). The emergency number is 112 (multi-lingual operators). Tap water is technically safe but tastes strongly of chlorine and minerals due to desalination , most locals and regular visitors drink bottled water (€0.70-1.50 for 5L at supermarkets). The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) gives EU citizens access to public healthcare , the main hospitals are Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) in La Laguna and Hospital del Sur in Arona. Sunburn is the most common health issue , the UV index hits 10+ May through September even on cloudy days. Apply SPF 50 and reapply every 2 hours. Pharmacies (farmacia) have green crosses and can provide advice for minor ailments. Pharmacists can dispense some medications without a prescription that would require one in other countries. Read more in the area guide.
Tenerife Travel Tips: Language and Local Customs
Spanish is the official language. In resorts, English is widely spoken at hotels, restaurants, and tourist services. Outside the main resorts (especially in the north and interior), basic Spanish is helpful , learn greetings (buenos dÃas, buenas tardes), gracias, por favor, and la cuenta (the bill). Canarian Spanish has distinct pronunciation: the “s” sound replaces the mainland “th” sound for “z” and soft “c” (cerveza sounds like “serbesa”). Mealtimes are later than northern Europe: lunch 1:30-3:30 PM, dinner 8:30-10:30 PM. Restaurants in resorts serve earlier for tourists but locals eat late. Siesta still exists in smaller towns , shops may close 1:30-4:30 PM, though malls and supermarket chains stay open. Toasting with water is considered bad luck in Spain , use wine, beer, or even an empty glass. The Canary Islands are one hour behind mainland Spain (WET/GMT, same as UK/Ireland in winter, UTC+1 in summer). Read more in the hotel guide.
Tenerife Travel Tips: Day Trips and Excursions
The most popular day trip is La Gomera, a 50-minute ferry from Los Cristianos (Fred Olsen Express or Naviera Armas, €40-50 round trip). La Gomera’s Garajonay National Park (UNESCO) has ancient laurel forests and is ideal for hiking. Book ferry tickets 1-2 days ahead. On Tenerife itself, Teide National Park is an easy day trip from anywhere on the island (1-1.5 hours drive). For north-coast visitors, the Anaga mountains with their laurel forests and black-sand coves are a 30-minute drive from Santa Cruz. The Masca Valley and Los Gigantes cliffs on the west coast make a scenic full-day loop from the south. Whale-watching trips depart from Los Cristianos and Puerto Colón (3-hour trips, €25-35). Book excursions through your hotel or local operators rather than touts on the street. Viator and GetYourGuide list verified operators with free cancellation.
Suggested Hotels in Tenerife
Bahia del Duque
Tenerife’s most iconic luxury resort set in 6 hectares of subtropical gardens above Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje. Five outdoor pools, a thalassotherapy spa, and 8 restaurants make it the top choice for a five-star stay. Best for couples and honeymooners seeking a landmark luxury experience. Check rates and availability
Sol Tenerife
A mid-range beachfront hotel in Playa de las Américas with 3 pools, a tennis court, and sea-view balconies. The central location on the coastal promenade gives easy walking access to beaches, restaurants, and nightlife. Best for travelers wanting a well-priced beachfront base between the Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos areas. Check rates and availability
Hotel Andrea’s
A small, family-run budget hotel in Los Cristianos, 350m from the beach and a 10-minute walk from the harbor. Simple, clean rooms and a rooftop terrace make it the best value pick in the area. Best for solo travelers and couples wanting a central Los Cristianos location at hostel-level prices. Check rates and availability
