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How to get to Tenerife

The usual means of travelling to and from the Canary Islands is by aircraft. These days this could hardly be easier and flight prices can represent very good value too, especially when purchased as part of a package holiday. It was the advent of regular, affordable international flights to Tenerife, in the late 1950's and early 1960's that sparked the rapid growth of the island's tourist trade, especially in the south, which continues to this day.

Tenerife is the only Canary Island with two airports. Until 1977 it had only one: Los Rodeos (TFN - Tenerife Norte) airport is situated in the north of the island near La Laguna. A second airport - the Reina Sofia (TFS - Tenerife Sur; named after the wife of the King of Spain) - was constructed in the south near the Costa del Silencio, a few miles from Las Americas and Los Cristianos.

Airports

Tenerife is well served by its airports with routes from and to the other Canary Islands, Europe and beyond.

There are two airports on the island of Tenerife, one on the north side (Tenerife Norte, TFN, also known as "Aeropuerto de Los Rodeos") and the other one on the south of the island (Tenerife Sur, TFS, also known as "Aeropuerto Reina Sofia"). Both airports are at about 2.5 hours flying time from Madrid, and about 3 hours from Barcelona.

Most domestic flights go to Tenerife Norte. Most international and charter flights go to Tenerife Sur. Most people travelling on scheduled flights will have to fly via Madrid or Barcelona. Three airlines fly scheduled flights in from the Spanish mainland: Iberia, Air Europa and Spanair. The strong competition between them has substantially lowered the airfares to the Canaries in the past years.

Please book your flights early! Scheduled flights from Madrid and Barcelona to Tenerife as well as charter flights from some European countries can be heavily booked at certain times of the year.

Airlines

The following airlines are flying to and from the Tenerife airports. The airlines' websites usually feature online flight booking facilities.

Online Flight Booking

Sea Services

Bus Services

Car Rental

The major car hire firms are represented on Tenerife, and you will find them represented at airports, ferry ports and the major cities.

Driving on Tenerife

Driving a car on Tenerife or in Spain generally is very similar to driving in other countries of the European mainland. You have to drive on the right. The following points should serve as a guide.

Obligations

The law demands that

• driving license, car document and insurance be carried at all times,
• seat belts are worn front and back at all times,
• crash helmets are worn on motorbikes and mopeds,
• less than 50mg/100ml of alcohol be in the blood.

Speed Limits

The following speed limits apply unless otherwise indicated:

• 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways
• 100 km/h (62 mph) on dual carriageways
• 90 km/h (56 mph) on single carriageway roads
• 50 km/h (31 mph) in towns

Road Rules

The following general rules apply unless otherwise indicated:

• give way to the right,
• priority is to those already on a roundabout.

Signposts

Signposting is generally not good and sometimes inconsistent. Old signs are often not taken down when new roads make them redundant. This can lead to conflicting directions. 'Cambio de Sentido' indicates an opportunity to do a U-turn.

Petrol

Almost all garages sell petrol at the maximum price permitted by the government. Most of the newer petrol stations are self service, many of the older ones are attendant service. Many garages are open 24 hours. You always put petrol in first then pay at the desk, an exception to this rule may be at night. Credit cards are universally accepted. Tipping is unusual despite what you may read in many guide books.

Driving Style

Drivers are generally impatient. They will beat the horn if you delay starting at a green traffic light. Do not give way, out of pure politeness, when you don't have to, since this won't be expected and will only lead to confusion. Please keep also in mind that flashing headlights mean 'Back off! I'm coming!' - quite contrary to some other countries.

National Traffic Authority - Direción General de Traffico

DGT - Link to the website of the Spanish National Traffic Authority, with information about road and traffic conditions, point to point route recommendations, toll motorways and prices, newly opened roads, traffic regulations, safety rules and advice, etc.

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