Air Travel to Tenerife: Puerto De La Cruz

Airport Overview & Flight Information

Tenerife Airports

Tenerife has two main airports: Tenerife North (TFN) and Tenerife South (TFS). Each serves different types of flights.

Airport Details

Tenerife North Airport (TFN): Also known as Los Rodeos Airport. Handles inter-island flights and flights to mainland Spain. Closer to Puerto de la Cruz (25 km/15.5 miles).
Tenerife South Airport (TFS): Also known as Reina Sofía Airport. The main international airport. Handles the vast majority of international and long-haul flights. Located approximately 90 km (56 miles) from Puerto de la Cruz.
Both airports provide standard facilities: duty-free shops, restaurants, car rental desks, ATMs, and Wi-Fi.

Airlines & Routes

Major European carriers operate flights to TFS. Binter Canarias is the main inter-island carrier from TFN.

Flight Information

International Flights (to TFS): Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Vueling, British Airways, Condor, Lufthansa. Routes mainly from UK, Germany, France, Italy, Scandinavia, Belgium, Netherlands.
Domestic/Inter-island Flights (to TFN): Binter Canarias, Canaryfly, Iberia Express, Vueling, Ryanair. Connects from mainland Spain (Madrid, Barcelona) and other Canary Islands.
Direct Flight Options: Mainly from major European cities. No direct transatlantic flights from US or Canada to Tenerife; connections through European hubs. Search for good deals on Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner.

Seasonal Flight Availability

High season (winter & summer holidays) sees more frequent flights but higher prices. Shoulder season offers a balance of frequency and price.

Transfers from TFN

Taxi: €30-40, 20-30 mins. Bus (TITSA Line 30): €3.50-4, 25-35 mins. This offers a cost-effective option.

Transfers from TFS

Taxi: €90-120, 60-75 mins. Bus (TITSA Line 343 express): €13.50, 50 mins. Private shuttles are also available.

Airport Transfer Options to Puerto de la Cruz

From Tenerife North TFN

Taxi: Approximately €30-40, 20-30 minutes. Readily available outside the terminal.
Bus (TITSA): Line 30 runs frequently (every 20-30 minutes) directly from TFN to Puerto de la Cruz bus station. Journey: 25-35 minutes. Cost: €3.50-4.

From Tenerife South TFS

Taxi: Approximately €90-120, 60-75 minutes. The quickest but most expensive option.
Bus (TITSA): Line 343 (direct express) runs approximately hourly directly from TFS to Puerto de la Cruz bus station. Journey: ~50 minutes. Cost: ~€13.50. This is the fastest bus option.
Shuttle Services: Various private shuttle companies offer shared or private transfers. Booking in advance is recommended.

Land Transportation Considerations

Bus Services TITSA

The main public bus company, TITSA, operates a comprehensive network covering the entire island. Buses connect Puerto de la Cruz to other towns, resorts, and attractions.

Self-Driving Requirements

A valid national driving license is needed. Non-EU citizens must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their national license. The minimum driving age is 18.

Road Conditions & Safety

Roads are generally well-maintained. Mountain roads can be narrow, winding, and steep, requiring caution. Traffic can be heavy during peak hours.

Detailed Land Transport Information

Public Bus System

TITSA is the sole public bus operator on Tenerife, offering an extensive network. No trains operate on the island.

TITSA Bus Details

Company: TITSA (Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife S.A.) is the main public bus company.
Fares: Pay in cash to the driver. Exact change is appreciated. Rechargeable Ten+ card offers discounted fares.
Network: Connects Puerto de la Cruz to other towns, resorts, and attractions. Buses are generally comfortable and reliable.

Self-Driving & Road Information

requirements and road conditions are important.

Driving in Tenerife

Requirements: Valid national driving license; IDP for non-EU citizens. Credit card in driver's name for deposit. Age 21-25 with 1-2 years experience for rentals.
Roads: Generally well-maintained highways (TF-1, TF-5). Mountain roads are narrow, winding, and steep.
Parking: Can be challenging in central Puerto de la Cruz. Look for public car parks. Blue zones are paid; white zones are free but rare.

Car Rental & Rules

Major international companies operate here, alongside local options. Booking in advance is recommended.

Rental & Driving Information

Companies: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Budget. Local options like Cicar and Plus Car. Cicar is often recommended for clear policies. Compare prices on DiscoverCars.com.
Driving Laws: Drive on the right. Seatbelts mandatory. Hands-free phone use required. Speed limits: 50 km/h (urban), 90 km/h (rural), 120 km/h (highways).
Fuel: Petrol (gasolina) and diesel (gasóleo) widely available.

Sea Arrivals & Departures

Tenerife's main ferry port is in Santa Cruz. River transportation is not applicable.

Ferry & Cruise Information

Ferry Ports: Main port in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (30 km from Puerto de la Cruz). Fred. Olsen Express and Naviera Armas operate services to other Canary Islands.
Cruise Ports: Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a major cruise ship port. Puerto de la Cruz does not have a large cruise terminal.
Immigration: Standard passport control for international sea arrivals. ID checks for inter-island travel.

Important Travel Notes

Border Crossing: Not applicable for Tenerife (an island within Spain). All travel follows Schengen Area rules.
Train Services: No trains operate on Tenerife; the public transportation network relies solely on buses.
Driving Style: Local drivers can be assertive. Maintain awareness and anticipate sudden braking or lane changes.

Mountain Roads: These require caution due to sharp curves, steep inclines/declines, and potential for fog or clouds.
Traffic: Can be heavy during peak hours in and around major towns like Santa Cruz and La Laguna.
Exit Fees: No specific exit fees or taxes apply for departing from Tenerife airports; these costs are typically included in your airfare.

Departure Information

Airport Departure Procedures

Departure from Tenerife airports needs awareness of specific timing and check-in procedures.

Timing & Facilities

International Flights (from TFS): Arrive at least 2-3 hours before departure. This accounts for check-in, security, and potential queues, especially during peak season.
Domestic/Inter-island Flights (from TFN): Arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure. Security lines are generally shorter than at TFS.
Airport Facilities: Both airports offer a range of facilities including duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafes for departing travelers.

Ferry Departure & Check-in Tips

For ferry departures from Santa Cruz, specific timings and check-in options are available.

Ferry Specifics

Ferry Departures (from Santa Cruz): Arrive 30-60 minutes before scheduled departure to allow for boarding procedures.
Check-in: Consider online check-in if your airline offers it. This saves time at the airport.
Connections: From Santa Cruz ferry terminal, taxis are available. TITSA buses (Lines 101/102/103) also connect the ferry terminal area to Puerto de la Cruz.

Confirm Schedules

Always confirm your flight or ferry schedule the day before departure.

Traffic Awareness

Traffic conditions can vary, so allow extra time for transfers to the airport or port.

Visual Aid

Image: A TITSA bus on Tenerife.

Sea/River Arrivals in Tenerife

Ferry Services and Cruise Ports

While Puerto de la Cruz does not have a major ferry port, Tenerife's main port connects the island to others in the archipelago.

Sea Travel Information

Ferry Ports: The main ferry port for Tenerife is in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, approximately 30 km from Puerto de la Cruz.
Operators: Fred. Olsen Express and Naviera Armas operate services, connecting Tenerife to other Canary Islands (La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote).
Cruise Ports: Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a major cruise ship port. Puerto de la Cruz does not have a large cruise ship terminal.

Immigration & Connections

Seamless Transit

Immigration Procedures: Standard passport control applies for international arrivals at seaports, similar to airports. For inter-island travel, identity checks are typically sufficient.
Connections to Land Transportation: From Santa Cruz de Tenerife ferry terminal, taxis are readily available. TITSA buses (Lines 101/102/103) also connect the ferry terminal area to Puerto de la Cruz.
River Transportation: Not applicable on Tenerife, as there are no navigable rivers.

Departure Information from Tenerife

Exit Fees & Taxes

No specific exit fees or taxes apply for departing from Tenerife airports. These costs are typically included in your airfare.

Departure Procedures

For international flights from TFS, arrive 2-3 hours before departure. For domestic/inter-island flights from TFN, arrive 1.5-2 hours before. For ferry, 30-60 minutes before.

Airport/Station Facilities

Both Tenerife airports offer shops (including duty-free), restaurants, and cafes for departing travelers.

Final Departure Check

Always confirm your flight or ferry schedule the day before departure. Traffic conditions can vary, so allow extra time for transfers to the airport or port.

Air Travel to Tenerife