The main airport is the South Airport, and the second largest is the North Airport, which has been operating since 1946, 11 km from the island’s capital.Tenerife North Airport is mainly used by passengers from the other Canary Islands or the Spanish mainland. In 2004, a new large terminal was launched. Due to the terrain and frequent fog, there are no night flights at the North Airport. The operating hours are from 6:00 to 23:00, with planes departing from 7:15 to 22:00.
In Tenerife, most tourists prefer to rent a car. It is easy and inexpensive, the car can be picked up from the airport parking lot. And for those who do not have a driver’s license or do not want to drive in an unfamiliar country, there are Titsa buses and cabs.
Buses from Tenerife North Airport
There are three bus routes from the North Airport and the bus stop is located at the first floor exit. You can buy a ticket for one trip from the driver upon boarding. Cash and bank cards are accepted.
If you plan to use public transportation frequently on the island, it’s more cost-effective to buy a single ticket instead:
- Ten+ refillable transportation card. Sold at tobacco kiosks and Titsa terminals.
- Tourist pass. The cost of a daily pass is 10 € and a weekly pass is 50 €. You can buy such a card at the airport, at stations and at kiosks.
Route 20 goes to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the island, and takes 20 minutes. There is only one stop along the way — in the town of La Laguna. Flights depart every 20 to 35 minutes, from 05:40 to 00:45.
Route 30 goes to cities and resorts in the northeastern part of the island. The final stop is the town of Puerto de la Cruz. The whole route takes half an hour. Buses depart daily, from 05:40 to 22:00.
Flight #343 passes through half of the island. It starts in Puerto de la Cruz and ends in the popular southern resort of Los Cristianos, with a route duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. On the way it stops at the North and South airports. It will come in handy if you are confused and arrive at the wrong airport and have 45—50 minutes to change airports. The bus runs from 6:20 to 23:00, on weekdays and holidays until 18:00.
The bus fare depends on the number of kilometers you travel:
- To Puerto de la Cruz: 4,75 € one way or 3,4 € with Ten+ card.
- To the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 2,65 € one way, 2,25 € with Ten+ card.
Cab from Tenerife North Airport
Tenerife cabs are subject to the general Spanish rules: you pay per kilometer, the rates are uniform and depend only on the time of day and day of the week. On weekdays from 6:00 to 22:00 there is a «low» fare, and on weekends, holidays and weekdays from 22:00 to 6:00 the fare increases by about 12%.
In addition to the kilometer, you will have to pay for additional services: for example, for travel to the airport, loading luggage.
I recommend using an official cab. At the North Airport you can always find their cars in the special parking lot located at the exit of the arrival area (first floor).
- Approximate fare from North Airport: to the capital — 16 €, to Puerto de la Cruz — 30 €, to South Airport — 80 €.
- You can order a cab in advance on the website.
