Almost everyone arrives in Tenerife by plane. The key thing to know is that the island has two airports — one in the south and one in the north — and choosing the right flight based on where you're staying saves you time and money on arrival. Here's how the two airports work, where the flights come from, and how to reach your accommodation by bus, taxi, car or transfer.
The two airports: South (TFS) and North (TFN)
Tenerife has two airports, and knowing the difference is the first step:
- Tenerife South (TFS – Reina Sofía): the island's main airport for international connections, particularly important for European tourist flights, and the most convenient for the big southern tourist areas (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas).
- Tenerife North (TFN – Los Rodeos): especially important for connections within the Canaries and with mainland Spain, plus some international routes; it's the handiest airport for Santa Cruz, La Laguna and many northern spots, Puerto de la Cruz included.
In practice: if your direct flight lands at Tenerife South, allow for the time needed to reach the north of the island and plan accordingly.
By plane: where you fly from
From Italy there are several direct connections, mainly to Tenerife South: destinations currently served include Milan, Bergamo, Bologna, Naples, Pisa, Rome, Treviso and Verona, with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Neos. From mainland Spain and the other Canary Islands you can also fly to Tenerife North, with inter-island connections operated by airlines such as Binter and other regional carriers. Routes are subject to seasonal changes, so it's always worth checking the schedule for your dates. To choose the period with the best flights and prices there's the guide on when to visit Tenerife.
By boat: the ferries
By sea, the most useful connections are those linking the islands (for example with Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas), handy if you combine Tenerife with La Gomera, La Palma or Gran Canaria. There's also a direct ferry from Huelva to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with crossings of about 33-40 hours depending on the service: a good option for those wanting to bring their own car or travel with lots of luggage, but for most tourists the plane is clearly faster.
From the airport to your accommodation
Once you land, you have several options to reach your hotel:
- TITSA buses (guaguas): the cheapest option; for anyone making several trips it can work out cheaper than the single ticket. They link the airports with the island's main areas.
- Taxi: convenient and with regulated fares, useful especially if you're in a group or arrive late.
- Car hire: practical if you want to explore the Teide, Anaga and the villages; you can pick it up right at the airport.
- Private transfer: booked in advance, it takes you straight to your destination.
A useful detail: bus line 343 directly links the two airports and continues to Puerto de la Cruz and Costa Adeje, about 100 minutes end to end. The timetable, however, isn't very frequent, so if you have a connection to catch, check the day's service in advance. To decide whether you need a car or whether to get around by public transport, there are the guides on car hire in Tenerife and on where to stay without a car.
Which airport to choose
When possible, match the airport to the area where you're sleeping. But always compare the flight price with the cost and time of the transfer: sometimes a much cheaper flight to the other airport makes up for a slightly longer transfer.
| Where you stay | Recommended airport |
| Costa Adeje | Tenerife South (TFS) |
| Los Cristianos | Tenerife South (TFS) |
| Playa de las Américas | Tenerife South (TFS) |
| Puerto de la Cruz | Tenerife North (TFN) |
| La Laguna | Tenerife North (TFN) |
| Santa Cruz | Tenerife North (TFN) |
| North-east / Anaga | Tenerife North (TFN) |
If you haven't decided where to stay yet, start with the guide on north or south Tenerife. And so you don't forget anything, there's the what to pack checklist.
And the Tenerife Premium Card?
The Tenerife Premium Card can be useful during your stay too: before you travel, check the participating partners, the available discounts and the conditions.
In short
To get to Tenerife: almost always by plane, choosing between Tenerife South (TFS, the more international one, close to the southern tourist areas) and Tenerife North (TFN, inter-island and close to the north and the capital). Match the airport to the area where you sleep, then reach your accommodation by TITSA bus, taxi, hire car or transfer. With a little planning, the trip starts without a hitch.
