Tenerife: flights, airports and booking at a glance

Which airport suits my destination?

Tenerife Sur (TFS) is located near Granadilla de Abona in the south of the island and is the main airport for international holiday connections. The information may change and should be checked with the airline.

Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna (TFN) is in the north, about 10 kilometres from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The airport is mainly used for domestic connections. A large share of its traffic consists of flights to the other Canary Islands.

For Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz and the north, TFN is usually the closer airport. For Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and the south, TFS is usually more convenient. The choice of airport has a significant impact on onward travel.

Direct flight or connection: which is better?

Direct connections change depending on the season and airline. The current Aena flight schedule lists the destinations and airlines served at any given time. Aena expressly points out that published connections may be changed without prior notice.

For onward travel within the archipelago, TFN is particularly relevant. Aena lists connections there to Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, El Hierro and La Gomera, among others. With a connecting flight, travellers should check whether both flights are on a single booking.

With separate tickets, baggage, the risk of delays and possible overnight stays must be planned by the traveller. Changing airports across the island is not a short connection. With separate flights, sufficient buffer time should be allowed.

Which booking tips actually help?

Compare both airports: TFS and TFN can have significantly different prices and flight times for the same travel period. The airport name “Tenerife” alone is not enough when booking. TFS stands for Tenerife Sur, TFN for Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna.

Check the total price: checked baggage, seat selection, hand luggage, transfers and possible rebooking fees can increase the final price. Car hire and, where relevant, ferry costs can also change the final price considerably. Flight costs vary greatly depending on departure point, season, baggage and booking time.

Confirm the flight schedule with the airline: Aena describes the destination lists as current programme information that may change as a result of airline decisions. Flight schedules, baggage rules, terminal information and entry requirements should be checked again immediately before travel.

How do I get from the airport?

Car hire companies, taxis and transfers are available at both airports. Conditions and prices vary according to provider, vehicle and destination. For specific bus routes, timetables and fares, the official information from the relevant transport operator should be checked on the day of travel.

A flight to TFS and accommodation in the north can mean a long onward journey. If you are staying in the north, you should check TFN; for the south, TFS is usually closer. A transfer between the two airports can take considerable time depending on traffic.

For remote accommodation and natural areas, a hire car is practical. In towns and along the main tourist routes, the public bus can be cheaper. From the ports of Los Cristianos and Santa Cruz de Tenerife there are ferry connections to La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro and Gran Canaria.

When is the best time to visit Tenerife?

For reliable climate comparisons, long-term normal values should be used rather than individual weather days. AEMET publishes monthly averages and statistical series for Tenerife. The standard values are based on the 1981–2010 reference period.

Tenerife Sur has mild and dry values all year round. On average there are 15.2 rainy days with at least 1 mm of precipitation. In July and August the average precipitation is 0 mm.

Tenerife Norte is considerably wetter and cooler, especially in winter. This explains the frequent difference in cloud cover between the north and south sides.

The most pleasant travel time depends on your goal. For the south and beach holidays, year-round travel is possible; the summer months show particularly dry normal values. For hiking, spring and autumn are usually moderate; at high altitudes it is considerably colder. Current values and warnings: CITA weather (cita.news/de/wetter.html) and AEMET.

What do I need to know about safety and nature rules?

Several hiking trails in the Teide National Park, in the Barranco del Infierno and in the Anaga mountains require prior reservation or a permit. The rules can vary depending on the trail, season and visitor group. For popular Teide and Anaga routes, spontaneous access is sometimes not possible.

Official nature conservation information prohibits, among other things, damaging or collecting plants, feeding animals, making noise, leaving litter and parking outside designated areas. Fires may only be lit at expressly authorised barbecue areas and only under permitted conditions.

Aena reports that the TFS terminal may be closed to the public between 23:00 and 04:00 and outside flight operations. Closures, permit requirements and access restrictions can change at short notice. Binding information should be obtained exclusively from the responsible authorities, visitor centres and official operators.