Where is Tenerife South Airport and what is its official name?
Tenerife South–Reina Sofía Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur) is located near Granadilla de Abona in the south of Tenerife. The international airport code is TFS; Aena lists the airport as "Tenerife Sur".
The airport opened to national civil traffic on 23 October 1978 and to international traffic on 2 November 1978. The official inauguration took place on 6 November 1978 in the presence of Queen Sofía; the first aircraft was an Iberia DC-9.
The site was deliberately chosen close to the main tourist zone in the south of the island. The airport operates around the clock and, according to Aena, recorded a total of 13,740,411 passengers, 90,508 aircraft movements and 775 tonnes of freight in 2024.
For 2025, Aena reports around 14 million passengers, of which 12.8 million were international and 1.2 million domestic. The United Kingdom and Germany together account for more than half of the traffic volume.
How does arrival at Tenerife South Airport work?
After landing, passengers follow the signs to baggage reclaim and then to the exit of the arrivals hall. The exact process depends on whether the flight arrives from the Schengen area, a non-Schengen country or a third country.
For pick-ups, the public area is located in the terminal. Because of the night-time access restriction, anyone collecting passengers on very late flights should check the actual arrival time and terminal access.
The terminal is closed to the public daily from 23:00 to 04:00. During this time, only staff and passengers within the two hours before the scheduled departure are admitted.
The arrivals hall offers, among other things, cash machines, currency exchange, a luggage and lost property office, drinking water fountains, vending machines, toilets and counters for car hire and tour operators.
How does departure at Tenerife South Airport work?
The check-in and departure areas are located in the passenger terminal. The lead time required depends on the airline, destination and luggage. Binding check-in and boarding times are published by the respective airline.
Aena recommends checking current flight information before travelling to the airport. The airport lists Binter, Jet2.com and Ryanair, among others, as well as several ground handling companies as resident or supported providers.
In the departure area, the Aena airport website lists new food and retail outlets for 2026, including Upper Crust, Greggs and Relay. Opening hours and actual availability of individual shops may depend on flight volumes and the operator.
Passengers also have access to security screening and passenger services, medical care and defibrillators, as well as facilities for printing boarding passes. Aena points out that visitors may only enter public areas unless expressly authorised.
How do I get to Tenerife South Airport by bus, taxi or hire car?
The bus stops are located at the terminal on level 0 in the arrivals area. Route 343 connects Tenerife South Airport directly with Tenerife North Airport.
Other connections are route 40 (airport – Los Cristianos – Costa Adeje), route 10 (Santa Cruz – Cruce Caletillas – Cruce San Isidro – airport), route 711 (night service between Santa Cruz, airport, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje) and route 415 (El Fraile – airport – San Isidro).
Timetables, stops and fares may change. The current information from the transport company TITSA and the airport information are authoritative.
Taxis may only be taken from the marked taxi rank at the passenger terminal. Aena expressly advises against approaching drivers outside this official area and recommends asking for a receipt. The taxi rank is on level 0 at arrivals; Aena lists the telephone numbers +34 922 397 074 and +34 922 397 475 for taxi information.
For hire cars and journeys in your own vehicle, travellers should check the official access route and current traffic conditions. Prices, deposits, parking charges and rental conditions depend on the provider and the time and must be confirmed with the respective company. Aena's official P1 car park is open around the clock, is close to the terminal and has accessible parking spaces as well as charging points for electric vehicles.
Tenerife South or Tenerife North: which airport is the right one?
Tenerife South Airport is the main airport for international holiday traffic in the south of Tenerife. It is generally more convenient for Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and Golf del Sur.
Tenerife North Airport (TFN), by contrast, is more important for domestic and inter-island traffic and serves the greater Santa Cruz and La Laguna area. It is usually more convenient for Santa Cruz, La Laguna and large parts of the north.
The two airports are not interchangeable: the journey between them can take considerable time, especially in heavy traffic. Anyone living or holidaying in the south should therefore not accidentally book Tenerife North – and vice versa.
For comparisons with other islands, according to Aena: Gran Canaria and Tenerife South are major international tourism hubs. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are strongly geared towards European holiday traffic. Tenerife North, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are particularly useful for domestic and inter-island connections.
What is new at Tenerife South Airport in 2026 and what remains open?
The Aena airport website lists new food and retail outlets for 2026, including Upper Crust, Greggs and Relay in or at the departure area. Opening hours and availability of individual shops may depend on flight volumes and the operator.
Aena's official P1 car park is open around the clock, is close to the terminal and includes accessible parking spaces as well as charging points for electric vehicles.
The exact costs for parking, transfers, buses, taxis, luggage services and fast lane should be checked when booking or immediately before travelling. An undated price should not be regarded as permanently valid.
For reliable monthly climatology, the AEMET station Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto should be used. The available official information does not allow verified monthly values for sea temperature, sunshine hours, calima or trade wind seasons at Tenerife South Airport to be derived. Current values and warnings: CITA Weather (cita.news/de/wetter.html) and AEMET.