Getting around Tenerife
From airport to door: two airports, many buses and one narrow mountain road
- Bus
- TITSA
- Ferry
- Los Cristianos to La Gomera
Getting around Tenerife starts with a choice most visitors never notice they are making, which of the island's two airports they land at. The south airport serves the beach resorts, the north one sits closer to the green coast, and from either, buses, a tram and a ferry reach more than you might expect.
The resorts
Tenerife South, known by its code TFS, is the airport for the beach resorts, and it is where most holiday itineraries begin. Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas lie on this side of the island, and Costa Adeje has a quick link to the airport and the motorway.
El Médano is the base closest to the runway, about 5 km away, which makes it a tidy choice for an early flight. From Los Cristianos, the drive to La Laguna takes about 40 minutes on the TF-1. Costa Adeje to Puerto de la Cruz is around 67 km, or about an hour.
Check the same room on both sites: price and cancellation terms can differ.
The north
Tenerife North, TFN, is the island's second airport and lies closer to the north coast. It is the one to look for if your stay is in Puerto de la Cruz or around La Laguna, and it matters only when your flight is booked to it.
TITSA buses and the tram
TITSA runs the island's buses, and its cards and timetables are on titsa.com. Four lines matter to visitors. Bus 348 runs from Puerto de la Cruz through La Orotava and El Portillo to the cable car and the Parador, while bus 342 links Costa Adeje with El Portillo across the Las Cañadas.
Bus 355 is the third, the one into the Masca gorge, and it leaves from Santiago del Teide. Bus 076 runs from La Laguna past Cruz del Carmen to Taganana in the Anaga mountains. Santa Cruz also has a tram, which is useful if you base yourself in the city and not in a resort.
The ferry to La Gomera
The ferry to San Sebastián de La Gomera leaves from Los Cristianos and takes about 50 min. Two companies run it, Fred. Olsen and Naviera Armas, and in 2026 their sample departures were Armas at 8:45 am arriving 9:35 and Fred. Olsen at 9:30 arriving 10:20. Check-in is 20 to 60 minutes before sailing.
When a car is the better choice
A hire car is the easier choice for most of the island, though not for all of it. Distances are modest, but two places set their own rules, and the list below sorts out which trip needs what.
- Teide: buses 348 and 342 reach the cable car, so a car buys flexibility and not access.
- Masca: the last stretch is bus 355 from Santiago del Teide, whatever you drive, since private vehicles cannot enter. Costa Adeje to Masca is about 35 km and about 1 hour 15 minutes of narrow bends.
- Anaga: bus 076 serves Cruz del Carmen and Taganana from La Laguna, and a car adds the stops in between.
- Two bases: a move from Costa Adeje to Puerto de la Cruz is about an hour by road.
Getting to Teide without a car
Reaching the volcano by bus is straightforward. From the north, bus 348 goes from Puerto de la Cruz to the cable car and the Parador, and from the south, bus 342 goes from Costa Adeje to El Portillo. The timetable is at titsa.com. The permit for the summit is a separate matter and does not change by bus or by car.
Where to next
Nomadinho scores out of 100, the same ones behind “Where to go”.
If you like Tenerife
Three places with the closest scores, from any country.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Which airport for Tenerife?
Tenerife South (TFS) for the southern coast and its beach resorts. Tenerife North (TFN) lies closer to the north coast.
Can you manage without a car?
Yes, in part. Buses 348, 342, 355 and 076 reach Teide, Masca and Anaga, and the tram serves Santa Cruz. A car mainly adds the freedom to stop where you like.
How do you reach Masca?
By bus 355 from Santiago del Teide, which is mandatory, since private vehicles cannot enter. You also need a booked descent slot.
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