Tenerife.lv_auto_noma_ire_tenerife_kanariju_salas.jpg

Tenerife Car Hire

Tenerife and the rest of the Canary Islands is the resort where we would definitely recommend renting a car, and there are many reasons for that. Let's list and describe some of them.

Let's start with the arrival on the island, if you plan to take a taxi from the southern airport to the resort in the south (Las Americas - Los Cristianos), it will cost about 25 - 30€. It is the same as a 1-2 day budget car rental, so when driving in both directions, the tax money can be used for a 3-4 day car rental.

A taxi to the southern resort will cost around €90 if you arrive at the northern airport. If we drive from and, on the way back to the airport, then we have to rent a car for a whole week for the money of a taxi. The prices, of course, depend on the season, but it is the same on average.

Unless you plan to spend the whole time in all-inclusive hotels by the pool, there are so many interesting places on the island that it is not even possible to see all the most popular tourist attractions in a week.

Not all hotels or rental apartments are ocean front. Even Las Americas resorts have many accommodations above the highway (autopista TF1). In these apartments, your holiday will be more pleasant with a car. For example, going to the beach or going to the supermarket. Climbing a steep slope with shopping bags will certainly not be comfortable. Alternative - taxi.

Tenerife is a volcanic island, everything that is more than 100m from the ocean is already well above sea level, the further we go, the higher we have to climb. There are no straight roads here (except for the highway around the island). This means that we will not get far by foot or bicycle. All roads lead up or down the hill.

Search

This search engine includes all car rental companies in Canary Islands at the best prices. It has 24/7 English technical support. Those who have faced the problem of dealing with booking errors will be able to appreciate this.

In the Pick-up location field, enter TFS (Tenerife South Airport) or TFN (Tenerife North Airport) or the name of the city of your hotel or resort. Car delivery is also possible to the most popular resort towns.

In the menu: Age, enter the driver's age (if you are under 30 years old) to see the correct final price. Some companies charge an additional fee for younger drivers and this will be visible during the booking process.

Please read all terms carefully before paying. Different cars will have different rules. You can have full insurance without a deposit, others can reserve a security deposit on the card. In the case of a security deposit, a credit card is required when picking up the car.

Driving in Tenerife

Driving and hiring a car in Tenerife can be a great way to explore the island at your own pace. However, there are some key differences and tips to keep in mind if you're from the UK:

1. Driving on the Right:

In Tenerife (as in the rest of Spain), you drive on the right-hand side of the road, which may take some adjustment if you're used to driving on the left in the UK.

2. Speed Limits:

Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
Rural roads: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Motorways: 120 km/h (75 mph)

3. Roundabouts:

Give way to traffic already on the roundabout (coming from your left). Exiting and lane discipline on roundabouts may differ from UK practices.

4. Road Signs:

Signs are in Spanish and use international symbols. Familiarize yourself with common ones, like "Ceda el Paso" (Give Way) or "Prohibido el Paso" (No Entry).

5. Driving Etiquette:

Drivers in Tenerife can be more relaxed, but some may be impatient, especially in urban areas. Be prepared for occasional honks or fast overtaking.

Car Hire in Tenerife

1. Driving Licence:

UK driving licence is valid for driving in Tenerife. You don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you have a photocard licence. Bring the paper counterpart if your licence is older.

2. Age Restrictions:

Most car hire companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old and have held a licence for at least one year. Some charge extra for drivers under 25-30.

3. Automatic vs. Manual Cars:

Manual cars are more common in Tenerife. If you're more comfortable with an automatic, make sure to request one in advance.

4. Insurance:

Basic insurance is usually included, but consider adding a collision damage waiver (CDW) or extra coverage for peace of mind.

5. Fuel Policy:

Many companies use a full-to-full policy: you get the car with a full tank and return it full. Be clear about the fuel policy to avoid extra charges.

6. Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations:

Most hire companies operate from Tenerife’s airports (Tenerife South - TFS and Tenerife North - TFN) or popular tourist areas like Costa Adeje - Los Cristianos.

7. Driving in Rural Areas:

Many rural roads, especially in mountain areas like Masca or Anaga Rural Park, are narrow, with sharp bends and steep rises.

8. Parking:

White lines typically indicate free parking. Never park on yellow lines, as these spaces are reserved for operational vehicles such as emergency services, taxis, or buses.

9. Toll Roads:

There are no toll roads in Tenerife, so you don’t have to worry about extra fees.

10. Child Seats:

If traveling with children under 135 cm (4 feet 5 inches), ensure that the car hire company provides appropriate car seats, which are usually available at an additional cost.

11. Documents to Carry: