Car Rental in Tenerife

Why rent a car in Tenerife?

Tenerife is a great place to travel around by car. From large cities to long beaches and fascinating inland area, the island is best explored if you have the freedom of your own wheels that allow you to go wherever you want.

Top ways to enter Tenerife

• Tenerife North Airport: Located close to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s largest city, this airports hosts flights to and from other Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Europe, and Africa.
• Tenerife South Airport: Tenerife’s busiest airport is popular with a large number of low-cost carriers and is especially busy during summers.
• By sea: It is also possible to take a ferry from one of the nearby islands or even from the mainland Spain. You can then get a rental car in one of the many car pick-up locations on the island.

City facts

• Tenerife enjoys a warm tropical climate with low precipitation throughout the year. The warmest month is August with an average high of 29 °C (84 °F).
• The main language spoken by the locals is Spanish. English is much better known in the south of the island. 

Top sights and activities

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The capital and the largest city, Santa Cruz is also a very popular tourist destination that promises a lot of sights and fun nightlife. Located on the northeastern coast, a very short drive from the Tenerife North Airport, it is also home to cultural institutions such as the excellent Museum of Nature and Archaeology and the Museum of Fine Arts, both of which may rival their famous counterparts on the Spanish mainland.
• San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Located just a short drive west of Santa Cruz, but deserving a special mention of its own, the whole of this inland city has been labeled a UNESCO World Heritage site. The oldest settlement on the island, La Laguna, as it is informally known among locals, is famous for its religious and secular architecture, but also for attractions such as the Museum of Science and the Cosmos. Thanks to its elevated location, the city is a popular refuge during the summer months when it is notably cooler than the coastal areas.
• Los Gigantes. Located at the southern end of the island, the popular Los Gigantes is in fact an amalgamation of several smaller towns and villages that have been put together in the same municipality but retain much of their laid back atmosphere. Named after the immense cliffs that are visible from most places in the area, the area is naturally known not only for its excellent beaches but also for its many nearby hiking trails. 

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits - 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car documentation and insurance always has to be inside a vehicle.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads inside the country are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Teide. The largest mountain not only of Canary Islands but of the whole Spain, Teide is the center of a national park of the same name and home to unique flora and fauna. A cable car takes you almost all the way up to Mount Teide summit. 
• Cueva del Viento. Once home to now extinct giant lizard and a sacred place for the island’s original inhabitants, “the Wind Cave” is one of the biggest and most impressive lava cave systems in the world.
• A road trip around the island. Tenerife has arguably some of the most scenic drives in the world. Travel along the coast and through the mountains, stop at pristine empty beaches and little villages, and make sure to pay a visit to the stunning Masca Valley cliffs.
• Anaga National Park. Although not as well known as the aforementioned Teide, the Anaga National Park (or Anaga Rural Park) is one of the most interesting nature areas of Tenerife. Situated in the northern part of the island about a 40-minute drive from Santa Cruz, the area is known for its trails that wind through highlands and ancient laurel forests. You can visit the website of the Canary Islands official tourist board to see some pictures and learn more.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental cars in the Canary Islands are the Kia Picanto, the VW Polo and the Renault Clio. The most popular car types is an economy, followed by mini and compact.

Further destinations

• Gran Canaria. Sometimes considered the friendly rival of Tenerife, Gran Canaria is the second-most populous island in the archipelago. Attractions include Las Palmas, the largest Canarian city, as well as fun beach towns like Maspalomas, the prehistoric site of Risco Caído, and volcanic landscapes. Keep in mind: Some rental car companies permit picking up a rental car on one island and dropping it off on another, but you should also see if the ferry company allows it. You will need to buy an additional ticket for your rental, and it’s generally a good idea to book tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the warmer half of the year. Alternatively, you can drop off your rental on one island, travel without it, and pick one up on the next after arriving.
• La Gomera. Located just west of Tenerife, the little island of La Gomera is one of the most mythical destinations in the Canary Islands. It is known for its unique whistling language, El Silbo, which was created to allow locals to communicate across its long valleys. The islan’s cliffs, peaks, and beaches make it one of the best hiking destinations in all of Spain.
• La Palma. Another one of the smaller Canary Islands that is sometimes overlooked by foreign travelers who stick to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, La Palma shouldn’t be mistaken for Palma de Mallorca, the largest city in the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. As elsewhere in the Canaries, the island is home to beautiful landscapes but also boasts interesting museums, the peak of El Roque de los Muchachos, and a special, secluded atmosphere.

Car rental prices in Tenerife

• Small cars - from $9 per day
• Medium cars - from $16 per day
• SUVs - from $14 per day
• Convertibles - from $28 per day
• Large cars - from $26 per day
• Vans - from $21 per day
• Premium cars - from $98 per day
• Station wagons - from $44 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Below, you'll find reviews about traveling to Tenerife from customers who booked their rental car through us. Here's a summary of some of the most frequent tips they mentioned:

1. Explore Scenic Locations:

• Tenerife is praised for its natural beauty and scenic spots: "Loved the island of Tenerife. Natural beauty can be seen everywhere."

2. Visit Popular Attractions:

• Visiting the volcano and parks like Anaga are highly recommended: "We went to the park for the volcano trail" and "Mount Teide cable car; hiking in Teide National Park."

3. Enjoy the Beaches:

• The beaches in Tenerife are a highlight: "Excellent beaches, very good accommodation."

4. Tranquil Areas:

• For a peaceful holiday, consider staying in quieter parts of the island: "A tranquil holiday in a quiet part of Tenerife."

and issues to watch out for:

1. Weather Conditions:

• The water can be cold, which might affect beach activities: "Cold water."

2. Road Conditions:

• Driving in Tenerife can be challenging due to narrow and twisted roads; a small car is recommended: "Small car: very useful for twisted roads on the island."

3. Limited Experiences:

• Staying in one location may limit your overall experience of the island: "We spent our time in Fañabe, so didn't explore much."

There are things you can do to get a good car deal in Tenerife:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Tenerife is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 41% cheaper than the yearly average and about 65% cheaper than renting a car in July.