Tenerife is an island ideal for both beach holidays and exploring. That's why, more than ever, information on how to get around Tenerife, how much it costs to rent a car or how much bus tickets cost will come in handy.
Book your Tenerife hotel in advance
Rent a car
The most comfortable way to get around the island is with a rental car, which you can find at almost every turn. There are plenty of car rental agencies at the airports, every major hotel and even travel agencies. All you need is a Czech driving licence and depending on the season and the type of car you rent, you will pay around 20 eur to 35 eur per day.
The roads around Tenerife are of good quality, with motorways running around the perimeter of the island and tarmac roads leading high into the mountains.
For detailed information on car hire prices, Tenerife traffic, petrol prices and other practicalities, see the article Renting a car in Tenerife.
TITSA buses
For those who are not keen on renting a car, there is a bus service that can provide convenient transportation throughout Tenerife.
The bus will take you not only to the cities, but also to the beaches and even to Teide National Park.
Tenerife buses are modern, air-conditioned, the system is clear and the routes to populated and tourist areas are very frequent.
Bus services are provided by a single carrier , Titsa, both intercity and public transport in each of the larger towns.
- All information can be found on the website titsa.com
Tickets - prices and where to buy them
Tickets are valid on all Titsa buses, plus the tram that connects Santa Cruz de Tenerife with La Laguna.
Ticket prices are low and there are several ticket options. Here are some examples of the most commonly used tickets.
- 24-hour ticket - valid on all bus and tram connections throughout the island: 10 eur (+ 2 eur for a card, but you can top up other tickets, this fee is waived if you use the mobile app)
- 7-day ticket - valid on all bus and tram connections throughout the island for 7 calendar days: 50 eur (+ 2 eur for the card, but you can top up other tickets, this fee is waived if you use the mobile app)
- 1 ride - price varies according to distance travelled and ranges from 1,25 eur to 9,50 eur
- Where to buy: from the driver or on the Ten+Móvil mobile app
- Where not to buy: at sales points
- 1 ride - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - valid for one ride only, no transfers: 1,25 eur
- Where to buy: from the driver or on the Ten+Móvil mobile app
- Where not to buy: at points of sale
Another option is the Ten+Wallet card, which can be shared by multiple passengers. It also costs 2 eur to purchase (you can then use the same card to top up other tickets as many times as you like) and when you buy it, you get a credit of 10 to 99 eur.
This is then deducted according to the distance travelled, and the fare is roughly 20% cheaper than if you bought individual tickets. This ticket is suitable if you are travelling with several people for shorter distances.
- Where to buy: at Titsa sales points at the major bus stations "Intercambiador"
- Where not to buy: from the driver, on the mobile app and nowhere at airports
For intercity connections, the prices of individual tickets are calculated according to the distance travelled, for example:
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Puerto de la Cruz: 5,25 eur
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Los Cristianos: 9 eur
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Tenerife Sur Airport (TFS): 9,35 eur
- Los Cristianos - Costa Adeje: 1,45 eur
- Puerto de la Cruz - La Orotava: 1,45 eur
- Puerto de la Cruz - Teide cable car: 6,20 eur
- Costa Adeje - Teide cable car: 8,05 eur
- For a breakdown of prices on all routes, see the website titsa.com
If you will be on the island without a rental car, it is definitely worth buying a 7-day pass. Firstly, you will save money and secondly, you won't have to deal with paying tickets every time you go.
Where to buy tickets?
There are several ways to buy bus tickets.
The cheapest and easiest of these is to download the ten+móvil app (Google Play / App Store) on your mobile phone, through which you can buy any type of ticket except ten+Wallet. In the case of multi-day tickets, this saves 2 eur on the purchase of the card.
Another option is to buy a ticket from a kiosk at the major bus stations or from a vending machine, but these are only at the stops at the two Tenerife airports and also at all tram stops in Santa Cruz and La Laguna.
The last option is to buy a ticket from the driver, but he only sells single ride tickets, not recharge cards or 24-hour or 7-day tickets. Payment can only be made in cash up to a maximum of €10.
For more information on transport to the airport, see:
How to use tickets on buses?
If you are using tickets on plastic cards (all-day, all-week and Ten+Wallet), you will need to attach the card to the validator when you board through the front door with the driver.
You must also attach the card to the green validator when exiting through the back door. This is particularly important for calculating the correct price when travelling with the Ten+Wallet card.
If you use the mobile app, you must have agreed to take photos via the app, open the app when you board and scan the QR code, which is usually located at the driver's side.
The ticket is validated, which you show to the driver and you can board.
Trams
The largest city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is traversed by a separate system of public transport trams. Two routes cross the city from west to east and north to south, with the T1 line continuing to La Laguna.
Tickets can be bought from a machine at the bus stop, one ride costs 1,35 eur
All of the above multi-day tickets or the ten+Wallet card are also valid here.
How do I use the tickets on the trams?
If you use tickets on plastic cards (all-day, all-week and ten+Wallet), you only attach the card to the validator after boarding at the red validator.
You do not attach the card to the validator on exit.
If you are using the mobile app, you must have agreed to have your photos taken via the app, open the app on check-in and scan the QR code, which is usually located on the ceiling above the door.
The ticket is validated, which you show to the inspector during random checks.
Official information can be found at metrotenerife.com.
Taxi
In all major cities, you'll find official white taxis on every corner, which are reliable and hassle-free. The meter is always on and you will hardly encounter any cases of unfair treatment of foreigners by taxi drivers.
Taxi prices are the same everywhere in Tenerife:
- Extra charge from/to the airport - 2,10 eur
- Starting rate - 3,85 eur (or 4,25 eur on weekdays between 10pm and 6am and all day on weekends + holidays)
- Rate per 1 km - 1,35 eur (or 1,55 eur on weekdays between 22:00 and 6:00 and on weekends + holidays all day)
Taxis can always be paid by card and cash.
Uber operates in Tenerife, but availability of cars is significantly worse than regular taxis and prices are usually higher.
