Arrival & Transport

The Canary Islands are reachable from Germany in 4–5 flight hours. There are direct flights from all major German airports — significantly more in winter than in summer, as the Canary Islands are the classic winter destination for Germans.

Overview of the Airports

TFS or TFN? The Tenerife Question

Tenerife is the only Canary Island with two airports:

• TFS (Tenerife South/Reina Sofía): The tourist airport. All charter flights, Ryanair, easyJet, Condor, TUI fly. Located in the dry south near Granadilla. Ideal if your hotel is on Costa Adeje or in Los Cristianos.
• TFN (Tenerife North/Los Rodeos): The "local airport". Binter inter-island flights, Iberia/Vueling to Madrid/Barcelona. Located near La Laguna in the cloudier north. Sometimes delays due to fog. Closer to Puerto de la Cruz (20 min) and La Laguna (5 min).

Distance between both: approx. 60 km, 1-hour drive via the TF-1/TF-5 highway. There is a TITSA bus connecting both.

Airlines & Flight Prices (Reference Values)

The ferry is the most beautiful means of transport between the islands — and often cheaper than flying. Two shipping companies dominate the market:

Fred Olsen Express

The faster, more modern catamarans. Less seasickness, shorter travel time, but more expensive. Highly recommended.

• Website: fredolsen.es
• Highlights: Modern high-speed trimarans, onboard shop, cafeteria
• Animals: Dogs allowed (on the outer deck or in special cabins)

Naviera Armas

The larger, slower ferries. Cheaper, carry more cars, less affected by waves. Also night ferries on long routes.

• Website: navieraarmas.com
• Highlights: Cabins on long routes, large car ferries, cheaper
• Animals: Dogs allowed in special areas

Important Ferry Connections

Binter Canarias — The Island Airline

For longer distances (e.g., Lanzarote → La Palma), Binter Canarias is the best option. The regional airline connects all islands with short flights (20–50 min). Prices start at €30 one-way with early booking, but rise quickly. Binter also flies to El Hierro and La Gomera, where no international flights go.

On the Canary Islands, a rental car is almost indispensable if you want to see more than just the resort. The public buses are good, but they don't reach many of the most beautiful places (Masca, Cofete, Anaga Mountains, wine routes). Only in Las Palmas can you get by well without a car.

Prices & Booking

Local vs. International Providers

Local Providers (recommended!): Cicar, Autoreisen, PlusCar, TopCar — significantly cheaper than international chains, excellent service, transparent conditions. Cicar is the largest local provider and has stations on every island.

International Providers: Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt — more expensive, but more familiar. Compare via CHECK24 or billiger-mietwagen.de.

Important Notes

• Comprehensive insurance without excess is a must! The narrow mountain roads (Anaga, Masca, Tejeda) take their toll. Coverage via credit card (Barclays Visa, Advanzia) or book directly with the provider.
• Diesel: Cheaper than gasoline. Many rental cars have diesel.
• Automatic: Less standard on the Canary Islands than in Germany. Book early!
• Roads: The main roads are excellent (highways on TF, GC). Mountain roads are narrow, winding, and steep, but almost always paved. Exception: the track to Cofete (FV) — only with SUV or sturdy small car.
• Fueling: Gasoline is about 15–20% cheaper on the Canary Islands than in Germany (tax zone). €1.20–1.40/liter.
• Parking: Parking problems in tourist centers (Costa Adeje, Maspalomas). Blue zone = paid parking (0.50–1.50€/h). No problem in mountain villages and away from the coast.
• Ferry with Rental Car: Most local providers allow ferry transport to other islands — ask beforehand! Some charge an additional fee. Alternative: Rent a separate car on each island.

In the Canary Islands, buses are called “Guaguas” (pronounced: “Wa-was”) — a term from Canarian Spanish that originates from Cuba. The bus network is surprisingly well-developed on the larger islands:

Bus Companies by Island

Practical Tips

• Bono Bus Card: Definitely buy! Rechargeable card with 30–50% discount on every fare. Available on Tenerife (TITSA-Bono, at the airport or bus station) and Gran Canaria (TransGC card). Worth it from the second trip.
• Punctuality: Good in cities, more flexible in rural areas. Check timetables on the website, but always plan for some buffer time.
• Last Buses: In rural areas, the last buses often run as early as 6–8 PM! Plan to return to the hotel before it gets dark.
• Mountain Routes: Bus rides across the islands are scenically spectacular — but not for weak stomachs. Hairpin bends on Tenerife (TF-28 to Teide) or La Gomera are extremely winding.
• Beach Shuttle: Many hotels offer free shuttles to the main beaches. Inquire!

Important Bus Lines

Visiting multiple islands is THE Canary Islands experience — but it requires planning. Here are the most important tips:

The Three Island Groups

The Canary Islands are geographically divided into three clusters, within which connections are excellent:

• Western Islands: Tenerife – La Gomera – La Palma – El Hierro. Ferries from Los Cristianos (TF). La Gomera reachable in 50 min, La Palma in 2.5h.
• Eastern Islands: Lanzarote – Fuerteventura. Only 25 min ferry in between! Practically a double destination.
• Middle: Gran Canaria connects both groups — ferries to Tenerife (80 min from Agaete) and Fuerteventura (2.5h from Las Palmas).

The Best Island Hopping Combos

Logistics Tips

• Open-Jaw Flights: Fly to one island, return from another. Saves time and money. E.g., fly to Lanzarote (ACE), return from Gran Canaria (LPA). Most flight search engines offer this as “open-jaw flight”.
• Rental Car per Island: Instead of taking a car on the ferry (expensive!), book a separate rental car on each island. Cicar makes it easy: pick up at the port, drop off at the airport.
• Book Ferries in Advance: In high season (Christmas, Easter, August) definitely book ferries in advance — especially with a car. Foot passengers almost always get a spot.
• Luggage on Ferries: No weight limit for foot passengers. Suitcase, hiking backpack, surfboard — everything can be taken. Luggage stays in the car on the auto deck.
• Time Planning: At least 2–3 nights per island, better 3–4. Visiting a new island every day is stress, not a vacation. Exception: La Gomera as a day trip from Tenerife works well.
• West-East Transfer: There is no direct ferry Tenerife → Lanzarote. You have to transfer via Gran Canaria or fly (Binter, from €30, 50 min).