Tenerife AirportTransfers from the Tenerife airports
When is it worth opting for a private or shared transfer on an island with two airports?
Transfers from the Tenerife airports
A transfer is not a taxi: it is a service booked in advance, at a fixed price, with a driver waiting with your name on a sign. In Tenerife it makes sense in three specific cases — when you land in the early hours and there are no buses left, when you are travelling as a group and the cost per person beats two taxis, and when your accommodation is somewhere with no direct route.
There is a fourth case specific to this island: when you land at one airport and stay in the other one’s area. That journey by taxi is expensive and by bus it takes a long time; that’s when a pre-booked transfer is usually worth it. The options, compared.
What types are there and what questions should you ask?
- Private transfer. A vehicle exclusively for your group, taking you straight to your accommodation. A fixed price per vehicle, not per person.
- Shared transfer. A minibus with several pick-up points and stops. Cheaper but slower; in the touristy south, where there are many hotels along the same route, the journey can take quite a long time.
- Transfer from the hotel itself. Many large accommodation providers in Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos either include this or offer it as a separate option. It’s worth asking about it before booking anything.
Three things worth confirming when you book: what happens if the flight is delayed, how much waiting time is included, and which airport they will pick you up at — In Tenerife, that’s not obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you arrive after the last bus, if there are four or more of you, if your accommodation isn’t on any bus route, or if your airport and hotel are at opposite ends of the island, then yes. To travel from the south to Costa Adeje or from the north to Santa Cruz using public transport, almost certainly not.
It depends on the company, and this is the key question to ask before paying. Reputable companies track the flight number and arrange collection accordingly. You can see the actual delay at arrivals at the North airport or in the south.
No. Taxis run on a meter and you can catch one at a taxi rank without booking; a transfer is booked in advance at a fixed price. Neither is ‘better’: it depends on the time of day, the group and where you’re going.