Tenerife Transport

Car Hire - One of the best ways to discover the island is to rent a car, driving around and finding your favourite places. As with most things on Tenerife, car hire is a very competitive market. There are many car rental companies and they all seem to offer more or less the same. If you book in advance by fax to the company or through your tour operator you can be sure that you'll get what you want. Internet offers tend to be the best priced.

To rent a car you will need a valid driving license (of course!), passport, and you have to be at least 21 years old. Make sure that the price you pay includes mileage and insurance.

Two wheel rides - Several companies offer bicycle hire (mountain bike hire), moped hire, scooter hire and motorcycle hire.

The powered machines usually range from 90cc moped/scooters to larger motorcycles.

You have to wear a crash helmet that you can hire at the same time as you hire your bike.

For hiring bikes you have to be at least 18 years.

Taxi - On Tenerife most taxi drivers are honest and give good service, but watch out for some of them. They might take advantage of you, especially those that take you from the airport to your resort.

Taxis are recognisable by a green light in the windscreen or on a white roof and an official plate with the letters SP (servicio público – public service).

For short trips inside the tourist areas many drivers won’t bother to put their meters on, but we believe you will rarely be cheated.

The main taxi ranks display fixed prices between most popular destinations.

Taxis can also be hired for sightseeing. Just stop any good-looking taxi and ask what they offer. Most offer pre-planned itineraries covering the main island sights.

Bus Travel - If you plan to get around by bus (guagua in the Tenerife language), you can pick up a timetable from a bus station, shops, or perhaps from your hotel.

The bus service on the island is quite good but time consuming.

If you are more than one person or plan to visit several places it will be better and most likely cheaper, to rent a car.

Buy the "Bus Card", as it is a lot cheaper to pay for the fare with it than by cash.

It can be used to pay for any number of journeys but only for a single passenger until the credit has been exhausted.

If there is insufficient credit available for the final journey then the balance must be paid in cash.

The public bus company, TITSA, operates services throughout the island and offers outstanding value for money.