Planning a trip to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, on the island of Tenerife? A UNESCO World Heritage site, this former colonial capital concentrates most of its charm in a compact historic center, lined with colorful facades and cobbled streets. Before you get lost, you need to know how to get there! Plane, ferry, car or bus… Here are our practical tips and options for getting to La Laguna, depending on your point of departure.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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How to get to La Laguna: quick answer
There are several options for getting to San Cristóbal de La Laguna:
- By plane via Tenerife Nord (TFN): the nearest airport, just a 10-minute drive from the town center, serves mainly Spanish domestic and inter-island flights – see flights.
- By plane via Tenerife Sud (TFS): the island’s main international airport, about 45 minutes away by car, with the most extensive connections from Europe – see flights.
- By streetcar from Santa Cruz: the Metro Tenerife links the two cities in less than 15 minutes, with very frequent service.
- By car from the island: La Laguna is in the northeast of Tenerife, linked to the main towns by a well-signposted road network – rent a car
WHERE TO STAY IN San Cristobal de La Laguna
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Centrally located, with lots of historical charm
La Laguna Gran Hotel – Check photos and availability
Hotel Laguna Nivaria – Check photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in San Cristobal.
Option 1: by plane
Tenerife has two international airports. As La Laguna is located in the north of the island, one is much closer than the other. The choice between the two depends on where you come from, the season and your budget.
To Tenerife Nord – Los Rodeos Airport (TFN)
Tenerife North Airport is around 7km from La Laguna, a 10-minute drive. This is the most direct option for reaching the city. It mainly serves Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, as well as inter-island connections to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Outside the summer season, international flights from Europe are few and far between, so we advise you to consider Tenerife South, which is better served all year round.
To Tenerife South – Reina Sofía Airport (TFS)
Tenerife Sud Airport is the island’s main international airport, about 50 minutes by car from La Laguna. Its route network is far more extensive, with year-round flights from Europe’s major capitals and a significant seasonal offer from April to October. We mention this option because it can be advantageous: rates are often more competitive and schedules more varied.
Main routes from France: Paris (Orly and CDG), Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes (Air France, Transavia, Volotea, easyJet).
From Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi, Brussels-Zaventem (Ryanair, TUI fly)
From Switzerland: Geneva, Zurich (easyJet, Edelweiss)
From Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin (Condor, Eurowings, Ryanair)
From the UK: London (Gatwick, Stansted, Luton), Manchester, Birmingham (easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair)
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From Tenerife North Airport (TFN): to La Laguna
- By streetcar: Metro Tenerife links the airport directly to La Laguna. This is the cheapest and easiest option if you’re travelling light.
- By TITSA bus: line 20 of the TITSA network provides connections between the airport and La Laguna ( Intercambiador La Laguna stop), a 15-minute walk from the historic center.
- By cab: cab s are waiting outside the arrivals terminal. Metered tariff – check that it is switched on at the start. A surcharge applies at night and on Sundays (approx. 10min drive).
- By rental car: the main agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt and local rental companies) have counters in the arrivals hall. Book in advance, especially in high season – compare offers
- By private transfer: this is a particularly attractive option if you’re traveling with a family or group (price is per vehicle, not per person) – see transfers
From Tenerife South Airport (TFS): to La Laguna
- By rental car: you’ll find several agencies right outside the terminal. The route takes the TF-1 freeway to Santa Cruz, then the TF-5 to La Laguna. The route includes stops at seaside resorts in the south before heading north – compare offers
- By TITSA bus: regular services link Tenerife Sud to the Santa Cruz bus station, from where you can take the streetcar to La Laguna. Allow about 1h30 in total
- By cab or private transfer: the comfort of a dedicated driver, without the constraints of driving after a flight. Allow about 50min depending on traffic – see transfers
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Option 2: by ferry
The ferry is a good alternative, especially if you want to travel with your own vehicle from the Iberian Peninsula, or combine several islands in one trip. Ferries to Tenerife arrive at the port of Santa Cruz, just a 15-minute streetcar ride from La Laguna.
From the Iberian Peninsula
Regular crossings operate from Barcelona and Cadiz. The duration varies between 36h and 44h depending on the port of departure. These overnight crossings save you one or two nights in a hotel: you leave in the evening and arrive early in the morning, ready to start the day. Cabin comfort is decent, but whether you’re in a seat or on deck, make sure you have something to cover up with, as the air conditioning can be sustained on board. We recommend booking in advance in high season, especially if you’re boarding with a vehicle.
Consult ferry routes and timetables
From other Canary Islands
You can reach Tenerife daily from Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Times vary from 40 minutes (La Gomera) to a few hours, depending on the island of departure. This is a practical option if you’re combining several islands on the same trip.
Consult ferry routes and timetables
From the port of Santa Cruz to La Laguna
Once disembarked at the port of Santa Cruz, the Metro Tenerife tramway links downtown Santa Cruz to La Laguna in less than 15 minutes. This is the most direct solution, especially if you don’t have a vehicle. Cabs and TITSA buses complete the offer from the capital’s bus station.
Option 3: from another town on Tenerife
If you’re staying elsewhere on the island and want to reach La Laguna for an excursion or a few days, the possibilities vary depending on your departure point.
From Santa Cruz de Tenerife
San Cristobal de La Laguna adjoins Santa Cruz. The Metro Tenerife tramway links the two cities in less than 15 minutes, with frequent service. This is undoubtedly the most practical option for this trip. We recommend leaving the car in Santa Cruz and taking the streetcar to La Laguna, to avoid parking problems in the historic center.
From Puerto de la Cruz
The TF-5 connects Puerto de la Cruz to La Laguna in about 30 minutes by car. The TITSA bus also serves this route. The road follows the north coast of the island, offering pleasant views of the coastline before reaching the town of La Laguna.
From the south of the island (Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Adeje)
By car, the TF-1 freeway links the southern resorts to La Laguna in 50 to 60 minutes outside rush hour, via Santa Cruz. If you prefer the TITSA bus, this is a more economical alternative, with regular departures from the Los Cristianos bus station. Alternatively, if you don’t want to drive and just relax and enjoy the scenery from your seat, there are guided excursions from the south to visit San Cristobal de La Laguna and the surrounding area: see available excursions.
Parking in La Laguna
The historic center of La Laguna is entirely pedestrianized. We therefore recommend that you leave your vehicle in one of the parking lots on the outskirts of the old town before setting off on foot to explore the cobbled streets. We had parked our car at the Parking Aparcamiento Adelantado, very close to the Plaza del Adelantado, on the edge of the historic center. It’s free and open 24 hours a day, making it the most convenient option. Other pay parking lots also exist in the area.
DISCOVER San Cristobal La Laguna
Getting around La Laguna
Once in La Laguna, all the points of interest in the historic center are within a few blocks of each other. The city center is easily accessible on foot. Here are the available options:
- By car: we recommend you leave your car in one of the city’s free parking lots and visit the historic center on foot. A car is still a good way to explore the surrounding area, especially the Parc Rural d’Anaga to the north. We recommend leaving the car in a free parking lot and visiting the center on foot – compare rental offers
- By bus: There is a bus network in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, but you’ll be more limited in terms of timetables and travel options. More details here
- By streetcar: two lines connect the island’s main points of interest between Santa Cruz and La Laguna. Find out more here.
- On foot: this is the ideal option for enjoying the historic center to the full.
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And once in San Cristóbal de La Laguna…
San Cristóbal de La Laguna offers a dense program of colonial architecture, museums, lively streets and nature excursions. Here are a few essentials to get you started:
- La Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios Cathedral and its neoclassical façade
- The Torre de la Concepción, whose summit offers views of the city’s skyline and the surrounding mountains
- Plaza del Adelantado, the historic heart of the city, surrounded by remarkable buildings
- Tenerife Museum of History and Anthropology, housed in the Casa Lercaro
- The Anaga Rural ParkUNESCO biosphere reserve to the north of the city, ideal for hiking.
Find out more here:
- our complete guide to the best attractions in La Laguna
- our favorite neighborhoods and hotels to stay in
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
- Best of
What to do in Tenerife
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
The most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful roads
Amusement parks
Best excursions in Tenerife
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Tenerife
How to get around
How to rent a car in Tenerife
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Where to stay in Tenerife
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
Dolphin watching in Tenerife
Teide National Park
Anaga Rural Park (coming soon)
La Orotava
Garachico
Village of Masca
Pyramids of Güimar
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
