Are you planning a trip to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, capital of the Canary archipelago? Whether you’re attracted by the iconic, futuristic Tenerife Auditorium, the golden sandy beaches to the north of the city or the bustling Notre-Dame d’Afrique Municipal Market, the first step is to organize your arrival. Plane, ferry, car… Here are our practical tips and options for getting to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, depending on your travel preferences.
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 Santa Cruz de Tenerife: quick answer
There are several options for getting to Santa Cruz de Tenerife:
- By plane viaTenerife Nord (TFN): the nearest airport, a 20-minute drive from the town center, serves mainly Spanish domestic and inter-island flights – see flights
- By air via Tenerife Sud (TFS): the island’s main international airport, a 45-minute drive from the city center, with the most extensive connections from Europe – see flights.
- By ferry: regular crossings connect Santa Cruz with the Iberian Peninsula (Barcelona, Cadiz) and the other Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma…) – see timetable
- By car from the island: Santa Cruz is linked to Tenerife’s main cities by the TF-1 (south) and TF-5 (north-west) freeways in about 20min depending on traffic – rent a car
Here is a map to help you locate Santa Cruz de Tenerife :
WHERE TO STAY in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
The old town of Santa Cruz
AC Hotel by Marriott Tenerife – Check photos and availability
North of downtown
Hotel Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey – Check photos and availability
The Park Suites by IRES LAR – Check photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Santa Cruz.
Option 1: by plane
Tenerife has two international airports. The choice between one or the other depends on where you’re coming from, the season and your final destination on the island.
To Tenerife Nord – Los Rodeos Airport (TFN)
Tenerife North Airport is about 12km from the center of Santa Cruz, a 20-minute drive. This is the most practical option if you’re arriving from the Iberian Peninsula or another Canary Island. It mainly serves Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, as well as inter-island connections to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. In low season, international flights from Europe are rare, so we advise you to fly via Tenerife South.
To Tenerife South – Reina Sofía Airport (TFS)
Tenerife Sud Airport is the island’s main international airport, about 45 minutes by car from Santa Cruz. 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 to get there despite the distance: fares are often more competitive and schedules more convenient.
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)
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
From Tenerife Nord Airport (TFN): to Santa Cruz
- By streetcar: Metro Tenerife links the airport to the center of Santa Cruz (approx. 30min). This is the most economical option if you’re traveling light. The line also serves La Laguna en route
- By TITSA bus: the TITSA network provides regular connections between the airport and Santa Cruz (approx. 30min).
- By cab: cab s are waiting outside the arrivals terminal. Tariff on the meter, check that it is switched on at the start. Overnight and Sunday surcharge (approx. 20min)
- By rental car: the main agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt and local rental companies) have counters in the arrivals hall. Book in advance for choice – compare offers
- Private transfer: an interesting option for families or groups as the price is per vehicle – see transfers
From Tenerife South Airport (TFS): to Santa Cruz
- By TITSA bus: regular services connect Tenerife Sud with the Santa Cruz bus station. Approximately one bus every 30min in high season (approx. 1h)
- By rental car: numerous agencies are available at the terminal exit. The route is well signposted via the TF-1 freeway. The route includes stops at seaside resorts in the south before heading back to the capital – compare offers
- By cab or private transfer: comfort of a dedicated driver, without the constraints of driving after a flight (approx. 45min 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 an interesting alternative if you want to travel with your vehicle or enjoy a sea crossing. The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the busiest in the archipelago, with an infrastructure suited to both long-distance crossings and inter-island connections.
From the Iberian Peninsula
There are regular crossings 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’ hotel accommodation. Cabin comfort is decent, but whether you’re in a seat or on deck, make sure you bring something to cover up, as the air conditioning can be quite strong on board. Book in advance in high season, especially if you’re boarding with a vehicle.
Consult ferry routes and timetables
From other Canary Islands
Daily crossings operate 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 destination. It’s a practical option if you’re combining several islands in the same holiday.
Consult ferry routes and timetables
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Option 3: from another town on Tenerife
If you’re staying elsewhere on the island and want to reach Santa Cruz for an excursion or a few days, the options vary depending on your departure point.
From the south of the island (Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Adeje)
By car, the TF-1 freeway links the southern seaside resorts to Santa Cruz in 40 to 50 minutes outside rush hour. The TITSA bus is an economical alternative, with regular departures from the Los Cristianos bus station (approx. 1h by bus).
If you prefer not to drive and enjoy the scenery, there are guided excursions from the south to visit Santa Cruz and the surrounding area: see available excursions.
From Puerto de la Cruz
The TF-5 connects Puerto de la Cruz to Santa Cruz in about 35 minutes by car. The TITSA bus also serves this route in around 50 minutes. We advise you to leave your car in Puerto de la Cruz if you don’t want to deal with downtown parking.
From La Laguna
La Laguna adjoins Santa Cruz. The Metro Tenerife tramway links the two cities in less than 15 minutes, with very frequent service. This is the most practical option for this specific route. We recommend leaving the car in La Laguna and taking the streetcar to Santa Cruz: this avoids the difficulties of parking in the capital.
DISCOVER Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Getting around Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Once in Santa Cruz, there are several ways to get around, depending on your needs:
- Metro Tenerife tramway: connects Santa Cruz to La Laguna, several stops in the city center, frequent and punctual.
- TITSA city buses: extensive network serving all districts of the city and neighbouring municipalities
- Cabs: available in the city center, metered fares
- Rental car: useful for exploring the surrounding area (Anaga massif, Playa de Las Teresitas, Puerto de la Cruz). Pay underground parking lots in the city center (Parking du Marché Municipal, Parking La Ola); two free parking lots at the Palmetum and the maritime park (15min walk from the center) – compare offers
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And once in Santa Cruz de Tenerife…
Santa Cruz offers a varied program of contemporary architecture, museums, markets and nature excursions. Here are a few must-haves to get you started:
- Plaza de España and its water mirror, the lively heart of the city
- Santiago Calatrava’sTenerife Auditorium on the oceanfront
- The Palmetumbotanical garden with one of the world’s largest collections of palm trees
- The César Manrique Maritime Park and its must-see works
- Playa de Las Teresitas, a golden sandy beach 15 minutes north of the center, one of the most beautiful beaches in Santa Cruz.
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 Elisa
