Renting a car in Tenerife is the best way to explore this beautiful island.
It allows you to admire the national park, beaches, villages and more!
Here’s our handy guide to stress-free car hire in Tenerife.
- Which car
- Which car rental company
- Tips for driving
- Essential rules and advice
Content
1 – Where to rent a car in Tenerife: best agencies
Our preferred platform
Our first instinct is to check out the offers on DiscoverCars.
This platform allows us to easily compare offers from different rental companies: prices and conditions. And every time, we find good deals. And it’s one of the best rated on Trustpilot
Where to take your car?
You can choose where to pick up your car: at the airport or at your resort.
- Tenerife Nord Airport – see offers
- Tenerife South Airport – see offers
- Playa de las Americas – see offers
We strongly recommend renting your car at the airport.
Between the cost of renting a car for several days, or just for one or two days but taking a cab to the hotel, it’s surely more interesting to rent for your entire stay.
When to rent a car
Ideally, no later than 1.5 months before the trip. After that, the choice diminishes sharply.
However, the earlier you rent, the greater the choice of cars and offers. Especially since most have free cancellation!
Personally, we book as soon as we’ve booked our plane tickets.
Which rental agency to choose in Tenerife?
There isn’t a single agency in the region that really stands out.
We particularly like Cicar and Auto Reisen, but the international brands are good too.
On the Discovercars.com platform, each rental company is rated out of 10 points. We advise you to choose car rental agencies that score above 8 (our price/service quality limit).
2 – Which car rental for Tenerife?
Our top 3 tips for choosing your car are:
- with enough power
- not too big, to make parking easier as some underground parking lots have very narrow spaces.
- a 4WD is not at all necessary
- most cars have manual transmissions, book early for automatics
And we explain why.
Which engine?
Choose a car with enough power.
The center of the island is a volcano that rises to 3715m, so if you want to enjoy the most beautiful roads, it will be more comfortable to drive with an engine that has some power.
And on the west side of the island, some roads are extremely steep, for example on the Ico de los Vinos side.
However, if you’re not planning to explore the center but just enjoy the beaches all around, then a basic car is sufficient.
What size car?
But don’t choose a car that’s too big.
Indeed, in some underground parking lots, the parking spaces are very narrow.
And in some parts of the island, there are also some roads that aren’t very wide.
Automatic or manual?
As in many European countries, most cars are manual. So it depends on your comfort zone. If you want an automatic, book your car as soon as possible.
Choice of fuel: diesel, gas or electric
- The Spanish word for service station is “estación de servicio”.
- Gasoline is found on the green pump – called “gasolina” and if unleaded “gasolina sin plomo”.
- Diesel is found on the black pump called “gasoil”.
- There aren’t many electric charging stations yet.
WHERE TO STAY IN Tenerife
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Tenerife (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Best boutique hotels (coming soon)
- Best hotels for families (coming soon)
3 – Permits, rules and credit cards
Minimum age
The official driving age in Tenerife, and in Spain, is 18.
However, most car rental companies in Tenerife will require you to have a valid driver’s license:
- to be over 21,
- have held a driving licence for one year or more,
- pay an additional fee if you are under 25.
Do I need an international permit to rent a car in Tenerife?
To be allowed to drive in Tenerife (for a short stay), you can use your country’s driving license if:
- it has a license number,
- he has a photograph,
- it has a validity date,
- it is written in Latin letters,
European, American, Canadian, Australian countries… all work.
Do I need a credit card?
The answer may be.
When you rent a car without taking the rental company’s 0 deductible, they systematically take a deposit with your credit card (a sum is blocked on your account to be debited in the event of an accident).
Some rental companies refuse to do this with a debit card.
If you rent directly from the rental company and take out their insurance, which sets the excess to zero, you don’t need a credit card.
4 – Taking out insurance
Compulsory insurance
Unlimited liability insurance is compulsory in Tenerife and Spain. It is automatically included in the price of all car rentals.
Supplements
As these are a lot of winding mountain roads, and even if we didn’t find the driving very difficult, we’d advise you to take out additional protection that reduces the remainder to be paid in the event of an accident.
3 main options:
Option 1
Your personal car or home insurance covers car rentals (but read the fine print, it’s rare).
Option 2
Take out the rental platform’s insurance.
Advantage: best price
Disadvantage: you’ll have to leave the security deposit (sum blocked on account) when you pick up the car, and you’ll have to advance the sum and send in the paperwork to be reimbursed. We’ve already used DiscoverCars insurance twice with no worries. Refunds were very quick.
Option 3
Take the car rental company’s complementary service. It’s more expensive, but you won’t have to pay anything up front and you won’t have to do any paperwork in the event of damage.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in the Canaries a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
If you’d like to be notified when our guide to the Canaries is published, please subscribe:
5 – Access to rental cars
Cars at Tenerife North Airport (TFN)
Tenerife North airport is quite small.
As soon as you collect your luggage, you’ll see the rental agencies’ desks all lined up in the hall.
And once you’ve finished the paperwork, the parking lot is just opposite to find your car.
No stress, it’s very easy.
See offers at North airport
Rent a car at Tenerife South airport (TFS)
Tenerife South airport isn’t very big either.
As soon as you collect your luggage, you’ll see the rental agencies’ desks all lined up in the hall.
And once you’ve finished the paperwork, the parking lot is just across the road to find your car.
No stress, it’s very easy.
See offers at South airport
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in the Canaries a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
If you’d like to be notified when our guide to the Canaries is published, please subscribe:
6 – Check your vehicle on pick-up
If you’ve taken advantage of the rental company’s top-up to set the excess to zero, there’s no need to check the condition of the car, but make sure you have all the essential equipment.
Otherwise, we recommend (just for peace of mind), that you walk around the car, take photos of any damage and inform the agency if it is not noted in the car pick-up document.
Pay attention:
- all over the car’s exterior to detect dents and scratches.
- on the roof – It’s often forgotten, but it may be checked on your return.
- below the bumpers
- rearview mirrors
- inside
- tire condition
- the condition of the wing (mud wing above the wheels)
- spare wheel (if applicable, as fewer and fewer cars have a spare wheel)
- fuel level and mileage, that they correspond to the file
In Tenerife and Spain, the following equipment must be available in the car:
- 2 warning triangles
- Reflective vest or jacket
- Spare wheel and tools for changing it
- First-aid kit (recommended, not mandatory)
- Flashlight (recommended, not mandatory)
FUN in Gran Canaria:activities
Dolphin watching
Buggy / Quad
Snorkeling
Kayaking in the Mogan caves
But also: Canyoning, Horse riding, Via Ferrata, Coasteering… See all options
7 – Getting ready to drive in Tenerife
Is it difficult to drive in Tenerife?
It’s not as easy to drive in Tenerife as in Fuerteventura or Lanzarote: there’s more traffic and the mountain roads are more difficult.
However, it’s not very difficult either, as the roads are in good condition.
There are always protective walls…
The most difficult areas to drive in are the Anaga Park in the north and the south-west region around Icod de Los Vinos, Masca and Buenavista, with very steep roads.
Understanding the rules
- Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, which means that traffic circles are taken counter-clockwise.
- Road signs are easy to understand, nothing special to note.
- The blood alcohol level is 0.05%, which is lower than in the UK.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all
- No cell phones at the wheel
- Don’t wear flip-flops when driving
- And of course: come to a complete stop at stop signs, do not cross solid white lines, traffic on the road has priority over your entrance…
Understanding potential hazards
There are some major hazards to be aware of when driving in Tenerife:
- Landscapes – The main danger is getting distracted by the beautiful scenery. The solidified lava is very impressive and you want to look further, but there’s nowhere to stop. That’s when you become dangerous.
- Locals – Because you want to look at the scenery, locals on their way to work can be impatient. They can be a bit crazy when overtaking. So always look in your mirrors, especially when turning left (towards your home, for example) in the middle of a long straight road.
- Cyclists – At weekends, cyclists take over the roads. Be very careful when overtaking.
- Rockfalls – Many roads are on cliffs, so rockfalls can occur. Obey signs and do not stop in danger zones.
What to do in the event of an accident
If people are injured or there is a conflict, the emergency number in Tenerife is 112:
The best order of action is as follows:
- contact the emergency services
- contact the police
- contact your rental provider
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to rent a car in Tenerife?
It all depends on what you want from your vacation…
See just about every aspect of the island:
We highly recommend taking a car. This allows you to discover much more of the island’s magnificent scenery in all its nooks and crannies. We loved discovering less touristy places (and at less touristy times).
Enjoying the beach above all:
However, if you want to spend most of your time at the beach, and visit only a few of the most famous places, you can choose accommodation in one of the southern resorts and join organized tours or cab tours.
Cost of car rental in Tenerife
To give you an idea, based on Discovercars.com data, prices are roughly the same:
- The average price of a rental car varies greatly throughout the year, from 15 EUR to 25 EUR per day.
- The cheapest prices are usually for when you travel to Tenerife around June
It’s easy to compare prices online.
Compare rental prices in Tenerife
How to save money: cheap rentals?
If keeping costs down is your main concern, you should:
- Book early
- Return the car to where you picked it up
- Reserve a smaller car
- Pay attention to pick-up and drop-off times – Car rental is generally charged per 24-hour period.
- Choose a rental with no cancellation or with limited cancellation
- If you’re renting for 6 days, check the price for 7 days – sometimes companies have a discount for week-long rentals.
Car rental scams in Tenerife
As in most countries, if the price is very, very low, there must be conditions and tricks behind it.
But there are no specific scams for Tenerife.
Always take dated photos of the car on arrival and on return (if you can’t get the document confirming no problems right away).
Take care when changing islands
From Tenerife, you can also visit the neighboring islands of Gran Canaria or La Gomera.
However, this involves taking a ferry.
Most rental companies on the island of Tenerife do not allow you to take the ferry.
But a few do.
If you rent with Discovercars.com, once you’ve selected a car, you can click on “Rental conditions”, then again on “Rental conditions” or “Additional conditions” to find the “Geographical restrictions”.
If they’re not documented, you can add the question to customer support.
Rules for child safety seats
The law states that:
- children weighing less than 18 kg must be placed in child seats
- and children under 135 cm tall must be installed in the rear seats on a booster seat.
Find out more about toll management
There are no toll roads in Tenerife.
What to do in the event of a fine or ticket (speeding / parking)
You are responsible for any traffic tickets or fines you receive during the rental period.
If you are notified immediately, you may pay at the police station or online, as indicated.
But be aware that it can take up to 3 months before a fine is reported to the car’s owner (the rental company). In this case, they will send you a proof and charge you for it, and may add an administrative fee for handling the fine.
What to do if there’s a problem with the car?
Don’t lose your rental contract.
On it, you’ll find the steps to take if you have a problem with your car.
Most have a breakdown assistance service, and the number will be indicated on the contract.
You can then contact the rental company to see how to replace the car.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
- Best of
Most beautiful landscapes (coming soon)
Things to do in Tenerife (coming soon)
Most beautiful beaches (coming soon)
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track (coming soon)
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Tenerife (coming soon)
Getting around (coming soon)
Renting a car in Tenerife (coming soon)
Driving tips (coming soon)
Best excursions (coming soon)
Itineraries (coming soon)
- Where to stay
Where to stay in Tenerife (coming soon)
Best hotels in Tenerife (coming soon)
Best 5-star hotels in Tenerife (coming soon)
Best hotels for families (coming soon)
Best adults-only hotels (coming soon)
Best all-inclusive hotels in Tenerife (coming soon)
- The must-dos
Dolphin watching in Tenerife (coming soon)
Teide National Park (coming soon)
