Tenerife Sur Airport

Tenerife South Airport (TFS), officially named Reina Sofia Airport, is the main tourist gateway to Tenerife and the Canary Islands. Located on the southern tip of the island, approximately 60 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and 17 km from the resort town of Playa de las Americas, it handles the vast majority of international charter and low-cost flights to Tenerife.

The airport has a single terminal building with a straightforward linear design:

• Main Terminal: All departures and arrivals in one building
• Module 0: Newer extension for additional gates
• Domestic/Inter-island area: Separate section for Canary Island connections

TFS is primarily served by European charter airlines and low-cost carriers bringing tourists to Tenerife's beaches and resorts. The airport handles over 11 million passengers annually, making it one of Spain's busiest airports.

Important distinction: Tenerife has two airports. TFS (South) serves international tourist traffic, while TFN (Tenerife North/Los Rodeos) handles most inter-island flights and connections to mainland Spain. If flying to Madrid or Barcelona, check which airport your flight uses.

Tenerife South Airport is located on the southern coast of Tenerife, serving the island's main tourist areas.

Distances to key destinations:

• Playa de las Americas: 17 km (20-25 minutes)
• Los Cristianos: 15 km (18-22 minutes)
• Costa Adeje: 20 km (25-30 minutes)
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 60 km (50-70 minutes)
• Puerto de la Cruz: 95 km (75-90 minutes via TF-1 motorway)

The south of Tenerife enjoys year-round sunshine and is home to most beach resorts. The north (served by TFN airport) has a different climate and the historic capital city.

Taxi

Licensed green and white taxis queue outside the arrivals hall. Taxis in Tenerife use meters, and rates are regulated by the island government.

Destination	Fare	Time
Playa de las Americas	EUR 25-35	20-25 min
Los Cristianos	EUR 22-30	18-22 min
Costa Adeje	EUR 30-40	25-30 min
El Medano	EUR 15-20	12-15 min
Santa Cruz de Tenerife	EUR 70-90	50-70 min
Puerto de la Cruz	EUR 90-120	75-90 min

Tips:

• Fares are higher at night (22:00-06:00), on weekends, and holidays (Tarifa 2)
• Airport supplement of approximately EUR 2-3 applies
• Credit cards often accepted but confirm before departure
• Request a receipt ("recibo") for complaints or lost items

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft do not operate in Tenerife. Local alternatives:

• Cabify: Available on the island; download the app before arrival
• Free Now (mytaxi): Can be used to book licensed taxis
• Most visitors use regular taxis or pre-arranged transfers

Hotel Transfers

Many hotels and tour operators offer pre-booked airport transfers:

• Typical cost: EUR 15-25 per person (shared shuttle)
• Private transfer: EUR 35-50 (similar to taxi)
• Book through your hotel or operators like Shuttle Direct or Hoppa

TITSA Bus Service

TITSA operates the public bus network in Tenerife. The airport is connected by several routes, though service is less frequent than in mainland Spanish cities.

Line 111: Airport - Los Cristianos - Playa de las Americas - Costa Adeje

• Frequency: Every 30 minutes (peak), hourly (off-peak)
• Journey time: 30-45 minutes to Playa de las Americas
• Fare: EUR 3.70 to Los Cristianos/Playa de las Americas
• Operating hours: 06:00-23:30 approximately

Line 711: Airport - Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Express)

• Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes
• Journey time: 55-70 minutes
• Fare: EUR 9.50 to Santa Cruz
• Operating hours: 06:15-22:00 approximately

Line 343: Airport - Puerto de la Cruz (via motorway)

• Frequency: Limited service (3-4 daily)
• Journey time: 90-100 minutes
• Fare: EUR 14.00 approximately
• Note: For Puerto de la Cruz, consider TFN airport instead

Bus Tickets

Ticket Type	Price
Single ticket (bought on bus)	Varies by distance
Ten Bono card	30% discount on fares
Bono-Via card	Rechargeable, multi-use

Tips:

• Buy a Ten Bono card at the airport TITSA booth or tobacco shops for significant savings
• Exact change helpful; drivers may not have change for large bills
• Bus stop is located outside arrivals, lower level
• Check titsa.com for current schedules

Tenerife South Airport offers covered and outdoor parking adjacent to the terminal.

Parking Options

Facility	Location	Rate
P1 Covered	Terminal adjacent	EUR 1.80/hour, EUR 17/day
P1 Long-stay	Same facility	From EUR 8/day (online booking)
Outdoor lot	Short walk	EUR 12/day

Tips:

• Book online at aena.es for discounts up to 30%
• First 15 minutes free for drop-off/pickup
• Maximum stay: 90 days
• Car rental return areas are separate from public parking

Car Rental

Car rental is popular for exploring Tenerife. Major companies operate at the airport:

• Arrivals hall: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Sixt
• Off-airport: Cicar, Goldcar, Autoreisen (shuttle service)

Tips:

• Local company Cicar often offers competitive rates
• Book in advance during peak season (winter, Easter)
• Full insurance recommended due to mountain roads
• Most rentals include unlimited mileage

Tenerife South Airport has a reasonable selection of dining options in both landside and airside areas.

Landside (Before Security)

• Cafe Bar: Coffee, sandwiches, basic Spanish fare
• Burger King: Fast food option
• Vending machines: Snacks and drinks

Airside (After Security)

• Gastrobar: Spanish tapas and meals, local wines
• La Dehesa: Spanish ham and cheese, sandwiches
• Cafe & Te: Coffee, pastries, light meals
• Upper Crust: Baguettes and sandwiches
• Relay: Grab-and-go snacks, drinks
• Burger King: Fast food

Budget tip: Airport prices are 20-40% higher than in town. Eat before arriving or bring snacks. The town of El Medano (10 minutes away) has excellent local restaurants.

Canarian specialties to try:

• Papas arrugadas: Wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce
• Gofio: Toasted grain flour used in many dishes
• Queso de cabra: Local goat cheese

Free WiFi is available throughout Tenerife South Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Aena WiFi / WiFi Aena
Registration	Email or social media login required
Time limit	Unlimited (with re-authentication)
Speed	Adequate for browsing and email

For faster connections, cafe purchases sometimes provide better WiFi passwords. Airline lounges offer premium connectivity.

SIM cards can be purchased at the airport, though options are limited compared to city stores.

Airport Locations

• Relay/Press shops: Basic prepaid SIM cards
• Arrivals hall: Occasional kiosk vendors
• Limited selection: Better to buy in resort areas

Spanish Carriers

Provider	Tourist SIM	Data
Vodafone	From EUR 15	5-10 GB
Orange	From EUR 10	5 GB
Movistar	From EUR 15	5-10 GB
Lycamobile	From EUR 10	Budget option

Tips:

• EU roaming is included; travelers from EU countries may not need a local SIM
• Better prices and selection at phone shops in Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos
• Supermarkets (Mercadona, HiperDino) sell prepaid SIM cards
• Passport/ID required for purchase

ATMs are located in the arrivals hall and throughout the terminal. Major Spanish banks are represented.

Currency

• Spain/Canary Islands: Euro (EUR)
• ATM networks: Servired, 4B, Euro 6000

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall: Multiple ATMs near exit
• Departures: ATMs before security
• Airside: Limited options

Currency Exchange

Exchange bureaus operate in the terminal but offer poor rates compared to ATMs or cards.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw euros from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Spain is largely card-friendly; Visa and Mastercard widely accepted
• Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Some smaller businesses and beach vendors prefer cash

Tip: The Canary Islands use the Euro like mainland Spain. There is no separate currency.

Tenerife South Airport offers duty-free shopping and Spanish souvenirs.

Duty-Free

• Dufry/World Duty Free: Main operator
• Alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics
• Electronics and accessories
• Spanish food products

Note: The Canary Islands have a special tax status within the EU with lower VAT (IGIC at 7% vs mainland Spain's 21%). Prices on many goods are already competitive.

Other Shops

• Spanish souvenirs: Ceramics, fans, local products
• Canarian products: Gofio, mojo sauce, local wines, ron miel (honey rum)
• Press/Relay: Books, magazines, travel essentials
• Fashion: Limited options

Tips

• Canarian wines (especially Malvasia) make excellent gifts
• Ron Miel: Traditional honey rum, unique to the Canaries
• Aloe Vera products: Tenerife grows high-quality aloe
• Non-EU residents can claim tax refunds on purchases over EUR 90.15

Lounge options at Tenerife South are limited compared to major hub airports.

Sala VIP Montaña Roja

• Location: Airside, main departures area
• Access: Priority Pass, certain credit cards, paid entry
• Hours: 06:00-22:00
• Amenities: Seating, snacks, drinks, WiFi
• Price: Approximately EUR 30-35 for walk-in access

Airline Lounges

TFS does not have dedicated airline lounges for most carriers. Business class passengers on scheduled airlines may have access to the Sala VIP.

Tips

• Priority Pass cardholders have access to Sala VIP Montaña Roja
• American Express Platinum: May provide lounge access
• The lounge can be crowded during peak departure times
• Consider arriving later and enjoying restaurant facilities instead

Several hotels are located near Tenerife South Airport, though most visitors head directly to resort areas.

Near the Airport

Hotel & Spa Cordial Golf Plaza (San Miguel de Abona)

• 10 minutes from airport
• Golf course location
• From EUR 80/night

Hotel Colon Guanahani (Costa Adeje)

• 25 minutes from airport
• Near beaches and restaurants
• From EUR 100/night

At/Near Resort Areas

Most visitors stay in the southern resort towns:

• Playa de las Americas: 20 min from airport, lively nightlife, all-inclusive resorts
• Los Cristianos: 18 min from airport, family-friendly, ferry port to La Gomera
• Costa Adeje: 25 min from airport, upscale resorts, calmer beaches

Budget Options

• Airbnb: Widely available throughout southern Tenerife
• El Medano: 10 min from airport, surf town, more affordable than main resorts

Early/Late Flight Options

For early departures or late arrivals:

• Most resort hotels can arrange late checkout or early check-in
• No hotels directly connected to the airport terminal
• Consider staying final night in El Medano for proximity

Tenerife is the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, offering year-round sunshine, volcanic landscapes, beaches, and diverse terrain from desert to pine forests.

Getting Around Tenerife

Destination	From Airport	Transport
Playa de las Americas	20-25 min	Taxi/Bus 111
Los Cristianos	18-22 min	Taxi/Bus 111
Mount Teide National Park	60-75 min	Rental car recommended
Los Gigantes	40-50 min	Rental car/Bus
Santa Cruz de Tenerife	55-70 min	Bus 711/Taxi
Masca Village	70-90 min	Rental car only
Puerto de la Cruz	75-90 min	Rental car/Bus (or fly to TFN)

Southern Beaches

The south of Tenerife has the best weather and most popular beaches:

• Playa de las Americas: Main tourist beach, water sports
• Playa de las Vistas (Los Cristianos): Family-friendly, golden sand
• Playa del Duque (Costa Adeje): Upscale, well-maintained
• El Medano: Windsurfing and kitesurfing capital
• Playa de la Tejita: Natural beach near airport, nudist-friendly

Mount Teide

Spain's highest peak (3,718 m) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

• Cable car: Rides to near the summit (book in advance)
• Hiking permit: Free but required for the final summit climb
• Best time: Clear mornings, book cable car for early slots
• Temperature: Much colder than coast; bring warm layers
• Stargazing: Teide is one of the world's best stargazing locations

Canary Island Hopping

Island	How to Reach	Journey Time
La Gomera	Ferry from Los Cristianos	50 min
Gran Canaria	Flight from TFS or TFN	30 min
Lanzarote	Flight from TFS	45 min
Fuerteventura	Flight from TFS	45 min
La Palma	Flight from TFN	35 min
El Hierro	Flight from TFN	40 min

Ferry operators: Fred Olsen, Naviera Armas

Travel Tips

• Climate: South is dry and sunny; north is greener and cloudier
• Driving: Renting a car is the best way to explore beyond resorts
• Tipping: Not mandatory in Spain, but 5-10% appreciated for good service
• Siesta: Some shops close 14:00-17:00, especially outside tourist areas
• Spanish language: English widely spoken in tourist areas
• Canarian time: Same as UK/Portugal (1 hour behind mainland Spain)

Layover Ideas

• 4-hour layover: Limited options; stay at airport or visit nearby El Medano beach
• 8-hour layover: Visit Los Cristianos or Playa de las Americas beaches
• Full day: Drive to Mount Teide for volcanic landscapes and views

Tenerife Specialties

• Papas arrugadas con mojo: Salty potatoes with red/green pepper sauce
• Gofio: Traditional toasted grain, used in many dishes
• Fresh fish: Vieja, sama, cherne (local catch)
• Canarian wines: Malvasia whites, volcanic reds
• Ron Miel: Honey-infused rum, served cold as digestif
• Barraquito: Layered coffee with condensed milk and Licor 43

North vs South Tenerife

Aspect	South (TFS area)	North (TFN area)
Weather	Dry, sunny year-round	Cloudy, occasional rain
Beaches	Golden sand, calm waters	Black volcanic sand
Atmosphere	Tourist resorts, nightlife	Traditional towns, culture
Best for	Beach holidays, families	History, nature, authenticity
Main towns	Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje	Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna