Tenerife is the biggest of Spain’s far-flung Canary Islands. Thanks to its large size and population, two airports serve the island: Tenerife North (TFN) and Tenerife South (TFS).
Named for their locations on the island, the two Tenerife airports make it easy to choose an airport based on where you plan to stay on the island. However, there are some other factors that are worth considering too. As a frequent traveler to Tenerife, I’ll cover all the ins and outs of flying there so you can select the right airport for your next trip.
Tenerife North Airport (TFN)
Tenerife North Airport (TFN), formerly known as Los Rodeos Airport, has been operating for nearly a century, its first flight arriving from Seville via Berlin in 1929. Located in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife North (also known as Tenerife Norte) is the smaller of the two airports in Tenerife. It mainly operates flights between Tenerife and the other Canary Islands and mainland Spain, but also has a few select international flights.
It’s not a popular airport for layovers. However, I once had a brief layover there when traveling from mainland Spain, connecting to one of the smaller Canary Islands. Both low-cost and full-fare carriers operate flights to Tenerife North. It’s also a hub for Binter Canarias, an airline that primarily operates flights between the seven Canary Islands.
Location and getting there
Tenerife North airport is about 7 miles away from Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz. The easiest way to get there is by car, as the island doesn’t offer much public transport. There is a Titsa (the local company) bus that runs from Santa Cruz, line 20, which costs just a couple of euros each way.
Buses on the island are known as “guaguas” (not “autobuses”, as they are in mainland Spain). However, buses in Tenerife often run on “island time”, so I recommend taking a taxi or considering a rental car in order to get to the airport early enough.
Terminals and amenities
I like flying to and from Tenerife North because it’s relatively small and easy to navigate. The airport has just one terminal, so you won’t need to worry about figuring out which terminal your flight leaves from.
Despite having just one terminal, the airport feels fairly spacious and bright. I love that the airport has a kids’ play area, so my toddler can burn off some energy before flying. The terminal also has a pharmacy and shops like Ale-Hop, Sunglass Hut and Tenerife Duty Free, where you can pick up typical products from the island (things like aloe vera or wine).
The airport also has many dining options. You can grab fast food at Burger King, sandwiches at Panaria and coffee and tapas at Cafe y Tapas.
What to know
If you need Wi-Fi, it’s free, but you’ll have to register and provide an email address in order to connect.
I often rent cars at TFN airport; it’s easy and convenient and you’ll find all the major car rental companies there, including Hertz, Avis and Budget.
Tenerife South Airport (TFS)
As its name suggests, Tenerife South Airport (TFS) (also known as Tenerife Sur) is located in the island’s southern region, the largest of Tenerife’s airports.
This particular airport sees a significant portion of international arrivals and departures, serving many European countries, especially Germany and the UK. It also operates the only non-stop flight between the US and Tenerife, a route between Newark (EWR) and TFS. A wide range of full-fare and low-cost carriers service Tenerife South.
It’s unlikely you’ll have a layover here – I’ve never had one. Most visitors coming to this airport plan to stay in Tenerife, with the exception of travelers heading to other, smaller Canary Islands, such as La Palma.
Location and getting there
About 38 miles away from Santa Cruz, Tenerife South is the airport for international visitors coming to the island for tourism purposes. The airport is close to many popular resort towns on the south and west sides of the island. It’s 10 miles from Costa Adeje, nine miles from Los Cristianos, and four miles from El Médano.
Driving to the airport or taking a taxi is the simplest and most straightforward option, but there are buses operated by Titsa. Line 111 goes between the island’s capital in the north, Santa Cruz, and Tenerife South. The night bus route 711 covers the same destinations but at night.
Terminals and amenities
Home to a single terminal and a single runway, Tenerife South is easy to navigate, though it can feel crowded during peak times when there’s an influx of international passengers. I always suggest arriving extra early to navigate lines if you’re visiting over holidays like Christmas or Easter.
There are plenty of shops to browse, including Mango, Parfois and Sunglass Hut. I always buy a small toy for my son from Canarykids. There’s also a pharmacy and a chapel. Dining options offer a variety of food styles, but my pick is Shikku Market for Asian cuisine. There’s also O’Leary’s Pub, Burger King and Upper Crust for sandwiches. You’ll find a few Duty Free shops to take home souvenirs or local products.
If you’re flying first class or have lounge access, the Montaña Roja VIP Lounge has complimentary drinks and food, shower facilities, a children’s play area and a sun terrace that overlooks the runway. Many of the main car rental agencies operate at TFS, like Hertz, SIXT and Cicar.
What to know
I’ve never had to go between Tenerife’s airports, but if you do need to get between Tenerife South and Tenerife North, the 343 Titsa bus line runs this route.
If you’re taking the non-stop flight between the US and Tenerife South, you probably won’t have long to wait in customs. Since many of the routes that fly into this airport come from EU countries, not many travelers need to go through passport control upon arrival. I’ve always breezed through when taking this flight.
You can connect to the free Wi-Fi at Tenerife Sur by entering your email address.
Best Tenerife airport to fly to and from
Wondering what the difference is between Tenerife North and South airport? It might seem strange that a relatively small island has two international airports. But Tenerife North and Tenerife South are two different airports, located in two different areas of the island that serve travelers coming for different purposes.
If you’re deciding between flying into Tenerife North and Tenerife South, the first thing you’ll want to consider is your departure city and airport. While there is some overlap, you might only be able to get to one airport in Tenerife and not the other.
However, there are a few destinations, like Madrid (MAD), that operate flights to both Tenerife airports. When flying from Madrid to the island, I always check flights for both airports to see which prices and times are a better fit for my trip, especially if I’m renting a car in Tenerife and have the flexibility to drive to my accommodation.
If you’re traveling from the United States and want to fly non-stop, you’re limited to flying into Tenerife South. If you’re fine with having a layover, the options are endless. You can start by flying into Madrid or another city in Spain, as you’ll have the choice of flying into either airport. If you choose to stop first in a European city outside of Spain, you might have more choices when flying into Tenerife South. I suggest adding your departure and arrival city into KAYAK to see which choices pop up.
In the end (and especially if you’re renting a car), the airport you fly into may not matter so much if you’re willing to drive a bit further. And you may not even be able to choose, depending on your departure city. But, if you do have a choice, pick the airport that’s closest to your hotel for ease, or fly into whichever airport will save you some extra cash.
Just before the end
Tenerife North (TFN) and Tenerife South (TFS) are both airports you can navigate with ease, home to plenty of duty-free shopping, dining and amenities. Choose the right one based on where you’re staying, or let your airline and departure city choose for you.