Getting Around
Read through your options before deciding on the best way for you to get around the island of Tenerife.
There are many places you can visit and if you want to get the most out of Tenerife hiring a car is definitely the best option. However, if you just want to spend the week on the beach taxi's are relatively cheap and a good option for getting from A to B!
Car Hire
One of the best ways to discover the island is to rent a car, driving around and finding your favourite places.
As with most things on Tenerife, car hire is a very competitive market.
There are many car rental companies and they all seem to offer more or less the same. If you book in advance by fax to the company or through your tour operator you can be sure that you'll get what you want.
Internet offers tend to be the best priced.
To rent a car you will need a valid driving license (of course!), passport, and you have to be at least 21 years old. Make sure that the price you pay includes mileage and insurance.
Bear in mind that there are some things you should be aware when driving in Tenerife.
Two Wheeled Rides
Several companies offer mountain bike hire, moped hire, scooter hire and motorcycle hire.
The powered machines usually range from 90cc moped/scooters to larger motorcycles such as the Kawasaki Tengai 650.
Prices vary depending on the number of days you hire the bike, but start at around 17 Euros per day for scooter hire. The more days you hire a bike for the lower the price will get.
You have to wear a crash helmet that you can hire at the same time as you hire your bike.
For hiring bikes you have to be at least 18 years.
Taxis
On Tenerife most taxi drivers are honest and give good service, but watch out for some of them. They might take advantage of you, especially those that take you from the airport to your resort.
Taxis are recognisable by a green light in the windscreen or on a white roof and an official plate with the letters SP.
For short trips inside the tourist areas many drivers wont bother to put their meters on, but we believe you will rarely be cheated.
The main taxi ranks display fixed prices between most popular destinations.
Taxis can also be hired for sightseeing. Just stop any good-looking taxi and ask what they offer. Most offer pre-planned itineraries covering the main island sights for around 80 Euros for a half a day tour.
When taxi drivers turn the meter on, you pay 1 Euro for the flag fall and after that you will pay 30 centimes per km. If you choose to travel between 10 pm. and 6 am., on Sundays or holidays and for each piece of luggage carried you will pay a surcharge of 33 centimes.
Bus
If you plan to get around by bus (guagua in the Tenerife language), you can pick up a timetable from a bus station, shops, or perhaps from your hotel.
The bus service on the island is regular but time consuming as they rarely come as stated on the timetable.
If you are more than one person or plan to visit several places it will be better, and most likely cheaper, to rent a car or take a taxi.
Buy the "Bus Card" (Tarjeta BonoBus), as it is a lot cheaper to pay for the fare with it than by cash, (cost 12 Euros). It can be used to pay for any number of journeys and as many passengers until the credit has been exhausted.
If there is insufficient credit available for the final journey then the balance must be paid in cash - but still at the cheaper rate. Typical fares range from Euros 1.50 for the trip from Los Cristianos to Reina Sofia Airport to 14 Euros for the journey from Los Cristianos to Puerto de La Cruz.
The public bus company, TITSA, operates services throughout the island and offers outstanding value for money.