Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Tenerife
Looking for a cheap car rental in Tenerife? With Economybookings, you can easily compare different companies to find the best deals on cheap car hire in Tenerife. On this island, it is not only about the price: choosing the right pick-up airport also matters, because Tenerife South and Tenerife North may suit you very differently depending on where you are staying.
- Compare pick-up locations: check both Tenerife South and Tenerife North; if you're staying in the south, TFS is usually the most logical option, while if you're based around La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz, or nearby areas, TFN may suit you better.
- Choose a basic or small car: they are cheaper, use less fuel, and are easier to drive. Even so, if you're planning to head into the mountains, it is worth choosing something with a bit more power.
- Adjust your dates and times: even changing your pick-up or drop-off time by just one hour can make a difference to the final price.
- Book early: Tenerife South sits right in the main tourist area, operates 24 hours a day, and handles plenty of connections, so there is constant demand throughout the year.
- Check the mileage allowance, fuel policy, and insurance cover carefully before you confirm the booking, because you can end up doing quite a lot of driving on the island.
Tips when renting a car in Tenerife
- Renting your car at Tenerife South is very practical if you're staying in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, or El Médano.
- Renting at Tenerife North may suit you better if you're planning to get around La Laguna, Santa Cruz, or the north of the island.
- For villages, beaches, and short journeys, a compact car is usually enough; for mountain roads, it is better not to go too basic.
- Before leaving the car park, take photos of the car and check the condition of the tyres, windows, and fuel level.
Driving tips in Tenerife
- Always carry your driver's license, rental contract, and insurance documents.
- Drive on the right and overtake on the left. Always signal before any manoeuvre.
- Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks, so always stop for them.
- Pay attention at roundabouts. Choose your lane before entering: the inner lane is for overtaking, and the outer lane is for exiting. Give way to traffic already on the roundabout and signal right when you leave.
- If you're planning to drive up to Teide, check access conditions and car parks in advance, as there may be controls in place to manage vehicle entry.
- Mountain roads have bends, steep gradients, and fast-changing weather, so drive more carefully than usual.
- Popular fuel stations include DISA, Repsol, Moeve, and BP.
- In Spain, driving under the influence of alcohol is not allowed. The legal limit is 0.5 g/L (0.3 if you have held your license for less than two years). Fines can easily exceed €500.
- If you break down or have an incident on the road, the mandatory warning device is the connected V16 beacon.
Speed limits
In Tenerife, these are the most common speed limits:
- 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways and dual carriageways.
- 90 km/h (55 mph) on secondary roads.
- 50 km/h (31 mph) on streets with more than one lane in each direction.
- 30 km/h (19 mph) on streets with a single lane in each direction.
- 20 km/h (12 mph) in shared pedestrian zones.
On the mountain roads towards Teide and on some roads in the north of the island, there are tight bends and steep gradients. Even when the posted limit is higher, it is normal to drive much more slowly for safety.
Road signs
Road signs in Tenerife follow the European standard: clear, easy to understand, and with limits shown in km/h. On the main roads, signage is good and it is easy to follow directions to beaches, airports, ports, and the main tourist areas. What is most distinctive on the island is that mountain routes often have warning signs for dangerous bends, sudden changes in gradient, landslides, fog, or wind, especially in higher or inland areas.
Tolls and restricted zones
There are no toll motorways in Tenerife; all the island's roads are free to use.
The most common restrictions in Tenerife are in historic centres, pedestrian areas, and streets with limited access, all of which are properly signposted.
Discover Tenerife by car
Tenerife is an island of contrasts, and driving is the best way to discover it properly. In a single day, you can drive up to Teide along roads surrounded by volcanic scenery, with views that feel almost otherworldly, and then head back down to the coast to finish by the sea. Another route worth doing is Anaga, with its forests, bends, and viewpoints overlooking the Atlantic. There is also the road to Masca and on towards Los Gigantes, one of the most striking parts of the island's west coast. And if you prefer something more urban and cultural, La Laguna is always a good idea. In the north, there are also places full of character, such as Garachico. The best thing about exploring Tenerife by car is that every route feels different.
When to Visit
Tenerife has pleasant weather almost all year round, which is why it is a destination you can visit in any season.
- Winter (December to February): The weather is usually good, especially in the south of the island, with mild temperatures and plenty of sunny days. It is a very good option if you want to escape the winter cold.
- February: A particularly special month because of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the most famous in Europe.
- May, June, and September: Ideal months because the weather is still excellent and there are fewer people than in the height of summer. They are perfect for combining beach time, village visits, and a few road trips around the island.
Languages & Communication
Spanish is spoken in Tenerife, with the distinctive Canarian accent. As the island receives plenty of tourism all year round, it is easy to communicate in English in many tourist areas and, in some cases, also in German or French. In hotels, restaurants, excursions, and car rental companies, you will usually have no problem making yourself understood even if you do not speak Spanish.
Currency & Payments
The euro (€) is used in Tenerife. You can pay by credit or debit card almost everywhere, from restaurants and beach clubs to car parks, supermarkets, and shops. Even so, carrying some cash can be useful for street markets, small villages, or occasional expenses. ATMs are easy to find across the island's main areas.
Top driving routes from Tenerife
Tenerife is an island that is best enjoyed by car. In just a few kilometres, you can see very different landscapes.
- Teide National Park: This is the route you should not miss if you visit Tenerife. Here you will discover the island's most volcanic side: on the way up, you will come across viewpoints, lava flows, and striking rock formations. Places such as Las Cañadas and Los Roques de García are essential stops. More than just a drive, it is an experience in itself.
- Anaga Massif: A route right through nature, with a more authentic feel. The scenery here is very green, with laurel forests, winding roads, viewpoints, and tiny hamlets that seem hidden among the mountains. As it is a Biosphere Reserve, it is also one of Tenerife's most special natural areas.
- Masca and Los Gigantes: One of the island's most famous drives. The road to Masca crosses one of the most impressive landscapes in the Teno Rural Park, with a striking contrast between mountain and sea. From there, continuing on to Los Gigantes is almost a must, especially for the view of its enormous cliffs rising above the ocean.
- La Laguna and the north: This area is ideal if you want to combine history with green scenery. San Cristóbal de La Laguna has one of the most beautiful historic centres on the island and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, reaching the north of Tenerife is easy, and you can discover a quieter, more traditional side of the island.
- Garachico and Icod de los Vinos: This part of Tenerife brings together coastline, history, and volcanic scenery. Garachico is shaped by the eruption that transformed the area centuries ago. Very close by, in Icod de los Vinos, you will find the famous Drago Milenario, one of Tenerife's best-known symbols.
