Car Hire Tenerife

Looking for reliable car hire in Tenerife? TravelON makes it easy to compare Tenerife car hire prices through our trusted partner comparison site, helping you find the right vehicle for your holiday, your budget and your travel plans.

Our main focus is Tenerife South Airport car hire, as this is the most popular arrival airport for visitors staying in the south of Tenerife, including Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Golf del Sur, Amarilla Golf, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraiso and Los Gigantes.

Whether you want to collect your car directly from Tenerife South Airport, hire a car in resort, explore Mount Teide, drive to Masca, visit Santa Cruz, discover Anaga Rural Park or enjoy the island’s beaches and viewpoints, hiring a car in Tenerife gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Compare Car Hire in Tenerife

Our partner comparison widget allows you to search available Tenerife car hire deals in one place. Instead of checking every rental company separately, you can compare prices, collection locations, car sizes, insurance options and booking conditions before choosing the right option for your holiday.

Car hire in Tenerife is popular all year round, especially during school holidays, Christmas, Easter, summer and winter sun periods. Booking in advance is strongly recommended if you need an automatic car, family car, 7-seater, larger boot space or direct Tenerife South Airport collection.

Tenerife South Airport Car Hire

Tenerife South Airport car hire is the most convenient option for most TravelON customers. Tenerife South Airport, also known as Tenerife Sur Airport or Reina Sofía Airport, is the main airport for holidaymakers staying in the south of the island.

Collecting a hire car at Tenerife South Airport means you can land, pick up your vehicle and drive directly to your accommodation without waiting for taxis, buses or resort transfers. This is especially useful if you are staying in a villa, private apartment, rural property or a resort area away from the main centres.

Approximate driving times from Tenerife South Airport are:

• Golf del Sur: around 10 minutes
• Amarilla Golf: around 10 minutes
• Los Cristianos: around 15 to 20 minutes
• Playa de las Americas: around 20 minutes
• Costa Adeje: around 20 to 25 minutes
• Callao Salvaje: around 25 to 30 minutes
• Playa Paraiso: around 25 to 30 minutes
• Los Gigantes: around 40 to 50 minutes
• Puerto de la Cruz: around 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife: around 40 to 50 minutes

Because Tenerife is a larger island than Lanzarote, a hire car can be especially useful if you want to explore beyond your resort.

Car Hire Offices at Tenerife South Airport

One of the most useful things to know before booking is whether the car hire company has a presence at the actual airport. This can make collection and return much easier, especially after a long flight.

Car hire companies listed at Tenerife South Airport include:

• Cicar / Cabrera Medina
• AutoReisen
• Sixt
• Europcar
• Hertz
• TopCar
• Goldcar — listed at the airport, but TravelON does not usually recommend this as a preferred option

Some companies may have desks inside the terminal, some may use airport car park collection and others may operate from outside the terminal building. Always check your booking confirmation carefully to see exactly where your car is collected from.

Important TravelON note: Goldcar may appear in comparison results and has an airport presence, but we do not usually recommend Goldcar as our preferred option. Always check recent reviews, fuel policies, deposit conditions, insurance excesses and any extra charges before booking with any supplier.

Tenerife North Airport Car Hire

Tenerife North Airport car hire can also be useful, especially for visitors arriving on domestic flights, inter-island flights or staying in the north of Tenerife. Tenerife North Airport, also known as Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport, is closer to La Laguna, Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz and the Anaga area.

Most TravelON holidaymakers arrive into Tenerife South Airport, but Tenerife North Airport is worth mentioning for visitors planning a multi-centre trip, arriving from mainland Spain or travelling between Canary Islands.

Approximate driving times from Tenerife North Airport are:

• La Laguna: around 5 to 10 minutes
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife: around 15 minutes
• Puerto de la Cruz: around 25 to 30 minutes
• La Orotava: around 25 to 35 minutes
• Costa Adeje: around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes
• Los Cristianos: around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes

If you are staying in the south of Tenerife, Tenerife South Airport is usually the better airport for car hire. If you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Santa Cruz or the north of the island, Tenerife North Airport may be more convenient.

Why Hire a Car in Tenerife?

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and many of its best attractions are spread across the island. A hire car gives you much more flexibility than relying only on taxis, buses or organised excursions.

With a hire car in Tenerife, you can visit Mount Teide National Park, Masca, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz, Anaga Rural Park, Los Gigantes, El Médano, Playa de Las Teresitas and many of the island’s viewpoints and villages.

A car is also useful if you want to visit different beaches, restaurants, markets, golf courses, shopping centres or attractions during your holiday.

How to Hire a Car in Tenerife

Hiring a car in Tenerife is simple. Choose your collection location, enter your travel dates, compare available cars and check the rental conditions carefully before booking.

Most visitors choose one of two options:

• Tenerife South Airport car hire – collect your car when you land and return it before your flight home.
• Resort car hire in Tenerife – book a car from an office in your resort for a few days during your holiday.

Airport collection is usually the easiest option if you want a car for the whole holiday. Resort collection can be a good choice if you already have transfers included and only want a car for one or two days.

Where to Hire a Car in Tenerife

You can hire a car from Tenerife South Airport, Tenerife North Airport, the main tourist resorts and local car hire offices across the island.

Popular Tenerife car hire collection points include:

• Tenerife South Airport
• Tenerife North Airport
• Los Cristianos
• Playa de las Americas
• Costa Adeje
• Golf del Sur
• Amarilla Golf
• Callao Salvaje
• Playa Paraiso
• Los Gigantes
• Puerto de la Cruz
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife

When comparing car hire in Tenerife, always check the exact collection point. Some suppliers are based inside the airport terminal, some use the airport car park and others may require a shuttle to an off-airport office.

Best Car Hire Companies in Tenerife

Tenerife has a mixture of Canary Islands car hire companies, international rental brands and local resort-based car hire offices.

Cicar Tenerife Car Hire

Cicar is one of the biggest and best-known car hire brands in the Canary Islands. It has a strong presence across Tenerife and the other Canary Islands, and many visitors search for Cicar Tenerife car hire when comparing airport and resort rental options.

Cabrera Medina Tenerife

Cabrera Medina is another well-known Canary Islands car hire company. It is closely associated with the islands and is often considered by visitors looking for straightforward rental conditions and local airport collection.

AutoReisen Tenerife

AutoReisen is a popular Canary Islands car hire company and is often searched by visitors looking for value car hire at Tenerife South Airport and Tenerife North Airport.

PlusCar Tenerife

PlusCar is another Canary Islands rental company often searched by visitors looking for cheap Tenerife car hire. Availability and collection points can vary, so always check the details before booking.

TopCar Tenerife

TopCar is a Canary Islands car hire company with airport rental options. It can be a useful supplier to compare when looking for Tenerife airport car hire.

Sixt Tenerife

Sixt is an international car hire brand with a presence in Tenerife. It can be a good choice for visitors looking for specific vehicle categories, premium models or international brand familiarity.

Europcar, Hertz and Avis Tenerife

International brands such as Europcar, Hertz and Avis are also commonly searched for Tenerife car hire. These brands may suit visitors who prefer booking with a global rental company or who have loyalty membership benefits.

Car Hire Costa Adeje

Car hire in Costa Adeje is ideal if you are staying in one of Tenerife’s most popular holiday areas and want a car for a few days rather than the full holiday. Costa Adeje is well placed for exploring the south coast, Mount Teide, Los Gigantes, Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos.

Hiring a car in Costa Adeje is useful if you want to visit beaches, shopping centres, restaurants, golf courses, water parks or family attractions without relying on taxis.

Car Hire Playa de las Americas

Car hire in Playa de las Americas is a good option for visitors staying centrally in the south of Tenerife. The resort is busy, well connected and close to Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.

With a hire car from Playa de las Americas, you can easily visit Mount Teide, El Médano, Los Gigantes, Masca, Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz and other areas of the island.

Car Hire Los Cristianos

Car hire in Los Cristianos is popular with visitors staying near the harbour, beach, apartments and holiday complexes. It is also useful for ferry passengers travelling to or from La Gomera, La Palma or El Hierro.

Los Cristianos is only a short drive from Tenerife South Airport, making it a convenient resort for both airport and local car hire.

Car Hire Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf

Car hire in Golf del Sur and car hire in Amarilla Golf can be very useful because these areas are close to Tenerife South Airport but slightly quieter than the main resort centres.

A hire car gives you easy access to Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje, El Médano, golf courses, beaches, restaurants and supermarkets.

Car Hire Los Gigantes

Car hire in Los Gigantes is ideal if you are staying on the west coast of Tenerife. The area is known for its dramatic cliffs, marina and relaxed holiday atmosphere.

A hire car is especially useful here because Los Gigantes is further from Tenerife South Airport than Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos. With a car, you can explore Masca, Santiago del Teide, Playa San Juan, Alcalá and the wider west coast.

Car Hire Puerto de la Cruz

Car hire in Puerto de la Cruz is useful for visitors staying in the north of Tenerife. The resort is well placed for visiting La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, Anaga Rural Park, La Laguna and Mount Teide from the northern route.

If you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife North Airport may be a convenient collection point, but Tenerife South Airport can still work if your flights arrive there.

Airport Car Hire vs Resort Car Hire in Tenerife

Choosing between airport car hire and resort car hire depends on your holiday plans.

Choose Tenerife South Airport car hire if:

• You want a car for the full holiday
• You want to drive directly to your accommodation
• You are staying in a villa, apartment or quieter resort area
• You are travelling with children, luggage or golf clubs
• You want the easiest collection point after landing
• You plan to explore Mount Teide, Masca, Los Gigantes or the north of Tenerife

Choose resort car hire if:

• You only want a car for one or two days
• You already have airport transfers included
• You are staying centrally in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos
• You want to explore Tenerife for a specific day trip
• You prefer to book after arriving in resort

Car Hire Insurance in Tenerife

Car hire insurance is one of the most important things to check before booking. The cheapest headline price is not always the best deal if the excess is high, the deposit is large or key cover is missing.

When comparing Tenerife car hire, check:

• Collision Damage Waiver
• The insurance excess amount
• Deposit requirements
• Windscreen, tyres and underbody cover
• Theft protection
• Breakdown assistance
• Additional driver charges
• Young driver charges
• Fuel policy
• Credit card requirements
• Cross-island or ferry restrictions

Some companies offer zero excess or all-inclusive insurance, while others may require a large deposit on a credit card. Always read the rental conditions before confirming your booking.

Do You Need a Credit Card to Hire a Car in Tenerife?

Many Tenerife car hire companies require a credit card in the main driver’s name, especially if there is an insurance excess or security deposit. Some Canary Islands rental companies may offer more flexible payment options, but this depends on the supplier and booking conditions.

Before booking, check whether the supplier accepts debit cards, whether a deposit is required and whether the payment card must be in the main driver’s name.

Fuel Policies for Tenerife Car Hire

The best fuel policy for most visitors is usually full-to-full. This means you collect the car with a full tank and return it full. It is simple, fair and helps avoid unnecessary fuel charges.

Some suppliers may use different fuel policies, so always check before booking. When collecting your car, take a photo of the dashboard fuel level and mileage, especially if the fuel level does not match the paperwork.

Driving in Tenerife

Driving in Tenerife is generally straightforward, but the island is larger and more mountainous than some visitors expect. The main motorways are good, especially around the south, east and north coasts, but mountain roads can be narrow, steep and winding.

Useful driving tips:

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road
• Seat belts are compulsory
• Speed limits are shown in kilometres per hour
• Do not use a mobile phone while driving
• Take extra care on mountain roads around Masca, Anaga and Teide
• Allow extra time for scenic routes
• Parking can be limited in busy resorts and beaches
• Check your fuel before driving into mountain areas
• Use lower gears when driving downhill on steep roads

Best Places to Visit by Hire Car in Tenerife

A hire car gives you the freedom to see much more of Tenerife. Popular places to visit include:

• Mount Teide National Park – Tenerife’s most famous natural attraction
• Masca – a dramatic mountain village and scenic drive
• Los Gigantes – famous cliffs and coastal views
• Garachico – historic town and natural pools
• Icod de los Vinos – home of the famous dragon tree
• La Laguna – historic city and UNESCO-listed old town
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife – capital city, shops and culture
• Anaga Rural Park – mountains, forests and viewpoints
• Playa de Las Teresitas – one of Tenerife’s most famous beaches
• El Médano – beach, windsurfing and relaxed coastal atmosphere
• Puerto de la Cruz – northern resort with gardens, coast and traditional charm
• La Orotava – historic town with Canarian architecture

Cheap Car Hire Tenerife

Cheap car hire in Tenerife is possible, especially when booking early and comparing different suppliers. Prices can change depending on the season, demand, vehicle type, collection location and insurance package.

To find the best Tenerife car hire deal:

• Book early for peak travel dates
• Compare Tenerife South Airport and resort collection
• Check what insurance is included
• Look at the deposit and excess
• Choose a car size that suits your luggage and passengers
• Check fuel policy before booking
• Read recent customer reviews
• Check whether collection is in-terminal, airport car park or shuttle

The cheapest car is not always the best option. A slightly higher price with better insurance, easier airport collection and clearer terms can often be better value.

Book Tenerife Car Hire with TravelON

TravelON works with a trusted car hire comparison partner to help you search and compare Tenerife car rental in one place. Use the widget on this page to check live prices, available vehicles and collection locations.

Whether you need Tenerife South Airport car hire, car hire Costa Adeje, car hire Playa de las Americas, car hire Los Cristianos, car hire Golf del Sur, car hire Los Gigantes or Tenerife North Airport car hire, you can compare options and choose the best car for your holiday.