Renting a Car in Tenerife in 2025
Everything You Need to Know Rent a Car in Tenerife
Honestly, we were a little nervous about planning a trip to Tenerife.
We didn’t know if it would be expensive, overcrowded, or if the locals would be friendly. And we weren’t sure how to get around by ourselves.
But after our 5-day self-guided road trip around the island, we can easily say that Tenerife is one of our favorite places in Spain.
Here’s everything you need to know about renting a car in Tenerife and what it’s like to drive in the Canary Islands, including how much it costs to rent a car, some places to see on your road trip, and why a road trip is the best way to see Tenerife.
How much does a rental car cost in Tenerife?
Rental car prices in Tenerife are surprisingly affordable, with options starting for as little as €20-40 a day.
In November 2024, we paid €101.22 for a 5-day rental of a great little economy-sized car. And we added full insurance coverage for an extra €52.92. We picked up our rental at Tenerife North Airport (TFN) and returned it to the same location.
You’re not required to buy full insurance coverage (your credit card might cover any damages to the vehicle), but we liked having the peace of mind on the small winding roads.
Prices will vary during peak season (June - August), but renting a car is a super affordable way to get around Tenerife, and fits into almost any budget.
Do you need a car to see Tenerife?
If you’re staying in one resort or guest house the whole time, you probably don’t need to rent a car while you’re in Tenerife. But that’s pretty rare.
Tenerife has some incredible sights to see and activities to do. It takes a little planning, but most of them are easily reachable in a car.
Some of our favorite things to do in Tenerife include:
Exploring the hiking trails in Teide National Park
Getting off the beaten path at secluded black sand beaches
Swimming in the seaside rock pools in Garachico
Eating red bananas at Casa del Platano Museum
Getting lost in Anaga Rural Park
Marveling at Los Gigantes cliffs
Sipping malvasia wine in Icod de los Vinos
And that’s just the start.
You can use taxis, public buses, or pre-booked tours to get to most of these destinations, but the added cost and hassle aren’t worth it.
Taxis and tours will quickly cost more than renting a car, and public transit options can be confusing (and a lot slower and less flexible than driving).
For us, renting a car was simply the most cost-effective and easiest way to get around Tenerife and driving allowed us to go where we wanted when we wanted. The freedom to explore at our own pace was well worth the cost of a rental car.
Is driving in Tenerife dangerous?
That being said, driving in Tenerife isn’t for everyone.
Some of the smaller roads in Tenerife’s national parks can be narrow and windy, especially if you’re trying to reach remote locations like Taborno village or one of the secluded sandy beaches. Tenerife is also home to Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide. And that means most island roads are built on steep gradients with winding switchbacks.
Basically, if you’re not comfortable on windy roads, driving in Tenerife might not be for you, especially if you’re renting a stick shift (manual).
We had to navigate several steep switchback sections of road to get around the island, and thanks to the elevation, the weather conditions and visibility can change in an instant. Be prepared for sudden rain, fog, and even snow at higher elevations.
That’s not meant to scare you away from driving in Tenerife. But it’s important to respect the driving conditions on the island.
Narrow roads, fickle weather, and other…mediocre drivers can make driving in Tenerife challenging, but we loved our experience, and we’ll rent a car again when we return.
Is traffic bad in Tenerife?
Traffic near major cities like Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz can be notoriously jammed, especially during peak commuting hours. Tenerife’s major highway is a (partially completed) ring road, so for many of the locals who drive to work each day, it’s the only option.
And that means traffic can get bad.
Honestly, we were up and at ‘em pretty early most days (around 9 am), so we didn’t experience much traffic. But we saw a lot of traffic going the other way when we drove back to town in the late morning or early afternoon.
The early bird definitely gets the worm in Tenerife. If you’re a morning person, use it!
Is gas expensive in Tenerife?
While gas prices fluctuate over time, Tenerife petrol prices are typically lower than other parts of Spain. The reason is that there are several massive oil refineries on the southeastern portion of the island near Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The industrial area isn’t great to visit, but it also means that fuel prices on the island are typically below average in Spain.
Should you rent a car in Tenerife?
Absolutely.
The price of a rental car is super affordable (as low as $20 a day), and while traffic and weather conditions are something you need to be aware of, the freedom and flexibility of having a car let you explore the island at your own pace.
We loved renting a car in Tenerife for our 5-day road trip, and highly recommend it no matter how long you’re staying on this gorgeous island.
Click here to explore the best deals on rental cars from Discovercars.com and enjoy your adventure in Spain’s volcanic island paradise!
