Tenerife transport

The island of Tenerife is served by two airports, the Los Rodeos or Tenerife Norte and the Reina Sofia Airport or Tenerife Sur.

A fast, toll-free major highway (autopista del sur and autopista del norte) almost encircles the island, linking all the main towns. The exception is in the west from Adeje to Icod de los Vinos, which is traversed by a smaller mountain road. However, plans are now afoot to complete the autopista.

Away from the major highway, driving is generally slow and difficult, with steep, winding narrow roads, mainly unlit and often with drops either side of the main carriageway surface.

Public transport on the island is provided by a network of buses (Guaguas) and run by T.I.T.S.A. who operate a fleet of modern, air-conditioned buses which, generally, run on time. Drivers are helpful and the mix of tourists and 'locals' (especially in the resort areas) makes for an interesting ride, not to mention it being one of the best ways to actually see the island.

Tenerife opened its first light rail line (Tenerife Tram) on June 2, linking the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with the adjacent town of La Laguna. The 12.3km Line 1 has 21 stops and serves Tenerife's most densely-populated urban area, with maximum headways of around 5 minutes.

About 44,000 people per day are expected to use the line, although the opening day saw around 170,000 passengers travelling on Line 1.

The line is unusual in that it uses wind power from the operator's own purpose-built wind farm to power its fleet of 20 Alstom LRVs. Extensions are proposed from Santa Cruz to Las Teresitas and Anaza, and from La Laguna to Tenerife Norte-Los Rodeos International Airport.

View some Tenerife Tram pictures here

Download the Tenerife Tram route map here

See also: about Tenerife : history : tourism : transportation