Public transportation in Tenerife is an efficient, economical, and sustainable way to get around the island. Whether you are a resident or a tourist, knowing how the guaguas (TITSA buses), the Tenerife tram, and taxis work will allow you to travel without hassle and without the need to rent a car.
In this comprehensive guide, I explain everything you need to know: fares, routes, schedules, advantages, and useful tips to make the most of public transportation in Tenerife.
🚎 1. What public transportation options are available in Tenerife?
Tenerife has a well-organized public transportation system that connects the main cities, airports, and tourist areas.
🚌 Guaguas (TITSA buses): the main transportation network
Guaguas (buses) are the most widely used means of transport in Tenerife. They are managed by the company TITSA (Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife) and cover the entire island with both urban and interurban routes.
📌 Key facts about TITSA buses:
- Covers the entire island, including tourist areas such as Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Puerto de la Cruz.
- Modern and comfortable buses, many with free WiFi.
- Schedule: from 05:00 to 23:00, although some routes operate 24 hours.
- Key routes for tourists:
- Route 111: connects Santa Cruz – South Airport – Los Cristianos – Costa Adeje.
- Route 102: links Santa Cruz – North Airport – Puerto de la Cruz.
- Route 342: takes you to Teide National Park.
💡 Tip: Check the schedules on the TITSA app or on their official website to avoid long waits.
🚋 Tenerife Tram: connection between Santa Cruz and La Laguna
The Tenerife Tram is fast, modern, and connects two of the island’s most important cities: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
📌 Details about the tram:
- Line 1: Santa Cruz ↔ La Laguna (passes by the University Hospital).
- Line 2: connects La Cuesta ↔ Tíncer.
- Frequency: every 5-15 minutes, depending on the time of day.
- Schedules:
- Monday to Thursday: 06:00 – 00:00
- Friday and Saturday: 24-hour service
- Sunday and holidays: 06:00 – 00:00
💡 Tip: The tram is ideal if you are staying in Santa Cruz or La Laguna. It is fast and punctual, without traffic issues.
🚖 Taxis: when to use them
Taxis are another option for getting around the island. They are more expensive than public transportation, but they can be useful in certain situations.
📌 Key facts about taxis in Tenerife:
- Official fares:
- Flag fall: €3.15 (day) / €3.45 (night and holidays).
- Price per kilometer: €1.10 – €1.26 depending on the time of day.
- Can be ordered by phone or through apps like Pidetaxi.
- Credit card payments are accepted in most cases.
💡 Tip: If you are traveling with luggage or need to travel outside the guaguas’ schedule, a taxi can be a good alternative.
💰 2. Fares and how to pay for public transportation
📌 Single Tickets
- TITSA Bus: from €1.50 up to €10 (depending on the distance).
- Tram: €1.35 per trip.
🎫 Ten+ Card: the best option to save money
The Ten+ card allows you to pay for both the bus and the tram at a discounted rate.
- Where to buy it? At kiosks, bus stations, and authorized stores.
- Cost: €2 (for the card only) plus reloadable balance.
- Discounts:
- Urban tram trips: €1.05 instead of €1.35.
- Guagua trips: savings of 30% to 50% depending on the route.
💡 Tip: If you frequently use public transportation, the Ten+ Card is essential.
🎯 3. Tips for using public transportation like a pro
🚀 Useful Apps:
- TITSA (Android/iOS): check guagua schedules and routes.
- Tenerife Tram: real-time schedules.
- Moovit or Google Maps: plan your route by combining guaguas and the tram.
🚍 Avoid peak hours:
- Mornings (07:00 – 09:00) and afternoons (17:00 – 19:00) can be more crowded.
🚏 Check the schedules:
- Some guaguas do not run very frequently, especially in small towns.
🌅 Recommended routes for tourists:
- For beaches: Route 467 (Los Cristianos – Costa Adeje).
- For Teide: Route 342 (from Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos).
- For Loro Parque: Route 381 (Puerto de la Cruz).
💡 Tip: In tourist areas, guaguas tend to fill up quickly. Arrive early at the stop!
✅ 4. Advantages and disadvantages of public transportation in Tenerife
✔️ Advantages
- ✅ Economical: much cheaper than renting a car.
- ✅ Eco-friendly: helps reduce pollution.
- ✅ Good connectivity: especially in the northern part of the island.
- ✅ Free WiFi on many guaguas.
❌ Disadvantages
- ❌ Limited frequency on some routes: some guaguas take a long time to arrive.
- ❌ Doesn’t reach everywhere easily: in rural areas, getting around can be complicated.
- ❌ Some routes may be slow: longer journeys might take more time than expected.
💬 5. User Reviews and Experiences
Many users point out that public transportation in Tenerife is reliable and inexpensive, although some guaguas may take a while to arrive.
🗣 User Review:
“I used the guagua to get from the airport to Costa Adeje and it was super easy and cheap. The TITSA app really helped me find the schedules.”
🗣 User Review:
“The tram is excellent, punctual, and fast. I wish there were more lines all over the island.”
💡 Tip: Check reviews on Google Maps to learn about other travelers’ experiences on each route.
🔥 6. Is it Worth Using Public Transportation in Tenerife?
- 📌 If you are in Santa Cruz, La Laguna, or the tourist areas, public transportation is an excellent option.
- 📌 If you need to travel to rural areas or outside the guaguas’ schedule, it might be more challenging.
- 📌 Use the Ten+ Card to save money and always check the schedules on the apps.
🚀 Ready to explore Tenerife without overspending? Public transportation is your best ally!
