The Tenerife airports and what sets them apart

The first of Tenerife airports was that of Los Rodeos in the North long before it had two terminals but, the one in the South has become more prominent by demand. Millions of tourists spend short holidays in the South of the island.

The difference of both airports by sheer size

In fact, you get a good idea of the North airport size by looking down from its upper gallery. There, all its airline check-in counters fit into this one single space. 

This is different in the South. To the contrary there,, several halls follow suite with seemingly countless flight carrier check-ins.

When is the Northern Los Rodeos Aeropuerto Norte TFN more convenient?

Expats who live in the North, such as Puerto de la Cruz, will always prefer this practical and friendly airport, above all to get to other Canary Islands which are all reached by Binter Canarias or alternatively by Canaryfly. So are people who have business in the capital Santa Cruz. An international fair at the Recinto ferial is only one of good reasons. Others may want to be near the Auditorium Adan Martín for permanent work or for occasional performances.

Unfortunately, Iberia express my favorite flight carrier to the UK has stopped to do direct International flights from Los Rodeos, as it made Madrid or Barcelona its stopover.

Transport means from the North airport

You can have airport rental car, take a bus or opt for the electric tram (not available in the South) by Tranvia with free WiFi to get to TFN to and from the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Mind the Tranvia stops at La Laguna before the airport. Catch a Titsa bus or cab for the short remaining way.

Obviously, car rental from and to your air travel hub leaves you more flexible, above all with an android or any other GPS road finder.

Map of North airport surroundings

Trace San Cristobal de la Laguna the romantic town with old quarters for Tenerife vacations with a difference. It's closest to the TFN airport.

News for TFN Los Rodeos airport

Its opening hours have been extended to 11 p.m. by 75 minutes. This will allow for direct flights with additional 5 mainland Spain destinations besides Barcelona. Vueling of Iberia has been one of their flight carriers since January 2014. Other international operating airlines at Los Rodeos are Air Europa, Norwegian and lately also Ryanair.  By the way, the 7.a.m. TFN opening time will not change.

Hotels very close to TFN Los Rodeos of Tenerife airports

• Hotel Aguere of La Laguna
• La Laguna Gran Hotel
• Hotel Nivaria for self catering
• Alternatively 3 and 4 star Hotels of the Tenerife capital

How reach Los Rodeos airport including distances?

• From Santa Cruz the capital to TFN Los Rodeos by the TF 5 Freeway and Exit 11 with a distance of 11 km


• From Puerto de la Cruz to TFN Los Rodeos by the freeway TF5 and a distance of 28 km and 30 minutes travel time depending on traffic near the La Laguna university
  


• To the contrary from Los Rodeos TFN to the South Airport Reina Sofia Aeropuerto del Sur by the TF1 Freeway and exit 23. after a distance of 65km and 46 minutes driving time

Getting to the TFS the Southern one of Tenerife airports

• From Puerto de la Cruz to TFS Reina Sofia Airport within about 90 minutes depending on traffic on the TF1 freeway with a distance of about 86km
• From Playa de las Americas to TFS Reina Sofia Airport within 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic with a distance of about 12 km
• From Santa Cruz capital to TFS within 40 to 55 minutes depending on traffic on the TF1 freeway and a distance of 61 km

Car hire Tenerife at its airports?

Encounter information on Tenerife car rental  with tips and recommendations

How to mind rush hour traffic

For example, leave Puerto de la Cruz before 7 in the morning to avoid traffic congestion on the way to the North airport. Hopefully the planned trains will solve this problem in the future.
The direct Titsa bus 343 leaves at 6.30 subject to change in Puerto de la Cruz and goes all the way to the Tenerife South Airport Reina Sofia. The difference in driving time may be from 1h50 to 2h30 when traffic is heavy. 

New Aeroexpress Titsa service for both Tenerife airports since 2018

• #30 from Puerto de la Cruz to TFN every 30min
• #20 from Santa Cruz main station to TFN every 15 min
• #40 from Costa Adeje via Los Cristianos to TFS every 30min

More information about the Aeroexpress Titsa airport buses 

here

View Larger Map

Services at both Tenerife airports

• Duty free sections, wash rooms, bars, cafes and a pharmacy each
  
• Excellent Public transport which is only limited on Public holidays and on early morning hours
• Ample outside parking
• Medical attendance and
  Medical emergency service for the North airport Tel.: + 34 922 635 857 on the P-1 terminal and, on the TFS South airport Tel.: + 34 922 759 305
• Attendance for people with mobility problems
• Airline counters in the departure lounge
• For any information on both airports call
  Tel: + 0034 902 404 704
• Hopefully lockers for baggage storage will materialize, once a new security screening is in place for that, as is the case in most German airports.

Hotels near the South airport TFS Reina Sofia

There are several luxury hotels in its neighborhood but none within the airport. I very much like the central town as well as beach location of the Medano Hotel on drywall stilts although it's a bit dated. I have been to the Hotel Monica aeropuerto Sur which seems to have been lacking in good service for a while, as told by a friend.

Tenerife airport travelers in numbers

Estatísticas Aena.es gives you those but they are not meant to be copied. Otherwise, it's said that about 5 million come to Tenerife every year.

Security at Tenerife airports

It's of the highest international standard. Also, there's an emergency army fire unit of 90 professional fire fighters on standby stationed in close vicinity.
This has been implemented by the Spanish Government as promised after the great Tenerife wildfire danger of midsummer 2007. This is also interesting, as Los Rodeos airport has a fatal flight accident history of March 27, 1977 when two Jumbo Jets collided. This was partly due to bad visibility.

Airport flight safety in Tenerife

Nowadays contrary to 1977, Tenerife airports are equipped with the most sophisticated software for weather information and flight safety by a flight security system hosted at Helsinki which coordinates 17 airports within Spain.

The Weather at both Tenerife airfields

The region at the Tenerife southern airstrip is usually sunny and bright and will greet you with picture book blue skies and sun bathed,  subtropical surroundings. There,  people usually change into summer travel gear. Los Rodeos is not like that. Always have a warm jersey or jacket handy, just in case. A slightly chilly wind or clouds aren't unusual. 
Read my insider info  about the weather where the region of the Tenerife North Airport is interesting.

Useful links related to the Tenerife aerodromes

See what remains after direct flights to Tenerife Los Rodeos were stopped from Miami,Cancun,Punta Cana,Buenos Aires, New York,Caracas and La Habana

Always book in advance airport transfer with or without shuttles including Tenerife airport taxis and luxury mini buses...

A lovely travel review of our  Tenerife transfer to Puerto de la Cruz  the only long distance airport shuttle travel, I ever did.

Car rental for Tenerife by pre-booking on-line to get exactly the vehicle you want

From Tenerife airports back to getting to Tenerife with multiple options

Discover more information about both the airports of North and South Tenerife by your best source which is the aviation company Aena.es

here

The following guide will be your virtual travel companion for the many convenient

Spain airports

and set you on your way to explore a unique Spain

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