Why rent a car in Tenerife?
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and one of Spain’s most visited destinations, known for its year-round sunshine, dramatic volcanic landscape and diverse coastline. A rental car gives you easy access to the Teide National Park, the charming towns of La Orotava and Garachico and the quieter beaches of the north, all of which are difficult to reach by public transport.
Pick up your car directly at Tenerife Airport and start exploring the island immediately after arrival. For more destinations across the islands, see car rental in the Canary Islands.
Exploring Tenerife by car
Routes and highlights across Tenerife
Tenerife offers a remarkable variety of landscapes within a compact island, making it ideal for exploring by car. The Teide National Park, home to Spain’s highest peak at 3,718 metres, is reachable from most parts of the island in under two hours. The TF-21 road up to the Teide crater is one of the most dramatic drives in the Canary Islands. The Anaga Rural Park in the northeast is known for ancient laurisilva forest and winding mountain roads through villages largely unchanged for centuries. The quieter southwestern coast around Los Gigantes offers towering cliffs and calm beaches away from the main tourist centres. For more destinations, see car rental in Spain.
Driving and parking in Tenerife
Tenerife has a modern motorway network linking the main population centres and tourist areas. The TF-1 runs along the southern coast toward Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, while the TF-5 connects the north to Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz. Mountain roads to Teide and Anaga require more care due to sharp bends and steep gradients, but are accessible with a standard car. Parking is generally straightforward outside of Santa Cruz and the main resort areas. The island has two airports — Tenerife Norte (TFN) and Tenerife Sur (TFS), both with car rental facilities on site.
Best time to rent a car in Tenerife
Tenerife can be visited comfortably year-round thanks to its stable climate. The south of the island is warm and sunny even in winter, while the north and mountainous interior are cooler and greener. The summer months bring more visitors, particularly in the resort areas, but the island is large enough that quieter spots are always accessible by car. If visiting Teide, morning drives are recommended to avoid the afternoon clouds that frequently form around the crater.
Car rental price in Tenerife
The table below shows the lowest all-inclusive weekly rate for renting a car at Tenerife, with full insurance and zero excess included. What you actually pay depends on the supplier, availability and how far ahead you book. Check the current price in the search above.
| Car type | From, 7 days |
|---|---|
| Small car (economy) | from €197 |
| Mid-size car | from €239 |
| Large car / SUV | from €305 |
Measured at 23 airports in September 2026, for a 7-day rental starting 10–17 October 2026. All-inclusive, zero excess, no credit card required. Prices vary by supplier, availability and how far ahead you book.
These prices typically include full insurance and zero excess when booking an all-inclusive rental. Prices can vary significantly between providers. If you want to avoid hidden costs, it’s worth taking a moment to compare car rental companies and rental conditions before booking. At MarSoleil, you can also find options without a credit card and no deposit.
