Tenerife South Airport: An Overview

Tenerife South Airport, officially Tenerife South–Reina Sofía, is the main arrival point for holidaymakers visiting Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. Queen Sofía of Spain inaugurated it in 1978, and it carries her name. The airport is operated by Aena, Spain's airport operator, and focuses on leisure flights from across Europe. The island's second airport, Tenerife North, lies near La Laguna in the north.

Tenerife South Airport's Location and Distance from the Resorts

The airport sits in the municipality of Granadilla de Abona on the island's southern coast. That puts it within a 15 to 20 minute drive of the big resort areas of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island capital, is about 68 km away along the motorway.

Terminal and Facilities at Tenerife South

All flights use a single three-storey terminal with around 40 boarding gates, some of them with jet bridges. Check-in halls, shops, restaurants and car hire desks are all inside. The building handles large volumes of holiday traffic, so peak days can be lively.

Airlines and Routes from Tenerife South

Ryanair keeps an operating base at the airport, with routes across the UK, Ireland, Spain and central Europe. Other airlines serving Tenerife South include easyJet, Jet2.com and TUI Airways, which carry large numbers of holidaymakers from the UK. Many European carriers add routes in the winter sun season, so check the latest schedule when planning.

Getting from Tenerife South Airport to Your Hotel

TITSA, the island's bus company, runs line 111, which crosses the island from Santa Cruz to Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje with a stop at the airport. The ride to Playa de las Américas takes a little over half an hour. Taxis wait outside arrivals, and most major car hire firms have desks in the terminal.

What to See near Tenerife South

Mount Teide, the volcano at the heart of Tenerife, rises in the centre of the island inside Teide National Park and is a popular day trip. Along the south coast, visitors head to beaches, marinas and whale- and dolphin-watching trips off Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.

Tips for Travelling via Tenerife South

Queues at check-in and security can build on busy holiday weekends, so arrive early. If you plan to use the bus, have change ready or buy a travel card. Double-check which Tenerife airport your flight uses, as both airports serve the island.

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