Tenerife Hire Car Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Exploring Tenerife by hire car

Just off the coast of Morocco is the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife.

A magnificent landscape spreads over a length of 80 kilometers on this, part of Spain, volcanic island.

Few islands have as much to offer the traveller as Tenerife. Here you can spend the morning relaxing on the beach, take an exciting mountain tour in the afternoon, enjoy Canarian delicacies in a chic restaurant in the evening, and then turn night into day in one of the vibrant holiday centres.

The road network is well developed. All interesting destinations can be easily reached by hire car.

For rental and travel we have put together a few tips.

Receiving the hire car

Whether you arrive in Tenerife South or Tenerife North Airport, you will find most rental companies right in the terminal. However, there may be operators whose station is only close to the airport. In this case you have to wait for a shuttle and lose valuable holiday time. It is best to find out before booking the vehicle.

Finding the right hire car

With a small and manoeuvrable car you will get along best on the often narrow roads of Tenerife. However, before booking, think about what you want to take with you on the trip in order to hire car with enough boot space.

Hire car prices

It is not an expensive pleasure to hire car in Tenerife. However, during the high season, there can be a shortage of vehicles. And that’s when the prices go up too. You can be on the safe side if you book the hire car well in advance of your trip and use our price comparison. This way you will always find a good deal and a car to suit your needs.

hire car price comparison Tenerife

Insurance

In the interior of the island, the roads are often narrow and difficult to see. Since an accident is quickly happened. On the safe side, you go, if you conclude a rental agreement with comprehensive insurance without deductible. You should pay particular attention to the amount of cover for liability.

It should already amount to one million euros, because if people come to harm in an accident, it is very quickly very expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company seems to be too low, you have the possibility to take out an additional so-called Mallorca policy. Ask your insurance company about the conditions.

age limit

Many rental companies will not rent cars to drivers under 21. And drivers under 25 are often charged an additional fee. Check the conditions before booking to avoid an unpleasant surprise in Tenerife.

Accessories

Perhaps you would like to have accessories such as a navigation device on holiday, in order to travel even more comfortably with your hire car. In this case, you should inquire in good time with your rental company whether he has such a thing in the assortment at all. And make a reservation in good time to be sure that a sat nav is also available on your desired date.

Language barrier

Since English is not well spoken at every hire car station, we recommend saving the number of the Spanish head office of your hire car station in your mobile phone. You can then call them for translation assistance in case of an emergency.

Free kilometers

If you want to explore Tenerife extensively, you will cover a lot of kilometres. Therefore, conclude a rental agreement right away with all kilometres free to avoid unnecessary costs.

Customer review

Most customers are satisfied with the rental companies on Tenerife. However, we reach again and again complaints that rental companies try to conclude already booked insurances a second time. If you have already insured your car correctly and sufficiently at the time of booking, you should always consistently refuse to take out any further insurance on site. To avoid getting a black sheep, you should read the customer reviews on this portal before renting. They give a good picture of the practices of the different landlords.

Safety rental vehicles

Most rental vehicles in Tenerife are quite roadworthy. Nevertheless, you should test the lighting of the car before the first trip. Do not forget the indicators and brake lights. And do a brake test with your car in the parking lot of the rental company.

Bail

It’s actually common for the deposit due on your credit card to just be blocked and released after you return the vehicle. However, some rental companies actually collect the amount and pay it back after the vehicle is returned – often with plenty of delay. Find out what your rental company’s policy is before booking the car.

Tank control

Rent only from rental companies where you can pick up the hire car with a full tank and return it with a full tank as well. This is the most transparent solution for all parties involved.

Sights in Tenerife

Teide – Mighty Volcano
To get an overview of the island, you should first steer the hire car towards Teide. The stately volcano has a height of 3,718 metres. You can climb the Teide on well signposted paths. A more comfortable way is to take the cable car, which takes you to just below the summit. You reach the lower cable car station – which is already relatively high – via a very winding road. For the back and forth of the ride, you are compensated with spectacular views. The landscape around the volcano is extraordinary. Hikers here often feel like they are walking on the moon.

Vilaflor – mountain village with flair
Vilaflor could be the next destination of the trip. Here you will find yourself in the highest village on the island. The pretty village is surrounded by pine forests. In Vilaflor, many artisans go about their work, so that you can also buy nice souvenirs here.

Be sure to check out the magnificent church of San Pedro, which dates back to the 17th century. Especially the wooden coffered ceiling inspires many visitors. Nature lovers will be amazed when they discover “El Pino Gordo” by chance on the country road above the village. The mighty pine tree has a trunk circumference of 9.30 metres.

Playa de las Americas – Here beats the tourist heart
From an unspoiled place in the middle of the tourist hustle and bustle of the island you get, if you drive from Vilaflor to Playa de las Americas. Here you can enjoy sunbathing on beautiful beaches or swim in the warm sea. Sports enthusiasts will also get their money’s worth in Playa de las Americas. Whether you want to dive, sail or surf – the beaches offer something for everyone.

Alcalá – Find peace in the fishing village
If it is too hectic for you in the main town, you should board the hire car and continue towards Alcalá. This fishing village has been largely spared from mass tourism. Here there is still an old, grown village center and through the village it is wonderful to stroll.

Find the special restaurant

In Alcalá, you’ll also find a restaurant that serves unadulterated island cuisine. Visit Casa Juana and watch the chef transform seafood and fish into culinary delights in the open kitchen.

Discover a good hotel

On an island as popular as Tenerife, there is no shortage of good hotels. We recommend the Hotel Botanico in Puerto de la Cruz, one of the island’s classics. The house has a long tradition, even the royal family likes to be guests here.

It is located in the middle of the city, not far from the botanical garden, which you should definitely visit. The hotel’s park is also a splendour. Here you can relax by the pool, enjoy a cool drink and think about what other destinations you would like to discover with your Tenerife hire car.

Conclusion

Tenerife is excellent to conquer by hire car. The island is hard to beat in its diversity and almost all destinations are easily accessible by car. With our practical price comparison you will always find a good deal and a car that suits you and your holiday plans.