Tenerife is a popular tourist destination with a well-developed public transport network. Buses and trams allow comfortable travel throughout the island. In this article, I will provide detailed information about all aspects of using public transport in Tenerife.
Buses in Tenerife
The bus network on the island is extremely developed. Green buses, which locals call «guaguas», run almost all over Tenerife, covering both popular resort areas and many of the island’s attractions, including the famous Teide volcano. TITSA company operates 183 bus routes with 3884 stops throughout the island. The route network covers the area from the north (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) to the south (Arona), from the western point of Punta de Teno to the eastern Igueste de San Andrés.
The buses are comfortable, with air conditioning, comfortable seats, and USB ports for charging gadgets. The schedule is strictly observed. The current schedule and routes can always be viewed on the official website of the carrier company TITSA or simply on Google Maps.
Payment for the bus ride is possible in cash to the driver, by bank card, or using the Ten+ transport card. The latter option allows for significant savings. Unlimited travel passes for tourists for 1 and 7 days are also available.
You should only board the bus through the front door.
Stops are not announced, so you need to watch for their names on the monitor. As soon as the inscription Próxima parada (next stop) appears with the desired name, press the red STOP button on the handrail.
Bus route map of Tenerife
Bus routes are laid out across the entire island and connect resort centers with places of interest for tourists.
Transport route maps can be downloaded here.
Bus schedules and prices can be found at titisa.com.
Where to buy tickets and Ten+ cards for Tenerife buses:
- at TITSA kiosks and vending machines at bus stations and bus stops
- at ticket machines at tram stops
- at Tenerife South Airport
- at some tobacco shops
How to plan a route
You can plan a route on the official TITSA website. It’s enough to know the starting and ending points of your destination. But it’s better to do this in Google Maps, which knows all the routes on the island.
How to pay on the bus
You can pay for the bus ride in cash to the driver, but it’s cheaper to buy a Ten+ card at Titsa kiosks or vending machines.
Cash
Enter through the front door and tell the driver your desired stop (it’s better to write it on a piece of paper or in your phone if you don’t speak Spanish), as well as the number of passengers. Pay the fare and proceed to the seating area. Note that the driver only accepts bills up to €20!
When buying a return ticket, you’ll get a good discount. In Spanish, a «round-trip ticket» is called «billete ida y vuelta».
Ten+ Card
To pay for the ride with a Ten+ transport card, you also need to enter through the front door, then tap the card on the validator next to the driver. When exiting, you need to tap the rechargeable Ten+ card again on the validator to mark the end of your trip. The screen will show the cost of the trip and the remaining balance on the card. If you don’t do this, you’ll be charged for the ride to the final stop.
How to calculate the fare
The fare depends on the payment method (cash or card) and distance. You can calculate it on the TITSA website by selecting YOUR BUSES → Current fares in the menu. In the Select one bus line, specify the bus line and choose the start and end stops of your route. The screen will display the regular ticket price and the price with the Tenmas transport card.
On average, an inner-city ride will cost €1.45, while intercity travel can range from €2 to €10.
Types of transport cards
Tenmas transport cards are an excellent option for those planning to use public transport frequently. They are accepted on all buses except for routes going to Teide and Cape Teno. The card can provide up to 40% discount on fares.
3 types of Ten+ cards for tourists
Unlimited one-day (tarjeta turística 1 día)
- Price: €2 for the card itself + €10 to load onto the card;
- valid for 24 hours from the first use;
- provides unlimited rides on buses and trams across the entire island;
- the card can be used by only 1 passenger;
- can be purchased from ticket vending machines at airports, at sales points in bus stations, in the TITSA kiosk network, and at Tranvía de Tenerife ticket machines. Map of sales points is available here.
There’s a mobile version for the one-day Ten+ card. To activate it, use the Ten+móvil mobile app. You’ll save €2. You need to select the paid ticket in the «Titulos» (tickets) tab of the app and register your ride. Then, in the app, press the «Viajar» (travel) button and point your phone’s camera at the QR code inside the bus. The camera will read the code, and your trip will be registered.
Unlimited weekly card (tarjeta turística 7 días)
- Price: €2 for the card itself + €50 to load onto the card;
- valid for 7 days from first use;
- provides unlimited trips on buses and trams throughout the island;
- the card can only be used by 1 passenger;
- can be purchased from ticket machines at airports, at sales points at bus stations, at TITSA kiosks and at Tranvía de Tenerife ticket machines. Map of sales points here.
The unlimited weekly Ten+ card also has a mobile version. Download the Ten+móvil mobile app.
Rechargeable Ten+ card
- €2 for the card itself + top-ups from €2 to €100;
- provides unlimited trips on buses and trams throughout the island;
- one card can be used to pay for tickets for several people at once;
- can be purchased and topped up at bus stations or any TITSA sales point. Map of sales points here;
- money on the account expires one year after the last top-up;
- if the balance on the card is less than the fare, you can pay the difference in cash at a discounted rate.
The rechargeable Ten+ card does not have a mobile version.
How to transport a stroller and bicycle
There is no extra charge for transporting a suitcase, stroller, or bicycle in the lug
Tram Lines
Line 1.
Connects the island’s capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife with San Cristóbal de La Laguna. The journey takes about 40 minutes (21 stops).
Line 2.
Connects La Cuesta and Tíncer. The route is 3.6 km long with 6 stops.
Trams run daily from 6:00 to 24:00 every 15 minutes. Check the schedule on the official Metrotenerife website. The tram stops at all stations. However, to open the doors, you need to press the button located on them.
Fare Payment
You can pay for the ride with a ticket, Ten+ card, or app. When boarding the tram, you need to validate your ticket. If you’re using a transport card, tap it on the validator only when entering. To confirm a digital ticket, you need to scan the QR code inside the tram using the mobile app.
Children under 5 ride the trams for free.
Advantages of Public Transport in Tenerife
From January 2025, public transport in Tenerife (buses and trams) will remain free for regular users. To qualify for free travel, you need to make at least 30 trips per quarter. This decision was officially confirmed by the President of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila. Even without qualifying for free travel, using the Ten+ card allows for significant savings with discounts of up to 40% on trips.
Public transport in Tenerife has many advantages compared to car rental. According to DGT data, buses are the safest mode of transport with only 0.2% of road fatalities. Using public transport helps avoid the stress of driving in unfamiliar territory, the need to find parking, and additional fuel costs. Moreover, it’s an eco-friendly travel option that helps reduce traffic congestion on the island’s roads.
The popularity of public transport in Tenerife is constantly growing. In 2022, the island’s buses and trams carried 63.1 million passengers (48.1 million on buses and 15 million on trams). According to Cabildo de Tenerife forecasts, about 80 million passengers are expected in 2025, which is almost double the figures from previous years. This is due to both the convenience of the system and the introduction of free travel for regular users.
