TENERIFE INSIDER TIPS
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN TENERIFE
Discover Tenerife by bus
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
TITSA bus
Public transport in Tenerife is excellently organised. The green TITSA buses, locally referred to as Guaguas (pronounced "WaWaas"), are widely available across the island and offer an excellent way to travel from 'A to B'.
Click here for the bus company's website (available in Spanish and English). There, you can access information about the bus pass, a QR code for the bus pass app, as well as current bus schedules and travel information, all under the 'Fares and Discounts' section.
The buses offer comfortable seating and are equipped with air conditioning. Furthermore, on longer routes, the buses provide complimentary WiFi and convenient USB charging points
Traveling by bus is both cost-effective and efficient. For instance, a trip from Costa Adeje to Tenerife South Airport only takes 40 minutes on the TITSA bus and costs €3.70 per person when using a bus card for payment.
Ten+ card
This bus card (Tarjeta TenMás) is available at various points of sale, including newsstands, mini markets, and major bus stations, all of which are listed on the bus company's website. You can also recharge the card at these locations.
You can board with multiple passengers using this card, but please inform the driver when boarding, and ensure that there is sufficient balance on the card.
If you use the card individually, you don't need to inform the driver about your destination. Just scan it when boarding and check out when exiting the bus.
The Ten+ card is also valid for the tram in the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The bus pass app
The bus pass app also functions as a bus card and can be charged online. Please note that there are some restrictions when installing the app, such as Android and iOS requirements, a mobile number of up to 10 digits and a Spanish postal code. For holiday use, it is advisable to simply purchase a Ten+ card upon arrival in Tenerife.
Other payment methods
Sinds kort is het mogelijk op alle busroutes per bankpas te betalen. Betaling kan tevens gedaan worden via Smartphone of Smartwatch, voor degene die hun bankpas hieraan gelinkt hebben.
Het is echter alleen mogelijk Mastercard- en Visa-kaarten te gebruiken waar geen pin hoef te worden ingevoerd.
Arrival at Tenerife
There is a self-service machine with ticket sales at the airports of Tenerife South and Tenerife North. TITSA employees are often present during the day to help passengers on their way with information about the bus card, bus numbers, etc. Excellent service!
Luggage on board the bus
On buses equipped with under-bus luggage compartments, passengers can load their luggage themselves. While this is generally safe, it's advisable to keep valuable items like wallets and passports with you. On buses without under-bus luggage compartments, foldable bicycles are allowed in wheelchair-accessible areas, with priority given to wheelchair passengers. For safety, bicycles should be secured with available seatbelts during the journey.
On buses without luggage space, folding bicycles are permitted in wheelchair-accessible places, with passengers in wheelchairs having priority. For safety, bicycles must be secured with available belts along the way.
Exploring the island by public transport
This might sound a bit like 'Ride the bus for Dummies,' but for some people, traveling by public transport, especially abroad, can be quite an achievement.
When I myself head to an unfamiliar destination, I actually find it quite comforting to know how things like this work in advance. It can turn what might be a somewhat stressful experience into an enjoyable outing.
This way, you get to see a bit of the island, interact with the locals, and it's also budget-friendly.
Visit El Teide by public transport
Busnummers: 342 vanaf Costa Adeje en 348 vanaf Puerto de la Cruz
Bus 342, met een prijs tot aan €8,05 per traject, vertrekt om 09.25 uur vanaf de bushalte van Costa Adeje, met retour om 15:15 uur vanaf Portillo Alto.De 348 (*), met een prijs vanaf €6,20, vertrekt om 09:30 uur vanuit Puerto de la Cruz en keert terug om 16.00 uur terug vanaf de Parador.
(*) Note: The 348 from Puerto de la Cruz has not yet resumed service due to road closures following the major forest fire.
Teide connection bus
The connection bus that links the highlights of Parque Nacional del Teide, usually numbered 341, has undergone some adjustments due to road closures following the fire. Currently, bus 342 is providing this service as follows:
The bus departs at 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM from the Parador, making stops at the cable car station, Montaña Blanca, Minas de San José, Portillo Alto, and finally at the visitor center. The return bus leaves at 12:00 PM and 3:15 PM from Portillo Alto towards the Parador, continuing on to Costa Adeje.
Tickets cost €2,10.
Wheelchair accessibility
Most buses on short routes are equipped with a convenient system for wheelchair access. Unfortunately, buses on long routes, such as bus 111 connecting Costa Adeje with the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife, do not offer this option. You can find more detailed information on the TITSA website
Helpful tips
When waiting at a bus stop and the bus approaches, it's customary to signal the driver that you intend to board.
Equally important, when you approach the bus stop where you want to disembark, please press the 'Stop' button in the bus well in advance.
If you'd prefer not to take the bus, you can check out my 'Transport in Tenerife' page for tips on alternative modes of transportation.
