Hiring a Car at Tenerife North Airport (TFN): What to Know
If your stay is in the north of the island, car hire at Tenerife North Airport is often the handiest choice. Los Rodeos airport (code TFN) is smaller than the southern one, but far better placed for Santa Cruz, La Laguna and Puerto de la Cruz. This guide complements our car hire in Tenerife with the detail specific to the northern terminal: distances, the airport's profile, and tips for collecting your car without surprises.
The essentials at a glance
- Airport: Tenerife North (TFN, Los Rodeos), near La Laguna, about 11 km from Santa Cruz.
- Distances: around 25 km / 30 min from Puerto de la Cruz via the TF-5; about 15 minutes from the capital.
- Profile: smaller than the south, many inter-island and domestic flights; at ~630 m altitude, low cloud is common.
- Ideal if: you're staying in the north (Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Santa Cruz) or combining several islands.
Our approach: verified research, not first-hand experience (yet)
- We haven't visited Tenerife ourselves yet. This guide is built from thorough research — official sources, hire-company websites and up-to-date data — to help you plan your trip transparently.
- We'll enrich it with our own on-the-ground experience after our next stay. Until then, the prices and terms quoted are indicative: confirm them when you book.
Should you hire at Tenerife North or South?
It depends on your accommodation. Hiring a car at Tenerife North Airport makes sense if you're staying in Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna or Santa Cruz: you're minutes from town and well placed for the island's green side.
If your hotel is in the southern beach belt, the South airport is better located. Many international flights land in the south, too: compare the two terminals on our page about car hire at Tenerife South Airport before you choose.
How does pick-up work at TFN?
As Los Rodeos is compact, everything is quick. The hire counters are in the terminal near arrivals, and the car park is right next door. You collect the keys and reach the TF-5 within minutes.
One thing to know: perched at around 630 m, TFN often has low cloud and cooler weather than the south. Nothing that stops you driving, but take care on the way out if visibility is reduced.
How much does hire at Tenerife North Airport cost?
The price of car hire at Tenerife North Airport follows the same logic as in the south: around €20-35/day off-season for a small car, more in summer. Choice is a little narrower than at TFS, so booking ahead is even more useful, especially in peak season.
Canarian firms (CICAR, Autoreisen, PLUSCAR) are present and often include comprehensive zero-excess insurance with no deposit hold. As everywhere, compare what's genuinely included before settling on a headline rate.
Where to go after Tenerife North Airport?
TFN is the ideal gateway to the north. The TF-5 reaches Puerto de la Cruz in about half an hour — see our page on car hire in Puerto de la Cruz if you're staying there. To the east, La Laguna and Santa Cruz are minutes away, and the Anaga massif unfurls its forests just above the capital.
Teide National Park is easily reached from the north too, via La Orotava and the TF-21, in about three-quarters of an hour. To plan the rest of your trip, head to our Canary Islands guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tenerife North Airport?
At Los Rodeos, between La Laguna and Santa Cruz, about 11 km from the capital. It mainly serves the north of the island and inter-island and domestic routes.
How far is Puerto de la Cruz from TFN?
Around 25 km, i.e. about 30 minutes by the TF-5 motorway. It's the best-placed airport for reaching Puerto de la Cruz and the north.
Is it better to hire at TFN or TFS?
At TFN if you're staying in the north (Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Santa Cruz), at TFS if you're in the southern resorts. The right airport saves a long transfer drive.
Is the choice of hire cars enough at Tenerife North?
Yes, but narrower than at Tenerife South. Local and international firms are present; book ahead, especially in summer, to secure the car and price.
Does the fog at TFN cause driving problems?
The airport is at altitude and often has low cloud. It doesn't stop you driving, but take extra care on the way out if visibility is reduced.
Can you reach Teide from the northern airport?
Yes. Via La Orotava then the TF-21, Teide National Park is about three-quarters of an hour away on surfaced roads.