Hiring a Car in Los Cristianos, Tenerife
A former fishing village turned beach resort, Los Cristianos is also home to the south's main port, and car hire in Los Cristianos is easily arranged around these two strengths. Tenerife South airport is a quarter of an hour away, and the port links La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. This guide complements our car hire in Tenerife with the detail specific to Los Cristianos: where to hire, prices, and the link with the ferries.
The essentials at a glance
- Tenerife South airport (TFS) is ~15 km, i.e. about 15 minutes by the TF-1.
- Los Cristianos port: ferries to La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma (Fred. Olsen, Naviera Armas).
- Resort merges with Playa de las Américas: local and international agencies nearby.
- Mind the parking near the port if you combine the car with a ferry day trip.
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.
Where to hire a car in Los Cristianos?
The widest choice is still at Tenerife South airport, a quarter of an hour away by the TF-1; see our page on car hire at Tenerife South Airport. In the resort, several agencies also let you hire a car in Los Cristianos, handy if you're staying there and for exploring the rest of the island.
As Los Cristianos adjoins Playa de las Américas, an agency in the neighbouring resort works just as well: see if needed our page on car hire in Playa de las Américas.
Hiring a car and taking the ferry to the other islands
Los Cristianos is the south's main port: regular ferries (Fred. Olsen, Naviera Armas) serve La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. Many travellers combine Tenerife with one of these islands, and the question of the vehicle then arises.
Two approaches: leave the hire car in Tenerife and travel on foot for the day, or check with the firm whether the vehicle may go on the ferry — often barred by standard contracts, or subject to authorisation. Confirm this before booking if you plan to cross with the car.
Exploring from Los Cristianos
The resort is well placed for the south and west: Costa Adeje beaches minutes away, Los Gigantes cliffs about half an hour, and Teide National Park just over an hour by the TF-38 via Vilaflor.
Tips for paying less
As everywhere in the south, car hire in Los Cristianos should be booked early in peak season; compare firms and check what's included. If you're planning a ferry day, factor in the parking near the port.
To plan the rest of your trip, head to our Canary Islands guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where to hire a car in Los Cristianos?
At Tenerife South airport, about 15 minutes away, where the choice is widest, or in the resort itself, where several local and international agencies are based.
Can you take a hire car on the ferry from Los Cristianos?
It's often barred by standard contracts or subject to the firm's authorisation. Confirm before booking if you plan to cross to La Gomera, El Hierro or La Palma with the car.
Which ferries leave from Los Cristianos?
Regular services (Fred. Olsen, Naviera Armas) serve La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma from Los Cristianos port, at the heart of the resort.
How much does hire cost in Los Cristianos?
Around €20-35/day off-season and €40-70/day in summer, depending on category. The nearby airport is often the most competitive.
What can you visit by car from Los Cristianos?
The Costa Adeje beaches, the Los Gigantes cliffs (~30 min) and Teide National Park (just over an hour by the TF-38 via Vilaflor).