Getting around Tenerife: car rental, scooter hire, and quad bikes

Getting around Tenerife: car rental, scooter hire, and quad bikes

One of the first questions people ask when planning a trip to Tenerife is whether they need to rent a vehicle. The answer depends on what you want to do. If you’re staying in the southern resorts (Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos) and only plan to use the beach, eat out, and do organised excursions with hotel pickup, you can get by without one. But if you want to explore the north coast, visit Masca, drive up to Teide, or reach the less touristy parts of the island, having your own wheels makes a huge difference.

Here’s what each option involves and who it’s best for.

Car rental

Renting a car is the most practical way to see the whole island. Tenerife is about 80 km long and you can drive from south to north in about an hour via the TF-1 and TF-5 motorways. The road network is good, well signposted, and most main routes are dual carriageway.

What to know before renting:

You drive on the right in Tenerife (same as mainland Spain and the rest of continental Europe). If you’re coming from the UK or Ireland, this takes some getting used to, especially on roundabouts and mountain roads.

Most rental cars are manual (stick shift). If you want automatic, specify it when booking. It usually costs a bit more and availability is limited.

You need a valid driving licence. EU licences are accepted. UK licences are accepted. International Driving Permits are technically required for some non-EU licences but rarely checked in practice.

Insurance is important. Basic third-party insurance is included in most rentals, but excess can be high (€800 to €1,500). You can either buy the rental company’s excess waiver or get independent excess cover before your trip, which is usually cheaper.

Fuel is cheaper in Tenerife than mainland Spain (the Canary Islands have lower taxes). Most stations accept card payment.

Parking in the southern resorts is generally fine (most hotels have parking). In Santa Cruz, La Laguna, and small northern towns, parking can be tight. Blue zone street parking requires payment during business hours.

Where to rent: There are rental agencies at both airports (Tenerife South and Tenerife North) and throughout the resort areas. Local companies often have better rates than international chains. Compare prices online before booking.

Best for: Families, groups, anyone who wants to explore beyond the resorts, multi-day trips to the north coast and Teide.

Scooter hire

Scooters are popular in the resort areas, especially for short trips around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, and Los Cristianos. They’re easier to park than cars, cheaper to rent, and fine for getting between beaches, restaurants, and shops within the south coast strip.

What to know:

For scooters up to 125cc, you need a valid driving licence (category B with at least 3 years experience in most EU countries, or category A1/A2 for UK licence holders). Rules vary by country of licence, so check with the rental company.

Helmets are mandatory for rider and passenger. The rental should provide them.

Scooters are great for the flat coastal areas but not ideal for mountain roads or the drive up to Teide. The TF-1 motorway doesn’t allow scooters under 125cc.

Most rental shops are on the main streets in Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas. Daily rates are typically €20 to €40 depending on the model and season.

A deposit is usually required (€100 to €300, held on your credit card).

Best for: Couples, solo travellers, short trips within the south coast, people who want easy parking without the cost of a full car rental.

Quad bikes

Quad bikes in Tenerife are mainly used for organised tours rather than independent rental. The most popular option is the Teide Quad Safari through CanaryVIP: a 3-hour guided tour starting from Chio or Guia de Isora, riding through volcanic landscapes, pine forests, and mountain villages on the way up towards Teide National Park.

The quads are fully automatic (no manual gear changing), so you don’t need previous experience. You do need a valid driving licence. Minimum age varies by tour. Helmets and gloves are provided. Morning and sunset departures available. Hotel pickup from south Tenerife included. From €98 per person.

Independent quad bike rental (where you ride unsupervised) does exist but is less common and usually limited to specific off-road circuits rather than public roads.

Best for: Anyone who wants the thrill of riding a quad through Tenerife’s volcanic landscape without the hassle of navigating alone. Groups and couples. People who want an alternative to a standard bus tour of Teide.

Do you actually need a vehicle?

If you’re staying in the south and booking excursions through CanaryVIP, most activities include hotel pickup and drop-off. That covers:

Boat trips and whale watching (depart from Puerto Colon, pickup included on most tours).

Teide guided bus tour (hotel pickup, full day, optional cable car).

Teide Quad Safari (hotel pickup from south Tenerife).

Teide stargazing tour (hotel pickup, evening).

Jet ski tours (hotel pickup on most tours).

North Tenerife guided tours (hotel pickup, full day).

For days when you’re not on an excursion, TITSA buses connect the main resort areas, and taxis are widely available (though not cheap for longer distances).

The honest answer: rent a car for 2 to 3 days if you want to explore independently (Anaga, Masca, north coast, Garachico, La Orotava). Use excursions with pickup for the rest. You don’t need a car for the entire trip.

For more on driving in Tenerife (roads, speed limits, mountain driving, parking), see our driving guide.

Explore Tenerife with CanaryVIP

Don’t want to drive? Most of our excursions include hotel pickup. CanaryVIP offers guided tours, boat trips, water sports, and adventure activities across Tenerife. Every booking includes our Best Price Guarantee.

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