Driving in Tenerife With Kids: Easy Family Holiday or Unnecessary Stress?

If you're wondering whether driving in Tenerife with kids is an easy way to explore the island or just an unnecessary hassle, you're not alone. It was one of the first things we debated when planning our family holiday.

The short answer? We hired a car for part of our trip and were really glad we did, but it isn't essential for every family.

This guide is for parents trying to decide whether to hire a car in Tenerife or rely on taxis, transfers and organised tours. I'll share our honest experience of driving on the island with our 7-year-old son Joshua, what the roads and parking were really like, how much it cost and when a car is genuinely worth it.

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Quick Answer: Do You Need a Car in Tenerife With Kids?

Not necessarily, but it can make a big difference.

We hired a car for just two days rather than the whole trip. Because we were staying in an all-inclusive hotel with plenty to do, we didn't feel we needed one the entire time. However, if we'd been in self-catered accommodation or planned to explore more, having a car for the full holiday would have been worthwhile.

Would we do it again? Definitely. We love the freedom a car gives us. It allowed us to arrive early at Siam Park and beat the queues, explore further parts of the island, and fit in quick activities like go karting that we probably wouldn't have bothered with if we'd been relying on taxis.

Ultimately, it depends on your hotel location and how much you want to explore. If you're happy staying around the resort, simply grab a taxi from the airport and don't worry about a car. If you want to see more of Tenerife, a hire car opens up the island.

Why We Considered Hiring a Car in Tenerife

We were staying in one hotel for the whole trip, so a car wasn't essential for getting to and from our accommodation.

The main reason we considered hiring one was because we wanted to explore the island and do several activities across a couple of days, rather than being tied to the hotel. We had our eye on Siam Park, kayaking and go karting, all of which involved travelling to different parts of the island.

We also looked at the cost. Car hire wasn't expensive, especially as we only needed a small runaround. While individual taxi journeys might have worked out cheaper in isolation, the car gave us something taxis couldn't: the flexibility to set our own schedule, come and go as we pleased and avoid waiting around with a child in tow.

We hired ours locally because it wasn't pre-planned, and that worked fine. However, when I do plan ahead, I like to use Booking.com to compare prices and make sure I'm booking with a reputable company that has good reviews.

What Driving in Tenerife Was Actually Like

Roads and Navigation

Driving in Tenerife felt surprisingly familiar and, on the whole, very easy.

The main roads and motorways were well maintained and simple to navigate, much like driving in the UK, just on the opposite side of the road. Road signs were clear and generally easy to follow, using standard European symbols.

For navigation, we picked up an Airalo eSIM before we travelled, which gave us affordable mobile data without any expensive roaming charges. We then simply used Google Maps to get around, which worked perfectly throughout.

Honestly, none of the roads felt particularly stressful. The busier resort areas required a little more concentration, but nothing that would put off a confident driver.

Parking

Parking was mostly straightforward, with a couple of things worth knowing.

At our hotel, parking came with a €15 per night charge, which we decided to avoid by parking for free on the road nearby. Spaces directly outside were limited, so we did have to make a short five-minute walk from where we parked, but it wasn't a major inconvenience.

At the attractions, parking was much easier. Places like Siam Park and the go karting track had plenty of parking available, so we never struggled to find a space.

Overall, parking was fine. Just be aware that many hotels charge for it, so it's worth factoring that into your budget or checking whether there's free parking nearby.

Driving With Children

Driving with kids always requires a little extra planning.

Joshua was 7 at the time, so he still needed a car seat. We took his Trunki BoostApak backpack, which doubles as a booster seat. You can rent car seats with the hire car, but we always prefer to bring our own just in case, and it doubles up as hand luggage on the flight.

Snacks and water are an absolute must. It seems that no matter how short the journey, boredom, and therefore hunger, sets in about five minutes after setting off, so we always keep supplies handy.

The good news is that Tenerife isn't a huge island, measuring roughly 80km across at its widest point. Most of the popular resorts and attractions in the south are fairly close together, so journey times were rarely an issue. You can drive from the south to the north in around an hour, but for most family activities we were only travelling short distances.

One practical point: if you hold a UK photocard driving licence, you won't need an International Driving Permit to hire a car and drive in Tenerife, as it's part of Spain. Just make sure you bring your physical licence, as well as any documentation your hire company requests.

Swimming at Siam Park

Enjoying a day out at Siam Park

When Hiring a Car in Tenerife Makes Sense

A hire car is likely to be worth it if:

• You want to explore beyond your hotel

• You're planning several activities in different areas

• You're staying somewhere less central

• You want flexibility around children's moods and nap times

• You'd rather not rely on group transfers or fixed schedules

If any of these apply, the freedom of having your own car can genuinely improve your holiday. For more help deciding where to base yourself, see Where to Stay in Tenerife With Kids.

When You Might Not Need a Car

On the other hand, you can happily skip the car if:

• You plan to spend most of your time at the hotel

• Your excursions already include transfers

• You're only really interested in visiting Siam Park

• You'd rather avoid the stress of parking and driving

• You're happy using taxis for the occasional trip

Plenty of families have a fantastic all-inclusive holiday without ever getting behind the wheel, so there's no pressure to hire one if it doesn't suit your plans.

Go Karting in Tenerife

Kayaking in Tenerife

Car Hire vs Transfers in Tenerife

Cost

Car hire in Tenerife was reasonably priced. We paid roughly £22-£30 per day depending on the vehicle, and we only needed a small car for a couple of days.

Compared to booking multiple taxis or private transfers to different attractions, we felt the car offered great value for money, particularly once you factor in the flexibility.

Convenience

For us, having a car was simply more convenient.

Even though Tenerife isn't a large island, most activities still require driving between them. Over our two days, we visited Siam Park, went kayaking and tried go karting, all of which would have meant arranging separate taxis or transfers.

Having the car meant everything was on our terms. For inspiration on what's worth doing, see The Tenerife Excursions We'd Book Again (And Which We Wouldn't).

Flexibility

This was the biggest benefit.

Having a car for a few days made a huge difference to our ability to see more of the island and fit in day trips. It was especially valuable for places like Siam Park, where arriving early really is a must to beat the crowds.

It isn't essential, but it made everything a little easier because we could come and go as we pleased rather than working around taxi availability or transfer times. For more on why timing matters, see Siam Park Tenerife Review With Kids: Is It Really Worth the Hype?

Stress Factor

Honestly, having a car didn't add or reduce stress for us. We genuinely enjoyed the freedom it gave us, and the driving itself was easy.

The only minor frustration was parking near the hotel, simply because we chose not to pay the nightly parking fee and instead parked a short walk away. It was a small trade-off for saving money, and certainly nothing that spoiled the trip.

Beach Days in Tenerife

Eating Ice Creams in Tenerife

What About Public Transport in Tenerife?

If you decide against hiring a car, or only want one for part of your trip like we did, you'll be pleased to know Tenerife has a genuinely good public transport network.

Buses (Guaguas)

The island's main form of public transport is the bus, run by a company called TITSA. Locally, buses are known as "guaguas" (pronounced "wah-wahs"). The green TITSA buses are modern, clean, air-conditioned and, in many cases, of a higher standard than we're used to in the UK.

The network is extensive, covering both airports, the main resorts and towns, and even routes up to Mount Teide. Popular tourist routes include the 111 and 711, which connect Santa Cruz with the southern resorts via Tenerife South Airport, and the 342, which runs from Costa Adeje up to Teide.

Single tickets start from around €1.45, and you can pay the driver by cash or contactless card. However, if you plan to use the bus regularly, it's worth buying a rechargeable ten+ card (around €2 from stations, machines and shops), which offers discounts of roughly 20-30% per journey.

For planning journeys, we'd recommend downloading the TITSA app or simply using Google Maps, both of which show live timetables and routes.

The Tram

There's also a modern tram (Tranvía) network, but it only operates in the north of the island, connecting Santa Cruz with La Laguna. If you're staying in the popular southern resorts, the tram won't be relevant to your trip.

Is There Uber in Tenerife?

This is a question we're often asked, and the answer is: not really.

Standard Uber is not widely available in Tenerife. Uber has launched in a very limited form in Santa Cruz, but it mainly offers luxury cars or metered taxis rather than the budget-friendly service most travellers are used to.

The good news is that Tenerife has plenty of official taxis, which are white and metered. You can find taxi ranks outside both airports and in all the main tourist areas. If you'd prefer to book through an app, Cabify is the most widely used ride-hailing app on the island and works in a similar way to Uber.

One important tip: only use official white taxis with a licence medallion on the side. Some unofficial private services use the word "taxi" but won't charge the regulated metered rate.

Siam Park Beach Area

Driving in Tenerife

Would We Hire a Car Again in Tenerife?

Yes, without hesitation.

For a hotel-based holiday like ours, I'd recommend hiring a car for around 2-3 days, which gives you enough time to fit in the main activities and a bit of exploring. If your trip is more focused on exploring the island, or you're staying in self-catered accommodation and need easy access to shops, then hiring one for the whole trip makes more sense.

We hired ours locally because it wasn't pre-planned, and that worked fine. However, when I do plan ahead, I like to use Booking.com to compare prices and make sure I'm booking with a reputable company that has good reviews.

If you're planning to leave the hotel several times, I'd compare car hire costs before you travel rather than deciding after you arrive, as booking ahead often works out cheaper and gives you more choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need to Drive on the Left or Right in Tenerife?

In Tenerife, you drive on the right-hand side of the road, the same as mainland Spain and most of Europe. If you're used to driving in the UK, it takes a little getting used to at first, but the main roads and motorways are well maintained and easy to navigate. We found it very similar to driving anywhere else in Europe.

Is It Easy to Drive in Tenerife With Kids?

Yes, we found driving in Tenerife with kids straightforward. The roads are good, journey times are generally short and most family attractions in the south are fairly close together. Just remember to pack plenty of snacks and water, bring a suitable car seat or booster for younger children, and use a navigation app such as Google Maps to keep things stress-free.

Do I Need an International Driving Permit to Drive in Tenerife?

If you hold a UK photocard driving licence, you do not need an International Driving Permit to drive in Tenerife, as it's part of Spain. Just make sure you bring your physical licence along with any documents your hire car company requests. If you hold a licence from outside the EU, it's worth checking the specific requirements before you travel.

How Much Does Car Hire Cost in Tenerife?

Car hire in Tenerife is generally affordable. When we visited, a small hire car cost around £22-£30 per day, though prices vary depending on the season, vehicle type and how far in advance you book. Booking early, especially during school holidays, usually gives you the best choice and the best value.

Is It Worth Hiring a Car in Tenerife for a Week?

It depends on your plans. If you're staying in an all-inclusive hotel with plenty to do, you may only need a car for 2-3 days to explore and reach key attractions. However, if you're staying in self-catered accommodation, plan to explore the island regularly, or want easy access to shops and beaches, hiring a car for the full week is likely to be worthwhile.

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About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.