SpainCanary IslandsWinter sunChecked Oct 2026

London to Tenerife for Winter Sun

Tenerife is one of the most reliable winter sun escapes from the UK, with daytime highs around 20–22°C on the coast from December to February. This guide covers flights from London, getting from the airport to your resort, north vs south, and visiting Mount Teide.

20–22°CTypical winter daytime highs
Tenerife South (TFS)Best airport from London
~4h 30mDirect flight time

The short answer

Fly direct from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton to Tenerife South (TFS), about 4h 15m–4h 40m. From the airport, TITSA bus 40 runs to Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje in about 40 minutes, or a taxi takes 15–30 minutes. Heading to Puerto de la Cruz in the north? Take bus 343 or hire a car.

Winter sun essentials

Tenerife has two quite different coasts, and Mount Teide sits in the middle.

Weather

Coastal daytime highs are usually around 20–22°C from December to February, with nights around 15°C. The sea is cool but swimmable, about 19–20°C. November and December are the rainiest months, mostly in short showers.

North vs south

The south (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas) is sunnier, drier and warmer, with calmer beaches. The north (Puerto de la Cruz) is greener, more Spanish in feel and gets more cloud and rain, plus bigger winter swells.

Mount Teide cable car

Book timed tickets online in advance; a return costs €42 for adults. The ride takes about 8 minutes up to 3,555 m. It often closes in high winds in winter, so leave a spare day. Reaching the 3,718 m summit needs a separate permit from the National Park, booked well ahead.

Good to know

Pack layers for Teide: it can be below freezing at the top and snow is possible in winter, even when the coast is warm. Tenerife uses the euro.

Every way to get there

From London to Tenerife, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly to Tenerife South, then bus or taxi

Best for most
Door to door6–7h
£ Cost£
Best forSouth coast resorts
  1. London to Tenerife South (TFS)About 4h 15m–4h 40m direct. easyJet and British Airways fly from Gatwick, Ryanair and Jet2 from Stansted, and easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 from Luton; Jet2 also flies from Gatwick. British Airways has also listed some Heathrow flights. Typical return fares are around £80–£300, more at Christmas and half-term. Check current schedules.
  2. TITSA bus 40 to Los Cristianos and Costa AdejeAbout 40 minutes to Costa Adeje bus station, roughly every 30 minutes in the daytime; the last bus usually leaves around 21:40, with limited late-night service on line 711. Fares start around €3.70. Check the TITSA winter timetable.
  3. Or take a taxiMetered taxis wait outside arrivals: about 15–20 minutes and €20–€30 to Los Cristianos, or 20–30 minutes and €25–€40 to Costa Adeje. Fares are higher at night and on Sundays.
Compare LGW–TFS flightsTransfer options: Tenerife South Airport → Costa Adeje

Stansted and Luton often have the cheapest fares, but compare with Gatwick once you add bags.

2

Fly to Tenerife South and hire a car

Families
Door to door6–7h
£ Cost££
Best forExploring Teide and the north
  1. London to Tenerife South (TFS)About 4h 15m–4h 40m direct from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.
  2. Pick up a hire car at the airportSeveral firms have desks in the terminal, including Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz and Record Go. Typical rates run from about €15 to €50 a day depending on season and car size. Book early for Christmas and February half-term.
  3. Drive to your baseCosta Adeje is about 20–30 minutes away on the TF-1 motorway. Puerto de la Cruz in the north is about 1h 15m.
Compare STN–TFS flightsPlan the drive

A car makes a Teide day trip much easier: from the southern resorts it's roughly 45 minutes to 1h 30m up to the cable car base station via Vilaflor.

3

Fly to Tenerife South, then bus 343 to Puerto de la Cruz

Door to door8–9h
£ Cost£
Best forStaying in the north without a car
  1. London to Tenerife South (TFS)About 4h 15m–4h 40m direct from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.
  2. TITSA bus 343 to Puerto de la CruzAbout 1h 20m–1h 30m to Puerto de la Cruz bus station, via Tenerife North airport. Only a few departures a day each way, so check the timetable against your flight. Around €13.55 cash, less with a TenMás travel card.
  3. Or a taxiAbout 60–75 minutes and typically €100–€130.
Compare LGW–TFS flightsTransfer options: Tenerife South Airport → Puerto de la Cruz
4

Fly to Tenerife North via Madrid or Barcelona

Door to door8–10h
£ Cost££
Best forPuerto de la Cruz and La Laguna
  1. London to Madrid or BarcelonaThere are no regular direct flights from London to Tenerife North (TFN), so you'll need to change in mainland Spain. Iberia and Vueling, among others, fly from London to Madrid and Barcelona. Check current schedules.
  2. Madrid or Barcelona to Tenerife North (TFN)Iberia, Vueling, Air Europa and Binter fly to Tenerife North from mainland Spain. Book as one ticket where possible so you're protected if the first flight is late.
  3. Tenerife North to Puerto de la CruzBus 343 continues from the airport to Puerto de la Cruz, or take a taxi.
Compare LHR–TFN flights

Usually only worth it if you're staying in the north and find a good fare; most people are better off flying direct to TFS.

5

Trains to southern Spain, then the ferry

Flight-free
Door to door3–4 days
£ Cost£££
Best forAvoiding flying
  1. London to Huelva or Cádiz by trainEurostar to Paris, then trains via Barcelona and Madrid to Seville, and on to Huelva or Cádiz. Most people stop overnight on the way.
  2. Ferry to Santa Cruz de TenerifeFred. Olsen Express sails from Huelva a few times a week, and Baleària from Cádiz about once a week. Direct crossings take around 32 hours. Fares start from roughly €115–€125 one way; cabins cost extra. Check current sailings.
  3. Santa Cruz to your resortTITSA buses run from Santa Cruz to the south coast and to Puerto de la Cruz. Check timetables.
Train times: London → HuelvaFerries Huelva–Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Make this part of the trip rather than just a way to get there, and check sailing days before booking the trains.

Where to stay in Costa Adeje

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Costa Adeje

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly to Tenerife South, then bus or taxi6–7h£South coast resorts
Fly to Tenerife South and hire a car6–7h££Exploring Teide and the north
Fly to Tenerife South, then bus 343 to Puerto de la Cruz8–9h£Staying in the north without a car
Fly to Tenerife North via Madrid or Barcelona8–10h££Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna
Trains to southern Spain, then the ferry3–4 days£££Avoiding flying

Where to stay

Pick your base by the kind of holiday you want: the sunny south or the greener north.

Your base

Costa Adeje

The best bet for reliable sun, with calm beaches, plenty of hotels and an easy 40-minute bus ride from Tenerife South on line 40.

Hotels in Costa Adeje
15–20 min from TFS

Los Cristianos

A former fishing town with a sheltered beach, a busy promenade and ferries to La Gomera. Very handy for the airport and well served by buses.

Hotels in Los Cristianos
North coast

Puerto de la Cruz

A traditional resort with a historic old town, Lago Martiánez pools and a more Spanish feel. Expect more cloud and the odd shower in winter, but greener scenery and quicker access to La Laguna.

Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz
West coast

Los Gigantes

A quieter base below dramatic sea cliffs. There's no direct airport bus: change at Costa Adeje bus station, or hire a car.

Hotels in Los Gigantes

Local tip: Book the Teide cable car for early in your trip so you can rebook if wind closes it.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

How long is the flight from London to Tenerife?

About 4h 15m–4h 40m direct to Tenerife South, depending on the airport and airline.

Which London airports fly to Tenerife?

Gatwick, Stansted and Luton all have regular direct flights to Tenerife South with airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways. British Airways has also listed some Heathrow flights. Check current schedules.

Is Tenerife warm enough in winter?

Yes, for most people. Coastal highs are usually around 20–22°C from December to February, with plenty of sun in the south. Evenings are cooler, so bring a light jacket.

Is the north or south of Tenerife better in winter?

The south (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos) is sunnier and drier. The north (Puerto de la Cruz) is greener and more traditional but gets more cloud and rain.

How do I get from Tenerife South Airport to Costa Adeje?

TITSA bus 40 runs to Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje in about 40 minutes for a few euros, or a taxi takes 20–30 minutes and typically costs €25–€40.

Do I need to book the Teide cable car?

It's strongly recommended. Book timed tickets online in advance; the summit itself needs a separate permit from the National Park. The cable car often closes in strong winds in winter.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.