Cheap flights to Canary Islands, Spain

Canary Islands Travel Guide

 The Canary Islands off the coast of Spain are a delight for sun-worshippers, outdoors enthusiasts, and shoppers alike.

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. Sun-kissed beaches and exciting resorts promise good times for party-lovers and families alike. But away from the usual tourist haunts is an island of infinitely natural beauty.

The snow-capped summit of Mount Teide – Spain’s highest mountain at almost 13,100 feet above sea-level – rises from the center of Tenerife, providing an unforgettable backdrop. In Teide National Park (the most visited national park in Spain), the Corona Forestal Nature Park and the Anaga and Teno Rural Parks show off Tenerife’s remarkable diversity. More than 600 types of flora and fauna are unique to this part of the world.

A wide variety of wildlife and terrain calls Tenerife home; from rugged rocky coves and lush greenery in the north, to warm, dry beach resort areas in the south. Visitors will also find a cosmopolitan experience in the thriving capital city of Santa Cruz, a haven for bargain shoppers looking for tax-free merchandise.

Home of the Canary Islands’ capital city, Santa Cruz, Tenerife is a great place to visit as a family, with your partner, or on your own. There’s a wide range of resorts offering a variety of accommodations and entrainment options, as well as a number of natural attractions such as Mount Teide, the highest Spanish peak, and the surrounding National Park.

The island is a gastronome’s delight with plenty of locally sourced fresh fish, a wine trade dating back to the 16th century, and a healthy cheese export industry. There are also ample opportunities for shopping, visiting museums, checking out ancient churches, taking a day trip to one of the wildlife or aqua parks, or simply relaxing and soaking up the sun.

The laws of Tenerife state that drinking, driving and smoking are only permitted by those who are 18 years or older, and drivers must obey the same laws that are enforced in Spain. There is also a law preventing private property rental to tourists, so any visitor is advised to seek accommodations from commercial sources.

What’s the weather like in the Canary Islands?

 The Canary Islands are known as the islands of eternal springtime and Tenerife is no exception. There is little difference among seasons here in terms of temperature. It’s rarely lower than 59 degrees in December through February and hovers around 80 June through August. But if you venture inland to Teide National Park, the high altitude provides an average annual temperature of only 48 degrees.

How long is the flight to the Canary Islands?

Flight lengths into the Canary Islands depend on your starting location, and the total time may vary slightly if you have to take a transfer plane from the Madrid Barajas International Airport to the Islands. In general, flights from Los Angeles, California are approximately 12 hours including transfer time, and flights from New York are around 7 hours with transfer time. Flights from Florida run around 8 hours, while flights from Washington are approximately 11 hours. If you’re flying into the Canary Islands from London, plan to be in the air for just under 5 hours.

Which airlines fly to the Canary Islands?

Each of the Canary Islands has its own airport, and each airport serves a variety of international carriers. If you’re flying from North America, you must first fly to the Madrid International Airport and take a connecting flight to the islands. Madrid Barajas International Airport serves multiple U.S. and International carriers, so you should have no problem booking your flight. Airlines served by Madrid Barajas International Airport include American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, British Airways, Air France and Turkish Airlines. The airport also serves several charter airlines for transfers to the Canary Islands.

The main airports on the Canary Islands are Tenerife Norte and Tenerife Sur.  Tenerife Norte handles all of the inter-island flights and flights to Spain, while Tenerife Sur serves the international carriers, including Air France, British Airways, Air Europa and Brussels Airlines.

 What should you pack for a flight to the Canary Islands?

 The Canary Islands reside in a tropical climate, with perfect temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout spring and summer. Temperatures dip down to around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months. While it doesn’t snow in the Canary Islands, rain is common, with the wettest month being December.

If you’re traveling to the Canary Islands for spring break or a summer holiday, pack cool, light, summer clothes to wear during the day, and include a few sweaters or a light jacket for when the temperatures drop at night. For winter trips, pack a rain parka, an umbrella, long pants and a few light jackets. The sun is at its hottest during late morning and early afternoon, so make sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat if you plan to spend a lot of time on the beach.

Additional items you may wish to pack include a swimsuit, a fanny pack to hold your phone, money and other essentials, travel-sized toiletries and a travel-sized first aid kit. It’s also a good idea to pack some snacks and reading materials in your carry-on bag, especially if you have to transfer planes in Madrid.

 Getting to and around the Canary Islands

 Tenerife (South):

Tenerife has two airports, one in the north of the island and one in the south. Generally, most people fly into the south to visit Los Cristianos, Las Americas and Costa Adeje, among other tourist hot spots. You’ll also find cheap flight tickets easier to come by for the southern airport. That said, you can find your way to Santa Cruz, the capital of the island, quite easily. Bus routes 111 and 343 both operate directly from the airport and go to the major tourist stops in the south before venturing off into the north of the island. Once your flights to the Canary Islands land you can decide which route would be better suited for you, depending on your destination. You could also look into adding on hotel transfers, which can help reduce any hassle once you land. Lastly you can jump into a taxi, although these will set you back a bit more money than the bus they are also convenient and an effective way to travel.

Lanzarote:

The airport is only 3.5 miles away from the capital city of Arrecife and the easiest way to get there is to hail a taxi from outside of arrivals. You’re best to try and book these online during the peak months of the year though as there can be long lines of people waiting for a taxi. Another option is to secure a transfer with your hotel once you have booked your flights to the Canary Islands and then just wait to be picked up upon arrival. You can find public buses outside of Terminal 2 which will take you to Arrecife in around 15 minutes. If you need to go to Costa Teguise or anywhere else on the island, you’ll need to travel to the bus station in Arrecife first and then find your next bus from there.

 Gran Canaria:

Your transportation options are slightly more limited with the airport in Gran Canaria, although your best bet is to try and pre-arrange transport with your hotel before you leave. Once you’ve secured your flights to Gran Canaria you can look into which hotel offers the service and go from there. If that seems too pricey then you can hail a taxi from outside of the airport. Finally, you could take a bus; thought these aren’t overly frequent and you may find yourself waiting awhile.

 What are some things to do in the Canary Islands?

 The Canary Islands are a unique vacation spot, as each island has something to offer. The Inter-Island ferry makes it easy to island hop and take in all the sights and sounds of the entire archipelago, so you won’t miss a thing.

For a fun day on one of the archipelago’s most popular beaches, take the ferry over to Playa de Mas Palomas on Gran Canaria Island. Explore the amazing natural sand dunes and visit the historic lighthouse that dates back to 1890. When you’re done sightseeing, slip on your bathing suit and head to the beautiful ocean shore. Soak up the sun, then cool off in the crystal blue water.

If you’re hoping to go home with some amazing souvenirs or some island fashions, spend the day in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria Island. This quaint little town offers beautiful architecture and tree-lined streets with shops and cafes at every corner. Peruse the boutiques on Calle Triana Street, then stop by one of the many cafes for a sweet treat or some authentic Spanish cuisine. When you’ve finished shopping and dining, stop by Las Palmas’ oldest cathedral, the Catedral de Santa Ana. Built in the 1500s, the architecture of this structure is a must-see.

For an invigorating hike combined with beautiful scenery in one of Spain’s most popular natural attractions, visit Caldera de Taburiente National Park on La Palma Island. The scenery in Caldera de Taburiente National Park is so absolutely breathtaking, that some people say photos can’t do it justice, it is something that must be physically experienced. Pack a lunch and plenty of water, and explore the hiking trails that sit surrounded by volcanic peaks and pine groves. Before you venture off on your own, stop by the El Paso Visitor’s Center at the park entrance for a map and information on the trails. If you’re not in the mood for a hike, you can also drive up to some of the peaks and marvel at the views.

Tips for your stay in the Canary Islands

• February is Carnival time on the island. The Tenerife Carnival takes place mainly in Santa Cruz and is held in the weeks leading up to Lent, rivalling Rio in terms of size and spectacle. The party culminates in a parade through town when the ritual of the Burial of the Sardine takes place. For this tradition, a huge model sardine is carried through the streets followed by weeping mourners, and is eventually burned, marking the end of the festivities.
• Tenerife’s capital city of Santa Cruz boasts a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere, and visitors are spoiled when it comes to the variety of activities at their disposal. This is one of Spain’s largest ports, with plenty of leafy parks, tax-free shopping, historical theatres, and both white and black sand beaches. The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa is definitely worth a visit. This Artistic Historical Monument features merchant galleries of all varieties surrounding a central courtyard and clock tower.
• Catch the cable car up to the top of El Teide, one of the world’s largest volcanoes and the highest point in the Atlantic Ocean. The peak of the volcano offers spectacular views over Tenerife and the rest of the archipelago. And the high altitude dictates the volcano is snow-capped for much of the winter; a stark contrast to the warm, sunny beaches below.

Finding Flights from the Canary Islands

 Planning on extending your trip past the Canary Islands? Both the Madrid Barajas International Airport and the main airports on the island serve many of the major carriers, Cheapflights can help you find the right outbound ticket to suit your travel needs.

If you need transportation to the airport, Tenerife Airport Shuttles and Holiday Taxi offer convenient pick-up from your hotel or lodging accommodations. The Canary Islands Shuttle Service also provides transportation to the airport on each of the islands. If you’re traveling into the U.S. and need to catch a transfer flight from Madrid, there are two ferry routes that run between Madrid and Grand Canaria, the main island in the archipelago. Once you arrive in Madrid, taxis and city buses are readily available to assist you with the rest of your journey. If you plan on taking a city bus, make sure to give yourself a few hours’ extra time to ensure you meet your connecting flight.