Ferry El Hierro

When planning your trip on the El Hierro ferry, you can take advantage of fixed discounts available to specific passenger categories. Lower fares are typically available for:

• Children (4-11 years old)
• Young travelers (under 26)
• Senior travelers (60+ years old)
• Large families (Spanish citizens)

Additionally, residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to discounts on ferry tickets within the archipelago and between mainland Spain and the islands.

Note: infants and toddlers up to 3 years old normally travel for free.

On Ferryhopper, you can find the discount that suits you best for your ferry trip to or from El Hierro, compare offers, and book your tickets with no hidden fees.

Tenerife - El Hierro

The route from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife to El Hierro is served all year round, with 1-2 daily crossings. The journey with high-speed ferries usually takes 2 hr 20 min and tickets cost from around € 51.05.

La Gomera - El Hierro

You can sail from La Gomera to El Hierro year-round by high-speed ferry with an intermediate stop in Tenerife and occasionally with a direct crossing. The direct journey takes 2 hr, while the journey with a guaranteed connection via Tenerife takes 4.5+ hr, depending on waiting time. Ferry ticket prices start from about € 54.62.

Fred. Olsen Express serves the routes to El Hierro from Tenerife and La Gomera with a fleet of high-speed catamarans.

How much luggage can you take on the ferry to El Hierro?

When traveling with Fred. Olsen Express ferries in the Canary Islands, you can carry up to 20 kg of luggage. There are also trolleys to transport your bags and lockers for €1. Keep in mind that you can only have 1 piece of luggage in the lounge in addition to your handbag.

The duration of the El Hierro ferry trip ranges from 2 hr to 4.5+ hr, depending on the route. Here are indicative travel times for each route:

• Tenerife - El Hierro: usually 2 hr 20 min
• La Gomera - Tenerife: around 2 hr with the direct crossing, and at least 4 hr 35 min for journeys via Tenerife, depending on waiting time.

Which is the fastest route to El Hierro?

The fastest ferry route to El Hierro is usually from Tenerife, with the journey taking 2 hr 20 min. The route from La Gomera is generally served with an intermediate stop in Los Cristianos in Tenerife.

What is the cheapest ferry route to El Hierro?

The Tenerife - El Hierro crossing generally has the lowest fare, with ferry tickets costing from € 51.05.

Fares vary depending on the season, vessel, ticket type and availability. Book early if you are traveling in summer, during winter holidays or with a vehicle, as lower fares and car-deck spaces may sell out.

Which port of departure should I choose?

Los Cristianos in Tenerife is the only regular direct departure port for El Hierro and is therefore the most convenient choice. It offers year-round crossings, the shortest overall journey and ferries with car decks.

If you are traveling from La Gomera, you can generally reach El Hierro by connecting through Los Cristiano. Choose this option if you are already island-hopping, but check both ferry legs carefully and allow enough time for the transfer.

What other factors should I consider?

When planning and booking your ferry trip to El Hierro, keep these factors in mind:

• Seasonality: the direct Tenerife connection operates throughout the year, but schedules, frequency and fares may change during peak periods.
• Travel time vs price: the fastest departure may not offer the lowest fare, so compare operators and sailing times before booking.
• Departure times: some days have limited sailings, and connections from other islands may involve a long wait in Los Cristianos.
• Vehicles: ferries from Los Cristianos have car decks, but reserve early if you plan to bring a car, motorbike or camper van.

How much does it cost to bring my car to El Hierro?

The cost of transporting a vehicle depends on the route, vehicle type and travel dates, with prices starting at around €30 for a car, €10 for a motorbike and €40 for a campervan.

Can I take my campervan on the ferry to El Hierro?

Yes, the high-speed catamarans have car decks that can accommodate larger vehicles, such as campervans and motorhomes.

Fred. Olsen Express operates the El Hierro ferry routes with high-speed catamarans such as the Bentago Express. As the crossings from the neighboring Canary Islands are short, the onboard experience focuses on speed and comfort rather than overnight facilities.

Depending on the vessel, amenities include air-conditioned lounges, cafés, outdoor areas, Wi-Fi, children’s facilities and pet-friendly spaces. Vessel assignments can change, so check the services available for your sailing when booking.

Are there cabins on the ferries?

No, as the journey on the ferry to El Hierro is short, cabins are not available on the high-speed catamarans.

What type of seats can you book

Standard lounge seating is included in the ticket price for all ferries to El Hierro. The standard seats are unnumbered, so you can choose from available seats in the main lounge, family areas or café.

Can I travel first class?

Yes, Fred. Olsen also offers premium VIP seats in the Clase Oro lounge on its El Hierro catamarans. These seats have extra legroom and come with complimentary refreshments, USB ports to keep your devices charged, worktables and access to an exclusive lounge.

Accessibility

The ferries to El Hierro have barrier-free routes, adapted seats and toilets, wheelchair anchor points, Braille information and magnetic induction loops.

You can also request boarding assistance when booking or at least 48 hr before departure, so the crew can make necessary arrangements.

Note: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the ferry company at the time of booking for further details.

Can you take pets on the ferry to El Hierro?

Yes, pets are generally allowed on ferries to El Hierro, but they must be included in your booking. Remember to bring your pet’s health and travel documents, tickets and any pet supplies you may need for the trip..

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

On Fred. Olsen Express ferries to El Hierro, you have the following pet travel options:

• With you in a suitable carrier, for pets weighing up to 10 kg
• A mat beside your seat in a pet-friendly lounge
• In a ventilated outdoor kennel with camera monitoring

Is there Wi-Fi on the ferries?

Yes, free high-speed Wi-Fi access is usually available on the El Hierro ferry routes.

Is there entertainment on the ferries?

Yes, Fred. Olsen ferries also have a small outdoor area to enjoy the sea views, a shop with gifts, snacks and magazines, TVs in the lounge areas, and an online platform for movies, series, and games.

What travel documents do I need?

Ferry crossings to El Hierro are domestic journeys within Spain, so there are no international border formalities. However, every passenger must carry the valid identity document used for the booking, such as a national ID card, NIE or passport.

Important: photocopies and photographs of documents are not accepted.

How to book ferry tickets

You can easily book ferry tickets to El Hierro on Ferryhopper in just a few clicks:

• Select El Hierro as your destination, along with your port of departure and travel dates.
• Add passengers, pets, and vehicles.
• Compare ferry operators, travel times, and ticket prices.
• Complete your booking securely online.

Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive your ferry tickets by email. Ferryhopper lets you manage your booking, check for updates, and access customer support all in one place.

Check-in and boarding procedures

For a smooth boarding process, foot passengers should normally arrive at least 30 min before departure, while passengers with vehicles should allow around 1 hr.

Fred. Olsen Express closes boarding on inter-island routes:

• 20 min before departure for foot passengers
• 40 min before departure for passengers with vehicles

During the high season, when the ports get busier, it is best to arrive even earlier.

Can I board with an electronic ticket?

Yes, when booking your El Hierro ferry trip on Ferryhopper, you can easily check in online, get your tickets on your phone, and board the ferry directly with your e-ticket without collecting any paper tickets at the port.

El Hierro is the smallest and westernmost of the Canary Islands, known for its rugged coastline, hidden coves, natural pools, and protected forests. With mild weather throughout the year, the island is a very popular destination for winter holidays.

For more information and inspiration on things to see and do, check out our El Hierro travel guide.

Here are some useful travel tips for your El Hierro ferry trip:

• The sea can get a bit choppy, so if you are prone to seasickness, consider taking suitable medication before boarding and choose a seat near the center of the ferry, where movement is usually less noticeable.
• Cabins are not normally available on the ferry to El Hierro, but for a more comfortable ride, you can usually book a VIP seat.
• Keep medication, travel documents and other essentials with you, as access to the vehicle deck is not permitted during the crossing.
• If you are traveling to El Hierro through Los Cristianos from La Gomera or La Palma, leave enough time between ferries in case of schedule changes or delays.

Best time to book

Thanks to the mild climate of the Canary Islands, El Hierro enjoys great weather all year round, making it an ideal destination no matter the season.

If you plan to travel between June and September, or during the winter months and major festivities (Christmas, Easter, or long weekends), it’s a good idea to book your ferry tickets at least a few weeks in advance, as seats can fill up quickly. During these periods, ferries run more frequently but lower-priced tickets tend to sell out faster.

For the rest of the year, ferry traffic is usually calmer, so you can often book a few days before departure. Still, sunny weekends or popular long weekends may require booking a bit earlier.

Important: ferry schedules and ticket availability to El Hierro can vary by season, so make sure to always check the latest routes and offers on Ferryhopper before booking your trip.

Arrival

For a stress-free boarding experience, arrive at least:

• 30 min before departure if you are traveling without a vehicle
• 1 hr before departure if you are bringing a car, motorcycle or camper van

Allow additional time if you are traveling during the high season, need assistance or must validate documents for a resident, family or other discount.

El Hierro has 1 port that handles all passenger traffic, Puerto de La Estaca. The port is located on the northern side of the island, in the municipality of Valverde and next to the small coastal settlement of La Estaca. It is around 7 km from the island’s capital, Villa de Valverde and 8 km from El Hierro Airport.

How to get to El Hierro port

• By car: Puerto de La Estaca is about 10-15 min from both Valverde and El Hierro Airport. Follow the signs for La Estaca and the maritime terminal.
• By bus: TransHierro line 11 connects the port with Valverde every day, with departures normally aligned with ferry arrivals and departures. Line 7 also stops at Puerto de La Estaca and serves destinations along the nearby coast.
• By taxi: taxis connect the port with Valverde, El Hierro Airport and other parts of the island. The ride between the port and Valverde usually takes around 10-15 min.

Ferry route map

Below, you can see all active ferry connections to El Hierro, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.