Ferry from Tenerife to El Hierro
Tickets, prices & schedulesYou can travel by ferry from Tenerife to El Hierro throughout the year, with up to 3 daily crossings. The journey from Los Cristianos to the port of La Estaca takes just under 2.5 hr, and ferry tickets start at around €51.
Naviera Armas and Fred. Olsen Express server the ferry connection between the Canary Islands with high-speed ferries . Find up-to-date info, compare ferry timetables and prices, and book your ferry tickets to the Canaries on Ferryhopper without hidden fees.
Discounts
On Ferryhopper, you can find the discount that suits you best for your ferry trip from Tenerife to El Hierro! For instance, you can take advantage of the Canary Islands resident discount and save up to 75-85%.
Here are some passenger categories that are entitled to discounts up to 50% on ferry tickets from Tenerife to El Hierro:
- Children (4-11 years old)
- Young travelers (<26 years old)
- Senior travelers (60+ years old)
- Large families (3 or 4+ children, Spanish citizens)
- Residents of the Canary Islands
Note: infants and toddlers up to 3 years old normally travel free of charge.
On-board services and amenities
The ferries running from Tenerife to El Hierro are mainly high-speed. The vessels are equipped with modern facilities offering a comfortable and relaxed journey. On board, you can normally find:
- Seating in air-conditioned lounges
- Snack bars
- Pet-friendly areas
- Car decks
- Amenities for travelers with disabilities
Cabins and accommodation
The journey from Tenerife to El Hierro is quite short, so there are no cabins on the ferries serving the route. Standard onboard seating is included in the ticket price, however you upgrade your booking with priority boarding or book a reclining seat in the VIP lounge, which includes priority boarding and and access to an exclusive area.
Prices for priority boarding seats start at around €70, while tickets for the VIP lounge cost from about €90.
Luggage
Each ferry company serving this route has its own baggage allowance policy. Specifically:
- With Naviera Armas, each passenger can carry a maximum of 60 kg in luggage or 4 items in total. The company also offers trolleys to transport them.
- On Fred. Olsen Express ferries, 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 handbags.
Pet travel
Pets are allowed on ferries from Tenerife to El Hierro, provided you include them in your booking. During the journey, your pet must be kept in a carrier or on a leash and wearing a muzzle.
Don’t forget to bring along the necessary health documents, tickets and any pet supplies you may need for the journey.
Good to know: for more information, you can check out our guide on traveling with your pet in Spain.
Useful tips for your ferry trip to El Hierro from Tenerife
- The port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife can get busy, especially in the summer, so make sure you get there at least 45 min before your departure. If you are traveling with a vehicle, it's recommended to be there at least 1.5 hr in advance.
- The sea can get a bit choppy, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication before the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
- Love hiking? Then lace up your boots, fill up your water canteen and check out the most scenic hiking routes in El Hierro!
- For peace of mind, book your return trip on the El Hierro - Tenerife ferry in advance to secure your preferred travel time and date.
- Apart from the ferry route to El Hierro, Tenerife is a perfect starting point for island hopping in the Canaries to La Palma, Gran Canaria and more! On our Map of ferries you can visualize and plan your trip, compare routes and book your tickets in just a few clicks.
Where to take the ferry from Tenerife to El Hierro
Ferries to El Hierro normally set sail from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife, on the south coast of the island. The port is approximately 14 km from Tenerife South Airport and 79 km from Tenerife North Airport, making it especially convenient if you are staying in the south or flying in.
The port area is compact and easy to navigate, with useful traveler amenities such as cafés, restaurants, ATMs, ticket offices, parking areas, and car rental agencies. The beachfront promenade and town center are just a short walk away, where you will find supermarkets, pharmacies, boutiques, and a wide range of hotels.
How to get to Los Cristianos port
Getting to the Port of Los Cristianos is straightforward, with multiple transport options:
- From Tenerife South Airport (TFS), you can take buses 40 and 111 to Los Cristianos, with the journey taking around 20-25 min.
- From Tenerife North Airport (TFN), bus 343 will take you directly to Los Cristianos, or you can go via Santa Cruz on buses 102/104 and 110/111.
- There are regular buses TITSA buses connecting the port with resort areas and major towns such as Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, El Médano and Los Gigantes.
- Taxis are readily available across the island, with the ride from Tenerife South Airport takes around 15 min, while from Tenerife North it takes about 1 hr depending on traffic.
- If you are driving yourself, you can easily reach the port of Los Cristianos via the TF-1 freeway.
Where does the ferry arrive in El Hierro?
Ferries from Tenerife arrive at Puerto de La Estaca, the main port of El Hierro, on the northeastern coast of the island. The port is about 8 km away from the town of Valverde, the island capital. From La Estaca, you can easily reach Valverde by public transport.
Bus lines 03 and 11 take around 20 min to reach the capital town, while the car ride takes 15 min, depending on traffic. Taxis are also available at the port, especially around ferry arrival times.
The port has basic but useful facilities, including a tourist information office, a small café, rest areas, parking, and car-rental services during peak travel times.
How long is the ferry ride from Tenerife to El Hierro?
The duration of the Tenerife - El Hierro ferry trip normally takes 2 hr 20 min to 2 hr 30 min, depending on the ferry company.
Tenerife - El Hierro ferry companies
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FAQs
Yes, ferries to El Hierro from Tenerife have car decks for the transportation of vehicles. Prices start at around €14 to transport a car or motorbike and €16 for a camper van.
Important: car spaces can run out fast, especially in high season, so we recommend booking your vehicle tickets well in advance.
The distance between the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife and the port of El Hierro is approximately 67 nautical miles (around 125 km).
Yes, there are high-speed ferries traveling from Tenerife to El Hierro. The fastest ferry, the Bentago Express, can reach the island in 2 hr 20 min.
Although the two islands are only a short ride away, the ferry scheduling does not quite allow much free time for an El Hierro day trip from Tenerife and you will need to stay at least 1 night: the earliest ferry usually sets sail from Los Cristianos at 12:00 and reaches El Hierro at 14:20, while the last ferry back to Tenerife leaves El Hierro at 16:00. This means you will only have about 1.5 hr, but if you spend the night in El Hierro, you can catch the first ferry back to Los Cristianos at 08:00.
When planning your trip from Tenerife to El Hierro, 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.
Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.
Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.