Ferry from La Gomera to El Hierro

When traveling from La Gomera to El Hierro via Tenerife, you can take advantage of regular discounts of up to 50% offered to specific traveler categories. While these discounts differ from one company to another, you can usually expect lower ferry ticket prices for:

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

Additionally, Canary Island residents are often entitled to discounts of up to 85% on ferry tickets.

Note: infants and children up to 3 years old usually travel for free.

There is no direct ferry connection between La Gomera and El Hierro, however it is possible to travel between the islands with a stop and ferry change in Tenerife. The journey is straightforward:

• La Gomera - Tenerife: on the first leg of the journey ferry, you take the ferry from San Sebastián de la Gomera to Los Cristianos. There are multiple daily crossings, with the earliest ferry departing at 07:00 and the trip takes 50 min.
• Tenerife - El Hierro: from the port of Los Cristianos, you change ferries and continue to El Hierro. There are up to 3 crossings, with the earliest usually around 12:30, and the trip takes just under 2.5 hr.

Important: Fred. Olsen offers 2-3 daily guaranteed connections on the La Gomera - El Hierro route via Los Cristianos.

Fred. Olsen and Baleària operate the La Gomera - El Hierro ferry route via Tenerife with high-speed catamarans, such as the Benchijigua Express, Bencomo Express and Pepita Castellví. These vessels balance speed and comfort, offering many modern amenities and services, such as:

• Comfy seating in air-conditioned lounges and an outer deck area to enjoy the sea views
• Snack bars and cafeterias with hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals
• Shops and kiosks with snacks, magazines, gifts and last-minute purchases
• Onboard entertainment, including live TV lounges and children’s play areas with board games
• Wi-Fi hotspot with basic free messaging access and data bundles to suit your needs

Accessibility

The vessels operating the La Gomera - El Hierro ferry route via Tenerife are generally accessible to travelers with disabilities, featuring ramps and elevators to move between decks, and accessible amenities in common areas, as well as accessibel cabins with adapted amenities.

Baleària and Fred. Olsen offer assistance for boarding and disembarkation upon request and prior notification at least 48 hr before your journey.

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.

Cabins and accommodation

Can I book a cabin?

No, due to the short duration of both legs of the trip, there are no cabins on the ferries traveling from La Gomera to El Hierro via Tenerife. Standard seating is included in the  ticket price.

Can I travel business-class?

Yes, the Fred. Olsen and Baleària ferries to Los Cristianos and El Hierro offer a premium seating options in their Clase Oro and Neptuno lounges, respectively. These VIP lounge seats generally have extra room, have USB ports to keep your devices charged and come with additional perks, such as complimentary drinks and snacks and priority disembarkation.

Prices for a VIP seat start at around €50 to €60 for each leg of the La Gomera - El Hierro ferry trip via Tenerife.

Luggage

Each ferry company serving the La Gomera - El Hierro routes via Tenerife has its own luggage policy:

• With Fred. Olsen, you can carry up to 20 kg of luggage free of charge. It also offers trolleys to transport your bags and lockers for €1.
• When traveling with Baleària, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on the ferry yourself, for free.

Pet travel

You can bring your pet on all ferries from La Gomera to El Hierro from Tenerife, provided you include it in your booking. Pets are allowed in seating lounges and on passenger decks, but they are not allowed in dining areas.

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.

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

Each ferry operator has its own pet accommodation options:

When traveling with Fred. Olsen, you can choose between:

• Pet Carrier: you keep your pets (up to 10 kg) beside you, in its own carrier.
• Pet Sofa: your pet stays beside you on a supplied mat, in a pet-friendly area.
• Pet Room: your pet stays in a shaded, ventilated outdoor kennel with a monitoring camera.

With Baleària, the available options include:

• Pet&You, where your pet stays on a mat by your side in the passenger lounge.
• Pet-friendly seating is available for smaller animals in a suitable carriers.
• Ventilated onboard kennels.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from La Gomera to El Hierro:

• The port of San Sebastián in La Gomera can get busy, so it’s best to be there at least 45 min ahead of departure, if you are traveling as a foot passenger, and 1-1 hr, if you are bringing a vehicle. Boarding normally closes 40 min before departure for vehicles and 20 min before departure for foot passengers.
• 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.
• Make sure to book your return tickets for the El Hierro - La Gomera ferry trip well in advance, especially if you are bringing a vehicle.
• If you are a nature lover, pack your hiking boots and get prepared to be amazed! The hiking routes in El Hierro are among the most scenic in the Canaries.
• The indirect ferry route from La Gomera to El Hierro gives you a taste of the Canary Islands. On our Map of ferries, you can browse all potential route combinations and plan an island-hopping adventure in the Canaries.
• From the port of San Sebastián, you can sail to Tenerife, La Palma, as well as Valle Gran Rey and Playa Santiago in La Gomera. For more details on all routes, operators and ticket prices, check out the La Gomera ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from La Gomera to El Hierro

Ferries to El Hierro via Tenerife depart from the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera, the main passenger port in La Gomera. Your first ferry takes you to Los Cristianos in Tenerife, where you change ferries for El Hierro. The port is within walking distance of the San Sebastián town center, and around 34 km from La Gomera Airport.

At the ferry terminal, you will a basic passenger amenities, such as a café, toilets, ticket offices, parking, a pre-boarding area, luggage facilities, car-rental services, and a taxi rank. Parking is also available in the port area, along with a dedicated pre-boarding area for vehicles.

How to get to the port in La Gomera

• By car: if you’re coming from northern La Gomera, follow the GM-1 toward San Sebastián; from the south, use the GM-2. In town, follow signs for the port and continue via Avenida del Quinto Centenario, Avenida de los Descubridores and Paseo Fred Olsen.
• By bus: GuaguaGomera lines 1, 2 and 3 stop at Estación Marítima San Sebastián, directly serving the ferry terminal. Services are relatively infrequent compared with urban bus networks, so check the timetables before traveling.
• From La Gomera Airport: line 7 connects the airport with San Sebastián and operates around flight schedules. You can then continue to the port on foot, by taxi or using a local bus connection. A taxi or rental car is usually the quickest option from the airport.
• By taxi: taxis are readily available in San Sebastián, with the ride from the airport taking 35-40 min.

Where do ferries stop in Los Cristianos?

On your way from La Gomera to El Hierro, you need to change ferries at the port of Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife. Yyour connecting ferry to El Hierro departs from the same port, so you don’t need to travel to another ferry terminal in Tenerife. As the exact berth can vary, check the information screens and follow the signs or port staff’s instructions for your connecting ferry.

The terminal area has toilets, vending machines, parking, a pre-boarding area and luggage trolleys, with cafés and other services nearby. Los Cristianos town center is only a few minutes away on foot, making it easy to grab a coffee or something to eat if you have a longer connection.

Tip: check the connection time shown on your booking and make sure you are back at the boarding area in good time, particularly if you are traveling with a vehicle.

Where does the ferry arrive in El Hierro?

After changing ferries in Los Cristianos, you arrive at Puerto de La Estaca, the passenger port of El Hierro. The port is on the northeastern coast, around 8 km from Valverde, which you can reach in under 15 min by car and 20-25 min by bus. TransHierro line 11 runs directly between the maritime terminal and Valverde and is coordinated with regular ferry arrivals, while line 7 also serves Puerto de La Estaca.

The passenger terminal has a waiting area, café, toilets, vending machines, free parking, luggage facilities, an EV charging point and car-rental offices, while the nearby La Estaca area has cafés and a supermarket. El Hierro Airport is also around 8 km from the port, making taxi transfers relatively short.