Tenerife Essential

The Ultimate Guide to Route, Tolls, Ferry, and Stress-Free Travel

For many, a road trip from Germany to Tenerife sounds like pure adventure – and that’s exactly what it is. However, with clear planning, the long journey becomes a relaxed, impressive trip. In this post, I’ll show you step-by-step how I planned my trip, which route I chose, what costs were involved, and what you should definitely keep in mind.

Planning: Nothing Works Without Preparation

Nothing beats good planning. For me, two key aspects are:

• Cost overview: Budget for diesel, tolls, ferry, accommodation, etc.
• Travel experience: Don’t rush, but travel consciously and gather impressions.

Preparation: Documents & Vehicle

Before departure, I always check:

• ID or passport
• Driver’s license
• Insurance documents (printed)
• Valid Green Card (international motor insurance card)
• Accident report forms for emergencies

My Spanish driver’s license has a limited validity. Once, it had actually expired when I wanted to travel. Luckily, my wife’s license was still valid – otherwise, we would have had a real problem.

True to the motto: If you have it with you, you won’t need it.

Resident Discount

Those who live in the Canary Islands and are registered as residents can benefit from significant discounts. For this, you need a valid “Certificado para Viajar”, issued by the Ayuntamiento (City Council).

Vehicle Check

No matter which route you choose: You’ll quickly cover over 2,500 km. A quick service before departure is highly recommended.

Route & Tolls

There are several ways to drive to Southern Spain.

My Route

I drove:
Rhine Valley – Switzerland (motorway vignette 40 CHF) – Rhône Valley – Mediterranean coast to Alicante – then along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to Granada, Seville, and Huelva.

Alternative Routes

Many travelers from Germany choose:

• Dijon – Lyon – Massif Central – Clermont-Ferrand – Béziers
  (toll-free between Clermont-Ferrand and Montpellier) then along the Mediterranean coast
• Or the Atlantic route via Bordeaux – San Sebastián – Burgos – Salamanca – Via de la Plata to Seville and on to Huelva or Cádiz.

Toll Costs

• France: approx. 10 cents per kilometer
• Swiss motorway vignette €45
• Geneva to Spanish border: around €75
• Spain: Motorways of the “Rutas del Estado” are toll-free

Refueling: How to Save Money

Fuel prices vary greatly:

• Most expensive: Switzerland
• Next: Germany
• Slightly cheaper: France
• Cheapest: Spain

Motorway service stations are often up to 20% more expensive. I refueled in Germany and then again in France, saving myself a pit stop in Switzerland.
In France, I briefly exited the motorway and saved around 23 cents per liter in the next town. In Spain, I specifically looked for Plenoil chain petrol stations (www.plenergy.es). This way, I saved almost €100 on the road.

Overnight Stays on the Way

I deliberately stayed in inexpensive hotels with secure parking.

• Mostly Accor Group (Ibis) hotels on the way
  www.ibis.accor.com
  → never more than €50 per night
• In Palos de la Frontera (Huelva), about 10 km before the port, I stay for just under €40 at the
  Hacienda Santa María
  www.hsantamaria.com

There is a closed parking lot that closes at 10 PM and opens at 7 AM (8 AM on weekends).
Tip: Book directly, the prices are better than on Booking.com.

Ferry to Tenerife

Fred Olsen Express & Baleària

These jointly serve the Huelva – Tenerife route directly and take around 34 hours.

Naviera Armas

Sails from Cádiz to Tenerife, but stops in Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. The crossing takes almost 50 hours – a second choice for me.

Cabin or Seat

I clearly recommend a cabin (Camarote). It’s more comfortable, and meals are included in the price; otherwise, meals cost €40 per person.

Discounts

• Residents
• Travelers over 60 years old
• Families with more than two children

The resident discount is 75%. Proof of residency is required when booking.

Booking

• Huelva – Tenerife:
  www.fredolsen.es | www.balearia.com

• Cádiz – Canary Islands:
  www.armastransmediterranea.com

Boarding & Arrival in Tenerife

Boarding begins approximately three hours before departure.
Important: If you have booked a car but have not provided a license plate number, you must go to the counter. If you don’t know the number yet, you can simply enter XXXXXX when booking.

This is followed by ticket and passport controls, facial recognition for exit, as well as customs and police checks. VAT refunds are stamped on-site.

My personal trick: Those who drive onto the ship first are usually the last to drive off. I deliberately board as one of the last – and am one of the first off the ship upon arrival.

Cost Overview (one person)

• Swiss motorway vignette: €45
• Tolls France: €75
• Diesel: €285
• Accommodation: €150
• Ferry (Resident): €370

Total: approx. €925
Without resident discount: approx. €1,500 (without meals)

Conclusion & Personal Experience

I really enjoyed this trip. The diverse landscapes, the vastness of Spain, and the decelerated pace of travel were a true experience for me. I rarely drove faster than 120 km/h, took regular breaks, and consciously chose inexpensive accommodation.

You can “get through” this route in two days – but that’s no longer for me. I prefer to enjoy the journey.
The food on the ferry is decent, warm food can be easily reheated, and the staff was consistently friendly, attentive, and helpful.

Important Information

Winter visitors from Europe can use their car in the Canary Islands for up to 6 months per year without problems. The crucial point is that they are not residents and must export the vehicle again. Only if the car remains permanently do the Canary Islands’ import and registration rules apply. I describe how a re-registration works in another blog. Here is the link:… the text will follow shortly

At motorway rest stops, tricksters often lie in wait for their chance; they try to distract you and strike mercilessly. A common trick in Spain: on the motorway towards Barcelona, they overtake you, waving their hands and trying to indicate possible damage to your car. Your car has no damage, but you stop to inspect it and are robbed.

Conclusion: With good planning, the road trip to Tenerife is not only feasible but a truly memorable experience.