Is Tenerife expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
No, Tenerife is good value by Western European standards: a budget day costs about €90 per person and a mid-range day about €190, cheaper than the Balearics and much of mainland Spain's coast in summer. The Canaries' lower IGIC tax and cheap car hire help; resort hotels in Costa Adeje, the Teide cable car and excursions are where the money goes.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €85 | €250 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €40 | €80 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €45 | €100 |
| Local transport | €15 | €20 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €90 | €190 | €470 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Tenerife day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Café con leche or barraquito | about €1.50-2.50 |
| Papas arrugadas with mojo in a guachinche | about €4-6 |
| TITSA bus between towns | a few euros |
| Teide cable car, return | about €40-45 |
| Whale and dolphin boat trip | about €30-60 |
| Loro Parque | about €40+ |
| Stargazing tour on Teide | about €60-90 |
| Mid-range double in Costa Adeje | €120-220 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost, especially beachfront resorts in Costa Adeje (€300-700 at the top end) in winter, the island's high season. Activities are the next big item: the Teide cable car, stargazing tours, whale-watching boats and parks such as Loro Parque and Siam Park. Food and drink are reasonable, especially in the north's guachinches and fishing villages, and a shared hire car is cheap.
When it is cheaper
May, June and October to early November are often the cheapest periods, with rates sometimes 20-30% below the winter peak and the July-August family holidays; Christmas, Easter and Carnival are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Hire a car: rentals are cheap and fuel costs less than on the mainland.
- Eat in guachinches, the informal wine-and-food taverns of the north, for cheap local dishes.
- Stay in Puerto de la Cruz or Santa Cruz (doubles from €70-120) rather than the southern resorts.
- Book the Teide cable car online for a time slot, or hike instead and skip it.
- Choose a 'Barco Azul' certified whale-watching boat; short trips are cheaper and still see pilot whales.
- Use TITSA buses with a Ten+ card for discounted fares if you don't drive.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Tenerife cost?
About €90 per person on a budget, €190 mid-range and €470 for comfort, sharing a double and a hire car.
Is Tenerife cheaper than mainland Spain?
Often yes: the Canaries have a lower sales tax (IGIC), and car hire and fuel are cheap.
Is there a tourist tax in Tenerife?
There was no general tourist tax at the time of writing; check before you travel, as rules can change.