Ferry from Tenerife to El Hierro

Tickets, prices & schedules

Ferries from Tenerife to El Hierro run throughout the year with up to 3 daily crossings. The vessels depart from the port of Los Cristianos and arrive at the port of La Estaca. Crossings take from 2 hr 20 min to 2 hr 30 min, and ferry tickets start at around €51.

The Tenerife - El Hierro connection is served by Naviera Armas and Fred. Olsen Express 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

As the distance between Tenerife and El Hierro is quite short, there are no cabins on the ferry serving this route. However, onboard seating (standard seats) is included in the ticket price.

Alternatively, you can opt for VIP seats in exclusive areas, which start at around €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.

Traveling with pets

You can travel with your pet on all Tenerife - El Hierro ferries, as long as you include the pet in the booking.

Pets are allowed in seating areas as long as they weigh up to 10 kg and stay in a carrier. They are also allowed on the outside decks. When outside their carriers, pets should wear a leash.

Tip: make sure you carry your pet’s updated health certificates and any supplies you might need during the trip.

Useful tips for your ferry trip to El Hierro from Tenerife

  • We recommend arriving at the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife at least 1 hr before your departure, especially if you are bringing along your vehicle.
  • Love hiking? Discover the 4 top hiking routes in El Hierro. Plus, check out our El Hierro travel guide for additional vacation tips and useful information about the island.
  • We recommend booking your El Hierro - Tenerife return trip 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 Canary Islands. From the ports of Tenerife, you can travel directly to La Palma, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, Fuerteventura, and more islands.

Where to take the ferry from Tenerife to El Hierro

You can travel by ferry to the port of Valverde in El Hierro from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife. The city is located on the south coast of the island, approximately 14 km from Tenerife South Airport and 79 km from Tenerife North Airport.

There are also several daily bus services running from both airports to Los Cristianos.

Where does the ferry arrive in El Hierro?

Ferries from Tenerife to El Hierro arrive at Puerto de La Estaca, which is the island’s main port and is located on the northeastern coast. From the port, you can reach the town of Valverde by public transport with bus lines 03 and 11. The distance between the town and the port is approximately 8 km, so it takes about a 12-min drive to get to Valverde from La Estaca.

The port has basic facilities, such as tourist offices and a small cafe.

How long is the ferry ride from Tenerife to El Hierro?

The duration of the Tenerife - El Hierro ferry trip is normally 2h 20m.

Tenerife - El Hierro ferry companies

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FAQs

Yes, ferries to El Hierro from Tenerife have car decks and transport vehicles. Transportation prices depend on the type of vehicle (car, motorcycle, motorhome, etc.). Car tickets start at around €14, while motorhome prices start at around €16.

Bear in mind that 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.

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.

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