Ferries El Hierro
See all connections and book ferry ticketsEl Hierro, the smallest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is a hidden gem known for its dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled natural beauty. You can reach El Hierro by ferry from Tenerife (Los Cristianos), as well as from other islands, such as La Gomera and La Palma, with a stopover in Los Cristianos.
On Ferryhopper, you can find all the information about ferry tickets to El Hierro: route schedules, trip duration, ticket prices, and discounts. Compare prices and offers, choose the best route for you, and book your tickets with no hidden fees.
El Hierro ferry schedules
Los Cristianos El Hierro
S. S. de la Gomera El Hierro
El Hierro Los Cristianos
El Hierro S. S. de la Gomera
How much is the ferry to El Hierro?
Take a look at indicative ferry ticket prices for the most popular El Hierro routes; check prices for standard tickets, family bookings, and vehicle transportation.
| Los Cristianos – El Hierro | S. S. de la Gomera – El Hierro | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | € 12.77 | Price not available |
| 2 Adults | € 25.54 | € 116.66 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Car | € 36.09 | Price not available |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children, 1 Car | € 39.17 | Price not available |
Book ferry tickets for El Hierro
Offers
On Ferryhopper, you can take advantage of all active ferry offers and book cheap ferry tickets to El Hierro. Browse the latest deals and find the one that suits you best!
Remember: current ferry ticket offers will be automatically applied as you go through the booking process.
Discounts
When booking ferry tickets to/from El Hierro, you can take advantage of regular discounts of up to 50% for specific traveler categories. Lower fares are typically available for:
- Children (4-11 years old)
- Young travelers (under 26)
- Senior travelers (60+ years old)
- Large families (Spanish citizens)
Additionally, residents of the Canary Islands are often entitled to discounts of up to 85% on ferry tickets.
Note: infants and toddlers up to 3 years old normally travel for free.
On Ferryhopper, you can find the discount that suits you best for your ferry trip to or from El Hierro, compare offers, and book your tickets with no hidden fees.
Best time to book
Thanks to the mild climate of the Canary Islands, El Hierro enjoys great weather all year round, making it an ideal destination no matter the season. Ferry connections are available throughout the year, although ticket demand tends to rise during the high seasons, summer and winter (December to February), when the islands attract visitors escaping the cold weather on the Spanish mainland.
If you plan to travel between June and September, or during the winter months and major festivities (Christmas, Easter, or long weekends), it’s a good idea to book your ferry tickets at least a few weeks in advance, as seats can fill up quickly. During these periods, ferries run more frequently but lower-priced tickets tend to sell out faster.
For the rest of the year, ferry traffic is usually calmer, so you can often book a few days before departure without any problem. Still, sunny weekends or popular long weekends may require booking a bit earlier.
Important: ferry schedules and ticket availability to El Hierro can vary by season, so make sure to always check the latest routes and offers on Ferryhopper before booking your trip.
Information about El Hierro
El Hierro, the smallest and westernmost of the Canary Islands, is a tranquil island in the Atlantic. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, natural pools, and lush protected forests.
Nature and outdoor enthusiasts will love its almost 100 km of rugged coastline, featuring Charco Manso and Charco Azul natural pools. Clear waters make it ideal for diving in the island’s Marine Reserve, while inland landscapes of fertile fields, pine forests, and volcanic areas offer striking hiking trails and over 800 volcanoes to explore.
Highlights include La Restinga (a charming fishing village), Playa de Tacorón (a wild beach with red sand), and the iconic Garoé (the sacred tree of the island) and Faro de Orchilla. The Sabinar and Parque Cultural El Julan reveal the island’s unique flora and pre-Hispanic heritage.
For relaxation, visit quiet beaches like Arenas Blancas and El Verodal, natural pools, and thermal springs at Pozo de la Salud. Adventure seekers can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, paragliding, surfing, and caving. El Hierro is also the world’s first energy self-sufficient island, thanks to the Gorona del Viento hydroelectric plant.
Tips for your trip to El Hierro
Make the most of your ferry trip and stay in El Hierro with these practical tips:
- El Hierro is accessible from the other Canary Islands via the Tenerife - El Hierro ferry, or by taking the La Gomera - El Hierro or La Palma - El Hierro routes, which include a stop at Los Cristianos (Tenerife).
- El Hierro is perfect for exploring on foot, with trails that wind through lively forests, past volcanic craters, and along cliffs with breathtaking views. From easier routes like El Sabinar to more challenging paths like Jinámar, there’s something for every level. Check out the top 4 hiking trails in El Hierro.
- To make the most of your visit to the Canaries, consider an island-hopping adventure, and don’t forget to use our Map of ferries to plan your ideal route and discover all the possibilities.
- El Hierro is a fantastic destination for families. Its natural pools with calm waters, like Pozo de las Calcosas and La Maceta, are perfect for kids. Explore all the family-friendly activities in our guide to family adventures in the Canaries.
- Not sure whether to choose El Hierro or another Canary Island? Luckily, with the multiple ferries available, you don’t have to pick just one, because you can explore the gems of the archipelago at your own pace! Find out which Canary Island suits you best in our blog.
Extra tip: check out our guide on how to get to El Hierro for more information and helpful tips for your trip.
Onboard services
Ferries to El Hierro are designed to combine speed, comfort, and convenience. Most vessels are accessible and pet-friendly, and you can expect a range of amenities that make even short crossings enjoyable. Depending on your ticket type and ferry operator, the services on board may include:
- Spacious lounges with large sea-view windows
- Comfortable standard and VIP seating
- Priority boarding for passengers with VIP tickets
- Bars and cafés serving snacks and beverages
- Outdoor decks and terraces
- Free Wi-Fi
- Dedicated areas for pets
- Family-friendly features, including a children’s play area and changing tables
- Onboard boutique with exclusive products
VIP and premium services
Passengers with VIP tickets can enjoy additional benefits such as:
- Priority boarding
- Meal included
- Access to exclusive lounges
- Attentive service in your seating area
- Complimentary refreshments
Cabins and accommodation
Unlike longer inter-island or mainland routes, cabins are not available on El Hierro ferries, as the journeys from Tenerife or La Gomera / La Palma (with a stop in Tenerife) are relatively short.
However, whether you choose a standard seat or VIP option, a short crossing to El Hierro is made relaxing and enjoyable, giving you more time to explore the island once you arrive.
El Hierro Port
The main port is Puerto de La Estaca, located on the northeast coast of El Hierro, in the municipality of Valverde. It is approximately 8 km from the island's capital, Villa de Valverde, and about 8 km from El Hierro Airport. The port is easily accessible by car or taxi, and bus (guagua) routes 11 and 7 connect the capital to the port in around 15 minutes.
Traveler services at the port include parking areas, passenger terminals with ticket offices, waiting areas, cafés, and shops. There are also facilities for vehicles, taxis, and maritime services for boats and yachts.
As soon as you arrive at Puerto de La Estaca, you’ll find a car rental office right at the port, perfect if you haven’t brought a vehicle on the ferry. From here, you can quickly set off to explore the island: enjoy the nearby small volcanic-sand beach, grab a coffee or a snack at one of the local cafés, or drive inland to discover hidden gems like the lush forests of La Llanía or the dramatic cliffs of El Golfo valley.
Ferry companies traveling to El Hierro
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FAQs
The fastest ferry connection to El Hierro is the Los Cristianos - El Hierro route from Tenerife. The crossing takes about 2 hr 20 min to 2 hr 30 min, making it the quickest way to reach the island by sea.
The most affordable ferry tickets to El Hierro are available on the Los Cristianos (Tenerife) - El Hierro route, with prices starting from around €51.
Yes, ferries to El Hierro have car decks for transporting vehicles, so you can easily bring your car, motorbike, or camper van with you. Transportation prices depend on the type of vehicle, the route, and the ferry company.
The ferry from Tenerife (Los Cristianos) to El Hierro allows vehicle transport, with prices starting at around €10 for a car or motorbike and €15 for a camper van.
If you’re traveling from La Gomera, the connection to El Hierro includes a stopover in Tenerife, and vehicle transport is available for the entire trip. Combined prices for this indirect route usually start at around €30 for a car, €25 for a motorbike, and €45 for a camper van.
Important: car deck spaces are limited, especially during peak season, so it’s best to book your tickets early to secure a spot for your vehicle.
Yes, pets are welcome on all ferries to El Hierro, as long as they are included in your booking. Onboard, animals weighing up to 10 kg are allowed in the lounges and outdoor decks, provided they stay inside a carrier. When outside their carrier, pets must be kept on a leash.
Remember to bring your pet’s updated health documentation, as well as any supplies or food they may need during the trip.
Good to know: for more information about traveling with pets by ferry, take a look at our guide on traveling with your pet in Spain.
The main ferry connection to El Hierro is from Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife. This is the only direct route to the island and the most convenient option for travelers.
You can also reach El Hierro from other Canary Islands, such as La Gomera or La Palma, by taking a ferry to Tenerife and then continuing your trip from Los Cristianos after a short layover between ferries.
Good to know: Tenerife is the largest, most populated, and most visited island in the Canary Islands, so it has regular ferry connections not only with most islands in the archipelago, but also with the Andalusian cities of Huelva and Cádiz in mainland Spain. What does this mean? With Tenerife as the connection point, El Hierro is very easy to reach from many ports!
The ferry companies operating the routes to El Hierro have their own luggage policies:
- With Fred. Olsen, you can bring up to 20 kg of luggage free of charge. The company provides trolleys to help you carry your bags and lockers available on board for €1.
- On Naviera Armas ferries, you’re allowed up to 4 pieces of luggage with a combined weight of 60 kg. You’ll also find trolleys at the terminal to make transport easier.
Tip: if you’re traveling with extra luggage or bulky items, it’s best to contact the ferry company in advance to confirm specific conditions and availability of space.
A day trip to El Hierro by ferry isn’t really recommended, as the first ferry from Los Cristianos usually arrives around 15:00, and the return one departs at about 16:00. This means you wouldn’t have enough time to explore the island.
It’s best to spend at least 2 to 3 days on El Hierro to really enjoy its unspoiled nature and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for hiking and disconnecting from it all.
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.
Ferry route map
Below, you can see all active ferry connections to El Hierro, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.