Ferry Company
Fred Olsen Express
The Canary Islands' fast ferry company - routes, fleet, check-in, pets and fares in profile
- Sailing between the islands since 1974, twelve ships, around 3.5 million passengers a year
- Fast ferries: Gran Canaria in 80 minutes, La Gomera in 50, Fuerteventura - Lanzarote in 25
- Check-in 20 minutes on foot, 40 with a vehicle; mainland service from Huelva with the Marie Curie
About Fred Olsen Express
Table of Contents
About Fred Olsen Express
Fred Olsen Express is the Canary Islands' fast ferry company. It belongs to the business group of the Norwegian Olsen family, whose history on the islands began in 1904 with a farming business in the south of La Gomera; tomatoes and bananas from Playa de Santiago were shipped to Europe. On 8 July 1974 the company opened the San Sebastián de La Gomera - Los Cristianos ferry line, becoming a pioneer of inter-island transport. Today the company reports carrying around 3.5 million passengers, almost a million vehicles and 63,000 pets a year, with around 60 departures a day.
Fleet
The passenger fleet consists entirely of fast ferries: Bajamar Express, Bencomo Express and Bañaderos Express on the Tenerife - Gran Canaria route, Benchijigua Express and Barlovento Express to La Gomera and La Palma, Bentago Express to El Hierro, Betancuria Express to Fuerteventura, Bocayna Express and Buganvilla Express across the Bocaina strait, and Benchi Express on La Gomera's coastal service. The Benchijigua Express was the world's first trimaran in ferry service in 2005. For the mainland route from Huelva, the company runs the Ro-Pax ferry Marie Curie, alongside three cargo ships.
Routes in the Canary Islands
Fred Olsen Express sails six inter-island routes: Tenerife - Gran Canaria via Agaete in 80 minutes, Tenerife - La Gomera in 50 minutes, Tenerife - La Palma in two and a half hours, Tenerife - El Hierro in 2 hours 20 since December 2024, Gran Canaria - Fuerteventura to Morro Jable in 105 minutes, and Lanzarote - Fuerteventura in 25 minutes. There's also the coastal service San Sebastián - Playa Santiago - Valle Gran Rey on La Gomera. The company's Ferry Bus runs between Las Palmas and the port of Agaete.
From the mainland via Huelva
Since 2018, Fred Olsen Express has connected the Canary Islands with mainland Spain: the Marie Curie sails three times a week from Huelva to Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, taking 37 to 39 hours depending on the order of the calls, with cabins, reclining seats and a vehicle deck. The route pages Huelva - Gran Canaria and Huelva - Tenerife cover the terminal, check-in and booking.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
Under the terms of carriage, you need to be ready to board 20 minutes before departure, or at the quay 40 minutes before departure with a vehicle; in Huelva the check-in desk opens three hours before departure. All ships carry cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles. You register pets when booking, as spaces are limited: between the islands they travel in their own carrier in the lounge, in pet rooms on deck, or on the pet sofa. More in the guides Travelling to the Canary Islands with a Motorhome and Travelling to the Canary Islands with a Dog.
Fares and booking
Tickets are available online, by phone and at the desks in every port. Canary Islands residents get the state resident discount of 75 per cent, large families get a discount, and regular travellers collect points with the Plus Card. Rebooking is possible online, and you can load your boarding pass onto your phone. The booking window for each route shows current fares, and the fare overview covers all Canary Islands routes.
FAQ Fred Olsen Express
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about Fred Olsen Express
Which routes does Fred Olsen Express sail?+
Six inter-island routes and one mainland route. From Tenerife to Gran Canaria (Agaete), La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, from Gran Canaria to Fuerteventura, between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, plus the coastal service on La Gomera and from Huelva to Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
When do I need to be at the port with Fred Olsen Express?+
Under the terms of carriage, you need to be ready to board 20 minutes before departure, or at the quay 40 minutes before departure with a vehicle, unless your ticket states otherwise. In Huelva the check-in desk opens three hours before departure, in Santa Cruz de La Palma one hour before.
Does Fred Olsen Express carry pets?+
Yes, if you register them when booking, as spaces are limited. Between the islands, animals travel in their own carrier in the lounge, in pet rooms on deck, or on the pet sofa. Full details in the guide Travelling to the Canary Islands with a Dog.
Can I take my car?+
Yes, all the fast ferries and the Marie Curie carry cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles; add your number plate to the booking. Details for campers in the guide Travelling to the Canary Islands with a Motorhome.
What discounts are available?+
Canary Islands residents pay 75 per cent less with the state resident discount, large families get a discount, and there's the Plus Card loyalty programme. The booking window shows current fares, and the fare overview compares all routes.
Is Fred Olsen Express part of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines?+
Both belong to the business group of the Norwegian Olsen family but are separate companies. Fred Olsen Express is the Canary Islands ferry company based on the islands, while Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is the British cruise brand.