Canary Islands ferry
Ferry Tenerife - Gran Canaria
Two routes between the two large islands - Agaete or Las Palmas, crossing time, check-in, ferry bus and vehicles on board
- 80 minutes to Agaete with Fred Olsen Express, seven departures a day
- 100 minutes to Las Palmas with Baleària Canarias, four to five departures a day
- Check-in: Fred Olsen 20 minutes on foot and 40 by car, Baleària 60 and 90 minutes
Route guide
Ferry Tenerife - Gran Canaria at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Tenerife - Gran Canaria ferry: the two routes from Santa Cruz, check-in with Fred Olsen Express and Baleària Canarias, vehicles and pets on board, arrival in Agaete or Las Palmas.
Getting there and the Santa Cruz terminal
Both operators depart from the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, at the Estación Marítima Puerto-Ciudad on the Muelle de Ribera, right by the city. Fred Olsen Express has its office in the Edificio Ciudad at the first jetty. By car in Santa Cruz, follow the signs for Puerto and Estación Marítima, from the TF-1 motorway from the south or the TF-5 from the north. The Intercambiador bus station and the tram stop are a few minutes away.
Check-in and departure
Under its terms of carriage, Fred Olsen Express requires you to be ready to board 20 minutes before departure, 40 minutes at the quay with a vehicle. Baleària Canarias requires 60 minutes without and 90 minutes with a vehicle. Bring ID or a passport in your hand luggage, and residents show proof of address for the discount.
On board
To Agaete, the catamarans Bajamar Express, Bencomo Express and Banaderos Express sail with a lounge, cafeteria and outdoor deck. To Las Palmas, Baleària Canarias uses the ferries Volcán de Taidía, Volcán de Tagoro and Mercedes Pinto, with seating areas, a cafeteria and outdoor decks. You won't need a cabin on either route. Payment is in euros, by card.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles travel on both routes; vehicle type and registration plate go into the booking. With a rental car, check the rental terms first, as many hire companies forbid travel to another island. You register pets when booking; Fred Olsen Express offers a carrier, Pet Rooms and a Pet Sofa, and Baleària Canarias Pet&You mats and kennels. More in the guides Travelling with a motorhome in the Canary Islands and Travelling with a dog in the Canary Islands.
Arrival in Agaete or Las Palmas and onward travel
Agaete is a small ferry port at the Puerto de Las Nieves with no town around it; the Fred Olsen Express ferry bus waits for the ferries and runs to the Parque Santa Catalina in Las Palmas, or take the GC-2 along the north coast with your own car. Las Palmas welcomes you in the Puerto de la Luz, ten minutes' walk from the Parque Santa Catalina; from here the island buses run in every direction, ferries continue on to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and the airport is around 25 kilometres away.
Back from Gran Canaria to Tenerife
The return mirrors the outward journey: Fred Olsen Express sails from Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 80 minutes, Baleària Canarias from Las Palmas in 100 minutes. The Fred Olsen Express ferry bus starts at the Parque Santa Catalina in Las Palmas and takes you to the Puerto de Las Nieves in Agaete; factor the bus journey into your check-in deadline. The deadlines apply in both directions: 20 and 40 minutes with Fred Olsen Express, 60 and 90 minutes with Baleària Canarias. The next departures from Agaete and Las Palmas are shown in the timetable.
Tickets and fares
Both operators sell online and at the desk; Canary Islands residents get a 75 percent state discount, and large families too with Fred Olsen Express. Baleària Canarias offers a fare with free cancellation. With a vehicle and in high season, it's worth booking early; as a foot passenger you'll usually find a space at short notice too. The booking window shows current prices, and the price overview compares both routes.
Tenerife - Gran Canaria
Agaete or Las Palmas - two ways to Gran Canaria
Two routes run between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Fred Olsen Express sails to Agaete in the northwest in 80 minutes with the catamarans Bajamar Express, Bencomo Express and Banaderos Express, seven departures a day; the operator's ferry bus then takes you on to Las Palmas. Baleària Canarias sails direct into the Puerto de la Luz in Las Palmas in around 100 minutes, four to five departures a day with the Volcán de Taidía, Volcán de Tagoro or Mercedes Pinto.
Both routes run all year round and carry vehicles. Agaete is the faster crossing; Las Palmas gets you right into the city.
- Crossing
- 80 min. Agaete, 100 min. Las Palmas
- Operators
- Fred Olsen Express, Baleària Canarias
- Frequency
- up to 12 departures a day
- From price
- €43
- Balearia
- Naviera Armas
- Fred Olsen Express
Next departures
FAQ Tenerife - Gran Canaria
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Tenerife - Gran Canaria ferry
Agaete or Las Palmas - which route is better? +
Agaete, at 80 minutes, is the faster crossing and has the tighter schedule with seven departures, but it lands at a small port in the northwest; the operator's ferry bus then takes you on to Las Palmas. The Baleària ferry takes 100 minutes and docks direct in the Puerto de la Luz, right in Las Palmas. If you're heading for southern Gran Canaria, Agaete is usually quicker; for the city of Las Palmas, take the direct ferry.
When do I need to be at the port? +
With Fred Olsen Express, 20 minutes before departure, 40 minutes with a vehicle; with Baleària Canarias, 60 minutes without and 90 minutes with a vehicle. The day's departures are shown in the timetable.
What does the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria cost? +
That depends on the route, operator, vehicle and when you book; residents pay considerably less with the state discount. The booking window shows the current price, and the price overview compares both routes.
Can I bring my car? +
Yes, on both routes. Fred Olsen Express and Baleària Canarias carry cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles. With a rental car, check the rental terms first. More in the guide Travelling with a motorhome in the Canary Islands.
Can my dog come along? +
Yes, with registration at booking. Fred Olsen Express carries pets in their own carrier, in Pet Rooms or on the Pet Sofa, Baleària Canarias on Pet&You mats or in kennels. Details in the guide Travelling with a dog in the Canary Islands.
How do I get from Agaete to Las Palmas? +
With the Fred Olsen Express ferry bus, which meets the ferries at the Puerto de Las Nieves and stops at the Parque Santa Catalina in Las Palmas. If you have your own car, take the GC-2 along the north coast.