Best Car Rentals in Tenerife (Without Getting Ripped Off)
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Let’s be real: renting a car in Tenerife should be easy. But between surprise fees, dodgy rental companies, and websites that look like they were built in 2002… It’s a jungle out there.
If you’re planning a trip to Tenerife and want to explore the island properly (read: not just your resort and the nearest beach bar), you need a rental car. But you also don’t want to get slapped with hidden costs or wait 2 hours in a parking garage queue.
Here’s the good news: we’ve done the research (and the test drives), so you don’t have to. These are the best car rental options in Tenerife that won’t scam you, overcharge you, or ruin your holiday vibe.
And yes, as usual, we’ve included our top pick straight away.
Our go-to car rental platform
After renting cars across Europe, Asia and Africa, our top recommendation, and the one we personally use, is QEEQ.
It’s a car rental comparison site that makes the whole booking process not only cheaper, but also way less stressful. Think of it like Skyscanner, but for rental cars, pulling the best deals from all the major brands and trusted local companies.
If you do decide to drive, we always book our cars through QEEQ. They consistently find the best rates across all major suppliers, and their “worry-free” service is a total lifesaver when car rental companies try to throw sketchy hidden charges your way. You can also use our exclusive discount code QRCARMA5 at checkout to get an extra 5% off!
But what really makes QEEQ stand out are the extras that actually help you out. Here’s why we love it:
1. Compare the best deals in one place
No need to open 12 tabs. QEEQ shows you prices from all the top rental companies, big names and local favourites, so you can easily spot the best option without bouncing between websites.
2. Travel worry-free (Literally)
This is the feature we rate the most: QEEQ’s “Travel Worry-Free” service. It’s like a safety net for your booking. If the rental company tries to upsell you at the desk or charge extra for things you didn’t agree to, QEEQ steps in, and they will refund you.
We wish we had used this on our trip to Ksamil, because we booked the car through Ryanair and got scammed at the car rental. You can read more about it in this blog, Is Ksamil Worth Visiting? A Couple’s Weekend Getaway.
3. Freeze a great price for $1
Not sure of your dates yet? Use the $1 Freeze tool to lock in a deal and book later. You don’t lose the price, and you get time to sort your plans. In addition, if the price drops, they will auto-refund you the difference.
4. You get a proper driving guide
Once you book, QEEQ sends a personalised PDF with all the need-to-know info about driving in Spain, road rules, and even road trip suggestions. If you are planning what to do in Tenerife, check this blog: Tenerife North: 5 Unique Things to Do This Summer.
Best local car rental companies in Tenerife
If you’d rather book directly (although you won’t get the same benefits) or want to check prices both ways, these are the two local companies we recommend without hesitation:
TopCar
- Super fair pricing
- Well-maintained car fleet
- Easy airport pickup and drop-off
- Tends to be cheaper than Cicar for better cars
Cicar
- All-inclusive coverage
- No hidden fees
- Most popular company, so you can expect more queues
When you book full coverage with either of these, you won’t get slapped with surprise fees at the desk. That’s why they’re favourites with locals and return travellers.
And yep, you’ll also find both TopCar and Cicar on QEEQ, so if you want to compare everything in one go, just start there.
Quick tips for renting a car in Tenerife
- Book early, especially during high season, as the good cars go fast
- If you are not a confident driver, choose a small car, because some roads can be very narrow, especially in the mountains
- Always opt for full insurance (worth it for peace of mind), but also damage can be caused by other people and sometimes “things”. It is a volcanic island after all
- Double-check pickup location (some are right at the airport, others use a shuttle)
- Take photos of the car at pickup and drop-off, just in case
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Why renting a car in Tenerife is 100% worth it
Buses are fine for short trips, but to really explore Tenerife: the remote volcanic viewpoints, black sand beaches, forest hikes, and charming inland towns, you need a car.
And with the right rental setup, it’s honestly one of the easiest (and cheapest) islands to explore by car.
Ready to rent your car?
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog, and if you have additional questions about Tenerife, do not hesitate to drop them in the comments section below!
