Canary Islands overview
When is the best time to fly to the Canary Islands?
Peak season:
The peak season lasts practically all-year round, regardless of which island you decide to visit. Thanks to this you should try to make sure you’re flights to the Canary Islands are secured a few months before you intend to travel, or earlier if you can to make a better saving. February can be very expensive to fly into Tenerife as it sees the Carnival, the second biggest carnival in the world. Other months also see various different events such as the Fiesta de San Marcos at the end of April in Tenerife, Corpus Christi in Lanzarote, which is a fantastic colorful event around the middle of June (although the dates change every year so keep an eye out for that) and the Fiesta de San Gines in Gran Canaria around the middle of August. There are loads of other events too; some more religious spectacles that are usually followed with amazing firework displays or some are just parties into the night. May to September is the hottest period of the year, and you’ll need to be prepared for the Calima, which is a dusty wind from Africa which makes the islands incredibly hot and humid. March to May is a pleasant time, with temperatures not exceeding the mid-twenties (with the exception of a Calima) and you can find cheap flights to the Canary Islands relatively easily too.
Off season:
There isn’t really an off season, although for a week or two around October or November there is extremely heavy rain which usually results in some roads flooding as the islands aren’t all that compatible with the severe and sudden downpour they receive. If you don’t mind the rain though then you can find the cheapest flights to the Canary Islands around this time.
When is the best time to book a flight to the Canary Islands?
You’ll want to book your flights to the Canary Islands at least three months before you are flying out there, and if you want to find the best prices then aim to secure your flight tickets for March through to early May. The festivals do drive up the price of some flights, especially the Carnival in February, so make sure to take this into consideration if you are planning to visit then. If you have the luxury of being flexible with your dates, and to some extent with the island you wish to visit, then you’ll put yourself in a good place for finding the cheapest flights to the Canary Islands without too much trouble. Sitting on either side of the plane usually ensures you get good views of the islands as you approach, however this can change depending on the wind conditions.
How long is the flight tox the Canary Islands?
Flights from London to Tenerife, Canary Islands: 4 hours 30 minutes
Flights from Manchester to Lanzarote, Canary Islands: 4 hours 25 minutes
Flights from Birmingham to Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: 4 hours 25 minutes
Flights from Glasgow to Tenerife, Canary Islands: 4 hours 30 minutes
Which airlines operate flights to Canary Islands?
There are many different airlines which are competing for the cheapest flights to the Canary Islands and as such you can usually find some good deals on your flight tickets, especially if you plan ahead. The main airlines are Norwegian Air, easyJet, Ryanair, Thomas Cook, Monarch and British Airways. If you want the cheapest flights to the Canary Islands then compare easyJet and Ryanair, although keep an eye on the final price as they both charge a fortune for checked in baggage, especially during the peak summer months. Norwegian is a fantastic airline who also provides complimentary WiFi onboard their flights to the Canary Islands which is always a nice added bonus. British Airways are more expensive but you get comfy seats, complimentary snacks and drinks and you can join their executive members club for free.
How to get from the airport to the city centre?
Tenerife (South):
Tenerife has two airports, one in the north of the island and one in the south. Generally most people fly into the south to visit Los Cristianos, Las Americas and Costa Adeje, among other tourist hot spots. You’ll also find cheap flight tickets easier to come by for the southern airport. That said, you can find your way to Santa Cruz, the capital of the island, quite easily. Bus routes 111 and 343 both operate directly from the airport and go to the major tourist stops in the south before venturing off into the north of the island. Once your flights to the Canary Islands land you can decide which route would be better suited for you, depending on your destination. You could also look into adding on hotel transfers when you are booking your flights to the Canary Islands, which can help reduce any hassle once you land. Lastly you can jump into a taxi, although these will set you back a bit more money than the bus they are also convenient and an effective way to travel.
Lanzarote:
The airport is only 5km away from the capital city of Arrecife and the easiest way to get there is to jump in a taxi from outside of arrivals. You’re best to try and book these online during the peak months of the year though as there can be long queues of people waiting for a taxi. Another option is to secure a transfer with your hotel once you have booked your flights to the Canary Islands and then just wait to be collected upon arrival. You can find public buses outside of Terminal 2 which will take you to Arrecife in around 15 minutes for the cost of about one euro. If you need to go to Costa Teguise or anywhere else on the island then you’ll need to travel to the bus station in Arrecife first and then find your next bus from there.
Gran Canaria:
Your transport options are slightly more limited with the airport in Gran Canaria, although your best bet is to try and pre-arrange transport with your hotel before you leave. Once you’ve secured your flights to Gran Canaria you can look into which hotel offers the service and go from there. If that seems too pricey for you then you can jump into a taxi from outside of the airport although you’ll be looking at around thirty euros for a one way trip, more if you’re travelling at night. Lastly you could opt for a bus; these aren’t overly frequent though so you might find yourself waiting around for a while.