London to Tenerife is one of the UK’s favourite winter-sun runs, and it’s a straightforward one: a four-and-a-half-hour direct flight to the largest of the Canary Islands, served by five UK airlines from every major London airport. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return costs in pounds, and how to keep the price down on a route where fares swing hard with the seasons.
Route: London (LGW / LHR / LTN / STN) → Tenerife South, Reina Sofía (TFS)
Distance: approximately 2,880 km (1,790 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 4h 15m – 4h 30m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Ryanair and British Airways all fly non-stop to Tenerife South. There’s no need to connect on this route.
Fares from London to Tenerife (GBP)
Tenerife’s subtropical climate makes it a year-round destination, but demand — and prices — peak when the UK is cold. Winter sun (December–March), the February half-term and Easter are the dearest; late spring and early autumn are the sweet spot for value. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | high (winter sun) |
| February | very high (half-term) |
| March | high |
| April | medium-high (Easter) |
| May | medium |
| June | medium |
| July | high (school holidays) |
| August | high |
| September | medium |
| October | medium (half-term spike) |
| November | medium-high |
| December | very high (Christmas) |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 4½ hours), all to Tenerife South (TFS):
- easyJet — the most frequent operator, non-stop from Gatwick and Luton; flexible date grid and good sale fares.
- Jet2 — from Stansted, with generous baggage on package-style fares and a strong on-time record.
- Ryanair — from Luton and Stansted; the cheapest headline fares, but bags and seats are extra.
- TUI — from Gatwick, geared to package holidays but also sold flight-only.
- British Airways — from Gatwick and Heathrow; a full-service option with a checked bag on standard fares.
With five carriers competing, Tenerife is a genuine price battle. The low-cost lines usually set the floor, while Jet2 and BA appeal if you want a bag and seat included without add-ons.
When to book & how to save
- Book 6–12 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice; winter-sun and Christmas dates should be booked earlier still.
- Travel in the shoulder seasons (May, June, September) for the lowest fares and the fewest crowds — the weather is still warm.
- Watch the school holidays: February half-term, Easter, summer and Christmas spike hard; a week either side is much cheaper.
- Compare all-in prices: Ryanair’s lead-in fare rarely includes a bag — once you add 20 kg, Jet2 or easyJet may beat it.
- Be flexible on London airport: Gatwick, Luton and Stansted all serve TFS, and the cheapest often shifts between them by date.
Arriving in Tenerife
UK flights land at Tenerife South, Reina Sofía (TFS), on the sunny southern coast and closest to the main resorts. Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje are around 15–25 km away; a taxi costs roughly £20–£35, while the public TITSA buses (lines 111, 343 and others) reach the resorts and the capital for around £3–£9. The capital, Santa Cruz, is about 60 km north. Note there’s a second airport, Tenerife North (TFN), mainly used for inter-island and domestic Spanish flights — almost all UK arrivals use TFS.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Tenerife?
Non-stop flights take about 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes southbound from London to Tenerife South, and a similar time on the return. Despite feeling like a long-haul beach trip, the Canary Islands are off the coast of Africa but only a medium-haul hop from the UK.
Are there direct flights from London to Tenerife?
Yes. easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and British Airways all fly non-stop from London to Tenerife South (TFS). With five airlines on the route from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted, you never need to connect.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Tenerife?
A typical economy return runs about £70–£230 depending on the season. Good deals dip to around £75–£110 in the May–September shoulder, while winter sun, half-term and Christmas push toward £240–£260.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Tenerife?
May, June and September are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid February half-term, Easter, the summer holidays and Christmas, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Tenerife?
easyJet (Gatwick, Luton), Ryanair (Luton, Stansted), Jet2 (Stansted), TUI (Gatwick) and British Airways (Gatwick, Heathrow) all operate non-stop. The low-cost carriers are often competitive on price; Jet2 and BA include more in the base price.
Which airport do I fly into in Tenerife?
Almost all UK flights land at Tenerife South (TFS), closest to the southern resorts. Tenerife North (TFN) handles mostly inter-island and mainland Spanish routes, so check your ticket — the two airports are about an hour apart by road.
How far in advance should I book London to Tenerife flights?
Aim to book 6 to 12 weeks ahead for standard dates, and earlier for winter sun, February half-term and Christmas. Fares on this route climb steeply as the school holidays approach, so early booking almost always saves money.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to price lower than Friday–Sunday, when weekend breaks and package changeovers drive demand. Shifting your outbound by a day or two save a little on a return.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
