Teide cable car: prices, opening times and how to book

The Teide cable car climbs in about eight minutes from the base station, at 2,356 m beside the TF-21 road, to La Rambleta, at 3,555 m, just 163 m below the summit. As of October 2026 a return ticket for a non-resident adult costs €42 according to the official fare table; it opens every day at 9:00 and tickets are sold online only, with an assigned departure time. It closes in strong wind or ice, and the ticket does not give access to the summit: for that you need a separate permit. This guide brings together what you should know before booking.

Prices and ticket types

Fares published by the cable car company as of October 2026 (children aged 3 to 13; the resident fare is for Canary Islands residents):

• Return: non-resident adult €42, non-resident child €21; resident adult €10.50, resident child €5.25.
• Return with audio guide: non-resident adult €45.50, child €24.50; residents €14 and €8.75.
• Return with a guided visit to the Pico Viejo viewpoint: non-resident adult €54.50, child €33.50; residents €27.25 and €16.75. Children under 5 are not admitted on this activity.
• One way (up or down): non-resident adult €23.50, child €11.75; residents €5.88 and €2.94.

The booking page warns that prices vary with demand and season, and in October 2026 it showed returns from €43: check the final price before paying. The ticket includes the ride, access to the La Rambleta viewpoint and the exhibition at the base station.

The down-only ticket is bought at the top, with a QR code, if the service is running: it is the one used by people who walk up via Montaña Blanca. The up-only ticket is intended for those walking down, and requires a booking for the descent trail on Tenerife ON.

Opening times and seasons in 2026

It opens at 9:00 every day. The last ride up and the last ride down change:

• 1 January to 27 March: last ride up at 16:00, last ride down at 16:50.
• 28 March to 12 April (Easter): last ride up at 17:40, last ride down at 18:30.
• 13 April to 30 June: 16:00 and 16:50.
• 1 July to 30 September: 17:40 and 18:30.
• 1 to 13 October: 17:00 and 17:50.
• 14 to 24 October: 16:30 and 17:20.
• 25 October to 31 December: 16:00 and 16:50.

The base station car park opens at 8:00 and closes with the service. Outside those hours, only people who have booked a night-time activity can enter.

How to book and change your time slot

• Online only. The company does not sell at a ticket office: buy on its official website and choose your date and departure time. Places per slot are limited: in high season, book several days ahead.
• Arrive 20 minutes before your time at the boarding area. If you arrive late you lose the right to board. If you are driving, also allow time to park.
• Only the ride up is booked. To come down, you queue in order of arrival at La Rambleta.
• Time at the top: one hour at most; anyone with a summit permit may stay up to two.
• Free changes and cancellations until 18:00 the day before, from the booking management section of the website, with your booking code and the email used to buy. Up to three date changes are allowed within a year. After that time no changes are accepted and the full price is charged for a cancellation.

Closures for wind or ice and refunds

The cable car suspends service when the wind at the top exceeds its safety threshold or other weather conditions prevent it, which is more frequent from December to March. There is no way of knowing days in advance. What the official conditions say:

• Notice: the company announces weather closures at around 8:30 by email or SMS. Its website also posts the day's status.
• Closure: if the cable car is not running because of the weather or a breakdown, the ticket is refunded or you can change the date free of charge.
• Delay: if an interruption delays boarding by 90 minutes or more, you can ask for a full refund of unused tickets.
• Trails closed while the cable car is open: if the park closes the trails at the upper station, the return ticket without a guide or audio guide remains valid but is not refunded.

Book a day at the start of your stay: if it closes, you still have time to change.

How to get there

By car

The base station is at km 43 of the TF-21, inside Teide National Park. Official road distances: about 45 km from Puerto de la Cruz (via La Orotava), 47 km from Los Cristianos (via Vilaflor), 52 km from Los Gigantes (via Chío and the TF-38) and 64 km from Santa Cruz (via La Esperanza and the TF-24). These are mountain roads: allow an hour and a half to two hours from the coast and fill the tank before going up. The company warns that the car park is small and cannot be enlarged, so arrive with time to spare. If you are going to hire a car, read first how to hire a car in Tenerife.

By bus

TITSA, the island's bus company (buses are called guaguas in the Canary Islands), has two routes that stop at the cable car, with a single outward journey in the morning and a return in the afternoon, every day:

• Route 342 from the south. It leaves Costa Adeje bus station at 9:25 and runs via Los Cristianos, Arona and Vilaflor. The full journey to El Portillo takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. It returns in the afternoon, with departures between 15:15 and 16:00 depending on the stop.
• Route 348 from the north. It leaves Puerto de la Cruz at 9:30 and runs via La Orotava, Aguamansa and El Portillo to the Parador. It takes 1 hour 40 minutes and returns with departures between 16:00 and 16:30 depending on the stop.

With that timetable you will reach the cable car mid-morning: book a departure slot that leaves you a margin after the bus arrival time and confirm the exact stop and times on the TITSA website the day before. More transport options in getting around Tenerife.

What to do at the top

Three trails start from La Rambleta. Two are free with the ticket:

• La Fortaleza viewpoint (trail 11): 664 m and about 25 minutes one way, with views over the north of the island and, on clear days, La Palma.
• Pico Viejo viewpoint (trail 12): 781 m and about 30 minutes one way, looking into the Pico Viejo crater and over the south of Tenerife.

With one hour at the top there is time for one of the two at a relaxed pace and for photos at La Rambleta itself. The third, trail 10 or Telesforo Bravo, leads to the crater and requires a separate booking on Tenerife ON, which since 2026 has been paid for anyone who does not live in Tenerife. How to get it and how to fit its slot around your cable car time is explained in our guide to the Teide summit permit.

There is no café at the top: bring water. To combine the cable car with the rest of the park, from the Roques de García to the Llano de Ucanca, follow the Teide National Park guide.

Health, accessibility, children and pregnancy

The cable car's access rules are strict because the upper station is above 3,500 m:

• Not permitted to ride: pregnant women, people with heart conditions, children under 3 and people with cardiovascular, neurological or other serious illnesses. Nor anyone with symptoms of altitude sickness, fever or feeling unwell that day. If you have any medical condition, consult your doctor before booking.
• Reduced mobility: people with motor or functional disabilities cannot ride, because their evacuation cannot be guaranteed within the time required by regulations.
• Under-16s: always accompanied by an adult.
• Footwear: closed shoes are compulsory, either hiking boots or trainers with non-slip soles. Heels, wedges, platforms, sandals, beach shoes and flat soles are not allowed.
• Animals: only guide or therapy dogs.

With children, wrap up warm and come down at the first sign of a headache or drowsiness. More family ideas in Tenerife with kids.

Best times to go up

• First slot: less wind, fewer people and clearer air; set off early to find parking.
• Late afternoon: warmer light, but less margin if the service runs late. Check the last ride down for the season.

Sunset and stars: official activities

The cable car company runs extra rides at sunset, with a maximum of 90 people per departure, sold as part of combined activities. The most complete, Sunset & Stars, includes transport from the north or south, a sunset ride up, a picnic-style dinner and stargazing with telescopes; it lasts about eight hours, costs from €159 and does not admit children under 8 or people with reduced mobility. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before. If you prefer to organise the night yourself, the guide to stargazing on Teide explains where and when to go.

Common mistakes

• Turning up without a booking. There is no ticket office: buy online and, in high season, several days ahead.
• Going up in short sleeves. It is much colder at the top than on the coast and the wind is strong. Bring a warm layer, a hat and sunglasses; the list of what to pack for Tenerife includes kit for Teide.
• Unsuitable footwear. In sandals or flat soles you will not be allowed to board.
• Confusing the ticket with the permit. The cable car does not include access to the summit.
• Arriving right on time. You must be at boarding 20 minutes beforehand; if you are late, you lose your place.
• Booking the last day of your trip. If it closes because of wind, you have no date left to change to.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Teide cable car cost?

As of October 2026, a return costs €42 for a non-resident adult and €21 for a child aged 3 to 13 according to the official fare table; Canary Islands residents pay €10.50 and €5.25. Prices vary with demand and season, so confirm the amount on the official website when booking.

Can you buy tickets at the ticket office?

No. The company only accepts online bookings and assigns a departure time. Without a ticket bought in advance, you will not be able to go up.

How long can you stay at the top?

One hour at most, extended to two if you have a permit for the summit trail. The ride down is not booked: you queue at La Rambleta in order of arrival.

What happens if the cable car closes because of wind?

The company gives notice at around 8:30 by email or SMS, and you can ask for a refund or change the date free of charge. If boarding is delayed by 90 minutes or more, you are also entitled to a refund of unused tickets.

Can you go up to the summit with the cable car ticket?

No. The ticket takes you to La Rambleta and to the La Fortaleza and Pico Viejo viewpoints. The last few metres to the crater require a separate booking on Tenerife ON, with a limited quota.

Keep planning

• Teide National Park: complete guide to visiting
• Teide summit permit
• The Best Excursions in Tenerife: Day Trips and Tours by Area