Cheap Flights to the Canary Islands and Tenerife

Tenerife is the biggest and most varied, with lively resorts in the south around Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje, quieter spots like Los Cristianos and Alcala, and the spectacular volcanic landscape around Mount Teide, which at 3,715 metres is the highest peak in Spain. Gran Canaria offers a mix of golden dunes at Maspalomas, the cosmopolitan city of Las Palmas and a quieter mountain interior.

Lanzarote is known for its black volcanic landscapes and relaxed resorts, Fuerteventura for long, windswept beaches that suit water sports, and the smaller islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro for walking and stargazing. If this is your first visit, Tenerife or Gran Canaria usually give the widest choice of flights, hotels and things to do.

OAG's analysis found that Manchester had the most scheduled flights to the Canaries over Christmas 2025, with around 523, followed by London Gatwick with about 461. Many other airports, including Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Liverpool and Stansted, also offer regular Canaries flights.

That choice is useful, because fares can differ noticeably between airports. If you live between two airports, compare both, then add the cost of getting there. Our guide to cheap flights from Manchester covers one of the busiest options in more detail.

The islands are busy all year, but there are clear patterns. The cheapest periods for winter sun tend to be early November, January after the New Year rush, and February outside half-term. The most expensive are the Christmas and New Year fortnight and school holidays, when demand spikes and the best-value seats sell out early.

Midweek flights are usually cheaper than Friday to Sunday departures. If you can travel in the first half of December, you often get Christmas decorations and mild weather at a fraction of the festive-week cost. Our guide to the best time to book flights in 2026 explains the general booking patterns.

The Canary Islands are part of Spain, so EU border rules apply to British visitors. Your passport must have been issued within the previous ten years on the day you enter and must have at least three months remaining beyond the day you plan to leave. Check both dates before you pay, because airlines can refuse boarding.

The EU's Entry/Exit System, which registers biometric details of non-EU visitors at the border, has been rolling out since late 2025, so allow extra time at passport control. A separate travel authorisation called ETIAS has also been planned, with a start date that has moved more than once, so check official EU information close to your travel date rather than relying on any single article.

A typical week might begin with two relaxed days by the pool and beach at your resort, followed by a day in the volcanic landscape around Mount Teide, taking the cable car up and walking among the lava formations. Another day could be spent whale and dolphin watching on the south-west coast, with a seafood lunch in a harbour town such as Los Gigantes.

Keep a day free to explore the old town of La Laguna or the pretty northern coast around Puerto de la Cruz, and finish with a lazy last day before an evening flight home. Because the clocks match the UK, there is no jet lag to plan around, which makes even a short week feel properly restful.

Many British holidaymakers book a package that includes flights, accommodation and transfers, and for the Canaries this can offer excellent value, particularly for all-inclusive stays. Booking separately gives you more control over dates and hotels and can be cheaper for self-catering or off-peak trips.

Compare the total cost both ways, and remember that package holidays sold as flight-inclusive packages may carry ATOL protection, while flight-only tickets bought directly from an airline generally do not. Our all-inclusive resorts service and beach hotels service can help you compare.

The Canaries use the euro, and cards are widely accepted in resorts. Cash is useful for small bars, markets and some taxis. Choose to pay in euros rather than pounds when you use a card, because the conversion offered at the terminal usually has a worse rate.

Prices for food and drink are generally modest compared with the UK, particularly away from the busiest resort strips. A set lunch menu at a local restaurant is often excellent value. Tipping is appreciated but not expected to the same degree as in some countries, and rounding up the bill is common.

Winter flights to the islands run through some of the busiest airports in Europe, and a strike or a fog bank at either end can ripple through a whole day's schedule. If a flight is delayed or cancelled, UK rules can entitle you to refreshments, a rebooking or, depending on the cause and the length of the delay, compensation. Our guide to delay and cancellation rights sets out what to ask for.

Take out insurance that includes medical cover. The UK-issued GHIC card gives access to state-provided care in Spain on the same terms as Spanish residents, but it does not pay for private treatment or flights home. Keep prescriptions in your hand luggage.

Pack light layers, a windproof jacket for evenings and a sunhat, because the winter sun is stronger than it looks. Reef-safe sun cream is sensible, and a small daypack helps for mountain trips. Remember the plug adapter and any regular medication, kept in your hand luggage with a copy of your prescription.

Download offline maps, check your phone's roaming charges and keep a note of your hotel address in Spanish. Small preparations like these take minutes and make the first hours after landing calm and easy.