Teide cable car

The Teleférico del Teide is the cable car inside Teide National Park that climbs from a base station at 2,356 m to an upper station at 3,555 m in under 8 minutes. From the top, three short trails lead to viewpoints, and one — Trail no. 10, Telesforo Bravo — continues to the 3,715 m summit crater, which requires a booked permit and, since January 2026, a fee for most non-residents.

How high does the cable car go, and how long is the ride?

According to the operator's official site, two cabins carrying up to 44 passengers each run between the base station (2,356 m) and La Rambleta upper station (3,555 m). The ride takes less than 8 minutes. At the top you are around 1,200 m higher than where you boarded, and the air is noticeably thinner and colder.

When is it open, and how much does it cost in 2026?

The operator's 2026 timetable changes several times a year. From 25 October to 31 December 2026 it runs 9:00–17:00, with the last ascent at 16:00 and the last descent at 16:50; in July–September 2026 it stays open until 18:40. The return ticket for independent visitors was listed from €43 for non-resident adults and €21.50 for children aged 3–13 when checked in October 2026, with lower prices for Canary Islands residents. It only closes on 25 December, but wind, ice or snow can stop it on any day — the official "Teide today" page shows its live status.

Can you walk to the summit from the top station?

Yes, but only with a permit. Trail no. 10 (Telesforo Bravo) leads from La Rambleta to the crater. Access is booked through the Cabildo's Tenerife ON platform. Since 19 January 2026 a conservation fee applies between 09:00 and 17:00: €15 for visitors from outside the Canaries, €6 for residents of the other islands, and free for Tenerife residents and children under 14. New slots open every Monday at 07:00, up to 28 days ahead, and bookings cannot be changed or refunded except when the trail or cable car is closed for weather. Two other trails from the upper station need no summit permit: no. 11 to the La Fortaleza viewpoint (views over the north of the island) and no. 12 to the Pico Viejo viewpoint (views over the south and the Las Cañadas caldera).

Who should not take the cable car?

The operator states that people with cardiovascular conditions, pregnant women and children under 3 are not allowed on board because of the altitude. People with reduced mobility are also not permitted to ascend, because if the cable car stops, passengers at the top must walk down on steep mountain paths.

How do you get to the base station?

By car, the base station on the TF-21 has a free car park, open in 2026 from 08:00 to 18:00 in winter (later in summer). By public bus, TITSA line 342 links Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos with Las Cañadas del Teide and El Portillo, and line 348 links Puerto de la Cruz with El Portillo and Las Cañadas. Both have few departures, so check the timetable on titsa.com before relying on them.

What do people commonly misjudge?

• Cold and wind. Even in summer, 3,555 m is a different climate from the coast; bring a warm layer, hat and sunglasses.
• The queue. Without a timed ticket, waits at the base can be long; book online.
• Altitude. Walk slowly at the top. Headache or dizziness are signs to descend.

For a different view of the same mountain, see stargazing on Teide, or read about Tenerife.