Tenerife South Airport (TFS) Guide Departure Tips & Sports Baggage Advice
I arrived at the airport 2.5 hours before my flight from Tenerife South Airport to Warsaw Modlin.
My journey from El Medano involved two buses, with a transfer in San Isidro. The total travel time was approximately 40 minutes. The first leg, from El Medano to San Isidro, took 15 minutes. After that, I waited about 10-15 minutes for the connecting bus from San Isidro to the airport. From San Isidro, it's just two stops to the airport, dropping you right at the entrance to the departures hall. I went to the ticket office where I purchased my flight to ask how early I should queue for check-in. The attendant informed me that one hour before departure would suffice. This, I quickly learned, was a mistake, and I urge all travelers to learn from it. Despite being a relatively small airport, it handles a massive number of passengers. I'm still not sure how it happened, but by the time I approached the check-in queue, I found myself among the very last. Passenger check-in was incredibly slow. When I finally reached the ticket counter, the agent informed me he was going on a break and wouldn't be able to check me in, directing me to the adjacent queue instead. I looked back to see at least 100 people behind me. Thankfully, two kind tourists (I'm not sure of their nationality) let me cut in, which sped things up considerably. I managed to check in quickly because I had already completed my online check-in 24 hours before departure. I highly recommend this to everyone. However, another issue arose: I was traveling with sports equipment – a kitesurf board, kite, and accessories. I was instructed to take my sports baggage to a separate counter on the other side of the terminal. So, I sprinted across the airport. Luckily, it's a small airport, but it still meant navigating about 100 meters through crowds of other tourists. It's essential to find the correct drop-off point to ensure your baggage makes it onto the cart heading to your specific plane. It's crucial to ask questions, as once your baggage is accepted here, nothing is stamped; it's just tagged. It's a good idea to clearly state your destination and flight number. Once you've confirmed you're at the right counter, place your baggage on the belt, and then proceed to passenger security. At security, expect them to check the contents of your pockets, carry-on baggage, and shoes. Remember to empty loose change, remove your belt, and place everything into the provided trays. After clearing security, I made my way downstairs with a brisk pace and, within five minutes, I was on the tarmac boarding the plane. To anyone reading this article, especially those traveling with sports equipment like surfboards, windsurfing gear, or bicycles: arrive as early as possible – at least two hours before your departure. When the check-in announcement flashes, you should aim to be among the first in line. I, as they say, made it by the skin of my teeth.
If you're bringing sports equipment to Tenerife, it's crucial to pack it in appropriate bags for your flight, ensuring airport staff can approve it for loading onto the aircraft. It's always a good idea to call or write to the airline's helpline to confirm the exact dimensions (height, width, circumference, weight) required for your baggage. For instance, the cost of transporting a kitesurf board, a bicycle, or a windsurf board will vary. I won't provide specific dimensions, prices, or baggage insurance costs here, as these can differ significantly between carriers. One important point I must highlight: I encountered a situation where I received two different pieces of information from the same airline. I wrote to a low-cost carrier inquiring about the cost of transporting a kitesurf board. One day I received one price, and the next day, a higher one. It was clear that the employees weren't entirely sure of their answers. For peace of mind, I opted for the more expensive option. A breakdown of the ticket price, including all fees, can be found in the image gallery.