Flying from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI): What you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Tenerife. Explore your options leaving from Tenerife North Airport (TFN) or Tenerife South Airport (TFS) when reserving your flight from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI).
Nelson Mandela International Airport is located in Praia. The city runs on the UTC-1 timezone and is one hour behind Tenerife.
Leave plenty of time to catch your flight from Tenerife to RAI. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow a bit more breathing room. The recommendation for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Tenerife
Tenerife North Airport (TFN)
The journey from central Tenerife to TFN takes about 35 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 13 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want an easy start to your holiday? Stay near Tenerife North Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Of the flights that depart from Tenerife North Airport, 75.81% touch down on time at their destination.
Tenerife South Airport (TFS)
You can reach TFS from the centre of Tenerife in about 45 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to travel the 64 kilometres or so.
Flying out early in the morning? You might like to check in to one of these accommodation options near Tenerife South Airport the day before your Tenerife to RAI flight:
Tenerife South Airport has an on-time performance of 64.91%. This figure highlights how often flights that take off from this airport arrive on schedule.
About Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near RAI:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Nelson Mandela International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Fernando Rent a Car, Route 238 or Alucar and experience the lesser-explored corners of Praia and beyond.
To get the lowest price, book your ride around two weeks in advance of your Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport flight.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport is R 2,383. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 5,211. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
To pick up cheap flights from Tenerife to RAI, book ahead. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport tickets across every month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal is available on plane tickets from Tenerife to RAI.
Filters make it easier to save some cash on your flight from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport. Pick the flight times, carriers and stops that match your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
Think about the pace you're looking for when picking your flight dates. April is the quietest month to visit Praia. June is when most people book flights from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI), which may be ideal if you're after more excitement.
The warmest month in Praia is October, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your Tenerife to RAI plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
March has temperatures of between 19ºC (66ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Praia
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Praia right here. Explore these hotels after you've booked your flight from Tenerife to Nelson Mandela International Airport:
Your Praia visit should come with a side of sightseeing. Big-name attractions that are worth your time include Prainha Beach, Praia de Gamboa Beach and Farol de D. Maria Pia.
Explore more of Cape Verde
Mindelo is just one of the many places in Cape Verde waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Praia. Around 274 kilometres away to the north-west, check out popular attractions including Torre de Belem, Piscinas Naturais da Fajã Grande and Praia da Laginha.
Santa Maria is another essential stop in Cape Verde and is around 193 kilometres north of Praia. No journey is complete without a visit to Scuba Team Cabo Verde - Diving Club, Ponta Preta Beach and Kite Beach Coastline.
