Car Hire El Hierro Airport

Car Hire

The least-known and smallest of the Canary Islands is El Hierro. It is a favourite destination for holidaymakers looking for an authentic Spanish experience. It is served by El Hierro Airport, which is located at Valverde, the most important of the island’s three settlements. It’s a tiny facility with only one carrier. City buses serving the small town run to and from the airport, coinciding with flight arrivals and departures, and taxis can be booked in advance. Car rental in El Hierro Airport can be booked in the terminal and is the preferred means of transport for most visitors.

Who to Book With
Two car rental companies based in the Canary Islands offer car hire services here. Autos Bamir is an El Hierro company and Cicar serves every airport and port in the Canaries. The desks are found in the Arrivals area and rental cars are stored in the Car Hire Company Car Park close-by the terminal.

Need to Know Essentials
Documents as followed should be presented at the vehicle collection point.

- Your UK, EU or country of origin’s driver’s licence
- The credit card used for the reservation
- A passport or EU ID card to confirm your identification
- Confirmation of booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
El Hierro, now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is the result of incredibly ancient volcanic activity and has spectacular craggy mountainous scenery as a result. The islanders drive on the right, and getting around El Hierro’s beaches and dive sites is easy for competent drivers. Roads between the few villages, even when winding up and around the volcanic heights, are in an acceptable condition if paved, although sudden mists can appear without warning. On unpaved tracks, care should be taken. Rural roads are generally empty, and Valverde’s streets are narrow, cobbled and steep, making the little town best seen on foot as parking is tricky. A few petrol stations are found, and it’s better to have cash with you, although card payment might be accepted.

See our guide to Spain for more information on driving here.

Transport

Passengers arriving at El Hierro Airport have a choice of taxis or city buses, as well as car rental at the airport, which is best booked in advance, especially in the high season. Self-drive is the easiest and fastest way to the town and its hotels, with the journey taking around 20 minutes.

Taxis
If you’re planning to take a taxi from the airport, it’s necessary to book ahead as there are only a few flights every week landing here from Gran Canaria. Taxis can be picked up after booking just outside the terminal’s Arrivals exit and the trip to town takes around 20 minutes. An airport surcharge of £1.30 is imposed for taxi travel to town.

Taxi prices:
El Hierro Airport to Valverde town centre is about £12

Buses
Local bus route 8, operated by TransHierro, offers a link between El Hierro Airport and the town from its stop on the roundabout near the terminal building. The service runs to Valverde town centre Monday through Sunday at 08:30, 10:50, 15:10 and 17:30, coinciding with flight arrivals. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs around £0.80.

Facilities

Terminals
The tiny terminal’s Departures hall is to the right of the building, past the five check-in desks. Binter Canarias is the only carrier serving the facility, with routes to and from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Tenerife-North. Holidaymakers heading for the island from Spain or international destinations will need to change planes at either of the above airports.

Parking
Parking at the airport is within a few minutes’ walk of the terminal and is set in two separate car parks, the general public car park with 155 bays and a dedicated reduced mobility car park right opposite the building’s entrance. A third area is set aside for the airport’s two car hire firms. Parking fees are from £0.80 per hour up to £10 per day.

Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi internet access is found in the airport’s café, in the main hall.

Information Services
An airport information desk is located in the main hall.

Useful Numbers
Service Centre: +34 91 321 1000

Accessibility
The meeting point for passengers with reduced mobility is just inside the terminal’s mail entrance. Facilities provided include car parking spaces, wheelchair access to all terminal areas, adapted washrooms and assistance with boarding and deplaning. Disabled passengers are asked to make arrangements for assistance through Binter Canarias.

Restaurants and Bars
The airport’s café in the Arrivals section of the main hall is open according to arrival and departure times, and offers Canary Islands cuisine, with set menus as well as snacks and drinks.

VIP Lounges
There are no VIP lounges at El Hierro Airport.

Money and ATMs
An ATM is found in the main hall before the security checkpoint.

Shopping
A multi-shop is found in the Departures area of the terminal. It sells cosmetics, perfumes, tobacco products, wines and spirits, chocolates, accessories and jewellery.