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Los Cristianos to La Palma Ferry: Baleària and Fred Olsen
With Fred Olsen, Balearia
The Los Cristianos to La Palma ferry leaves from the port of Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife, and arrives at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma. It is operated by Baleària Canarias and Fred Olsen Express, with sailings every day.
It is the only direct sea link between Tenerife and La Palma: no ferry leaves from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. If you are in the north of the island, you have to get to Los Cristianos first.
The crossing takes several hours, much longer than Los Cristianos to La Gomera. It is made on a fast ferry, with seats, and takes cars, motorbikes and vans.
Los Cristianos La Palma ferry timetable
Below you can see the sailings for your date, with the ferry company running each one. Baleària Canarias sails every day of the year and Fred Olsen Express offers several a day, so you can almost always choose.
Choose your outward sailing with the return in mind: check the last sailing from La Palma to Los Cristianos before fixing your outward time, especially if you want a day trip.
There are no departures scheduled on this route in the coming days. You can travel on these routes:
Indicative schedules and subject to variation by the ferry company for operational reasons without prior notice.
How long does the ferry from Los Cristianos to La Palma take?
It is a crossing of several hours, a good deal longer than Los Cristianos to La Gomera, which takes under an hour. It leaves from a port in the south of Tenerife and crosses open sea to the east coast of La Palma, so expect some movement if there is a swell.
The timetable shows the duration and the ship for each sailing. If you have a flight afterwards, leave a margin: this is a sea route and the schedule can change.
Which ferry company runs the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry
Two ferry companies run this route, both with fast ferries:
- Baleària Canarias sails it every day of the year. It is one of the four Canary Islands lines with Easy Pass and, if you book in its app, you earn double Club points.
- Fred Olsen Express sails it with several departures a day. It offers a standard seat, an upper seat and Gold Class with priority boarding, and a ticket that can be changed to another date, time or route up to a year after purchase (except promotional fares).
To choose: if you want the most convenient time, check the timetable; if being able to change your trip matters to you, check the conditions of each fare. With a pet, both have their own accommodation, but it is not the same (see below).
Baleària Canarias's line on this route came from the former Naviera Armas (now operated by Baleària) and is today operated by Baleària Canarias.
Los Cristianos La Palma ferry price
The price shown above is the lowest recent fare for an adult without a vehicle. It changes with the date, the ferry company and what you add: car, motorbike, pet or upper seat.
- Baleària: the Club earns points for each passenger on the booking, and double if you book from its app. There is a youth fare (ages 14 to 30).
- Fred Olsen: has a points card, Gold Class and youth (ages 12 to 25) and senior (from 60) fares. There is a separate fare for groups of more than nine people.
Compare both before you buy: the difference is usually in the time and in what each fare includes.
Resident discount on the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry
Canary Islands residents get 75% off the passenger ticket between islands. It does not apply to the car, the pet or extras.
You can work out your resident price directly on I Love Ferry, at iloveferry.com/ferris, by switching on “Canary Islands resident?” in the results search box; the 75% applies to the passenger fare only.
- With Baleària, residence is checked online; if that fails, a certificate of residence is needed.
- With Fred Olsen it is checked against the Ministry system; it may also ask for a valid certificate of residence.
- On this route Baleària has Easy Pass: you board with a QR code, without going to the ticket office, if you are a Club member and have registered your residence documents.
More detail at Canary Islands resident discount.
Large family discount on the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry
Large families get 20% (general) or 50% (special) off the passenger fare. It is added to the resident discount, as both ferry companies confirm. Fred Olsen asks you to validate the certificate in its customer area; with Baleària, bring the certificate, in force. Guide: ferry with a large family discount.
Los Cristianos La Palma ferry with a car
Both ferry companies carry cars, motorbikes, vans and bicycles. You declare the vehicle when booking, with its dimensions, and it cannot travel without a passenger. Baleària also takes caravans and motorhomes.
On the fast ferry you do not go down to the car deck during the crossing: take up to your seat whatever you need (charger, medication, a coat). Fred Olsen does not allow electric cars to be charged on board. If the car is a rental, ask the company whether it allows it to be taken on a ferry.
The roads in La Palma are mountain roads and distances are deceptive: with a car you can reach the Roque de los Muchachos or the Caldera de Taburiente without depending on anyone.
Los Cristianos La Palma ferry with a dog
Each ferry company accommodates pets differently:
- Baleària: Pet&You and Pet&You XL (a mat next to your seat), Pet Friendly seat (in a carrier) or calm kennels. The pet is added to the booking, with a boarding pass and a valid health card, and is the last off.
- Fred Olsen: Pet Carrier (carrier up to 10 kg), Pet Room (a kennel on deck with a camera, for any weight) or Pet Sofa (loose on a lead next to the seat). Microchip compulsory and places limited.
In no case can it go on the Ferry Bus. More in travelling by ferry with a dog.
On board the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry: seat and luggage
These fast ferries have seats, not cabins. With Baleària you choose a standard or upper seat; with Fred Olsen, standard, upper or Gold Class. With Baleària luggage is not checked in: take what you can carry up in one go, and the luggage racks are open in the lounges. Bicycles: one per person.
Ports of Tenerife (Los Cristianos) and La Palma (Santa Cruz de La Palma)
Port of La Palma
Port of Los Cristianos
How to get to the port of Los Cristianos
The port of Los Cristianos is in Arona, in the south of Tenerife, next to the beach. You reach it by the TF-1 motorway. From the north, from Santa Cruz, allow a little over an hour by road.
Without a car, both ferry companies have a Ferry Bus between Santa Cruz and Los Cristianos. With Baleària it is free for those travelling without a vehicle on a combined ticket and is added under extras. With Fred Olsen it is free, but it has to be added when you buy, places are limited and it is booked at least 48 hours ahead. Neither accepts pets.
On foot, arrive about 20 minutes before departure and with a car about 40.
Arriving at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma
The ferry docks at Santa Cruz de La Palma, the capital, a short walk from the old town. The island has the Caldera de Taburiente, the Roque de los Muchachos, Los Tilos and the area of the Tajogaite volcano.
There is public transport, but with little reliable data on frequencies; if you want to see several parts of the island in a few days, hiring a car at the port or bringing your own is the most practical.
Getting around La Palma after disembarking
From the port you head straight into the capital. For the Caldera de Taburiente or the Roque de los Muchachos you need a car or an excursion. Those who come without a car usually stay in Santa Cruz or nearby and hire one for a day. If you want to continue your trip, the next ferry from here returns to Los Cristianos and, with Baleària, connects with La Gomera from Monday to Saturday.
Documents for the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry
A valid identity document (DNI, NIE or passport) per passenger is enough: Fred Olsen does not ask for a printed boarding pass and accepts the digital DNI only from the MiDNI app, not a screenshot. With a car, bring the vehicle registration document, the technical data sheet and insurance. With a pet, its documents. With a discount, proof of residence or the large family certificate.
I Love Ferry tips for the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry
- Wind and sea. Neither Baleària nor Fred Olsen guarantees dates and times: they can change the schedule or the ship. Put a mobile number and an email address you check on the booking.
- Check how refunds work. Fred Olsen only refunds flexible fares in full; if the ticket was issued by an agency, the refund is requested from the agency.
- From the north, do not count on arriving just in time. Between Santa Cruz and Los Cristianos it is a good hour: leave with plenty of time or book the Ferry Bus 48 hours ahead.
- With a car, take up what you need. There is no access to the car deck during the crossing.
- Residents, at purchase. The 75% applies to the passenger fare only; it does not lower the price of the car.
Why book the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry with I Love Ferry
- You compare the two ferry companies on this route in a single search.
- You declare resident or large family status in the last step of the purchase, where the discount is applied.
- You pay the ferry company's price and receive its booking reference.
- If the schedule or the ship changes, a person on the team looks after you, not a form.
Other ways to get to La Palma by ferry
- From Santa Cruz de Tenerife there is no ferry to La Palma: see La Palma Santa Cruz de Tenerife ferry.
- The return: La Palma Los Cristianos ferry.
- All the options between the two islands: Tenerife La Palma ferry.
- From La Gomera: La Palma La Gomera ferry.
Frequently asked questions about the Tenerife (Los Cristianos) La Palma (Santa Cruz de La Palma) ferry
Any questions about your ferry?
Here are the questions travellers ask us most. If yours is not here, our team of real people helps you before, during and after your trip.
See all the frequently asked questions >>Is there a direct ferry from Tenerife to La Palma?
Yes: it leaves from Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife, and arrives at Santa Cruz de La Palma. It is run by Baleària Canarias and Fred Olsen Express.
Which ferry company runs the Los Cristianos La Palma ferry?
Two: Baleària Canarias and Fred Olsen Express. The timetable shows which one runs each sailing.
Does any ferry to La Palma leave from Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
No: with both ferry companies the sailing to La Palma always leaves from Los Cristianos. From Santa Cruz you have to go south first by road or on the Ferry Bus.
Can I take a car on the ferry from Los Cristianos to La Palma?
Yes, with both ferry companies; you declare it with its dimensions when booking and it cannot travel without a passenger.
What discount does a Canary Islands resident get?
75% off the passenger ticket, not on the car or the pet. Residence is verified.
Can I take my dog on the ferry to La Palma?
Yes. Baleària and Fred Olsen have their own pet accommodation (mat, carrier or kennel), and the pet has to be added to the booking.
Is there a cabin on the ferry from Tenerife to La Palma?
No: you travel in a seat, standard or upper; Fred Olsen adds Gold Class. Cabins are on other, longer-distance ships.
What do I do if the ferry is cancelled because of wind?
Write to us with your booking reference. The ferry company can change the schedule or the ship because of the weather and will tell you on the mobile and email on the booking. What you are entitled to (relocation to another sailing or a refund, depending on the case) depends on the ferry company and the conditions of its contract; there is no additional compensation guaranteed if the sea prevents safe sailing.
Can I do a day trip from Tenerife to La Palma?
You can if the sailings on your date allow it, but little time is left on the island. Check the last return sailing first.
Is there a Ferry Bus from Santa Cruz to Los Cristianos?
Yes: Baleària and Fred Olsen have a Ferry Bus for their customers. With Fred Olsen you have to add it when you buy and book 48 hours ahead; neither accepts pets.
Ferry deals to Los Cristianos
Right now there are no offers on this route. When a ferry company launches one, you will see it here. View all offers >>
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