Fast ferry Benchi Express Fred Olsen
Fast ferry Benchi Express
âš“ The Benchi Express is a high-speed fast ferry catamaran operated by Fred Olsen Express, linking the islands of the Canary archipelago with crossing times far shorter than those of conventional ferries. Her main route connects Los Cristianos (Tenerife) with San Sebastián de La Gomera in roughly 50 minutes, one of the quickest inter-island links in the Canaries. Thanks to her aluminium catamaran design and waterjet propulsion, the Benchi Express gives a stable, comfortable ride even when the sea is rough.
The ship was built by Austal, one of the Australian yards that lead the world in high-speed aluminium catamarans. Fred Olsen Express brought the Benchi Express into its Canarian fleet to strengthen the links between Tenerife and La Gomera, a route in high demand among residents and among visitors keen to see the smallest of the western islands.
The name "Benchi" nods to Canarian place names and cultural identity, in keeping with the Fred Olsen Express tradition of giving its ships names of Guanche origin or names tied to the history of the Canary Islands. The Norwegian-Canarian operator Fred Olsen Express runs almost all the high-speed links between the western islands of the archipelago: Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
History and background of the ship
The Benchi Express (IMO 9832236) is the only ship in the Fred. Olsen Express fleet built in Spain: she was built in 2017 at the Drassanes Dalmau yard in Arenys de Mar (Barcelona), in high-strength fibreglass, and designed from scratch for the Canary Islands. Delivered in September 2017, she made her maiden voyage from Catalonia to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Since arriving in the archipelago she has worked exclusively for Fred. Olsen Express, with no change of owner or name.
Between 2017 and 2022 she was assigned to La Gomera's own coastal route, linking San Sebastián de La Gomera, Playa de Santiago and Valle Gran Rey — a 70-minute service that avoids the mountain roads and is essential to the island's residents. After a spell out of service and a temporary deployment on the Bocaina Strait (Fuerteventura–Lanzarote) between 2022 and 2024, she returned for good to her Gomeran route, where she now makes three sailings a day.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Aluminium fast ferry catamaran |
| Shipyard | Austal (Australia) |
| Propulsion | High-speed waterjets |
| Service speed | ~35–38 knots |
| Build material | High-strength marine aluminium |
| Passenger decks | 2 |
| Passenger capacity | On request (approx. 600–800 people) |
| Vehicle transport | Yes (vehicle deck) |
| Operating company | Fred Olsen Express |
| Flag | Spain |
| Main home port | Los Cristianos (south Tenerife) |
Some technical figures are indicative. For exact specifications, see the official Fred Olsen Express data sheet.
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → San Sebastián de La Gomera | ~50 min | Several sailings a day |
| San Sebastián de La Gomera → Los Cristianos (Tenerife) | ~50 min | Several sailings a day |
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → Santa Cruz de La Palma | ~1 h 50 min | Check timetable |
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → La Estaca (El Hierro) | ~1 h 30 min | Check timetable |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Which ship is assigned to each sailing can change with Fred Olsen Express's day-to-day operations. Confirm the exact departure time in our search engine.
The port of Los Cristianos: access and things to know
The port of Los Cristianos, in the municipality of Arona in the south of Tenerife, is Fred Olsen Express's main hub for links with the western islands. Its position in southern Tenerife makes it very convenient for visitors staying along the Costa Adeje–Los Cristianos–Las Américas strip, where most of the island's hotels are concentrated.
Getting to the port from Tenerife South airport (TFS) is particularly easy: just 20 minutes by taxi or transfer along the TF-1 motorway. From Santa Cruz de Tenerife or the north of the island, the drive takes about 60–80 minutes by motorway. We recommend arriving at the port at least 60 minutes beforehand if you are travelling with a vehicle, and 30 minutes as a foot passenger.
The port of San Sebastián de La Gomera, the Benchi Express's main destination, is only a few metres from the historic centre of the Gomeran capital, so passengers step off the ship right in the heart of the island's main town, with no need for onward transport.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Passenger tickets on the Benchi Express for the Los Cristianos–San Sebastián de La Gomera route start at around €25–30 each way in mid season (indicative fare). Taking a vehicle costs extra, depending on its type and length.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: 75% off the base fare for residents registered in the Canary Islands. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento) when boarding.
- Under-4s: travel free if they do not occupy a seat.
- Youth card and large family: check availability when you book.
- Residents of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma: further reduced fares, as these islands have no provincial capital.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Standard seat (lower deck) |
| With family or a group of friends | Standard seat with table (lower deck) |
| Looking for panoramic sea views | Upper deck seat (superior deck) |
| Looking for extra comfort and a quiet space | VIP lounge (where available on the sailing) |
| With a pet | Designated pet area + pet ticket |
| With a vehicle | Any seat + a vehicle space on the car deck |
Fast ferry Benchi Express · Accommodations
Standard Seat · Lower Deck
The cheapest and most straightforward option on board. Comfortable seats on the main deck with direct access from the vehicle deck. Ideal for short hops such as Los Cristianos–La Gomera, where the trip takes no more than 50 minutes.
✓ Reclining seat with headrest
✓ Air conditioning on board
✓ Panoramic side windows
✓ Access to the onboard café
✓ Access to every area of the ship
Upper Deck Seat · Panoramic views
The second passenger deck offers better views of the sea and the island scenery. Particularly recommended if you are travelling between Tenerife and La Gomera for the first time and want to take in the views of Mount Teide and the coastlines of the western islands.
✓ Panoramic sea views from up top
✓ More natural light
✓ Reclining seat with headrest
✓ Air conditioning on board
VIP Lounge · Exclusive access
A restricted-access area with more comfortable seats and a quieter atmosphere, away from the bustle of the general decks. Available on certain sailings, depending on Fred Olsen Express's schedule. Check availability when you book.
✓ Restricted access and a quiet atmosphere
✓ More comfortable seats
✓ Personal service
✓ Separate air conditioning
Fast ferry Benchi Express · On-board services
Café on board
The Benchi Express has a café service on the passenger decks. As the main Tenerife–La Gomera route takes roughly 50 minutes, the café keeps to a quick menu of hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and fast food. On longer routes to La Palma or El Hierro, the food service is more extensive.
High-speed technology: the Austal catamaran
The Benchi Express was built by Austal, an Australian shipyard founded in 1988 and a world leader in high-speed aluminium vessels. Austal catamarans are known for their excellent behaviour at sea, their light weight thanks to marine aluminium, and the efficiency of their waterjet propulsion systems.
- Aluminium hull: marine aluminium cuts the ship's weight compared with steel, which is what allows high speeds on less fuel.
- Waterjets: propulsion by high-pressure jets of water does away with conventional propellers, reducing the risk of damage in shallow harbour areas and improving manoeuvrability in port.
- Catamaran design: the twin-hull architecture improves the ship's stability from side to side and gives more usable space on the passenger decks than a monohull of the same length.
- Stabilisation systems: Austal's high-speed catamarans carry stabilisation technology to keep movement to a minimum in heavy swell, so passengers feel less discomfort during the crossing.
Travelling with pets on the Benchi Express
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
Fred Olsen Express provides assistance for passengers with reduced mobility on all its routes, including those worked by the Benchi Express. We recommend giving notice of any special requirements at least 48 hours before boarding so that staff ashore and on board can arrange the help you need. Access from the terminal and the vehicle deck up to the passenger decks is adapted for wheelchairs.
To request assistance, contact Fred Olsen Express directly when you book or call its customer service line, giving the ship, the route and the type of assistance you need.
Sustainability and efficiency on the Benchi Express
Aluminium fast ferries with waterjet propulsion, such as the Benchi Express, have a very different energy-efficiency profile from conventional steel ferries. Their lower structural weight — thanks to aluminium — cuts fuel consumption per passenger carried on short, frequent routes.
- Less weight = less fuel: aluminium dramatically reduces the weight of the hull compared with steel, which translates into lower fuel consumption per nautical mile.
- Short routes, high frequency: the Fred Olsen Express operating model in the Canaries — short routes with many sailings a day — plays to the strengths of the high-speed catamaran over larger ships running fewer services.
- Highly recyclable: aluminium has one of the highest end-of-life recycling rates of any shipbuilding material.
The Benchi Express within the Fred Olsen Express fleet: a comparison
Fred Olsen Express operates in the Canaries with a fleet of aluminium fast ferries built by Austal, among them the Benchijigua Express, the Bencomo Express, the Bentago Express and the Benchi Express herself. All share waterjet propulsion and aluminium as their base material, though they differ in size, capacity and the routes they are assigned.
| Ship | Builder | Type | Main route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benchi Express | Austal | High-speed catamaran | Tenerife – La Gomera |
| Benchijigua Express | Austal | High-speed trimaran | Tenerife – La Gomera – La Palma |
| Bencomo Express | Austal | High-speed catamaran | Tenerife – La Palma / El Hierro |
| Bentago Express | Austal | High-speed catamaran | Tenerife – La Gomera / El Hierro |
Frequently asked questions about the Benchi Express
Which routes does the Benchi Express operate?
She mainly operates the Los Cristianos (Tenerife) – San Sebastián de La Gomera route, with several sailings a day. Fred Olsen Express also uses her on routes to La Palma and El Hierro, depending on the fleet schedule.
How long does the Benchi Express take from Tenerife to La Gomera?
The trip between Los Cristianos and San Sebastián de La Gomera takes roughly 50 minutes on board the Benchi Express. It is one of the shortest inter-island crossings in the Canaries.
Does the Benchi Express carry vehicles?
Yes. She has a deck for cars and other vehicles. If you are travelling with a vehicle, you need to book a space for it and arrive at the port at least 60 minutes beforehand.
Is there a Canary Islands resident discount on the Benchi Express?
Yes. Residents registered in the Canary Islands are entitled to a 75% discount on the base fare. You must prove residency at boarding with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
Are pets allowed on the Benchi Express?
Yes. Fred Olsen Express accepts pets. You need to book a pet place when you buy your ticket and meet the operator's documentation requirements. Pets travel in the designated area or in the passenger's own car.
Is the Benchi Express accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. Fred Olsen Express offers assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend giving notice of any special requirements 48 hours in advance so that staff can arrange the help you need ashore and on board.
How much does it cost to travel on the Benchi Express?
Passenger tickets for Tenerife–La Gomera start at around €25–30 each way (indicative standard fare). Canary Islands residents pay 75% less. Check real-time prices here.
Where does the Benchi Express leave from on Tenerife?
The Benchi Express boards at the port of Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife (Arona), about 20 minutes from TFS airport and some 60–80 minutes from Santa Cruz de Tenerife along the TF-1 motorway.
How early do I need to get to the port?
With a vehicle: at least 60 minutes beforehand. As a foot passenger: 30 minutes. In high season (July, August and Easter), allow extra time.
Does the Benchi Express sail in bad weather?
High-speed catamarans can have sailings disrupted by strong winds and heavy swell, particularly in the La Gomera channel. Fred Olsen Express gives notice of cancellations or timetable changes in advance. It is worth checking the state of the service on the day you travel.
Is there a café on the Benchi Express?
Yes. There is an onboard café with hot and cold drinks, snacks and quick meals. On the 50-minute hop to La Gomera the service is fast; on longer routes the food on offer is more extensive.
Can I take a bicycle on the Benchi Express?
Fred Olsen Express allows bicycles, generally on the vehicle deck. You need to book and pay the fare corresponding to the type of vehicle. Check the conditions when you book, as space can be limited.
What is the difference between the Benchi Express and the Benchijigua Express?
The Benchijigua Express is the Fred Olsen Express flagship: a much larger, higher-capacity trimaran, also built by Austal. The Benchi Express is a nimbler catamaran with less capacity, built for short routes with frequent sailings. Both share waterjet propulsion and aluminium construction.
Does the Benchi Express run all year round?
Fred Olsen Express keeps the Tenerife–La Gomera service running all year round, with several sailings a day. Which sailings the Benchi Express covers can change with the fleet schedule. Confirm the ship assigned and the times in our search engine.
Why travel to La Gomera by ferry rather than by plane?
La Gomera has no commercial airport running scheduled flights from Tenerife, which makes the ferry the only way to reach the island. The 50-minute trip on the Benchi Express from Los Cristianos is quick and comfortable, and it lets you bring your own car, which makes getting around far easier once you arrive.
