A Brit living in Tenerife has warned tourists to 'arrive early' and 'expect queues' at Tenerife South Airport this summer, particularly when departing to the UK, due to the newly introduced EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Andrew Knight, who runs Buddies Bar Los Cristianos, shared his advice in a video aimed at holidaymakers nearing the end of their break.
"Are you flying from Tenerife South Airport this summer?" he asked. "They recommend you arrive three hours early if you are flying outside the Schengen Area - so that applies if you are going to the UK."
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a digital border system that replaces manual passport stamps with biometric tracking. First-time registrants must provide fingerprints and a photo at the border. Andrew explained that the hold-ups are mainly due to these new checks, which affect non-EU travellers, including UK citizens.
"As a reminder though, if you are one of the early morning flights, don't get here too early then because airport access is restricted when there are no [immediate] flights," he added.
Recent Experiences at Tenerife South Airport
Andrew noted that things have "all been pretty smooth" of late, but warned of occasional delays. "There's been a few unlucky people who have had to wait a couple of hours where the [EES] system has gone wrong, so you never know... just be prepared for it," he said.
He advised travellers to "go to the toilet on the plane, have a bottle of water and have some entertainment ready for the kids just in case the system is not playing ball and there are some queues."
Money-Saving Travel Tips
On a positive note, Andrew recommended the number 40 express bus from the airport to destinations like Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, and Costa Adeje. "It's a bargain and it runs every 30 minutes," he said, noting the fare is approximately €3.50 (£3.02). "And it will save you a big chunk on taxis."
He also urged followers to pay close attention to gate information after browsing duty-free. "You will see the screens, which tell you which area your flight is going from in terms of gates," he said. "Whether it is A, B or C, make sure you are there in plenty of time."
Mixed Reactions from Recent Visitors
One recent visitor reported a smooth experience: "Flew home today, 6pm flight. Airport was so smooth, Jet2 staff were amazing sorting baggage, few bottles in duty-free, had a meal in Giraffe, it was fab." Another quipped: "Flew out 6pm last night, was through in no time, the airport was a doddle. I did, however, have to sit in the VIP lounge for 2 hours drinking Cava and a mini buffet, so I was ok."
However, not everyone was as positive. A third TikTok user recalled: "It took us 2 hours to get through because of the sheer amount of people going through and the lack of assistance."
