Travelling to the Canary Islands with your motorhome: options and tips

Some journeys begin long before you reach your destination.

In the case of the Canary Islands, if you also want to bring your own motorhome, the journey begins the moment you decide how to cross the ocean with your home on wheels.

The idea can seem complicated at first: finding a ferry, preparing the vehicle, organising boarding, sorting out the paperwork and deciding which island to arrive at. But taking a motorhome from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands is a perfectly realistic option, and it can open the door to discovering the islands with far more freedom.

Because once the motorhome reaches the Canary Islands, the journey really begins.

Having your own vehicle means you're not relying on a hire car for every trip, and you have everything you need to travel at your own pace right from the start.

Can you travel to the Canary Islands with a motorhome?

Yes. There are sea crossings between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands that allow you to transport vehicles, including motorhomes and campervans.

There are currently connections available from mainland ports to the Canary Islands, as well as routes between the islands themselves, so it's possible to plan a trip in which the motorhome takes centre stage.

For example, Fred. Olsen Express provides specific information for passengers travelling from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands with a campervan or motorhome, including the vehicle's boarding conditions.

There are also connections operated by other shipping companies, such as the routes run by Grupo Armas Trasmediterránea between mainland ports and the Canary Islands.

Routes, timetables, frequencies and conditions can change, so it's advisable to check directly with the shipping company before organising your trip.

Taking your motorhome to the Canary Islands by ferry

The most common option for those wanting to travel with their own motorhome is to go by sea.

The process starts at the port of departure. There, you'll need to present the vehicle for boarding and follow the shipping company's instructions.

Travelling with a motorhome means paying particular attention to one especially important detail: boarding times.

It's not a good idea to arrive at the port just before departure.

Shipping companies set cut-off times for vehicles and may require you to be at the port well in advance to go through checks and boarding. For example, Fred. Olsen currently states that on its routes between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands, vehicle boarding starts ahead of time and the cut-off is one hour before departure, recommending you arrive at the port around three hours early.

That's why it's best to take things calmly on the day of travel.

Arriving with time to spare, having your paperwork ready and knowing where to go will make the start of your holiday much easier.

Where can you travel from to the Canary Islands with a motorhome?

The route will depend on the shipping company, the date and the island you want to reach.

One of the main departure points for sea connections to the Canary Islands is Huelva, while there are also connections from other mainland ports.

In the Canary Islands, the main arrival points are on the islands with ports connected to mainland Spain.

This means that before buying your ticket, price isn't the only thing to look at.

It's also worth thinking about:

• Which island do I want to arrive at?

• Where do I want to start the trip?

• How many days will I be staying?

• Do I want to visit just one island or several?

• Am I interested in moving between islands with the motorhome afterwards?

A little planning up front can save a lot of kilometres and time later on.

Is it worth bringing your own motorhome?

It depends on the kind of trip you want to take.

If your plan is to spend just a few days in the Canary Islands and mostly stick to tourist areas, you might prefer to fly and hire a vehicle once you're there.

But if you have a motorhome you use regularly and want to take a longer trip, bringing it with you can make a lot of sense.

You have your own bed, your own kitchen, your own storage space and everything else you already know about your vehicle.

You don't have to adapt your trip to a hired motorhome.

And, above all, you can carry on using the same vehicle after the trip.

For many caravanning enthusiasts, that familiarity is an important part of the experience.

Can you travel between islands with a motorhome?

Yes, there are sea connections between different islands in the archipelago, and some allow you to transport vehicles.

This opens up a very interesting possibility: organising a trip around several islands while always using your own motorhome.

However, before doing so you need to check the specific terms of the company, the route, the type and dimensions of the vehicle, and the boarding conditions.

Not all connections have the same features.

So if you're thinking about combining Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote or other islands, it's best to plan the route first and then check the connections available for your travel dates.

What to prepare before boarding

Before heading to the port, it's worth running through a quick checklist.

Documentation

Have your personal documents and any vehicle documents the shipping company may require ready.

Also check the specific terms of your ticket and the boarding requirements.

Motorhome dimensions

The vehicle's length and height are especially important when making the booking.

Travelling with a compact campervan is very different from travelling with a seven-metre A-class motorhome.

Giving the correct vehicle dimensions will help you avoid problems during booking or boarding.

Luggage and items inside

Before boarding, make sure to properly secure anything that could move around during the crossing.

Doors, cupboards, drawers and loose items should all be firmly closed.

It's also a good idea to check the shipping company's instructions on what can be left inside the vehicle during the crossing.

Tanks and technical systems

Before travelling, check the company's recommendations regarding tanks, gas bottles, gas systems and other parts of the vehicle.

Specific conditions can vary between companies and types of service, so it's always best to follow the shipping company's instructions here.

Once in the Canary Islands: the real journey begins

Arriving at the port is just the beginning.

Once you drive off the ferry and start making your way around the Canary Islands, the experience changes quickly.

The islands have very distinctive terrain, and some roads can be quite demanding for a large motorhome.

That's why one of the first pieces of advice is simple: don't try to see everything.

The Canary Islands deserve time.

In Tenerife, you can spend several days exploring Mount Teide, touring the north, discovering Anaga or visiting the Los Gigantes cliffs.

In Lanzarote, the volcanic landscape deserves to be explored without rushing.

In Fuerteventura, the beaches, natural spaces and open roads often take centre stage.

And Gran Canaria offers an enormous contrast between coast and mountains.

Canary Islands roads and motorhomes

Before travelling, it's worth remembering that the Canary Islands aren't a completely flat destination.

The islands are of volcanic origin, which means there are significant gradients, mountain roads and winding stretches.

If you're driving a large motorhome, planning some of your journeys in advance can be especially useful.

This isn't about being afraid of the roads.

It's about knowing your vehicle and adapting the route.

A road that might be easy in a car can need much more attention when you're driving a seven-metre motorhome.

Patience, once again, is one of the best accessories for travelling by campervan.

And where can you sleep in the motorhome?

This is another point worth planning before you travel.

Being in the Canary Islands doesn't mean you can park up and camp freely wherever you like.

You need to distinguish between parking, staying overnight and camping, and always check the rules that apply in each municipality or natural area.

There are also campsites, camping areas and other regulated spaces that can be a good alternative depending on your route.

Which island should you choose to start with?

There's no single answer.

It depends on what you're looking for.

If you want to combine volcanoes, mountains, coastline and a huge variety of landscapes, Tenerife is a very well-rounded choice.

If you're particularly drawn to volcanic landscapes, Lanzarote offers a completely different experience.

If you're after big beaches and open spaces, Fuerteventura might suit your trip better.

And if you want to combine coast, villages and mountains, Gran Canaria offers an enormous variety of landscapes within relatively few kilometres.

You could also consider visiting several.

But this is where one of the great advantages of having a motorhome comes in: you don't have to plan everything around where you'll sleep each night.

You can plan the trip around the experiences you want to have first.

And what if you don't have a motorhome yet?

For some people, a trip to the Canary Islands is exactly the moment they start thinking about buying a motorhome.

And here there's another possibility.

You don't necessarily have to look for a motorhome directly in the Canary Islands.

At TTCamper, from our base in Totana, Murcia, we have new and used motorhomes and campervans for customers all over Spain, and we can also arrange the sale and shipping of vehicles to the Canary Islands.

This means you can look for the vehicle that really suits you, without limiting your search to what's available on the islands.

A compact campervan can be a good option for those who prioritise mobility and ease of driving, while a low-profile or A-class motorhome can offer more space for family trips or longer stays.

The choice will depend on how you want to travel.

Before travelling: always check the latest information

Ferry timetables, boarding conditions, routes and certain rules can change.

The same goes for access restrictions to natural areas or the conditions of certain parking and camping areas.

That's why, before setting off, we recommend checking official sources and the latest information from the shipping company you'll be travelling with.

For tax or customs matters relating to bringing goods into the Canary Islands, it's also worth checking directly with the Agencia Tributaria Canaria (Canary Islands Tax Agency). Goods brought in from mainland Spain are subject to the Canary Islands' specific tax and customs regime, and certain cases may require declarations or specific procedures.

It's not a good idea to rely on a procedure or figure found on an old forum post without first checking that it's still current.

The Canary Islands by motorhome: the journey starts on the mainland

Taking your motorhome to the Canary Islands takes a bit more planning than a conventional trip, but it can also turn into a completely different kind of experience.

Preparing the vehicle, organising the ferry, choosing which island to arrive at, and then setting off along the roads of the archipelago — it's all part of the journey.

And once you're there, the best strategy is usually the simplest one: drive without rushing, enjoy the scenery and leave room to improvise.

Because there's something about the Canary Islands that fits especially well with the caravanning philosophy.

You don't need to have every minute planned out.

You can wake up by the ocean, drive towards the mountains, stop in a village you'd never heard of, and end the day watching the sun disappear behind the Atlantic.

And the next day, start all over again.