How to get to Mallorca

Planning your holiday and wondering how to get to Mallorca, or even where Mallorca is on the map? The short answer: you can either fly into Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) or take a ferry to the ports of Palma or Alcúdia.

As Mallorca locals at Click Mallorca, we help thousands of travelers every year decide which option works best. In this guide, we’ll compare flights, ferries, and cruises—including travel times, companies, prices, and insider tips – so you can choose the most convenient way to reach the island.

Getting to Mallorca by Plane

Flying is the fastest and easiest way to reach Mallorca — and if you’re comparing options, here’s exactly how long the flight to Mallorca takes from different European cities. Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is one of Spain’s busiest airports, with daily flights from across Spain and Europe.

Where can you fly to Mallorca from?

• Madrid & Barcelona: the two main hubs. If traveling from Latin America, you’ll usually fly first into Madrid or Barcelona and then connect to Mallorca (1-hour flight).
• Other Spanish cities: direct flights from Bilbao, Valencia, Alicante, Málaga, Seville, Zaragoza, Santiago de Compostela, and more.
• Canary Islands: also have direct flights, with extra services in summer.
• High season (summer): increased frequency and more connections from smaller airports like Valladolid, Granada, or Jerez.

Main airlines include Ryanair and Vueling (low-cost) as well as Iberia and Air Europa.

You can see a full breakdown of airlines operating routes in our guide to airlines to Palma Mallorca Airport

From the Airport to your Accommodation

Mallorca Airport is only 8 km from Palma, so the transfer is quick and easy:

• Taxi: 15–25 € to central Palma.
• Public bus (EMT):
  • Line A1 → airport to Palma city center (~25 min).
  • Line A2 → connects with Can Pastilla and El Arenal.
• Shuttle buses: private companies serve tourist resorts like Alcúdia, Cala d’Or, or Cala Millor.

Once you’ve arrived, our complete guide on how to get around Mallorca will help you choose between car rental, buses, taxis or trains

💡 Local TOP TIP:  Check our detailed guide on Palma Airport buses for the cheapest way to reach Mallorca’s main resorts..

Getting to Mallorca by Ferry

Taking a ferry to Mallorca is a great alternative if you want to bring your own car, travel with pets, or enjoy a slower, scenic journey — especially if you plan to explore different areas and want to understand how big Mallorca is before bringing your car.

Main routes from mainland Spain

• Barcelona – Alcúdia: with Baleària’s new fast ferry Margarita Salas, only 3.5 hours.
• Denia – Palma: fast ferry service, around 5 hours 15 minutes.
• Valencia – Palma: conventional ferries, 7–8 hours.

💡 Local TOP TIP: For speed, choose a fast ferry. For a more relaxed trip, book an overnight ferry with a cabin.

Arrival ports in Mallorca

• Port of Palma: largest port, ideal if staying in Palma, the southwest, or Tramuntana area.
• Port of Alcúdia: less crowded, perfect if staying in the north (Alcúdia Bay, Playa de Muro, Pollença, Can Picafort).

If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, check our guide on where to stay in Mallorca before booking your ferry port.

Ferry companies & ticket types

• Baleària → fast ferries + eco-friendly ships (natural gas).
• Trasmed (Grimaldi Group) → conventional ferries, competitive fares.
• GNV → Barcelona–Palma, good for overnight cabins.
• Corsica Ferries (summer only).

All ferries accept vehicles (cars, motorbikes, bicycles, campervans). Balearic residents get a 75% discount.

Getting to Mallorca by Cruise

Many Mediterranean cruises include Palma de Mallorca in their itineraries — and if you’re arriving this way, read our full guide to the Palma de Mallorca cruise port, usually docking for 6–10 hours. The port is close to the city center, with easy access by bus, hop-on hop-off service, or taxi.

Most cruise passengers spend their short time visiting Palma’s Old Town and Cathedral, or join an organized excursion.

💡 Local TOP TIP: At Click Mallorca we offer special shore excursions directly from the port—cheaper than cruise ship tours. For example, our Caves of Drach excursion costs around €52, compared to €80 on board.

Quick Comparison: Plane vs Ferry vs Cruise

Option	Duration (approx.)	Main Advantages	Best For
Plane	1–3 h	Fast, cheap (low-cost), frequent	Short trips, budget travelers
Ferry	3.5–8 h	Bring car, pets, extra luggage, cabins available	Families, long stays, road-trips
Cruise	6–10 h stop	Organized itinerary, panoramic arrival	Mediterranean cruise passengers

FAQs: How to Get to Mallorca

Conclusion: Best Way to Get to Mallorca

The best way to get to Mallorca depends on your travel style:

• ✈️Plane: fastest and cheapest, perfect for short breaks.
• 🚢Ferry: ideal if traveling with car, family, or lots of luggage.
• 🛳 Cruise: great for a quick taste of Mallorca within a Mediterranean itinerary.

No matter how you arrive, once you’re here, the island has everything for a perfect holiday.

If you plan to stay overnight on the island before or after your journey, don’t forget to check how the Mallorca tourist tax works

Before booking your travel dates, it’s also worth checking Mallorca temperature by month to align your arrival with the type of holiday you want.

No matter how you arrive, once you’re here, the island offers endless things to do in Mallorca for every type of traveller.