The best way to get around Mallorca is by car, especially if you want to explore the island's more remote beaches, nature parks, hill towns and mountain retreats at your own pace. Cars can be hired in every town or resort.
You can also get around much of the island by bus and train, especially in high season. Although some services are limited or non-existent during the low season.
Motorbikes, scooters and bicycles are also available for hire.
Mallorca's roads are generally good, although steep, narrow mountain routes can make it difficult for coaches and cars to pass other than at special points. Heavy traffic congestion is rare.
A few cliff-flanked coastal roads, including Sa Calobra and Formentor are ideal for motorbike touring, as are several narrow country roads that meander through the interior.
The island's main arterial road is the Ma13 motorway, which cuts through the island diagonally, linking Palma in the west with Alcúdia in the north. The Ma1 loops southwest of Palma to Andratx.
Car hire: All the major car-hire companies as well as several local firms are available in Mallorca. At Palma airport car-hire companies include Avis (www.avis.com/en/home), Europcar (www.europcar.com), Gold Car (www.goldcar.es), Hertz (www.hertz.com) and Sixt (www.sixt.com).
Car-hire rates vary, but an economy-class vehicle should cost between €40 and €70 per day. Extras like child seats (around €10 per day) should be reserved at the time of booking.
To hire a car you'll need a national driving licence, be aged 21 years or older and have a major credit card.
Those with a non-EU licence are supposed to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from their home country in addition to their national licence. But in practice, national licences from countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA are usually accepted without problem.
Car-hire companies provide third-party liability insurance, however you should make sure you understand what your liabilities and excess are in case of an accident or damage to the hire vehicle. Insurance that covers damage to the vehicle – Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) – usually costs extra, but driving without it is not recommended.
Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Seatbelts are compulsory.
The speed limit on main roads is 100kph (62 mph), for minor roads it is 90kph (56 mph) and on urban roads it is 60kph (37 mph). On three motorways the speed limit is 120kph (75mph).
Scooters and motorbikes are available for hire. Motorcyclists must use headlights at all times and wear a helmet if riding a bike of 125cc or more.
Taxi: Taxis are a safe and popular way of getting to and from the airport, as well as around Palma. Taxis can be hailed from the street or telephoned, and all use a meter.
Bus: Getting around Mallorca by bus is efficient, easy and inexpensive. Most of Mallorca is accessible by bus from Palma. All buses depart from (or near) Palma’s Estació Intermodal on Plaça d'Espanya.
The island's buses service all the main towns and villages. Some routes are more frequent than others, with some routes limited on weekends. Frequency to many coastal areas is reduced in the low season, while some services stop entirely.
For routes and schedules visit EMT Palma (www.emtpalma.es) or Transport de les Illes Balears (www.tib.org).
Rail: Efficient, fast and affordable train services run between Plaça d’Espanya in Palma de Mallorca and Inca, stopping at towns such as Santa Maria, Binissalem and Festival Park shopping outlet.
There are also connections between Inca and Sa Pobla and Manacor. A short metro line connects Palma's city centre to the university. Rail schedules and fares can be found at Transport de les Illes Balears (www.tib.org).
The Sóller narrow gauge railway (www.trendesoller.com) – an antique wooden train aimed at visitors – runs from Palma to Sóller several times a day. It's one of Palma’s most popular day trips.
The train cuts through 13 tunnels and crosses several bridges as it traverses the 1,067-metre high Sierra de Alfàbia that separates the Sóller Valley from the rest of the island.
Bicycle: Mallorca is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for road cycling. Apart from the mountainous areas on the island’s western and northwestern coasts, much of the island is reasonably flat and can be easily explored by bike.
Cyclists are generally accepted by other road users. Signposts across much of rural Mallorca indicate popular cycling routes (usually secondary roads between towns and villages).
It's fairly easy to hire a bike in Palma and at the main resorts. Prices vary widely, but on average you'll pay between €10 and €15 per day for a city bike, and €20 to €30 per day for an aluminium or carbon road bike.
The longer you hire the bike, the cheaper daily rates get, and many hire outfits will deliver to you. Bike tours are available from several companies.
Sea: There is no public ferry transport in Mallorca, however, several private companies offer sightseeing day cruises around the island.
Latest update: How to get around Mallorca: 10 May, 2022
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