Top Ways to Travel from Palma Airport to Palma For First Timers
Caleb and I have been to Mallorca and we have tried around the island by bus, taxi, rental car, and foot, so we know all the ins and outs of getting around the island and specifically on getting from Mallorca Airport to Palma city center!
There are 4 realistic options when thinking about how to get from Mallorca airport to Palma and vice-versa. You can take a private shuttle/towncar, take a taxi, drive/rent a car, or take the bus. We put this guide together to show you the cost, durations, and logistics for all of these options.
Let’s get into it!
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Overview of the ways you can get to the city center from PMI airport:
- Private Towncar/Shuttle – This is the most expensive option and really isn’t much faster than a taxi or driving yourself, but is faster than taking a shared shuttle or the bus. However, if don’t want to rent a car and you just want someone to pick you up from the airport without figuring out where to get a taxi, this is the best option for you.
- Taxi – This is the second most expensive option and it’s about as fast as a private shuttle or driving yourself. This is a great option for those not wanting to rent a car during their stay but want to save some time and get to the beach faster!
- Driving or renting a car – Personally, we feel that you do need a car in Mallorca to visit all the spots that make it worth visiting. While not the cheapest option, renting a car in Mallorca is ideal for the freedom and flexibility you will have.
- Taking the bus – this is the longest but cheapest option and is best for those visiting Mallorca on a tight budget, who don’t mind riding with a million passengers.
| Mode of Transportation | Time | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Car | 30 Mins | $40-$140 one way | Those who want everything planned for them |
| Taxi | 30 Mins | $30-$40 one way | Those who don’t want to rent a car but want to save a little time |
| Renting a Car | 30 Mins | $15-$60 per day | The best option if you plan to leave Palma city at all |
| Taking the Bus | 45 Mins | $6-$8 one way | Those on a budget |
Distance From PMI To Palma
The distance from Palma Mallorca Airport to Palma Center is roughly 11km or 7 miles and will take you 20-30 minutes by car depending on traffic. You can expect closer to 30-45 minutes if you take the bus, depending on traffic and how far into the center of the city you ride the bus
Option 1 – Private Shuttle or Towncar
Booking a private shuttle or town car is the most convenient option for getting from Palma airport to Palma.
You will get off the plane and someone will meet you to pick you up and guide you to an air-conditioned private car (depending on when you visit Mallorca, that AC might make everything worth it!) They will drive you right to the doorstep of your accommodation which is, you know, FANCY and stuff.
Cost:
The cost of a shuttle from airport Palma de Mallorca varies greatly depending on how many people are with you, how long in advance you book, and what time of year you are visiting. For example, a shoulder season like visiting in April might be cheaper than visiting in June or the busiest month of July.
When Caleb and I were personally looking around, we found that the average cost ranges from $40-$140 one way.
When booking private transfers we recommend these two companies for value and professionalism:
Drive time
The shuttle ride from the international airport to the city center will last 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Option 2 – Taxi
A taxi from Palma airport is much like a private transfer but can be slightly lower cost. The downside here is that no one will come and meet you so you have to navigate the airport by yourself, find the taxi stand, and then wait for a taxi to be available.
PRO TIP:
The taxi stand at PMI is SUPER EASY to find, you really can’t miss it. Simply exit the public arrivals hall and BAM! You’ll walk right into it.
Cost:
A taxi from Palma Airport to Palma ranges in cost, but the average cost that Caleb and I found was $30-$40 one way.
Drive time:
Taxi Transfers from Palma Airport to the city center are 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and where in the city you are going.
Option 3 – Driving
If you are planning to explore more of Mallorca than just Palma or knock a bunch of things off your bucket list, the most ideal way to get from the airport to the city center is by renting a car and driving. This saves you the headache of figuring out bus schedules, dealing with late buses, or trying to navigate the taxi situation. It also gives you the freedom and flexibility to leave Palma and explore the other amazing places that require driving!
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ONLY planning to stay in Palma and not explore other parts of the island, you DO NOT need to rent a car, and doing so may be the worst choice. Palma traffic and parking can be a bit of a nightmare and you don’t want to navigate it if you don’t have to,
Cost:
Depending on the season, you can get a rental car in Mallorca for $15-$60 per day. The longer you rent the vehicle the lower the price and the season will influence the cost as well: cheaper in the fall and winter and more expensive in the spring and summer.
We recommend using Discover Cars to book! We love that they show you all the booking options in one place to save you time!
Drive time:
Going from Mallorca Airport to Palma by car takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and how fast you drive. It might end up being closer to 45 minutes if you aren’t a strong navigator and get lost.
The route you should take:
The best route to get from PMI to Palma City by car is simply to follow the Ma-19 West. This will take you literally all the way into Palma! You won’t be able to miss the road signs leaving the airport, so don’t worry!
>> Click here to check prices and availability for rental cars in Mallorca <<
Option 4 – The Palma Airport Bus
Taking public transport to Mallorca Airport into the city is the longest transportation method but that also means that it’s the cheapest. If you’re on a tight budget, don’t plan to leave the city much or if you just want to save a few bucks to splurge later, this is what we recommend!
The bus line that you take from the airport is the A1 bus, an EMT line, and the pickup area is directly outside of the public arrivals halls. Just walk straight out of the hall and you’ll see the airport bus Palma area!
Cost:
The cost of bus transfers from Palma Airport depends if you pay by cash or by card. EMT buses do NOT take cards, so if you want to pay right on the bus, you will need to pay in cash and a bus ticket is around $6, one way. If you pay with larger bills, they may not be accepted.
If you don’t have cash, there is a card machine right at the bus stop, however, you do have to pay a couple of bucks more if you pay by card – around $8 or so for a single ticket.
Drive duration:
The Mallorca Airport to Palma bus ride will be around 45 minutes, depending on traffic and how far into the city you’re staying without a car.
Schedule:
Bus routes run all year from the airport into town, departing roughly every 20 minutes but the timetables can change so make sure you check the timetables for when the bus runs before you go!
How We Can Help You Next:
Now that you know how to get from the airport into Palma, you need to have all our other best travel tips for Mallorca! We can fix that with our ultimate Mallorca travel guide!
So, was this helpful? What transportation option will you be taking?
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