Getting to Mallorca
1 By Air from the Mainland
Scheduled flights and charters connect with all major Spanish and European cities. Visitors from the US will have to make the connection somewhere in Europe. Mallorca’s airport is located 10 km (6 miles) southeast of Palma, with taxis and buses transporting visitors to the city and resorts.
2 By Air from Ibiza and Menorca
Iberia has the monopoly on inter-island flights and operates scheduled runs daily from both Ibiza and Menorca to Palma. There are often last-minute places available, but try to book ahead in high season.
3 Charters
Cheap charter flights are readily available (as are flights from the “no frills” airlines), but dates and times are fixed, and a refund unlikely if you can’t use the ticket. From Spanish cities, you can check out Spanair; their
one-way tickets are fairly priced.
4 Packages
Many travel agents offer packages including full- or half-board lodgings as well as flight and transfers, usually
to the crowded, mass-market resorts.
5 By Ferry from the Mainland
Ferries and jetfoils run from Barcelona and Valencia (via Ibiza). The best bet is Transmediterránea’s jetfoil (a
huge catamaran) that in season does the trip twice a day in 4–5 hours (the other ferries will take up to 10 hours).
The ride is generally comfortable and offers great previews of the mountainous western coast as you circle
around the island to berth at the port of Palma. Buying a return ticket saves money.
6 By Ferry from Ibiza and Menorca
Transmediterránea and Balearia offer a regular ferry service from Ibiza and Menorca to Palma. Cape Balear
de Cruceros offers a passenger-only service to and from Cala Rajada, while Iscomar serves Port d’Alcúdia.
7 Bringing a Car
Fast ferries can be taken from Barcelona and Valencia. Inter-island ferries also carry cars, but some must be booked in advance in summer. (Hire cars cannot be transferred between islands.)
8 Cruises
Many cruise ships stop at Mallorca as part of a typical 10- or 15-day tour of Mediterranean ports. Cruise
passengers rarely have enough time for any more than Palma’s top sights and shops.
9 Private Boat
Marinas are dotted around the Mallorcan coastline, with no spot more desirable than Port Portals near Portals
Nous (see Portals Nous and Bendinat), where members of the Spanish royal family usually moor their yachts.
Port d’Andratx is also well thought of, but there are many cheaper options.
10 Private Plane
Except for the odd private landing strip, all planes have to land at Palma airport. Balloon trips are an entertaining option on the east coast.