Palma Airport
Palma Airport (PMI) — What to expect on arrival
In July and August, Palma Airport (PMI) handles over 100 arrivals a day. The arrivals hall fills up fast. If you haven't sorted your transport in advance, your first hour in Majorca can be its worst: heat, luggage, crowds, and the question of how to get somewhere you've never been. This avoids all of that.
Option 1
🚗 Private transfer — No surprises
You come out of baggage reclaim and someone is holding a board with your name. Nothing to find, nothing to negotiate, no queue to join. You get in the car and 20 minutes later (or 50 or 65, depending where you're going) you're at your hotel. The price was agreed before you left home.
✅ Advantages
Fixed price · No waiting · Direct to your hotel · Flight tracking · Works even if you land late · No language barrier
⚠️ When it might not be worth it
Travelling solo to Palma city centre only — a standard taxi can be a similar price in that specific case.
Indicative prices: From €30 to Palma city · €65 to Alcudia · €70 to Puerto Pollensa · €80 to Cala Ratjada. Price per full vehicle (up to 4 pax). See all prices →
Option 2
🚕 Taxi — Fast but uncertain
In October on a Tuesday morning, the airport taxi is perfectly fine. In August at 11pm with 30°C and a large suitcase, the taxi queue can have 20 or 30 people ahead of you. And you won't know the price until you arrive.
✅ Advantages
No booking needed · Immediate if no queue · Fine for Palma city in low season
❌ Disadvantages
Taximeter — price unknown until you arrive · Long queues in summer · Won't wait if your flight is delayed · Expensive for northern resorts
Approximate fare airport → Palma city: €25–35. Airport → Alcudia: €90–120 (taximeter, varies heavily with traffic).
Option 3
🚌 Bus — Cheapest, slowest
Bus A1 costs €5 and gets you to Palma city centre. If you're travelling solo with a backpack and no rush, it's perfectly fine. If you're with family, checked luggage, heading to a northern resort, or arriving at night — it involves a connection at Palma bus station and a lot more patience than the first day of a holiday deserves.
✅ Advantages
Cheapest option for Palma city · Reasonable frequency in summer
❌ Disadvantages
Only practical for Palma city · Connections needed for other resorts · Not reliable late at night · Difficult with luggage and children
Option 4
🚗 Car hire — Freedom with conditions
All the major brands are at the airport. The rental desk in August is another queue, another contract, another insurance add-on you didn't budget for. If you're moving around the island every day for a week, it makes sense. If not — run the numbers first →
✅ Advantages
Total freedom of movement · Best for 7+ day stays with daily exploration
❌ Disadvantages
Long queues at desks in peak season · Compulsory extra insurance · Deposit blocked on card · Parking costs at resorts · Unfamiliar roads at night
Quick comparison
All 4 options at a glance
| Option | Price Palma | Price North | Wait | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | €30–40 | €65–80 | No wait | ✅ Yes |
| Taxi | €25–35 | €90–120 | Variable | ✅ Yes |
| Bus A1 | €5 | ❌ Not direct | Fixed schedule | ❌ No |
| Car hire | €75–140/day | €75–140/day | Desk queue | ✅ Yes |
By destination
The honest answer, by destination.
🏙️ Palma city
Taxi or private transfer are similar in price. Transfer wins if you arrive late, with children, or want a fixed price with no surprises.
🌊 Magaluf / Santa Ponsa
Private transfer. 25 minutes, from €40 per vehicle. Taxi can get expensive with summer traffic.
🏔️ Sóller / Tramuntana
Private transfer without question. Mountain roads that most visitors prefer not to drive on their first night.
⬆️ Alcudia / Puerto Pollensa
Private transfer. 50–55 minutes away, a taxi can cost double. For a group of 2–4, transfer is clearly the better value.
🌅 Cala Millor / Cala Ratjada
Private transfer. 60–65 minutes by motorway. For 2–4 people, the most comfortable and cost-effective option.
🗺️ Staying 7+ days
Private transfer on arrival + car hire for the middle days + private transfer back. The combination that optimises both cost and comfort.