Getting around · Arrival
From Palma airport to your resort – the transfer options compared
Hire car, taxi, private transfer, shuttle or public bus – the choice depends on luggage, group size and plans for trips.
The taxi rank, bus stops and hire car desks are close together.
The short answer
What is the best way to get from Palma airport to your hotel?
There are five options to choose from: a hire car for maximum flexibility, a taxi for short distances without booking ahead, a pre-booked private transfer at a fixed price, a shared shuttle with intermediate stops and the public bus as the cheapest option. EMT lines A1 and A2 run to Palma and Playa de Palma, the TIB airport lines A11, A32, A42 and A51 to the main holiday regions.
The five options at a glance
- Hire car
- Right at the airport, full flexibility – but you have to find and pay for parking at your resort
- Taxi
- Available immediately at the taxi rank, straight to your destination – expensive for long distances
- Private transfer
- Pre-booked fixed price with pick-up – only with advance booking
- Shuttle (shared)
- Cheaper than a private transfer, but with intermediate stops
- Public bus
- Cheapest option, but fixed departure times and a walk to the hotel
By bus from the airport – the main lines
As of September 2026. Check times and prices on tib.caib.es before you travel, as timetables and seasonal lines change.
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EMT line A1
Airport – Palma centre. City bus line with its own airport fare.
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EMT line A2
Airport – Playa de Palma / s'Arenal, also an EMT city bus.
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TIB line A11
Camp de Mar, Peguera, Santa Ponça, Magaluf and Palmanova in the south-west.
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TIB line A32
Can Picafort, Platja de Muro and Alcúdia in the north – seasonal line.
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TIB line A42
Cala Bona, Cala Millor, Sa Coma, S'Illot, Porto Cristo and Manacor in the east – summer line; in winter the A43 runs to Manacor instead.
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TIB line A51
Campos, Llucmajor and s'Arenal in the south.
Which option suits whom?
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Families with lots of luggage
Several destinations in one week and child seats clearly favour a hire car.
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Short-break travellers without plans for trips
Taxi or pre-booked private transfer – otherwise a car just sits around all week.
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Budget-conscious solo travellers
With little luggage, the public bus is the cheapest and usually the simplest solution.
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Groups who value comfort
Private transfer or shuttle if you do not want a hire car but door-to-door matters.
Buying tickets on the bus
The TIB airport lines (A11, A32, A42, A51) work with a contactless debit or credit card directly when you board, with no advance booking at all – TIB officially confirms this. EMT lines A1 and A2 are separate Palma city bus lines with their own special airport fare, with tickets bought directly on the bus. The digital Tarjeta Única is still in its pilot phase in 2026 and is not a comprehensive mobile ticketing system.
Compare & book · Mallorca package holidays
Check package holidays with transfer
With package holidays, the transfer to the hotel is often already included – a comparison is worthwhile before booking separately.
Comparable: flight, hotel and transfer as a complete package from German-speaking departure airports.
Hire car at Palma airport in detail →
Transparent comparison & booking: some booking and comparison links lead to our partners. If you book or sign a contract through them, we may receive a commission. This does not cost you anything extra. How we are funded
Hire car comparison
Compare hire cars at Palma airport
Station, dates, insurance cover and fuel policy can be compared in one go.
Compared: station, dates, vehicle class and insurance cover.
Hire car at Palma airport in detail →
Transparent comparison & booking: some booking and comparison links lead to our partners. If you book or sign a contract through them, we may receive a commission. This does not cost you anything extra. How we are funded
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi from Palma airport to Cala Millor cost?
At a distance of around 65 kilometres, a taxi is considerably more expensive than the bus or a hire car. For exact prices, the current local taxi fare applies.
Is there a direct bus from the airport to all resorts?
EMT lines A1 and A2 and the TIB airport lines A11, A32, A42 and A51 cover Palma and many important holiday regions. More remote places can be reached with a change.
Do I have to book the bus in advance?
No. On the TIB airport lines, you buy your ticket directly when boarding with a contactless debit or credit card.
Is a private transfer worthwhile?
For groups with lots of luggage and late arrivals, yes, because the price is fixed in advance and the journey has no intermediate stops.
Next steps