- The fastest way to get to Mallorca from Madrid is a direct flight to Palma de Mallorca.
- A ferry from Barcelona is an alternative, from 3.5 hours by fast boat.
- Flying is faster and usually cheaper for a single traveler; the ferry makes more sense if you want to bring a car.
- Barcelona and Valencia are useful backup gateways if your international flight already lands in mainland Spain rather than Madrid.
Comparing Your Options at a Glance
Here’s how the four main ways to reach Mallorca stack up on price, duration, and frequency.
Flying from Madrid to Palma de Mallorca
Flying is the quickest way to reach Palma de Mallorca from Madrid, and it’s a very busy, well-served domestic route.
Around 190 flights a week connect Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas and Palma de Mallorca combined, with roughly 17 a day from Madrid and closer to 10 a day on the return, operated by Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Europa, and Ryanair.
The nonstop flight takes around 1 hour 20 minutes. Iberia’s earliest departure leaves around 04:20 and its last flight around 23:15, so you can usually find a convenient time whatever your schedule.
Fares vary a lot by season and how early you book. Ryanair’s one-way fares on this route start from about €22, while Iberia typically charges more, especially through July and August.
Taking the Ferry from Barcelona
A ferry from Barcelona is the main sea route to Mallorca, and it’s worth considering if you want to bring a car or prefer traveling overnight. Three operators run the crossing: Baleà ria, Trasmediterránea, and GNV, though schedules and prices vary between them.
Baleà ria’s fast ferry, the Margarita Salas, covers Barcelona to Alcúdia in about 3.5 hours. It only runs from April to October, three to five times a week.
The standard overnight ferries take longer, roughly 6.5 to 8 hours depending on the operator and direction. Combined across the three operators, departures run most days of the year, though no single operator sails every day and exact frequency varies by season, so check each line’s current timetable directly before booking.
Foot-passenger fares on the overnight ferry start from around €15 on promotion. The fast ferry costs more, from about €75 in low season up to €110–140 at peak; car fares vary widely by operator, route, and season, often €150 or more one-way.
Flying in via Barcelona, Valencia, or Another Mainland Gateway
If you’re not routing through Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia are the two other mainland airports with the most direct flights to Mallorca.
Duration: under 1 hour
Frequency: ~17 flights/day
Airlines: Vueling, Ryanair, Air Europa
Duration: about 1 hour
Frequency: 5–9 flights/day
Airlines: Ryanair, Iberia, Air Europa, Vueling
Barcelona is Spain’s second-busiest airport and one of Spain’s busiest short-haul routes into Mallorca – a useful option if you’re already flying in and don’t want to take the ferry. Valencia is the solid backup choice if your international flight lands there instead of Madrid or Barcelona.
Getting from Palma Airport into Town
Palma de Mallorca Airport sits roughly 8–10 kilometers from the city center, so getting into town is quick however you arrive.
Duration: ~15 minutes
Cost: ~€25–30, incl. mandatory airport supplement
Frequency: roughly every 15 minutes to Plaça d’Espanya
Cost: €5 one way (cheaper by card)
The A1 bus is the cheapest option. From Plaça d’Espanya, trains, the city metro, and the historic Sóller train all connect onward across the island.
Most travelers base themselves in or near Palma for easy access to the airport and the rest of Spain’s largest Balearic island. If you’re comparing where to stay, hotels in Palma de Mallorca put you closest to the airport, the ferry terminal, and the old town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the fastest way to get to Mallorca from Madrid?
A direct flight is fastest, taking about 1 hour 20 minutes on the Madrid-Palma de Mallorca route. That route runs roughly 17 times a day from Madrid, with somewhat fewer on the return, so departures are frequent throughout the day.
How long is the ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca?
It depends on the ferry. Baleà ria’s seasonal fast ferry takes about 3.5 hours to Alcúdia, while standard overnight ferries to Palma take roughly 6.5 to 8 hours.
Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry to Mallorca?
Flying is usually cheaper for a single traveler without a car, since low-cost carriers often start around €20–30 one way. Taking a car on the ferry costs considerably more and varies widely by operator and season, often €150 or more one-way, but can still work out better value if you need a vehicle on the island anyway.
Can I get to Mallorca by train?
No, Mallorca is an island with no rail or road link to the mainland, so you can only arrive by air or by ferry. Trains only run within the island itself, including the historic Sóller line from Palma.
Which mainland airport should I fly from if I’m not near Madrid?
Barcelona and Valencia both have frequent direct flights to Palma de Mallorca, so either works well if you’re already in northeastern or eastern Spain. Barcelona also lets you combine a short flight in with a ferry onward, if you want to experience both.
The Best Way to Reach Mallorca for Your Trip
For most travelers starting in Madrid, a direct flight to Palma de Mallorca is the simplest and fastest choice. If you’re coming from Barcelona and have time to spare, or want to bring a car, the ferry is a scenic and practical alternative.
Compare flights and find your route on Wego.
Sources
- Iberia — Cheap flights from Madrid to Palma de Mallorca
- Ryanair — Flights from Madrid to Mallorca
- Vueling — Flights to Palma (Mallorca)
- Baleà ria — Ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca: routes and timetables
- Trasmediterránea — Ferries to the Balearic Islands
- GNV — Ferries to Barcelona–Palma de Mallorca
- Barcelona Mallorca — Barcelona–Alcúdia fast ferry route
- Aena — Palma de Mallorca Airport
- TIB (Consorci de Transports de Mallorca) — Fares and tickets
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
