Which Ferry Connections Are Available?
Mallorca is an island, but thanks to a dense ferry network you are well connected to the mainland. Whether it is a day trip to Barcelona, transporting a car or travelling on through Spain and France - ferries depart regularly from Palma and Alcudia.
The main routes to the Spanish mainland go from Palma to Barcelona, Valencia and Denia. There are also seasonal connections from Alcudia to the south of France. Several ferries leave daily in total, so you can generally find flexible departure times.
All connections are car ferries. You can take your vehicle or simply travel as a foot passenger. People who want to transport their car from Germany to Mallorca often use one of these routes. The ships have restaurants, lounges, sometimes pools and cabins for overnight crossings.
The Operators at a Glance
Three major shipping lines share the lion's share of connections from Mallorca:
Balearia is the largest Spanish ferry company for the Balearic Islands. It serves all three mainland routes (Barcelona, Valencia, Denia) and offers both conventional ferries and modern fast ferries. Balearia's fast ferries are among the quickest on these routes.
Trasmediterranea (Trasmed GLE) is the long-established Spanish shipping line and mainly serves the Barcelona and Valencia routes. Trasmed operates predominantly conventional ferries, which are especially popular for overnight crossings. Prices are often slightly cheaper than Balearia.
GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) is an Italian shipping line that has also been serving Barcelona and Valencia to Palma for several years. GNV operates large, comfortable ships and offers a good alternative to the Spanish operators.
For seasonal connections to France, Corsica Ferries also features, sailing from Alcudia to Toulon and Sete.
Palma - Barcelona
The most popular and most frequently sailed route. Up to 5 departures daily from various operators.
Fast ferry: Balearia offers fast ferries that take around 3.5 to 4.5 hours for the crossing. Ideal for day trippers or when you want to reach the mainland quickly. The fast ferries run during the day.
Conventional ferry / overnight ferry: Trasmed, GNV and Balearia all sail large conventional ships that take 7 to 8 hours. Most of these ferries are overnight connections: departure in the evening around 22:00 to 23:00, arrival in the morning around 06:00 to 07:00. You save yourself a hotel night and arrive in Barcelona refreshed.
Prices: As a foot passenger, prices start from around 35 to 55 EUR (one way, off-season). With a car they start at around 60 to 80 EUR. In the high season prices roughly double. A cabin on the overnight ferry costs an additional 40 to 120 EUR depending on the category.
Tip
The overnight ferry to Barcelona is a classic among residents. You leave in the evening, settle into your cabin and wake up in Barcelona harbour the next morning. Perfect if you have things to sort out in the city the next day, or if you want to drive on towards France or Germany.
Palma - Valencia
Valencia is the second important mainland connection and for many a good alternative to Barcelona, especially if you are heading south.
The route is served by Balearia, Trasmed and GNV. The crossing takes around 7 to 8 hours by conventional ferry. Fast ferries are less commonly available on this route, though Balearia offers them at times (around 5 hours).
Most connections also sail at night. Departure in the evening from Palma, arrival in the morning in Valencia.
Prices: Similar to Barcelona, sometimes slightly cheaper. Foot passengers from around 30 to 50 EUR, with a car from around 55 to 75 EUR (off-season). Prices here too rise considerably in summer.
Valencia is a good starting point if you want to continue to Andalusia, Murcia or towards Madrid. The city itself is also worth a visit - with the old town, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and a lively nightlife.
Palma - Denia
The route to Denia is particularly popular with residents who have destinations on the Costa Blanca. Denia is a small, charming port town on the coast between Valencia and Alicante.
Balearia serves this route year-round with fast ferries that take around 5 hours and 15 minutes - including a brief stop in Ibiza. In summer there are daily connections; in winter (October to May) there are around 5 crossings per week. The ferry typically leaves Denia at 17:00 and reaches Palma around 22:15.
Prices: Foot passengers from around 40 to 65 EUR, with a car from around 80 to 120 EUR. The fast ferries on this route are somewhat more expensive than the conventional ferries on the other routes.
The stop in Ibiza, by the way, is not a disadvantage - it can even be an advantage: if you want to make a detour to Ibiza, you can use the same route and get off there.
The advantage of Denia: you are quickly on the Costa Blanca and close to Alicante. From there it is not far to Murcia or towards Andalusia either. If your destination is not Barcelona or Valencia itself but the southern east coast of Spain, Denia is the smarter choice.
Mallorca - France
Less well known, but an interesting option: seasonal ferries sail from Alcudia in the north of Mallorca to the south of France.
Corsica Ferries offers two routes:
Alcudia - Toulon: Only available seasonally, roughly from April to October. During the main season there are up to 2 to 3 crossings per week. The journey takes 12 to 17 hours (overnight). Prices start from around 15 to 20 EUR for foot passengers.
Alcudia - Sete: Also only seasonal, roughly from April to October, with around 1 crossing per week (sometimes more frequent in high summer). The journey takes 10 to 15 hours. Prices also from around 15 to 20 EUR for foot passengers.
Warning
The France connections only sail in the summer months. In winter there are no direct ferries from Mallorca to France. Your only option is then to go via Barcelona or Valencia and continue by car.
These connections are particularly interesting if you want to drive towards France, Switzerland or Germany. Instead of going via Barcelona, you land directly in the south of France and save yourself several hundred kilometres of driving through Spain.
Tip
The ferry to Toulon or Sete is a hidden gem for driving to Germany. From Toulon you can reach Switzerland in about 10 hours, and from there you are quickly in southern Germany. Depending on your starting point, this can be a genuine alternative to the route via Barcelona.
Routes and Prices Compared
Here is an overview of all ferry connections from Mallorca to the mainland:
| Route | Operators | Duration | Price from (person) | Price from (car + person) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palma - Barcelona (fast ferry) | Balearia | 3.5 to 4.5 h | 45 to 70 EUR | 80 to 130 EUR | daily |
| Palma - Barcelona (overnight) | Trasmed, GNV, Balearia | 7 to 8 h | 35 to 55 EUR | 60 to 100 EUR | daily, several times |
| Palma - Valencia | Trasmed, GNV, Balearia | 7 to 8 h | 30 to 50 EUR | 55 to 95 EUR | daily |
| Palma - Denia (via Ibiza) | Balearia | approx. 5 h | 40 to 65 EUR | 80 to 120 EUR | year-round, 5 to 7 times/week |
| Alcudia - Toulon | Corsica Ferries | 12 to 17 h | from 15 EUR | from 50 EUR | seasonal only (Apr-Oct), 2 to 3x/week |
| Alcudia - Sete | Corsica Ferries | 10 to 15 h | from 15 EUR | from 50 EUR | seasonal only (Apr-Oct), 1x/week |
All prices are indicative for a one-way journey in the off-season. In the high season (June to September) prices can rise considerably, especially for car passengers. Cabins on overnight ferries cost an additional 40 to 120 EUR.
Taking Your Car on the Ferry
The ferries from Mallorca are designed for car transport. You simply drive your vehicle onto the ship and drive off again at the destination port. This works for cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and vans.
Booking: If you want to take your car, you must specify this when booking. Select the appropriate vehicle category (car, motorcycle, motorhome). Prices are based on the length of the vehicle.
At the port: Arrive at the port at least 1.5 to 2 hours before departure. You need to go through the vehicle check and join the loading queue. In high season, arrive even earlier.
During the crossing: The car stays in the vehicle deck and is not accessible during the crossing. Take everything you need with you: hand luggage, medication, snacks, entertainment for children. For overnight ferries, also take what you need for the cabin.
Warning
The vehicle deck is closed for the entire crossing. You cannot reach your car until the ferry has docked. Pack everything important beforehand.
Practical Tips for the Crossing
Book early: Early booking discounts can be 20 to 30% cheaper. In the high season this makes a big difference. The best prices are often available 4 to 8 weeks before departure.
Use comparison portals: Direct Ferries and Ferryhopper show all operators and routes at a glance. This helps you quickly find the cheapest option. Also compare with direct bookings on the operators' own websites, as there are sometimes exclusive deals there.
Book outward and return together: If you know when you are coming back, book the return journey at the same time. This is often cheaper than two separate tickets.
Cabin on overnight ferries: If you are travelling at night, book a cabin. Sleeping in a seat is possible but considerably less comfortable. An inside cabin is perfectly adequate and cheaper than one with a window.
Seasickness: The crossing can be rough in bad weather, especially in winter. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring travel tablets. Fast ferries pitch more than the large conventional ships.
Residents' discount: If you are officially registered in the Balearic Islands (Empadronamiento), you get a 75% discount on ferries between the Balearic Islands and the mainland. This applies to all Spanish ferry companies. You apply for the discount directly when booking with your NIE and certificate of residence. This is one of the biggest perks for residents and makes the ferry an absolute bargain.
Tip
The residents' discount is enormous: a 200 EUR ferry becomes 50 EUR. If you are registered in Mallorca, make sure to use this benefit. It also applies to flights between the Balearic Islands and the Spanish mainland.
Pets: Dogs and cats are allowed on all ferries. Some operators have special pet cabins or designated areas on deck. Register your pet when booking and bring the EU pet passport.
Luggage: There are no strict luggage restrictions for foot passengers. You can take cases and bags as long as you can carry them. For larger quantities of luggage, some operators provide luggage trolleys on board.