Taxi, VTC, Uber or a rental car? Newcomers and tourists alike are often unsure which option makes sense on Mallorca and what realistic prices look like. This guide explains the Spanish taxi system, shows you the official fixed fares at the airport and gives an overview of VTC apps like Cabify and Bolt. We cover fare zones, tipping culture and what to do if things go wrong.
The taxi system on Mallorca
The taxi system on Mallorca is regulated and differs from Germany in several important ways. There are two broad categories: official taxis licensed by the Consell de Mallorca or the relevant municipality, and VTC vehicles (Vehiculos de Transporte con Conductor - private hire cars with a driver) operating under a national licence.
You can recognise official taxis by the yellow roof sign reading "Taxi" and a green or red light. Green means available, red means occupied or off duty. The vehicles display a visible number on the roof and on the side. In Palma they are usually white cars with a diagonal coloured stripe.
Taxi zones on Mallorca are separate. Palma taxis, for example, are not allowed to simply pick up passengers in Andratx, and vice versa. This means that for return journeys you often have to wait longer because the driver has to travel back empty to their home zone. For airport transfers this is not an issue, because the airport falls within the PMI zone and all drivers licensed there can operate there.
Fares are set annually by the Consell de Mallorca and are transparent. There is a base fare (bajada de bandera), a per-kilometre rate and surcharges for night travel, weekends, public holidays, luggage and specific zones. The driver is required to show you the fare list on request.
Fixed fares at Palma Airport
At Palma Airport (PMI), official fixed fares apply for taxi journeys to specific zones. These fares are updated each year and are posted at the taxi ranks. As of 2026, the main fares are approximately as follows:
| Destination | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Palma city centre | 25 to 30 EUR |
| Playa de Palma / Can Pastilla | 20 to 28 EUR |
| Magaluf / Palmanova | 35 to 45 EUR |
| Santa Ponsa | 45 to 55 EUR |
| Port d'Andratx | 60 to 75 EUR |
| Soller | 75 to 90 EUR |
| Alcudia / Pollensa | 85 to 100 EUR |
| Cala d'Or / Santanyi | 70 to 85 EUR |
You can find the exact figures directly at the airport taxi rank. Important: the fixed fare only applies from the airport and for hotel addresses within the stated zone. If you are heading to a finca outside the town centre or a secondary address, a higher fare may apply. Confirm this before you set off.
Ask for the fixed fare in writing
Before departing from the airport, ask for a receipt confirming the fixed price (precio fijo). This rules out the meter running higher than the stated fare.
The official taxi rank at Palma Airport is directly in front of Level 2 (Arrivals). Avoid unofficial providers who approach you inside the terminal or at the exit. These are often unlicensed and charge extortionate prices.
VTC apps: Uber, Cabify, Bolt
Alongside taxis, Mallorca also has VTC vehicles - private hire cars with a driver that you book via an app. Unlike taxis, they are not allowed to wait at taxi ranks or be hailed in the street; they can only work on a pre-booked basis. The main apps are:
Cabify is the best-established app on Mallorca. Coverage in Palma is good, prices are usually slightly lower than a taxi and you see the final price before you book. Cabify also works reliably in typical tourist areas like Playa de Palma, Calvia and Alcudia. Payment is via a credit or Wise card stored in the app.
Bolt (formerly Taxify) is also active, though it is growing more slowly. The app is cheaper than Cabify in many cities, but on Mallorca the number of drivers is smaller and in low season you should expect longer waiting times.
Uber exists formally but has very limited availability. In high season you may find the occasional vehicle in Palma; outside the city or in low season you will often find no result at all. Many Germans expect the Uber experience they know from Berlin or Madrid and are disappointed.
Official taxi apps such as PMTaxi and Mallorca Taxi connect you with traditional licensed taxis. You pay the standard metered fare, there is no app commission to worry about, and you still get the app convenience of live tracking and an upfront estimate.
Book early in high season
VTC drivers are in high demand on Mallorca in summer. Book transfers from the airport or for an early flight as early as possible - otherwise you may find yourself under time pressure and forced to fall back on a regular taxi, which is more expensive.
Price comparison
Prices between taxis and VTCs differ, but not dramatically. A sample route from Palma Airport to Palma city centre (around 9 kilometres) costs approximately:
| Provider | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi (fixed fare) | 25 to 30 EUR | shown upfront |
| Cabify | 20 to 28 EUR | price fixed before booking |
| Bolt | 18 to 25 EUR | availability varies |
| Uber | 22 to 30 EUR | often not available |
| Rental car + parking | 35 to 60 EUR/day | only worthwhile from 3 days |
For longer distances (e.g. Palma to Alcudia, around 55 km) the differences become more significant. A taxi can easily cost 85 to 100 EUR, while VTC apps show around 75 to 90 EUR. For one-off transfers, VTCs are often the cheaper option when they are available.
Night-time and public holiday surcharges increase the taxi price by 10 to 30 per cent. VTC apps use dynamic pricing (surge pricing) and can show unusually high figures on event nights such as New Year's Eve, San Juan or club closing nights in Magaluf.
Complaints and problems
Problems with taxis on Mallorca are uncommon but not impossible. Typical complaints include: drivers taking longer routes, the meter apparently running too fast, the night rate being applied during the day, or the airport fixed fare not being applied. Refusal of card payment despite the legal obligation is also occasionally reported.
If you have a complaint, note down the taxi number (visible on the roof and inside), the licence plate, the date, time, departure point, destination and the fare charged. Ask for a receipt (recibo or factura). The receipt will contain the driver number and the taxi's identification.
Submit complaints online to the Consell de Mallorca (for PMI airport taxis and island-wide incidents) or to the relevant municipality. For Palma taxis the Ajuntament de Palma is responsible, specifically the Mobilitat department. Written complaints can also be sent by email and are generally processed within a few weeks.
For theft or fraud, contact the Guardia Civil or Policia Nacional. Filing a report (denuncia) at the police station is a prerequisite for any follow-up.
Tips for tourists and residents
A few tried and tested tips to make everyday life on Mallorca easier: install at least two apps before you arrive, for example Cabify and PMTaxi. That way you always have a working alternative in any situation. Keep some cash handy for shorter trips, even though card payment is theoretically compulsory.
As a resident, you can register as a regular customer with local taxi operators. This is practical if you regularly need to travel to the airport or want a reliable callback when the weather is bad. Some municipalities such as Andratx or Soller have small taxi operators where a personal contact helps.
For tourist families with a lot of luggage, a pre-booked private transfer run as a VTC is often worth it. These providers collect you with a name board at the airport and take you to your hotel. Prices are 5 to 15 EUR above the fixed fare, but you save time and stress on arrival.
Short trips within Palma are often cheaper on foot or by EMT bus, because the taxi base fare already makes up a large share of the total. For destinations outside the city, a rental car from three days onwards is usually more economical than several individual taxi trips.
If you travel a lot of kilometres on Mallorca and also transfer money to Germany, a multi-currency card like Wise cuts additional credit card fees on taxi payments. This makes a noticeable difference especially on longer stays.