Getting Around Mallorca Without a Car: Buses, Trains & Ferries
Yes, it's possible. The TIB bus network covers most of the island, the SFM train connects Palma to Inca and Manacor, and a heritage tram links Sóller to its port. Here's how to use all of it.
Mallorca has a reputation for requiring a car. That's partly true for the remote northwest, but for most popular destinations — Palma, the north coast, the main beaches — public transport works surprisingly well. Here's the complete picture.
The TIB Bus Network
TIB (Transport de les Illes Balears) runs the island-wide coach network. Prices are capped and very cheap — the longest journey costs €6 or less.
Key routes for visitors:
| Route | Journey | Frequency | |-------|---------|-----------| | 100 | Palma → Port d'Alcúdia | Every 30–60 min in summer | | 101 | Palma → Sóller | 3–4 times daily | | 102 | Palma → Andratx | Hourly | | 300 | Palma → Manacor | Every 30 min | | 400 | Palma → Santanyí (via beaches) | Hourly in summer |
Buses depart from Estació Intermodal in Palma (underground, connected to the train). Timetables are on the TIB website.
Practical tip: In summer, reserve seats on Route 100 and 101 — they fill up. You can book online or at the station.
SFM Train
SFM (Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca) runs two lines from Palma:
Palma → Inca (Line T1)
30 minutes, trains every 15–30 minutes throughout the day. Stops include Santa Maria del Camí (good wine village), Consell, and Binissalem (the main wine-producing town — worth a half-day).
From Inca you can connect to buses for Alcúdia and the north coast.
Palma → Manacor (Line T3)
50 minutes, connects to Petra, Vilafranca, and Manacor (the island's second city). Useful if you're heading to the east coast caves.
Trains depart from Estació Intermodal, the same hub as the buses. Single tickets are around €3–5.
The Sóller Tram
A heritage tram connects Sóller town to Port de Sóller — 5km, 15 minutes, running every 30 minutes. It's slow, scenic, and a genuine piece of Mallorcan history (the line opened in 1913).
Ticket: €8 return. Buy on board.
To get to Sóller from Palma without a car:
- Train: The vintage wooden train from Palma's Sóller station to Sóller town runs 4 times daily (€23 return, mostly a tourist experience but functional)
- Bus 101: Cheaper and faster at €4 one way, but less frequent
Ferries & Boats
Palma ↔ Mainland
Trasmediterránea and Baleàlia run overnight ferries from Palma to Barcelona (7.5 hours) and Valencia (8 hours). Book ahead in summer — cabins sell out.
Inter-Island
Ferries to Ibiza and Menorca run from Palma port. Journey times are 2–4 hours depending on route and vessel type.
Summer Boat Taxis
From June to September, small boat taxis connect the main beach resorts to each other — particularly useful on the southwest coast between Portals Nous, Magaluf, and Santa Ponça. Cheaper and faster than the bus for short coastal hops.
Palma City: Bus & Bike
Within Palma, the EMT city bus network is reliable and cheap (€1.50 per journey). The old town itself is mostly car-free and best walked.
Bicipalma is the city's bike-share scheme — €1/hour, docking stations throughout the centre. Good for the flat waterfront ride east to Portixol and El Molinar.
What You Can't Easily Do Without a Car
Be honest with yourself about this:
- Ma-10 Tramuntana drive — the scenic mountain road is the experience, not just the destination. A bus doesn't replicate it.
- Remote coves — Caló des Moro, Es Trenc west end, Cala Mondragó — no bus service, 20–40 minute walk from the nearest stop
- Cap de Formentor (in summer, a permit is required even for cars — boats run from Port de Pollença)
- Flexible beach-hopping — if you want to visit 3 beaches in a day, a car is the only practical option
For a city-focused trip or a base-and-day-trips approach, you don't need a car at all.