Air
Domestic flights are run by IBERIA (IB), Air Europa, Binter and Spanair. Scheduled flights connect all the main towns as well as to the Balearic and Canary Islands and enclaves in North Africa. Air taxis are available at most airports. Reservations should be made well in advance.
Sea
There are regular hydrofoil and car and passenger ferry sailings from Algeciras to Tangier and Ceuta (North African enclave), Málaga and Almeria to Melilla in North African. Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante to the Balearic Islands, and Cádiz to the Canary Islands.
There are also inter-island services, including a catamaran service linking Barcelona with Palma de Mallorca, which takes 3 hours and runs twice a day.
For further information, contact Trasmediterránea c/o Southern Ferries (telephone number: (020) 7491 4968, fax number: (020) 7491 3502).
Rail
On Mallorca, narrow-gauge trains run from Palma to Soller 5 times daily, and to Inca every hour. The Inca-Manacor line reopened in 2003. Inter-Rail passes are not valid. There are no railways on the other islands.
Road
There are generally good bus services on the islands connecting resorts with main towns.
The steep, narrow inland roads make it difficult for coaches and cars to pass each other (although there are special passing points).
On Mallorca, there are over 110km (68 miles) of road, and 3 toll-free highways lead from Palma to Manova, Cala Blava and Inca.
For travel by coach, it is best to check timetables before commencing your journey to avoid difficulties and hotels can often provide this information.
Documentation:
Most foreign licences including Canadian, EU and US are accepted. Third Party insurance is compulsory, plus maybe a Green Card if bringing your own car (available from insurance company).
Traffic regulations
Traffic drives on the right. Side lights must be used at night in built-up areas. Spare bulbs and red hazard triangles must be kept in all vehicles.
Traffic lights: two red lights mean ‘No Entry’.
Parking laws are rigorously enforced.
The speed limit for motorways is 120kph (80mph) in general, but for buses and lorries the limit is 100kph (60mph) and in built-up areas the limit is 50kph (30mph), for other roads it is 90kph (56mph).
Car hire
Car hire is available.
Motorcycles
No person under 18 may hire or ride a vehicle over 75cc. Crash helmets must be worn. |
