You’re sitting in a café in Palma, sipping an ensaïmada-infused coffee, looking at the horizon. Menorca is right there. Well, not literally visible most days, but it’s close enough that you’d think hopping over is a breeze.
Honestly, it is. But if you just rock up to the port without a plan, you might end up on a six-hour slow boat when you could’ve been there in sixty minutes. Getting to Menorca from Mallorca is one of those travel tasks that looks simple on a map but has a few quirks that can genuinely mess up your day if you aren't careful.
I’ve seen people spend way too much money on last-minute flights when the ferry was faster for their specific needs. Or worse, they drive all the way to Alcúdia only to realize the ferry they wanted leaves from Palma that day. Let's break down how this actually works in 2026.
The Alcúdia Shortcut: Why Location is Everything
If you want the fastest route, stop looking at Palma.
The real gateway for getting to Menorca from Mallorca is Port d'Alcúdia. It sits on the northeast coast of Mallorca. From here, you’re basically jumping across a small gap in the Mediterranean to Ciutadella, which is Menorca’s stunning former capital.
The distance is only about 43 nautical miles. That’s roughly 80 kilometers. On a fast ferry, you’re looking at a one-hour trip.
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- Baleària is the big player here. They run the Margarita Salas or the Cecilia Payne, which are high-speed catamarans. They’re fast, but they can get a bit "bouncy" if the Balearic Sea is feeling moody.
- Menorca Lines is another solid option. They usually take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Corsica Ferries occasionally pops up on this route too, though they’re sometimes the "slower" fast option at 2 hours.
Prices fluctuate wildly. You might find a seat for €14 if you’re a resident (God bless the 75% discount) or if you book months out. For most tourists, expect to pay anywhere from €50 to €90 each way.
The "Slow" Boat is Actually Great
Don't sleep on the conventional ferries like the Abel Matutes. It takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Why would you choose that? Stability. If you get seasick, the bigger, heavier ships handle the waves much better than the "water-skipping" fast ferries. Plus, you can actually walk around on the deck and breathe the salty air without being blasted by 30-knot winds.
Flights: The Palma to Mahón Connection
If you’re staying in the south of Mallorca near Magaluf, Santa Ponsa, or Palma city, trekking up to Alcúdia takes about an hour by car or bus. In that case, flying might actually be easier.
Flights depart from Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) and land at Menorca Airport (MAH) in Mahón.
The actual time in the air? About 25 to 35 minutes. You barely have time to reach cruising altitude before the pilot starts the descent. Iberia (operated by Air Nostrum) and Vueling dominate this route. In 2026, we're seeing about 10 flights a day.
The Math of Flying
- Flight time: 30 minutes.
- Airport faff: 90 minutes.
- Total: 2 hours.
Compare that to:
- Drive to Alcúdia: 60 minutes.
- Ferry boarding: 30 minutes.
- Sea crossing: 60 minutes.
- Total: 2.5 hours.
It’s a wash. The real deciding factor is where you are staying and where you want to end up. Flying puts you in Mahón (the southeast). The ferry puts you in Ciutadella (the west). These two towns are on opposite ends of Menorca, connected by a single main road (the Me-1) that takes about 45 minutes to drive.
The Palma to Mahón Ferry: The Long Way Round
There is a third option, but it’s kinda niche. Trasmed operates a ferry from the Port of Palma directly to Mahón.
It takes roughly 6 hours.
Usually, this runs once or twice a week. Why would anyone do this? If you have a massive camper van or you’re moving house, it’s easier than driving across Mallorca. Or maybe you just really, really like being on a boat. For a standard holidaymaker, this is almost never the right choice. It’s long, and it often arrives at awkward times.
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Taking a Car: What You Need to Know
A lot of people ask if they should take their rental car from Mallorca to Menorca.
Most rental companies say NO. Check your contract. If you take a Hertz or Europcar vehicle across on the ferry without permission, your insurance is basically void the moment you hit the ramp.
If you can take a car, the ferry is the only way. Bringing a standard car on the Alcúdia-Ciutadella route usually adds about €40 to €80 to your ticket price. It’s super convenient because you drive on in Mallorca and drive off into the heart of Menorca, ready to hit the calas.
Day Trip or Stay Over?
Can you do a day trip? Yes. People do it all the time.
You take the 8:30 AM ferry from Alcúdia, arrive in Ciutadella by 9:30 AM, spend the day at Cala Turqueta or Cala Macarella, have a gin-and-lemonade (Pomada) in the port, and catch the 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM boat back.
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But Menorca has a different "soul" than Mallorca. It’s quieter. Darker skies. Slower pace. If you can spare two nights, do it. You’ll actually get to see the sunset at Punta Nati or Cova d'en Xoroi without rushing back to the harbor.
Booking Tips for 2026
- Use an aggregator first: Check Ferryhopper or Direct Ferries to see the times, but then book directly on the Baleària or Trasmed websites. If something goes wrong (like a weather cancellation), dealing with the airline or ferry line directly is a million times easier than a third-party agent.
- The Resident Trap: If you see a price for €15 and you're not a Spanish resident, don't get excited. That's the resident rate. You will be asked for your Certificado de Empadronamiento at the dock. If you don't have it, you'll pay the difference in cash on the spot, and it won't be cheap.
- Check the Port: In Menorca, the ferry lands at Son Blanc. This is a few kilometers outside the actual historic center of Ciutadella. There are buses and taxis, but don't expect to just "walk into town" with heavy luggage.
Moving Forward with Your Trip
If you're ready to book, your first move is to check your current accommodation's proximity to the ports.
If you are staying in Palma, Calvià, or Andratx, look for flights or the occasional Trasmed ferry. If you are in Pollença, Can Picafort, or Alcúdia, the ferry is your best friend.
Go ahead and pull up the Baleària schedule for your specific dates. Look for the "Fast Ferry" icon—usually a little high-speed catamaran symbol. If the sea forecast looks rough (check Windy or AEMET), consider the flight instead. Menorca is worth the effort, even if the crossing gets a little bumpy.