Taking a car to Mallorca

The ferry is the direct way to take your own car to Mallorca. The departure port isn't the only thing that matters: choose the right arrival port too. Palma is in the south and suits the capital, the southwest and many inland destinations. Alcúdia is in the north and shortens the onward drive to Alcúdia Bay, Pollença and the northeast.

Which route suits you with a car?

From the Spanish mainland, car ferries sail from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia. From France, there are also the seasonal connections Toulon-Alcúdia and Sète-Alcúdia. Don't just compare the price: look at the distance by road, departure time, arrival port and the actual crossing time in the timetable. The guide Ferry from France to Mallorca explains when the route via southern France is worth it.

For northern Mallorca, arriving in Alcúdia can save you the detour from Palma. For Palma, Calvià or the southwest, arriving directly in Palma is usually the obvious choice. The Barcelona-Palma route has several operators; Toulon-Alcúdia and Sète-Alcúdia avoid the drive through Spain but have far fewer sailing dates.

Getting your vehicle dimensions right

Baleària asks for the vehicle type, make, model, length and height when you book. What counts is the vehicle that actually turns up at the port. So measure the overall length and height yourself and include the roof box, aerial, bike or rear carrier and any trailer.

Baleària carries cars, vans, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles, and GNV also takes motorhomes on Barcelona-Palma. A car with a roof box may fall into a different height category. The same applies to a van with a bike rack or a car and trailer whose length was given without the drawbar. If your vehicle changes after booking, correct the reservation before you set off for the port.

Check-in with a vehicle

With Baleària you need to be at the port at least 90 minutes before departure with a vehicle; once the deadline has passed, the vehicle will not be taken on board. The other operators set their own deadlines:

Your ticket and the latest departure notice always take precedence.

Have your ID, booking confirmation and valid vehicle and insurance documents ready. With GNV, only the driver drives on board; everyone else boards on foot, and you must declare a vehicle running on LPG in advance. With Corsica Ferries you can check in online from seven days before departure and update vehicle details such as a rack. In the port, follow the lane for your operator: large ports such as Barcelona and Palma have several terminals; your ticket shows which one your operator uses.

Before you leave your vehicle

The vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing. Pack a separate on-board bag with ID, medication, chargers, warm clothes and everything children or pets need along the way. Close the windows, only set the alarm if instructed to, and follow the crew's hand signals when parking.

Some Baleària ships have charging points for electric vehicles. Only rely on this if charging has been confirmed for your specific sailing. Your battery should also have enough charge for waiting time at the port and the onward drive after arrival.

Comparing fares

Vehicle fares depend on the travel day, route, operator, vehicle category and accommodation. So always compare using the same details. On overnight sailings, a cabin affects the total price; on fast ferries, accommodation is often just a seat. The timetable shows the specific sailing, and the booking form then shows the right vehicle fare. Starting prices by route are on the Prices page.