Traveling to Mallorca by ferry from Barcelona or Valencia is the easiest way to start your trip to the Balearic Islands, as well as being able to go with your car or dog.
Traveling to Mallorca by boat is one of the most comfortable ways to get from the peninsula to the Balearic Islands. The great advantage of organizing a trip to Mallorca by ferry is that you can take all your luggage with you, and even your dog, since traveling to Mallorca by ferry with a car is very simple, thanks to the many shipping companies that join, on a daily basis, the Iberian peninsula with the Balearic Islands.
Another advantage is that the crossing allows you to enjoy the Mediterranean in its entire splendor, since during the tour you can go up on deck to enjoy the pleasant sea breeze.
If you like the idea, keep reading because in this article we explain everything you need to know to plan a trip by ferry from Valencia, Barcelona or Denia to Mallorca.
Guide to travel to Mallorca by boat
In Mallorca there are two passenger ports. The most popular is the Port de Palma, located in Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island. Most of the passenger ships that dock on the island from the Iberian Peninsula or other Balearic Islands arrive at this port.
The other port is Alcudia, located in the north of Mallorca. However, this port only has connections with Ibiza and Barcelona.
Both ports are well located and moving from them to any point on the island is very fast. Crossing Mallorca from one point to another does not require more than an hour’s drive by car. Therefore, regardless of where the accommodation you have chosen for your vacation is located, it will not take more than an hour to reach it, from either of the two ports of arrival.
In Spain, it is possible to travel to Mallorca by ferry from Barcelona, in Catalonia, from the city of Valencia and from Denia, the port city of Alicante. Below you will find detailed information about the alternatives that exist to organize a trip to Mallorca by boat.
Travel to Mallorca by ferry from Barcelona
The maritime route that connects Mallorca with Catalonia is carried out by three shipping companies: Balearia, Trasmediterránea and GrandiNaviVeloci (GNV).
As we mentioned before, the city of Barcelona has connections with the two Majorcan ports, Alcudia and Port de Palma. However, only two of the three shipping companies that make the journey travel to the port of Alcudia.
Travel by ferry from Barcelona to Alcudia, Mallorca
Trasmediterránea is the company that offers the possibility of making the journey in less time, covering the journey between Barcelona and Alcudia in 5 hours. This shipping company offers a daily connection, from Monday to Saturday, at 2:00 p.m. Its departure time is ideal for those who wish to enjoy a sunset sailing through the Mediterranean.
The crossing takes place on the ‘Volcán del Teide’ ferry, where you can travel in an armchair or in a cabin. Boarding from Barcelona takes place at the San Beltrán Pier, taking exit 21 of the Ronda Litoral.
Balearia also joins the Catalan capital with Alcudia on a daily basis, from Sunday to Friday. This shipping company leaves at 9.45 pm and it takes 5 hours and 45 minutes to complete the journey. Boarding takes place at the Port Nou terminal of the Barcelona port, located on Avinguda Moll in Barcelona (Terminal F1 Drassanes).
The crossing takes place on a 165 meter long ferry, the Martini and Soler. Tickets can be purchased in an armchair or in a cabin.
Ferry from Barcelona to the Port of Palma in Mallorca
Balearia also offers a route that connects Barcelona with the Port of Palma. There is a daily departure, from Friday to Sunday, at 10:30 p.m. The duration of this journey is 7 hours and boarding takes place from the Port-Nou Terminal of the Barcelona pier, located at exit 21 of the Ronda Litoral.
Trasmediterránea also offers a daily connection with the Port of Palma, from Sunday to Friday, at 10:45 p.m. As in Balearia, the trip to Mallorca by boat lasts 7 hours.
Finally, GrandiNaviVeloci (GNV) also offers the possibility of traveling to Mallorca by boat from Barcelona. This Italian company connects Barcelona and Mallorca on a daily basis. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the ship departs at 11pm and it takes 6 hours to complete the crossing. However, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays the shipping company starts the route at 11:59 pm and it takes 7 hours and 30 minutes to dock in Mallorca.
The ship that makes the journey is the GNV Bridge with more than 200 meters in length. On this ferry you can travel in an armchair, cabin or suite.
Travel to Mallorca by ferry from Valencia
Balearia allows you to travel to Mallorca from Valencia by boat any day of the week. The shipping company departs from Monday to Sunday at 10:45 p.m. and the crossing lasts 7 hours and 15 minutes.
This route is covered by the 190-meter long Abel Matutes ship. Boarding takes place at the Maritime Station, located in Moll de Túria, in the port of Valencia.
Trasmediterránea also travels daily, but it takes an hour longer than Balearia, just over 8 hours. The departure time of this shipping company is at 10 pm and the route covers it with the Euro ferry Egnazia.
Therefore, the fastest shipping company is GrandiNaviVeloci (GNV) which covers the journey in 7 hours. GNV also sets sail daily and departs at 10:30 p.m.
Go by ferry from Denia to Mallorca
Denia is the third Mediterranean port city from which you can travel to Mallorca by ferry. Only Balearia navigates this route but operates every day of the week.
The departure is at 05:00 pm, from Monday to Friday, and boarding takes place at the Nautical Station, located in Moll de la Pansa, in the port of Denia. It is covered by the Fast Ferry, a 124-meter-long boat that only offers seat tickets, as it does not have cabins. The tour lasts approximately 5 hours.
Travel by ferry between the Balearic Islands
Another fact that you should know is that once in Mallorca it will be very comfortable for you to travel by ferry between the rest of the Balearic Islands.
The maritime companies that we have mentioned above also connect Mallorca with Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca on a daily basis.
Services on board the ferry
All shipping companies have various services on board that will make your trip to Mallorca by ferry a pleasant experience. Some of the most common are:
On-board catering
Depending on the route you take, you will find various catering services on the ship. The à la carte restaurants are an excellent option to enjoy local cuisine surrounded by the charm of the Mediterranean Sea.
However, you will also find other much faster options such as self-service or snacks that you will find in the bar and cafeteria.
Whichever option you choose, you should know that if at the time of booking your trip to Mallorca by ferry you also purchase restaurant services, you will enjoy a 10% discount.
Entertainment
On the ferry you will find various activities that will allow you to entertain yourself during the tour, some of them are the movies that are projected in the lounges of the ship or the television that you will find in the cabins where you can select what to watch during the voyage.
In addition, on board you can also purchase an internet connection package to be able to use your computer and / or smartphone. Of course, another excellent way to entertain yourself on board is to stroll through the ferry’s shops, where you will find a wide range of typical objects, cosmetics, newspapers, clothing, jewelry, etc.
Travel to Mallorca by ferry with car or van
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, traveling to Mallorca by boat with a car is very simple, since all the companies that we have mentioned (Balearia, Trasmediterránea and GNV) allow vehicles to be shipped.
To organize a trip to Mallorca by car, you just have to follow these simple steps:
- Add the vehicle to the passenger reservation.
- Check that all the vehicle documentation is available and that it is valid.
- Go to the boarding area 90 minutes before the ferry’s departure.
- If more than one person is traveling in the car, only the driver may enter the hold with the vehicle, the rest of the passengers must board through the passenger access.
- Prepare a backpack with the valuables that you transport and the essential things that you will use inside the ship, so you can have everything you need with you when you leave the car, since the vehicle hold will remain closed during the trip.
If you wish, you can add bicycles or trailers to your reservation. However, you should know that if the bicycle rack is located on the top of the vehicle it may incur an additional cost, if the whole of the car and the bicycle rack exceeds 2 meters.
Travel to Mallorca by ferry with a dog
The shipping companies that link the Iberian Peninsula with Mallorca admit any pet, except if its smell or characteristics disturb the rest of the passage or if it could be dangerous on board. Of course, in order to travel to Mallorca by boat with a dog or a cat, you will need the animal to have all the updated documentation.
To include a pet in your ferry reservation to Mallorca, you must indicate this when buying the ticket, although you can also add it later. At the time of boarding, the animal will have to access the ship in a carrier or if it is too large, walking but provided with a muzzle, leash and collar.
For safety and hygiene, pets cannot remain during the journey inside the vehicles, nor free in the passenger areas (seating lounges, reception, bar, etc.).
To travel to Mallorca by ferry with your dog comfortably you will find in the different shipping companies that we have mentioned in this article, the following transport options:
Using the carrier
This type of passage is suitable only for small pets, which do not exceed 6 kg in weight. The measurement of the carrier must be 50 X 40 X 25 cm. If you don’t have one, some companies give you the option of renting a cage.
Depending on the ship that makes the journey, you will find rooms specially enabled for traveling with pets.
Reserve the shipping booths
Some ships have pet houses, which consist of large and safe spaces in which animals can travel comfortably all the way.
Depending on the ferry you are traveling on, you will have the option of visiting your pet or monitoring it through your mobile device, during the tour.
Travel in a pet-friendly cabin
Without a doubt, the most comfortable option for both you and your pet is to book your trip to Mallorca by ferry in a high-end cabin, where you can travel peacefully with your dog or cat.
How much does it cost to travel to Mallorca by ferry with a dog?
Prices may vary depending on whether you decide to travel to Mallorca by boat from Barcelona, Valencia or Denia. The type of transport you have chosen for your pet, as well as its size, also influences the price. Depending on these characteristics, the ticket can vary between approximately 15 and 35 euros.
Aspects to take into account facing COVID-19
Regarding COVID-19, after the end of the state of alarm in Spain, the nautical companies began to operate quite normally and it is no longer necessary to justify the trip to enter Mallorca by ferry.
However, it is always advisable to inform yourself what the situation is on the island before organizing the trip, since the requirements may vary depending on the level of alert that is in force.
For that, in Reservatum we have prepared an updated guide on how to travel to Mallorca in times of COVID-19 with everything you should know before traveling to Mallorca. Although, we already tell you from here, that Mallorca is one of the safest destinations in Spain.
Now that we have solved all your doubts about how to travel to Mallorca by ferry, it is time to take care of looking for a holiday home in Mallorca. If you want your stay on the island to be unique, we advise you to consult our catalog of holiday houses rental in Mallorca, villas and fincas, places full of charm that will fill your vacation with unforgettable moments.
