Flying into Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) and wondering how to get to your resort? Choosing the right Palma airport transfer can make the first part of your Majorca family holiday much easier.

Palma Airport is the main gateway to Majorca, with popular family resorts such as Palma Nova, Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa, Cala d’Or and Sa Coma spread across the island. Depending on where you’re staying, your journey from the airport could be relatively short or well over an hour.

Families have several options, including private airport transfers, shared shuttle buses, Palma airport taxis, public buses and car hire. The best choice will depend on your resort, family size, budget and how quickly you want to reach your hotel.

In this guide, we’ll compare the main Palma airport transfers for families, including typical journey times, the pros and cons of each option and our tips for making your arrival in Majorca as straightforward as possible.

If you’re still deciding where to stay, our Best Family Resorts in Majorca guide compares the island’s most popular areas for families.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Travelling with young children or arriving on an evening flight? A pre-booked private transfer can be worth paying a little extra for, as you’ll normally travel directly from the airport to your accommodation without waiting for other passengers.

Palma Airport Transfers: Quick Comparison

There are several ways to travel from Palma Airport to Majorca’s family resorts. Here’s a quick overview before we look at each option in more detail.

Transfer option	Best for	Cost	Convenience
Private transfer	Families wanting the easiest journey	£££	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shared shuttle	Families keeping costs down	££	⭐⭐⭐
Palma airport taxi	Shorter journeys and flexibility	£££	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Public bus	Budget travellers	£	⭐⭐
Car hire	Families planning to explore Majorca	££–£££	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For many families, the choice comes down to private transfer vs shared shuttle. A private transfer normally takes you directly to your accommodation, while a shared shuttle is usually cheaper but may stop at several hotels along the way.

If you’re planning to explore the island during your holiday, hiring a car can also make sense. Our Car Hire Majorca guide covers insurance, deposits, child seats and driving in Majorca in much more detail.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t compare airport transfers on price alone. A cheaper shared shuttle can take considerably longer if your hotel is one of the final stops, which is worth considering after a flight with children.

Private Palma Airport Transfers – Best for Families

For families who want the easiest journey from the airport to their accommodation, a private Palma airport transfer is usually the most convenient option.

Your vehicle is booked in advance and the transfer is just for your party, so you won’t have to wait for other passengers or make multiple hotel stops along the way. Once you’ve met your driver at Palma Airport, you’ll normally travel directly to your hotel or accommodation.

This can be particularly useful if you’re travelling with young children, several suitcases or arriving on a late flight.

Private transfers are available to most of Majorca’s popular family resorts, including Palma Nova, Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa, Cala d’Or, Sa Coma and Can Picafort.

Why Choose a Private Transfer?

• Direct journey from Palma Airport to your accommodation
• No waiting for other passengers to board a shuttle
• No additional hotel drop-offs
• Vehicle arranged before you arrive
• Useful for families travelling with lots of luggage
• Child-seat options may be available depending on the transfer provider

Private transfers will usually cost more than a shared shuttle, but for a family the difference can sometimes be smaller than expected once the total cost for everyone is compared.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: When comparing transfer prices, enter your full family size rather than looking at the headline price per person. For larger families, a private vehicle can sometimes offer better value than you’d expect.

Palma Airport Taxi – Best for Flexibility

Taking a Palma airport taxi is another straightforward option, particularly if you haven’t pre-booked a transfer.

Official taxis are available from the taxi rank outside the arrivals area at Palma de Mallorca Airport. You don’t need to arrange anything before travelling — simply join the taxi queue when you leave the terminal.

For families staying relatively close to the airport, a taxi can be particularly convenient. Resorts around Palma, Playa de Palma and Palma Nova are much closer than destinations in the north or east of Majorca, such as Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa or Cala d’Or.

Palma Airport Taxi vs Private Transfer

The main advantage of a taxi is flexibility. If your flight is delayed or your plans change, you can simply take the next available taxi when you arrive.

A pre-booked private transfer, however, gives you more certainty before travelling and can be easier when you need a particular vehicle size or are travelling with children and lots of luggage.

For longer journeys across Majorca, it’s worth comparing the total taxi cost with a pre-booked transfer before you travel.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: If you’re a family of four or more, compare the price of a private transfer before automatically choosing a taxi. Larger vehicles and longer journeys can change the overall cost considerably.

Shared Shuttle Transfers – Best for Lower-Cost Airport Transfers

A shared airport shuttle can be one of the cheapest ways for families to travel from Palma Airport to their resort without using public transport.

Instead of having a vehicle exclusively for your family, you’ll share a coach or minibus with other holidaymakers travelling to hotels in the same area.

The main advantage is price. Shared shuttles are generally cheaper than private transfers or taxis, particularly for smaller families.

The trade-off is journey time. You may need to wait for other passengers at Palma Airport and the shuttle can make several hotel stops before reaching your accommodation.

For resorts further from the airport, such as Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa or Can Picafort, this can make the overall journey noticeably longer than travelling by private transfer.

Who Are Shared Shuttles Best For?

Shared transfers can work particularly well if:

• Keeping the transfer cost down is your priority
• You don’t mind a longer journey to your hotel
• Your flight arrives during the daytime
• You’re travelling with older children who won’t mind additional stops
• You’d rather have transport pre-booked than use the public bus

Families travelling with babies or tired younger children may find the convenience of a direct private transfer worth the extra cost.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Check whether your shuttle drops you directly at your hotel or at a nearby collection point before booking, particularly if you’re staying in an apartment or private accommodation.

Public Bus from Palma Airport – Cheapest Option

Using the public bus from Palma Airport can be the cheapest way to start your journey, although it isn’t always the easiest option for families travelling with children and luggage.

Airport bus services connect Palma Airport with Palma city and several tourist areas around Majorca. Depending on where you’re staying, you may be able to travel directly towards your resort or need to change services during the journey.

For a couple or family travelling light, the savings can be worthwhile. However, once you add suitcases, pushchairs and tired children into the equation, a pre-booked transfer can be considerably more convenient.

Is the Palma Airport Bus Good for Families?

The bus is worth considering if:

• Keeping costs as low as possible is the priority
• Your accommodation is close to a convenient bus stop
• You’re travelling relatively light
• Your flight arrives while suitable services are running
• You don’t mind potentially changing buses

Before travelling, check the latest route, timetable and fare information because services can change between seasons.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t assume the nearest bus stop will be close to your hotel. Check the final walk with your luggage on Google Maps before choosing the bus purely because it’s cheaper.

Official Palma Airport bus information:
Aena – Bus services at Palma de Mallorca Airport

Car Hire from Palma Airport – Best for Exploring Majorca

Hiring a car directly from Palma Airport can make sense if you’re planning to explore Majorca rather than spending your entire holiday around one resort.

Instead of paying separately for airport transfers, you’ll have your own transport from the moment you arrive and can use it for beaches, waterparks, attractions, scenic drives and day trips throughout your holiday.

For families, the biggest advantage is flexibility. You can travel when you want, carry beach equipment and pushchairs easily, and explore places that can be more difficult to reach by public transport.

However, car hire won’t suit everyone. You’ll need to consider insurance, deposits, child seats, fuel costs and parking at your accommodation.

If you’re considering this option, read our Car Hire Majorca guide before booking. It covers the process in much more detail, including insurance, deposits, driving licences and our tips for avoiding common car-hire problems.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: If you only plan to leave your resort once or twice during the holiday, compare the cost of a private airport transfer plus a couple of excursions against hiring a car for the entire trip.

Palma Airport Transfer Times to Popular Resorts

Majorca is a relatively compact island, but Palma Airport transfer times can vary considerably depending on where you’re staying.

Resorts around Palma and the south-west coast are generally much quicker to reach, while destinations in the north and east of Majorca can take well over an hour.

Here are some useful approximate driving times from Palma Airport:

Majorca resort	Approx. transfer time
Playa de Palma	10–15 minutes
Palma	15–20 minutes
Palma Nova	25–35 minutes
Magaluf	25–35 minutes
Santa Ponsa	30–40 minutes
Alcudia / Playa de Muro	45–60 minutes
Puerto Pollensa	50–65 minutes
Can Picafort	50–65 minutes
Sa Coma	55–70 minutes
Cala Millor	55–70 minutes
Cala d’Or	50–65 minutes

These are approximate road journey times rather than guaranteed transfer times. Traffic, time of day and your exact accommodation can all affect the journey.

A shared shuttle can also take considerably longer because of waiting time at the airport and additional hotel stops along the route.

If you’re still choosing between resorts, see our Best Family Resorts in Majorca guide for a full comparison of Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa, Palma Nova, Cala d’Or, Sa Coma and Can Picafort.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: For resorts around an hour from Palma Airport, we’d pay particular attention to the difference between a shared shuttle and a direct private transfer. After a flight with children, avoiding several additional hotel stops can make a big difference.

Palma Airport Transfers with Children & Child Seats

Travelling from Palma Airport with babies or young children takes a little more planning, particularly when it comes to child seats.

If you’re booking a private airport transfer, check the booking details carefully to see whether baby seats, child seats or booster seats can be requested. Availability and any additional charge can vary between transfer providers and vehicle types.

When booking, make sure you enter the correct number and ages of the children travelling rather than simply selecting the total number of passengers. This helps the provider offer the appropriate vehicle and any available child-seat options.

Tips for Families Travelling with Young Children

• Add children’s ages accurately when booking your transfer
• Check whether child seats need to be requested in advance
• Confirm whether there is an additional charge
• Allow enough luggage space for pushchairs and travel cots
• Consider a larger vehicle if you’re travelling with several large suitcases
• Keep your transfer confirmation accessible when you arrive at Palma Airport

A pre-booked private transfer can be particularly convenient with younger children because you can arrange your journey before leaving the UK and travel directly to your accommodation after meeting your driver.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Never assume a child seat will automatically be supplied because you’ve booked a family transfer. Check exactly what’s included before paying and add any required seats during the booking process where the provider offers them.

How to Find Your Transfer at Palma Airport

After landing at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), collect your luggage and follow the arrivals signs into the public arrivals area.

If you’ve booked a private or shared Palma airport transfer, your booking confirmation should explain exactly where to meet your driver or transfer representative. Meeting arrangements vary between companies, so check these instructions before you travel rather than assuming every provider uses the same collection point.

When You Arrive at Palma Airport

1. Collect your luggage before heading towards the arrivals area.
2. Have your transfer confirmation ready on your phone.
3. Follow the meeting instructions supplied by your transfer provider.
4. Look for your driver’s name, transfer-company signage or the designated meeting point stated on your booking.
5. If you can’t find your driver, use the contact number on your confirmation rather than leaving the airport to search for them.

If you’re taking an official Palma airport taxi instead, follow the airport signs to the designated taxi rank outside the terminal.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Screenshot your transfer confirmation before flying. You’ll still have the meeting instructions, booking reference and contact details available if your mobile data isn’t working when you land.

What Happens If Your Flight to Palma Is Delayed?

Flight delays are always possible, so it’s worth checking how your Palma airport transfer provider handles them before you book.

When arranging a private or shared transfer, you’ll normally be asked for your flight number and scheduled arrival time. This allows the transfer company to identify the flight you’re arriving on and plan your collection.

However, waiting policies can vary between providers. Some may monitor flight arrival information, while others have specific waiting-time limits or instructions you need to follow if you’re significantly delayed.

Before You Travel

• Enter the correct flight number when booking
• Double-check your scheduled arrival date and time
• Read the provider’s policy on delayed flights
• Save the transfer company’s contact details
• Contact them if your booking instructions tell you to do so after a major delay
• Keep your booking reference easily accessible

If your airline changes your flight number or moves you onto a different flight before departure, update your transfer booking or contact the provider as soon as possible.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t assume every transfer company has the same flight-delay policy. Check the terms attached to your actual booking so you know what will happen if you arrive several hours later than planned.

Private Transfer vs Taxi vs Shuttle: Which Is Best for Your Family?

For most families arriving at Palma Airport, the choice will come down to a private transfer, airport taxi or shared shuttle.

There’s no single option that suits every family, so think about your children’s ages, how far your resort is from the airport and whether price or convenience matters most.

Choose a Private Transfer If…

• You want to arrange everything before leaving the UK
• You’re travelling with young children or lots of luggage
• You want a direct journey to your accommodation
• Your resort is further from Palma Airport
• You’d prefer to know your transport is organised before you land

Choose a Palma Airport Taxi If…

• You want maximum flexibility after landing
• You haven’t pre-booked transport
• You’re staying relatively close to Palma Airport
• You’re happy to use the official taxi rank when you arrive

Choose a Shared Shuttle If…

• Keeping costs down is the priority
• You don’t mind sharing with other passengers
• You’re happy for the journey to take longer
• Additional hotel stops won’t be a problem for your family

For families staying in resorts such as Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa or Cala d’Or, we’d particularly compare the cost of a private transfer against a shared shuttle. The direct journey can become much more attractive when the alternative involves several stops after an already long travel day.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Before booking, price all three realistic options for your exact family and resort. The cheapest option for two adults isn’t necessarily the best-value option for a family of four or five.

Palma Airport Transfers FAQs

Do I need to book Palma airport transfers in advance?

You don’t have to pre-book if you plan to use an official airport taxi or public transport. However, booking a private transfer or shared shuttle in advance can make arrival easier, particularly for families travelling during busy holiday periods.

How long is the transfer from Palma Airport to Alcudia?

The drive from Palma Airport to Alcudia is typically around 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic and the location of your accommodation. A shared shuttle may take longer because of additional hotel stops.

How long is the transfer from Palma Airport to Palma Nova?

A direct road journey from Palma Airport to Palma Nova is typically around 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic.

Is it better to get a taxi or transfer from Palma Airport?

It depends on your family and destination. An airport taxi offers flexibility without pre-booking, while a private transfer lets you arrange your transport before travelling. For longer journeys or families with several passengers, it’s worth comparing the total price of both.

Are there taxis outside Palma Airport?

Yes. Palma de Mallorca Airport has an official taxi rank outside the terminal. Follow the airport signs after leaving arrivals and use the designated taxi rank.

Can I book a child seat with a Palma Airport transfer?

Some private transfer providers offer baby seats, child seats or boosters, but availability and charges vary. Enter your children’s ages accurately when booking and check exactly what your chosen provider offers before paying.

What is the cheapest way to get from Palma Airport?

Public transport will often be the lowest-cost option, while a shared airport shuttle can provide a useful compromise between price and convenience. The best-value choice depends on your resort and the number of people travelling.

Are Palma Airport transfers available to all Majorca resorts?

Pre-booked transfers are available to many of Majorca’s main holiday resorts, including Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa, Palma Nova, Magaluf, Santa Ponsa, Cala d’Or, Cala Millor, Sa Coma and Can Picafort. Check your exact accommodation when getting a quote.

Should I book a return airport transfer at the same time?

For most families, booking the outward and return journeys together is convenient because your transport back to Palma Airport is already arranged. Check your return collection instructions carefully and allow sufficient time before your flight.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Palma Airport Transfer

Getting from Palma Airport to your accommodation is straightforward, but the best option depends on where you’re staying, your family size and how much convenience you want after landing.

For families with younger children, lots of luggage or accommodation further from the airport, a pre-booked private transfer can make the journey much easier. Shared shuttles can keep costs down, while an official Palma airport taxi offers flexibility if you’d rather arrange transport when you arrive.

If you’re planning to explore Majorca throughout your holiday, hiring a car may make more sense. You can find everything you need to know in our Car Hire Majorca guide.

For more help planning your trip, visit our Majorca family holiday guides hub, where you’ll find our guides to family resorts, hotels, things to do, waterparks, excursions and car hire.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Get your airport transport sorted before the final few days before departure. Once it’s booked, it’s one less thing to think about when you land in Majorca with the family.