Advantages Of Renting A Car On Vacation In Mallorca
Know Before You Fly
Mallorca, also referred to as Majorca, is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands and because of its warm climate, beautiful beaches and plenty of things to see and do, it has become a year-round destination for tourists. If you are planning on visiting Mallorca, you might want to consider renting a car because it could provide a significant boost to your vacation.
Having a car for you and your family or other traveling companions, or even if you are on holiday solo, is a great way to give you complete independence when planning what you would like to do each day on the island. Instead of having to pay for taxis to get from one location to another, with a car you are in total control of where and when you go. And it often works out cheaper to rent a car for your trip than having to potentially pay dozens of taxi fares.
In total, Mallorca is about 3,640 square kilometers (or just over 1335 square miles) and much of the island is coastline. Although there are some buses that service the main areas of the island, you’ll find that there are not always great connections to more remote parts of Mallorca. So if you want to get the true experience of fully exploring the island, consider renting a car.
Important information about renting a car in Mallorca
You have a good selection of rental car companies from which to choose in Mallorca, with the following companies available at Palma Airport:
- Avis,
- Alamo,
- Enterprise,
- Europcar,
- Goldcar,
- Hertz,
- Record Go,
- Rhodium,
- Sixt
- Thrifty.
It’s your decision on whether to contact a company in advance or book a car once you land at the airport, as both options work.
Some of the requirements for renting a car in Mallorca while on your vacation include that you have a currently valid driver’s license from the country where you live, and the rental car companies will also want to see your passport or some other type of identification.
Rental cars are limited to drivers at least 21 years old, and you might find that some companies will charge an increased rate when renting cars out to anyone under 25 years old.
The exact cost of renting a car for your vacation in Mallorca will depend on several factors, including the type of car you choose and how long you plan to rent it for – with larger cars and longer rental periods costing more than it would to rent a smaller car for less time.
But as a rough guideline to help you plan the budget for your vacation, the typical cost of an average size vehicle can run anywhere from €5 to €40 each day of the rental, although larger vehicles like vans and luxury makes of cars could cost up to €70 every day. Ask about discounts when renting over extended periods of time like several weeks, as they might be available.
The peak holiday season on Mallorca is from June to September and you should expect rental car prices to be elevated during this time, but reduced during the other months.
Although most of the roads throughout the island are in decent condition, some are not as well-maintained as others and you should be prepared to drive slower in those areas. Also, Mallorca can have some steep roads, so renting a car is best for more-experienced drivers.
When renting your car, be sure to get insurance so that you will be covered for liability in the unfortunate event that you get into an accident while driving on the island.
It’s also recommended that you take photographs of your rental car when you first get it and while a company representative is nearby, so that you can capture and scratches, bumps and other damage to the car in case the company tries to claim you caused them later.
To check Palma Airport Car Hire offers please click here
Top Tips for driving a car around Mallorca
Driving on the island of Mallorca is fairly safe, but one crucial tip you must always remember is that cars and all other vehicles drive on the right hand side of the road.
The speed limit on normal roads is 90 kilometers per hour, but this drops down to 50 kilometers per hour on roads in urban areas such as city centers. On the motorways that cover the length of the island, you can drive faster as the maximum speed allowed is 120 kilometers per hour.
You’ll find that there are speeding cameras and radars located across the island, and often these might not be easy to spot. Be sure to always keep to the designated speed limits depending on which type of road you are on, because there are fines for driving too fast.
If you’re driving on the motorway and want to overtake someone, you must only do so in the left lane and therefore drivers not planning to overtake should stay in the right or middle lanes.
It’s important to know that the law on the island is against using mobile phones when you are driving, unless you are able to use a device that is hands-free. Don’t take any risks with trying to break this law, because the local police are known to quickly hand out fines for driving while using a handheld mobile phone, or driving while you are wearing headphones.
Another crucial law that you must always obey is to never drive drunk because this is illegal, and it is also something that the local police strives to strictly enforce. If you are caught driving drunk then you could face serious penalties such as a fine of several hundred Euros.
One tip for helping you to navigate your way around the island is asking a rental car company to give you a vehicle that includes GPS technology, because you can then enter locations into the car instead of having to rely on checking maps on your mobile phone to find your way. Most rental car companies could also lend you a Sat Nav as an alternative option.
Palma Airport Car Rental Companies
AVIS Car Rental
Tel: +34 902 180 854
Europcar Car Rental
Tel: +34 913 434 503
Hertz Car Rental
Tel: +34 902 402 405
Alamo Car Rental
Tel: +34 971 26 60 01
Sixt Car Rental
Tel: +34 871 18 01 92
Coldcar Car Rental
Tel: +34 918 34 14 00
Thrifty Car Rental
Tel: +34 971 78 96 70
Enterprise Car Rental
Tel: +34 971 26 60 01
To Pre-book your Palma Airport Car Hire please click here
Palma Airport Car Rental FAQ
Can I drive a rental car using a license from my home country?
Yes, in fact rental companies will ask to see a current and valid driver’s license from your home country before renting you a car, along with asking for some photo identification.
Where can I find companies to rent a car from in Mallorca?
Your best option is typically checking in with any of the following companies that are located within Palma Airport: Avis, Alamo, Enterprise, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, Record Go, Rhodium, Sixt and Thrifty – and you can also book in advance online or over the phone with many of these companies, typically resulting in a discounted rate for your vehicle
How much will it cost me to rent a car during my time on the island?
This depends entirely on the make of vehicle that you choose to get, and how long you intend to rent it for. You’ll find that smaller to medium sized vehicles which are suitable for most families or groups of friends traveling will cost from €5 to €40 to rent per day, whereas luxury cars or larger vehicles such as vans might cost up to €70 or more per day to rent. And the longer the time that you want to rent a car, the more money it will cost you.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Mallorca?
Everyone in Mallorca drives on the right hand side of the road, and it’s important that you remember this and are comfortable with driving this way before you decide to rent a car.
What is the law on drunk driving on the island of Mallorca?
Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited on the island, and the local police are known from strongly enforcing this and issuing penalties to any drunk drivers they catch.
Can I use my handheld mobile phone when driving across Mallorca?
No, it is illegal to drive on the island while holding a mobile phone, and it’s also against the law to have headphones in while you are driving. If you need to use a mobile phone during your drive, your only option is to use a hands-free device that does not require headphones.
Are there any other restrictions on how I can drive a car?
Yes, some other important rules that you must follow include that everyone in the car should be wearing a seatbelt, that you cannot flip-flops when driving a vehicle, and children who are aged under 12 years old are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat.
What are the speed limits when driving around the island?
The top speed limit is 120 kilometers per hour and this applies only on the motorways. If you are on typical roads throughout the island the speed limit reduces to 90 kilometers per hour, and once you are in urban locations then you cannot exceed 50 kilometers per hour.
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Mallorca?
You will typically find that car rental companies will provide unlimited third party liability insurance as part of the package that they offer you. But that only covers damage done to someone else’s car if you unfortunately get into an accident. You may want to think about getting first party insurance that would also cover any resulting damage to your rental car.
What condition are the roads in throughout the island?
Generally, the roads in Mallorca are in decent condition, particularly on the motorways. But you should be prepared for some of the more rural roads to be less well-maintained, and a few roads can also be quite narrow and steep. That’s why driving on the island is recommended mostly for experienced drivers who feel comfortable on a wide range of roads.
What is the rule for overtaking someone on the motorway?
If you are driving on the motorway and would like to overtake other vehicles, you must do so only in the left lane. It’s important to routinely check your mirrors for cars that might be attempting to pass you on the motorway, as locals may want to overtake tourists.