Car rental in Mallorca: how to book and what to consider

Mallorca without a car means sitting in one bay for two weeks. The island stretches from west to east, and buses between resorts run infrequently and with long transfers. A rental car opens up the Serra de Tramuntana, distant beaches, and small towns in a single day. But car rental is exactly where people most often lose money on deposits, insurance, and parking in Palma. Below we break down booking step by step, pickup at PMI airport, local rules, and restricted zones.

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In our experience renting cars on the island, what matters is not the number in search results but the rate conditions. A cheap rate often hides a deductible, mileage limits, and extra charges at the counter. So compare not the price but the full set of conditions.

Do you need a car in Mallorca

💡 In short:

• Pick up your car at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), 8 km from central Palma.
• Central Palma has a low emission zone (ZBE): some cars are not allowed in.

The island has only one airport, Palma de Mallorca (PMI), and almost every route starts there (as of 09/2026, Aena). It sits about 8 km east of central Palma, and the drive takes about 10-15 minutes. There is one terminal, divided into modules A, B, C, and D, so getting oriented is easy.

You need a car if you want to see more than the beach by your hotel. With one, you can reach the Serra de Tramuntana viewpoints, the coves in the northeast, and the wild beaches in the south. Buses between resorts run on sparse schedules, and a transfer can easily eat up half a day.

In the towns of Palma, Alcudia, and Soller, it is easier to leave the car in free parking outside the center and walk into the old town. In central Palma, parking is either paid or closed to visitors (according to the Palma city council, 09/2026).

Get a car if you plan to stay overnight in different places. Then moving between small towns becomes a short road trip, and you are not tied to one hotel. You can sleep by the sea and drive into the mountains the next morning.

Should you skip it? Yes, if you are only going to the Palma city beach and a water park. Then a bus and taxi are enough, and a rental becomes an unnecessary expense.

The mountain road between Palma and Soller through the Serra de Tramuntana is considered one of the most beautiful on the island. Here you stop at viewpoints, and the navigation system gets the time estimate wrong: the switchbacks are slow. For a day like this, a compact car with good visibility works better than a large SUV.

If you are coming for a week, split the trip into two or three segments. First get comfortable in Palma and its surroundings, then move to another bay. That way you do not lose half a day on the road every day and you see more different places.

How much does car rental cost in Mallorca

The price depends on the season and the car class. In the low season, a small car costs in the lower double digits per day, and in July and August the rate is roughly twice as high. The total is calculated not from the base rate but from the full set of conditions.

Look not at the number in search results but at what it includes. Comparing rental offers is easy with filters, and the table below explains what to check before paying.

You only see the final amount at the moment of comparison, because prices change every week. So book in advance and keep a couple of backup options handy.

The season matters more than the rental brand. In high season, cars go fast, and closer to your date there is less choice. In low season, demand drops, and rates are noticeably softer even for the same class.

Rental comparison sites usually offer free booking cancellation shortly before pickup. That is convenient: if you find a cheaper option, you can cancel the first booking at no cost. So booking early carries almost no risk, while booking late often costs more.

How to book a car: step by step

Book in advance, several weeks before your trip. The later you search, the higher the chance of getting an expensive offer or a car at the counter. The sequence below follows our comparison approach.

How to compare offers

• Pickup location. Enter Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan Airport (PMI), not the city. That way you immediately see cars at the terminal.
• Time. Set the return time no later than the pickup time: the rate is calculated per 24-hour period, not per calendar day.
• Filters. "Small" or "compact" class, air conditioning, full insurance with theft protection, no deductible.
• Liability insurance. Check for a high coverage amount and protection for glass, tires, and underbody.
• Deposit. Keep it within reason, otherwise a large sum will be frozen on your card.
• Class. A compact car is enough for a couple or a family with one child.

© Thomas Wolf , www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SAPhoto: Thomas Wolf , www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

Then sort the list by lowest price and compare several of the cheapest offers. Look at how they differ: class, conditions, or insurance packages. Open each one in a separate tab, it is easier to compare that way.

Example of comparing offers

The difference between the first offers is usually in the details: deposit, fuel policy, insurance packages. Sometimes the cheapest price is for a car with a high deductible, and then the extra charge for protection eats up all the savings.

© Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BYPhoto: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Check not only the price but also reviews for the specific rental company. Different platforms show different sets of brands even with identical filters, so the same car class costs differently on each.

In practice this means: do not trust a single platform. Go through the list and choose a suitable car with terminal pickup. Remember that the results always show example cars: for the same price you may get a different model.

A separate note about pickup time. Set it so you arrive during the day: in the morning and evening there can be lines at the counters. If your flight is delayed, notify the rental company in the app or by email, otherwise the booking may be released.

Do not book a car at the airport counter. The rate there is higher than online, and you cannot compare several rental companies. At the counter you depend on one offer and negotiate at an inconvenient moment.

Also check the payment method. For the deposit hold, many rental companies require a real credit card, and not all accept debit cards. It is worth clarifying this in advance so you do not end up at the counter without a car.

Which rental companies to choose

Every brand has bad reviews, and that is normal: people write when something went wrong.

Look not at individual ratings, but at what exactly people complain about. Reliable options among major brands: Avis, Sixt, Budget, and Sunny Cars. Sometimes a cheap rental company cuts corners on the counter and the pickup line, and that adds hassle for you.

Filter the list by "very good" and "good" ratings. That way, rental companies with systemic problems drop out of the results, and you can choose a car without worry.

Picking up your car at PMI airport

Palma airport is well organized, which makes pickup easier. Rental counters are located next to baggage claim if you chose terminal pickup when booking. If the rental company is based outside the terminal, you will be taken by shuttle, which adds extra travel time.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

How do you know where the rental company is located? In the offer card, find the pickup location line and check whether it says terminal or shuttle. Also open the rental company's address on the map and read recent reviews: people often mention lines and the shuttle there.

© Robot8A · CC BY-SAPhoto: Robot8A, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Before your trip, check the rental company's address on the map. If it is not in the terminal, allow an extra half hour for the trip and do not plan anything right after landing.

Keep your documents handy while still on the plane. At the counter you will be asked for your driver's license, passport or ID, credit card, and booking voucher. The voucher arrives by email, and it is better to save it on your phone in advance, because email loads slowly when roaming.

If you arrive late in the evening, check the counter's opening hours. Some rental companies close at night, and in that case you pick up the car following instructions sent in advance. Clarify this before paying so you do not end up waiting at a closed counter.

What to do at pickup and during the vehicle inspection

After the paperwork is done, you get the key and inspect the car together with a staff member using a checklist. Sometimes the key is simply handed to you, and then you check the car yourself.

• Do not agree to extra insurance at the counter. Full protection is usually already included in the rate when booking.
• Take photos and video of all dents, scratches, and chips. Ask for them to be added to the checklist.
• Take a photo of the fuel level and mileage so you do not argue later about what is left in the tank.
• Adjust the seat and mirrors, get used to the car before driving off.

There is no such thing as too many photos. If damage is not listed in the checklist, only your photos and video will settle the dispute. Film the whole car all the way around, not just the obvious dents.

Roads, fuel, and navigation

Roads in Mallorca are in good condition, potholes are rare. Even in the Serra de Tramuntana and on secondary roads you drive comfortably. Villages have narrow streets, and parking is noticeably easier in a compact car.

© fod · CC BY-SAPhoto: fod, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Toll sections. There are practically no toll roads on the island itself, so you pay almost nothing for road use.
• Gas stations. They are found all over the island, including remote areas. Fuel prices are close to those on the mainland.
• Navigation. An offline map helps in the mountains and near hidden coves, where internet signal disappears.

If you are heading inland, fill the tank in advance. Mountain villages have fewer gas stations than the coast. Fuel prices do not differ much between stations, so there is no point hunting for the cheapest one.

If you are in a hurry, stick to the Ma-1, Ma-13, and Ma-19 roads. They fan out from Palma to different parts of the island. Secondary roads go through villages and take more time, but they show you the real Mallorca. Choose your route by mood, not just by minutes.

Parking in Mallorca: lines and rules

In cities, look at the color of the road markings: it tells you right away whether you can park there and how much it costs.

Paid parking time is checked strictly, so keep an eye on the meter. If you pay early, the amount stays the same as on the ticket; if you pay late, it increases. Keep the ticket visible under the windshield.

Choose a compact car: with it you can park in the narrow streets of Palma without stress. At free beach parking lots in summer, finding a spot is difficult, so arrive by morning.

Before entering a city, check whether the parking meter works and whether parking requires a local permit. At night, free parking lots get crowded, and in the center it is easy to stop under a no-parking sign. Check the markings twice before getting out of the car.

Traffic rules

City speed limits in Spain depend on the number of lanes, and this rule has been in effect since May 11, 2021 (as of 09/2026, DGT). In practice you keep up with the flow of traffic, but remember the special zones.

All values are confirmed on the DGT website (as of 09/2026).

© Tiia Monto · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

If you are unsure about a sign, follow the flow of traffic and do not speed in historic districts.

At night, free parking lots get crowded, and in the center it is easy to stop under a no-parking sign. Check the markings twice before getting out of the car.

Restrictions in central Palma (ZBE)

The historic center of Palma has a low-emission zone, Zona de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE). It was introduced under Spain's climate law, and entry, driving, and parking are restricted for some vehicles (as of 09/2026, Palma city council).

© This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a · CC BY-SAPhoto: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Entry to the zone is not allowed for everyone. If you are staying at a hotel inside the ZBE, leave your car at a public parking lot outside its boundary and check the rules with the hotel. This way you avoid a fine from the cameras that monitor entry.

If you are only visiting for the day, leave the car outside the zone and continue on foot. The old town is compact, and you can walk to all the main sights in a couple of hours.

Is it safe to drive a rental car

Mallorca is a safe island, and you hardly need to worry about theft from cars. But follow simple rules: do not leave valuables in plain sight.

• Put luggage in the trunk, cover it with the parcel shelf.
• Take your phone, wallet, and keys with you when you get out of the car.
• It is better to drop suitcases at the hotel and then drive to the beach.
• Park in guarded lots in cities.

If the car breaks down, turn on your hazard lights and pull over to the side of the road. Call the rental company's number from your contract, and they will arrange assistance. Take a photo of the breakdown and note the details for insurance.

If you are leaving the car for the whole day, choose a busy and well-lit spot. At wild beaches and viewpoints there are few parking spaces, and walking back to the car in the dark is unpleasant. Plan your trip so you return before dark.

Before a long drive, save the rental company's number and the roadside assistance phone number. Keep them on your phone, not just in the paper contract. That way you can call quickly if something happens on the road.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to book a car in Mallorca?

Book as early as possible, several weeks before your trip. In high season there are fewer available cars, and the price rises closer to the date. Early booking gives you more choice and the option to cancel if you find a better deal.

Is it worth booking a car at the airport counter?

We do not recommend picking up a car directly at the counter. The rate there is higher than online, and you cannot compare offers: you depend on what the staff member offers. Online you can see several rental companies and their terms at once.

Is a debit card enough for the deposit?

Not always. Many rental companies require a real credit card to block the deposit, and only some accept debit cards. Check this in the offer terms before booking, otherwise they will not give you the car at the counter.

Is there a mileage limit?

Most offers have unlimited mileage, and all kilometers during the rental are already included in the price. But some cheap rates charge extra for excess mileage, so check this point before paying.

Is a toll road mandatory in Mallorca?

There are practically no toll sections on the island, so you pay almost nothing for roads. The main costs are fuel, city parking, and possible extra charges at the counter. It is useful to check offer terms in advance before your trip.

In short: what to book

If you need one simple answer: compare offers in advance and get full insurance with no deductible. A compact car is enough for driving around the island, and in Palma leave it outside the center.

• If you are a couple or a family with a child: get a compact class car, it will fit your luggage.
• If you are staying in central Palma: park outside the ZBE zone.
• If you are heading to the mountains: keep an offline map and fill up in advance.

Book a car on DiscoverCars and compare terms before your trip.