✈️ Bus, taxi or transfer to Alcudia: what is cheaper and faster in 2026

Alcudia is about 60 km from Palma de Mallorca Airport. On the Ma-13 highway the drive takes 40-55 minutes, and in July and August you can add another 10-15 minutes on top of that (per the map). You have four realistic options: the TIB bus, a taxi, a pre-booked transfer, or a rental car.

The price range is wide. The A1 bus to Palma is the cheapest option for non-residents (as of 09/2026, airport line fares, Ajuntament de Palma), while a taxi to Alcudia runs on the meter under the island's unified fare, with higher rates at night (fare calculation: as of 09/2026, Govern de les Illes Balears). A transfer is booked in advance, so the price does not change because of traffic. Below you will find travel times, costs, and the honest catches of each option.

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What to know before leaving the airport

💡 In short:

Bus: 5 € for the A1 to Palma plus a zoned TIB ticket to Alcudia (cheaper with a bank card), 1.5-2 hours total with a transfer.
Taxi: roughly 80-95 € per car during the day on the meter, 40-55 minutes, no need to book.
A fixed-price transfer is a good value for a family or a group of three or four.
A rental car makes sense if you plan to explore the island and the coves away from TIB routes.
Fares and schedules: 09/2026, per TIB and Govern de les Illes Balears.

Son Sant Joan Airport sits 8 km from the center of Palma, while Alcudia occupies the northern tip of the island. There is one terminal, and the exit to taxis and bus stops is on the ground floor. Keep this in mind if you are traveling with suitcases: a transfer in Palma means you carry your luggage yourself.

Check the schedule in advance. In summer TIB adds services; in winter some lines run on a reduced timetable (TIB lines and schedules). You save time when you look up the schedule for your specific flight rather than relying on memory. Tickets are cheaper when you pay by bank card rather than in cash to the driver.

TIB bus A32: direct service in summer

Line A32 runs from the airport straight to Can Picafort via Alcudia and Playa de Muro. There are no transfers, and it is the most convenient budget option. It operates in high season, from June to mid-September (line A32 on tib.org).

In summer 2026 TIB boosted its resort routes and added frequencies on key lines (mallorcadiario.com). You are still tied to the schedule: if your flight lands late in the evening, the bus may already be gone.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

The stop is at the terminal exit; look for the blue TIB signs. The catch: in season the bus gets packed, and with two suitcases you will be standing.

For a first trip to Mallorca this is enough. You get there without transfers and for a few euros, and the rest comes down to your schedule.

Bus via Palma: year-round and the cheapest of all

Outside the season you travel with a transfer in Palma. First, the A1 bus goes to Plaça d'Espanya, where the intermodal station (Estació Intermodal) is located: every 12-15 minutes, about 20 minutes of travel, a non-resident ticket costs 5 € (as of 09/2026, Ajuntament de Palma).

Panorama of Palma de Mallorca with a view of the port and sea

From the station to Alcudia and its port, line 351 runs. Buses leave about once an hour, the trip takes 50-60 minutes, and the ticket price depends on the number of fare zones; paying by bank card is cheaper than cash (line 351 on tib.org). The whole journey, including waiting for the connection, takes 1.5-2 hours.

The catch: the last 351 bus leaves around 9:00-10:00 PM, and there are almost no night services. If your hotel is far from the stop, you walk the final stretch with your suitcase yourself.

The practical takeaway is simple. This option is ideal for a solo traveler or a couple without much luggage. For a family of four, the bus is still cheaper, but a taxi is faster and easier with bags.

Taxi: door to door with no transfers

The taxi stand is right at the terminal on the ground floor. No booking needed, the driver knows the route, and in 40-55 minutes you are at your hotel. For a late-night arrival, this is often the only stress-free option.

The fare is metered, and since 2025 the island has had a unified tariff (Decreto 20/2025). The daytime pickup charge is about €2.50, each kilometer about €1.20, and the airport surcharge of €4.65 is applied once per trip, not per passenger and not per suitcase (as of 09/2026, unified taxi tariff, Govern de les Illes Balears; Palma taxi fares).

No extra charge is allowed for luggage, and strollers and child seats also ride free. For trips from the airport, a minimum fare applies, and the meter shows it.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

The catch: for one person or a couple, this is the most expensive option. In July and August on Fridays and Saturdays, there can be a 10-20 minute line at the stand. Check that the meter is running before you pull away.

If there are three or four of you, a taxi is still more expensive than the bus. But the cost is split among everyone, and you get there noticeably faster.

Private transfer and shuttle: a fixed price

A transfer costs somewhere between a taxi and the bus. The driver waits for you in the arrivals hall with a sign, takes your suitcases, and drives you straight to the hotel. You see the price when you book, so traffic jams and detours are not your problem.

These rides are booked at least 24-48 hours in advance. Popular platforms include Hoppa, GetTransfer, and Welcome Pickups; among local companies, Mallorca Transfers and Shuttle Direct. Many hotels offer their own pickup, and it is worth asking about when you book your room.

For parents, this is often the best choice. You request a child seat when booking, and it is included in the price, whereas a regular taxi does not always have one.

The catch: a prepaid ride is harder to reschedule than grabbing a car at the stand. A shared shuttle is cheaper than a private one, but you wait for other passengers and stop at several hotels.

Tours and tickets in Alcudia

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Kiwitaxi

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Car rental at the airport: freedom and the Ma-13 highway

If your plans go beyond Alcudia, a car gives you freedom. The airport has a dedicated rental area on the ground floor with counters for Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, and Goldcar, as well as local companies.

Ma-13 highway with signs for Port d'Alcúdia and Pollença

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Book in advance, especially for July and August: fewer cars and higher prices. Parking near the port and in the Old Town fills up quickly in summer, so a hotel with parking makes life much easier.

You can compare offers for your dates on DiscoverCars. The catch: insurance, fuel, and parking are added to the base price, and the total only becomes clear at the end of the trip.

If you are staying in Alcudia and at most driving to Port d'Alcudia, a car does not pay off.

Comparing the options: price, time, and who each suits

So you do not have to do the math in your head, here is a summary of all four options.

Option	One-way price	Travel time	Best for
TIB bus	5 € for A1 plus a TIB zone ticket (tib.org)	1.5-2 h with a transfer	one person or a couple, on a budget
Taxi	about 80-95 € per car during the day on the meter (flat rate)	40-55 min	a group of three or four, late-night arrival
Private transfer	fixed price when booking	40-55 min	families with children
Rental car	depends on class and season	40-50 min	longer trips around the island

The short decision matrix looks like this. One or two people with light luggage take the bus. Three or four people during the day split a taxi. With kids and suitcases, it is easier to book a transfer. If you want to explore the island, you need a car.

Practical tips before you leave

Check the schedule for your flight on the TIB website or app. The summer timetable is denser, the winter one is sparser. Do not count on the last bus if your plane lands after 8:00 pm.

Set up an eSIM before departure on Yesim: that way you can call a taxi or open the schedule right away. If your SIM card is from the EU, roaming works at your home rates. An eSIM is useful for guests from outside the EU.

Keep your hotel address in Spanish handy. Show it to the driver if language gets in the way. Save your transfer booking number in your notes: at the airport, the connection can drop for a few minutes.

First days in Alcudia: what to see

You have arrived, and it is best not to overload the first two days. Start with the Port d'Alcudia promenade and Playa de Muro beach: the water entry is gentle, and the water warms up by July.

Stone gate of the Old Town of Alcúdia with arches

On the second day, go to the Old Town. The medieval walls of Alcudia can be walked around in an hour, and nearby lie the ruins of the Roman city of Pollentia. Once a week a market operates in the square; check the exact days at the tourist office.

Give the third day to the sea. The Bay of Alcudia is known for boat trips: coves, snorkeling, and views of the cape. Excursions from the port can be found on GetYourGuide.

The catch: in July, Playa de Muro beach is already packed by 10 a.m., and sun loungers are claimed early. Arrive by 8:30 or after 5 p.m., and you will have enough space by the water.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Palma airport to Alcudia?

By bus you will pay 5 € for the A1 and a zonal TIB ticket for line 351; with a bank card it is cheaper (as of 09/2026, fares according to TIB). A taxi runs on the meter: under the island's flat rate it is roughly 80-95 € per car during the day, more expensive at night (as of 09/2026, flat taxi rate, Govern de les Illes Balears). A transfer and car rental depend on the vehicle class and season.

Does bus A32 run in winter?

No. Direct line A32 operates in high season, from June to mid-September (seasonal A32 schedule). In winter you travel with a change in Palma: bus A1 to the station and line 351 to Alcudia. There are almost no services at night, so a late arrival is better covered by taxi or transfer.

What is cheaper for a family of four?

The bus remains the cheapest option, even if you buy A1 and 351 tickets for each person (as of 09/2026, fares according to TIB). A metered taxi is more expensive, but it gets you to the hotel in 40-55 minutes. If you are tired after the flight and carrying luggage, the extra cost of a taxi is justified.

Can you get there at night?

Buses barely run at night: the last line 351 leaves around 9-10 p.m. For a night arrival, take a taxi at the terminal stand or book a transfer in advance. Taxis operate around the clock, and the night surcharge is already included in rate 2 (official Palma taxi rates).

Do you need a car in Alcudia?

For the beach and the Old Town, no: you can walk to both or get there by bus. Renting a car makes sense if you want to see the Serra de Tramuntana, coves in the south of the island, or remote villages. In summer, add parking costs near the port and in the Old Town to your budget.

In short: what is worth booking

For most trips to Alcudia, a bus or taxi is enough. But if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with children, a transfer booked in advance removes half the stress.

If you are traveling alone: take the TIB bus; in summer it is the direct A32 with no changes.
If there are four of you: split a taxi or book a transfer.
If you want to explore the island: compare prices for car rental.
If you are planning trips out to sea: check out bay excursions.
If you need internet right after landing: activate an eSIM before departure.

Book a transfer or car in advance: in July and August, available options get snapped up quickly.

Road from Mallorca airport to Alcudia: bus for 5 € and taxi for 90 €