Page 192 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

190  SUR VIV AL GUIDE TR A VEL INFORM A TION  191

TRAVEL INFORMATION DIRECTORY

Most visitors arrive on the Balearic Islands fly to mainland Spain and change planes. Airports
by air. This is not only the fastest, but often During peak season, Palma’s airport is one of ∑ aena.es
also the cheapest, way of getting here. The the busiest in Europe. Sea links are equally Tel 902 404 704.
airports are on Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. convenient, but you must first get to the Ibiza
Provided by international airlines, these Spanish coast. The routes from Barcelona, Tel 971 809 000.
flights are a mixture of charter and regular Dénia and Valencia to the Balearic Islands
scheduled flights from a wide range of are served by large ferries that may carry Mallorca – Son Sant Joan
European countries. Alternatively, you can cars, and also by fast catamarans. Ferries in Maó’s harbour, Menorca Tel 902 404 704.
particularly during weekends, cheaper than flying and it Menorca
UK take under 3 hours. when club-goers from all over can be a very pleasant option. Tel 971 157 000.
These relatively short Europe arrive for the Saturday– Arriving by sea and catching
flight times mean that Multilingual information sign at Sunday revel. The aircraft your first glimpse of Maó’s Airlines
the islands are popular Palma’s airport touching down here are often ancient harbour is an
for annual holidays as painted in the most fantastic unforgettable experience. Aireuropa
well as “mini-breaks”. but will also give you the designs. When taking off or Some islands can only be ∑ aireuropa.com
Flights from the US chance to see magnificent landing in Eivissa, you get a reached by sea. These include
require changing views of the archipelago. bird’s-eye view of the town Cabrera, Formentera and easyJet
planes in London, and of Dalt Vila. Frequent bus Dragonera. A journey by ferry ∑ easyjet.com
Barcelona or Madrid. services operate from all the from Ibiza to Formentera
Airports main airports and can take you takes about 1 hour; by Iberia
Son Sant Joan airport on straight to the city centres. catamaran it takes about ∑ iberia.com
Flights Between Mallorca is situated on the 30 minutes. Ticket prices for
the Islands outskirts of Palma, around 11 ferries providing links between Ryanair
The main carrier km (7 miles) from the centre of Ferries the islands are reasonable, but ∑ ryanair.com
providing flights the island’s capital. The nearby Anyone who plans to take going by a catamaran will cost Vueling
between the islands is motorway provides a fast road their own car or motorcycle you more. Price differences ∑ vueling.com
Iberia. The flight from link to Palma. The airport has to the islands must use a ferry. between the competing
Mallorca to Menorca many shops, car hire agents and There are frequent and regular companies are greater for Ferry Lines
takes only 30 minutes. a tourist information centre. services between large towns longer routes, but prices
Palma airport’s departure hall, Mallorca For that reason this is Over the last few years, the on the Spanish mainland depend mostly on the time
a convenient way of airport has been constantly and the harbours of of year. The lowest Baleària
Air Travel
travelling. Before island- extended for the needs of Mallorca, Menorca prices can be ∑ balearia.com
Regular links between large hopping, it is a good idea to tourists. Despite its size, it is and Ibiza. Journey obtained after
Spanish cities and the Balearic find out what type of aircraft difficult to get lost here. There times are quite Logo of Balearia ferry lines high season, Trasmediterranea
Islands are provided by the you are going to fly in. Some is only one terminal, where reasonable; it takes from October ∑ trasmediterranea.es
Spanish carriers Iberia, Vueling are quite small and you may check-ins are made on the 7 hours by ferry from Barcelona until December, and again
and Aireuropa. There are not be able to take large second floor, and boarding is to Palma for example. from the end of January until
also regular flights between hand luggage. Travelling in on the fourth floor. Individual The large ferries operated the end of March. In the period to go up again. Children up to
the Balearic Islands (mainly a small, packed and stuffy zones are well signposted, by Trasmediterranea sail from from Easter until the beginning the age of 12 are entitled to a
Mallorca) and countries that light aircraft can be a little but be prepared for long Barcelona and Valencia to Palma of July – known as the “half- 50 per cent reduction, and
provide the greatest numbers unpleasant for anybody who walks when making your and Maó. They also provide season” – the ferry prices tend infants travel free.
of visitors, such as Germany suffers from claustrophobia way from one sector of the transport to Ibiza. The latter
and Britain, as well as Austria, or other health problems. airport to another. Menorca’s may be reached from Barcelona
Switzerland, France and Even in the best of weather, airport is near the island’s (10 hours) or Valencia (about
the Netherlands. the flight may be bumpy and capital – Maó. This is the 4 hours). Balearia, a smaller
The Balearic Islands are a small aircraft makes this smallest of the Balearic airports. ferry company, also has ser-
featured by a wide range of more noticeable. However, Ibiza’s airport is a dozen or so vices to the islands. If you’re
European tour operators – ask flying between the islands kilometres from Eivissa and is in a hurry, you can also use
your travel agent for advice. will not only save you time far busier. The traffic increases Trasmediterranea’s high-speed
Package holidays operate ferry service, which carries up
year-round and feature both to 900 passengers and 265 cars
scheduled and charter flights. and can take you from Valencia
Palma, Ibiza and Menorca are to Ibiza in 3 hours. Inter-island
also served by low-cost airlines, services are equally diverse.
including easyJet and Ryanair, You can choose a fast
with flights from London Trasmediterranea catamaran
Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, or a slower ferry. Both of them
East Midlands, Manchester, have bars for passengers.
Liverpool, Newcastle and Using ferries to hop from
Glasgow. Flights from the Colourful aircraft at Ibiza’s airport island to island will often be Party boat leaving the port of Mallorca with revellers on board

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