Page 194 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

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Getting Around the Islands Car and Scooter Hire DIRECTORY
It is easy to rent a car as soon as
The Balearic Islands have only two railway lines, both of you have landed in the Balearic Hiring a Car
which are in Mallorca. The first is an historic line travelling Islands, as all the major car hire Avis
from Palma to Sóller (see p74); the other links Palma with companies, Avis, Hertz and ∑ avisworld.com
Manacor, via Inca. To explore the more remote parts of Europcar have their desks Europcar
at the airports. It is, however,
the island, as well as the remaining islands of the archi­ worth taking your time to search ∑ europcar.es
pelago, you will need a car, a scooter or a bicycle. On for a small local firm that may Hertz
Formentera, a scooter and bicycle are the best means offer you a better price than Petrol station run by the Cepsa chain ∑ hertz.com
of transport. When travelling round the islands, you the international companies. Rules of the Road Spain Car Rental
should pay particular attention to the numerous The price of car hire varies Driving on the Balearic Islands Most car parks charge fees, and ∑ rentspain.com
depending on the time of
there are fines for non-payment.
motorbike riders.
year, the size of the car and is no different to driving in Paid car parking spaces along Bus Stations
the length of hire. Advance any other European country. pavements are marked with a
booking can also affect the You should remember the blue line. Generally, the parking Autobuses
price. It is worth not only speed limits, which are fees apply from 9am to 1pm and Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza.
comparing the prices quoted 120 km/h (74 mph) on from 5pm to 8pm on week days, Tel 971 340 510.
by the various companies but motorways, 90 km/h (56 mph) and from 9am to 1pm on ∑ ibizabus.com
checking exactly what the on major roads and 40 km/h Saturdays. In many towns, Empresa Municipal de
quote includes. (25 mph) in towns. The fines such as Eivissa, parking in these Transportes Urbanos de
When hiring a car, you will for breaking the speed limits spaces is limited to a set time. Palma
be asked to show your passport are high, just as they are for A yellow line painted along the Anselm Clavé 5, Palma, Mallorca
and valid driver’s licence. You drunken driving. The highest pavement means that parking is Tel 971 214 444. ∑ emtpalma.es
should also carefully check permitted blood prohibited. In Palma Transportes Menorca
the conditions regarding alcohol level is and Maó, use one of Tel 971 360 475.
insurance and any restrictions 0.025 per cent. the underground car ∑ tmsa.es
about driving on rough tracks parks. Here, there is no
Scenic, winding road leading to Sa Calobra, Mallorca or taking the car from one time limit on parking, Train Stations
island to another. Be sure to Buying Petrol but you may have to
Roads Maps inspect the condition of the Petrol station pumps wait in a long queue. Palma-Inca
Roads and signage on the When hiring a car you will car, as you will have to return are generally oper- Tel 971 177 777.
Balearic Islands are generally normally be given an outline it in the same condition or ated by the staff. Sign for a parking meter Tren de Sóller
good, although there is a short­ road map of the island. It will pay a fine. The terms and Only a few are Buses Tel 902 364 711.
age of hard shoulders. As a show the main roads on which conditions of hire can vary automatic and open 24 Bus links between major towns
consequence, stopping along it is safe to drive. Unfortunately greatly from company to hours. Menorca, Ibiza and as well as between large and
the road in order to admire the the maps are not always up to company. Check carefully Formentera have very few small towns are very good. Ibiza has a special night bus
scenery can be difficult and date and it is advisable to buy before signing any contract. petrol stations. The same Links between small towns service during high season,
dangerous and is not recom­ one of the maps sold in book­ Scooters are a very popular applies to the Serra de and villages are less frequent. taking guests to the most
mended. The only major shops, souvenir shops or petrol form of transport, particularly Tramuntana region of Mallorca. Of the large towns, only Palma popular clubs and ferrying
motorway runs along the coast stations. The folding B&B maps on the islands of Formentera When touring these areas you and Maó have their own muni- them between Sant Antoni
of Badia de Palma, encircling are particularly good. Please and Ibiza. Hire rates for these should remember that a car cipal bus network. Bear in mind de Portmany and Eivissa.
Mallorca’s capital. Its second note that town and street signs are much lower and they can uses more fuel on mountainous that during weekends bus ser-
segment links Palma with Inca. now appear in Catalan rather transport you to places that terrain than on a flat road. It is vices are less frequent. When Taxis
There is also a toll levied to use than Spanish (Castilian), so cars cannot reach. Many people therefore worth filling the tank planning a further journey, part-
the tunnel on the main road make sure you get a map learn to ride a scooter during before setting off. icularly on Mallorca, check your For travelling around town,
from Palma to Sóller. During the marked in Catalan. their holidays. options for the return journey. it is best to hire a taxi. Most
morning and afternoon rush Town Driving taxis in Palma have a black-
hour in the areas around Palma and-cream colour scheme.
and other industrial towns like If at all possible, you The driver is obliged to turn
Inca or Manacor, you may should avoid driving on the meter at the start
experience traffic jams. in large town centres of the journey, and the sum
Take great care when you are and popular resorts. displayed is the one you pay.
trying to reach some beaches Many streets in historic For disabled people, taxi
or sights off the beaten track. towns are narrow, transport is by far the most
The roads leading to them can with one-way traffic. convenient, as you can order
be narrow, steep and winding. Cars parked alongside a specially adapted vehicle.
Problems can arise when two pavements make Taxis to the airport charge
cars try to pass each other. driving conditions an additional airport and
Some beaches and sights even more difficult. luggage fee.
inland can only be reached Popular resorts are For taxis on Mallorca, call
along unmade, bumpy roads always crowded and 971 755 440; on Menorca,
and to travel to these requires it can be hard to find call 971 367 111; and on
a four­wheel drive vehicle. Car and bike rental service in Ibiza a parking space. Bicycle and “quadcycle” on a promenade Ibiza, call 971 398 483.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm