Taking your car on the ferry to Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera: complete 2026 guide
Taking your own car to Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza or Formentera is one of the best decisions you can make to truly enjoy the Balearic Islands. Explore the island at your own pace, reach the most hidden coves, leave whenever you want and load the boot with no luggage limits. The ferry makes it possible, and in this guide we explain exactly how it works: prices, how far in advance to book, the boarding process, summer access restrictions on some islands and everything you need to know before booking.
Is it worth taking your car or is it better to rent one on the island?
The question everyone asks before booking. The answer depends on three factors: the length of your stay, the time of year and whether you are travelling as a family or alone.
In summer, a rental car in Mallorca can cost between €50 and €100 a day. If you are staying five days or more, the ferry ticket with your own car almost always works out cheaper, especially if you are travelling as a family. Taking your own car also saves you the rental paperwork, deposits, mileage restrictions and additional insurance. You arrive at the port, drive off the ship and you are on your way.
In low season, the equation changes: rentals are cheaper and the vehicle supplement on the ferry still applies. For two- or three-day stays in October or November, renting at the destination may be the cheaper option. On iloveferry.com you can calculate the total cost of the ticket with a vehicle for your specific date and compare.
The main ferry companies with vehicle service on the routes from the mainland to the Balearic Islands are Baleària, Trasmed and GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci). The three mainland ports with the most departures are Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia.
Baleària is the company with the most frequent sailings and the one offering the fastest fast ferries on some routes. It operates from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia to Palma, Alcúdia, Ibiza, Mahón and Formentera. Its most modern ships — the Margarita Salas, the Cecilia Payne — cover Barcelona–Alcúdia in about 3.5 hours.
Trasmed, part of the Grimaldi Group, operates from Barcelona and Valencia to Palma and Mahón. Its ships are the largest and most comfortable on the route, with greater car-deck capacity for vehicles.
GNV operates from Barcelona and Valencia and is the most suitable option for motorhomes and large vehicles, as its car decks have greater clearance height than those of Baleària and Trasmed.
The ship’s car deck remains closed throughout the crossing. Take everything you will need out of the car before boarding.
Indicative prices for the ticket with a vehicle to the Balearic Islands
The price of a ferry ticket with a car is the sum of the passenger ticket plus the vehicle supplement. The supplement varies considerably depending on the season and how far in advance you book. As a rough guide:
Barcelona – Mallorca: car supplement from €16 in low season, up to more than €200 on the highest-demand dates in July and August. Motorbikes start from €12. Motorhomes from €49.
Valencia – Mallorca: car supplement from €27. Motorbikes from €17. Motorhomes from €80.
These are starting prices that correspond to bookings made well in advance and on low-demand dates. In high season, prices can triple or quadruple compared with the low-season reference. The moment you book is the factor that most influences the final price.
Balearic Islands residents have access to 75% discounts on the price of the passenger and vehicle tickets. It is applied automatically when entering an ID card with a Balearic address at the time of booking.
How far in advance to book and when to arrive at the port
Car-deck spaces sell out before passenger places. In high season — July and August — it is essential to book 2 or 3 months in advance. For Easter, long weekends in May or national holidays, the same rule applies even in mid-season. Outside these dates, 6–8 weeks ahead is usually enough.
As for arriving at the port, the general rule is to report to the vehicle boarding area at least 90 minutes in advance. At the port of Barcelona in summer, with all the traffic and the volume of vehicles, 2 hours is the safest option. Arriving late can mean missing the ship even with a reservation: the vehicle boarding area closes before the passenger area.
How the boarding process works with your car
Boarding with a vehicle is simpler than it seems the first time. When you arrive at the port, head to the specific vehicle area — at the port of Barcelona it is signposted from the entrance — show your documentation and wait in your assigned lane. The ferry company staff will guide you at all times.
When your turn comes, you will drive the car onto the car deck following the crew’s instructions, who will tell you exactly where to park. Vehicles are parked very close together to optimise space; don’t be alarmed if there is very little room between cars. Once the vehicle is parked, board the ship via the passenger gangway. The other occupants of your car must board on foot themselves — only the driver may take the vehicle up.
The car deck remains closed throughout the crossing, so take everything you might need out of the car before boarding: medication, chargers, valuables, warm clothing if the crossing is overnight, entertainment for the children, travel documents.
Ibiza and Formentera limit the entry of visitor vehicles in high season. It is essential to obtain authorisation before booking the ferry.
Ibiza: the car restriction you need to know before booking the ferry
If you are going to take your car to Ibiza between 1 June and 30 September, there is a mandatory prior step that many people are unaware of until the last minute: requesting access authorisation on the Ibiza Circular platform before booking the ferry ticket.
In 2026, the daily quota of cars for non-resident visitors has been set at 3,548 vehicles. Once that figure is exceeded, the ferry companies cannot authorise the entry of more cars. Without valid authorisation, the company may refuse boarding of your vehicle even if you have paid for the ticket.
The process is straightforward: you log in to Ibiza Circular with your number plate and documentation, select the access date and obtain the authorisation. Do it before booking the ferry to make sure there is availability for your date.
Motorhomes have additional specific conditions: as well as the access permit, they must prove a reservation at a campsite on the island, since parking on rural land is prohibited. Fines for breaching the access regulations can reach 30,000 euros.
Residents of Ibiza or Formentera, people with reduced mobility, and those who rent the car directly from a company on the island are exempt from the restriction.
Formentera: the Formentera.eco system and its vehicle limits
Since 2019 Formentera has applied one of the strictest vehicle access control systems in the Mediterranean. Between 1 June and 30 September 2026, the total limit is 10,287 vehicles on the island, of which only 1,732 are visitor cars per day.
The permit is requested at formentera.eco, the official platform of the island council, where you can also check the occupancy status before planning your trip. The application requires the vehicle number plate and your documentation or the ferry booking confirmation.
There are two very important points for anyone travelling in a motorhome or camper: motorhomes are banned from Formentera. Island regulations prohibit wild camping and the island has no infrastructure for their stay. If you plan to visit Formentera with your camper, the only option is to leave the vehicle in Ibiza and cross to Formentera by ferry as a foot passenger.
Quad bikes are also banned, to protect the network of dirt tracks that make the island unique. Off season — from October to May — there are no access restrictions for any type of vehicle.
Motorhomes and campers: what you need to know island by island
Mallorca is the most convenient island for motorhomes: there are no general access restrictions and it has several campsites and dedicated areas. GNV is the most recommended company for large vehicles because of the clearance height of its car decks.
Menorca accepts motorhomes with no special access restrictions, although camping pitches are limited. It is a small and very quiet island, ideal for this type of trip.
Ibiza allows motorhomes with the Ibiza Circular permit and proof of a campsite booking. Access on rural land is prohibited and fines are very high.
Formentera: access prohibited for motorhomes in high season. No exceptions.
In all cases: always state the exact dimensions of your vehicle — length, width and height — when booking. Ferry companies reserve the right to inspect the vehicle at boarding and to refuse access if the measurements do not match those declared.
With your own car in Mallorca you can reach the most hidden coves, without depending on buses or rentals. Freedom begins at the disembarkation point.
Documents needed to board with the car
To board without problems you need: the vehicle’s registration document, a valid roadworthiness certificate (ITV), compulsory insurance (the usual motor insurance is sufficient for domestic routes) and your personal documentation — ID card or passport. If you are travelling in a rental car, also bring the rental contract and confirm with the company that the insurance covers ferry transport, as some contracts exclude it.
Practical tips for travelling with a car by ferry to the Balearic Islands
Fuel tank to a minimum before boarding. Port safety rules require the fuel tank to be below a quarter of its total capacity. Bring the car with just enough to reach the port and refuel on the island after disembarking.
Empty the boot of what you will need. Medication, documents, phones, chargers, clothing for the ship. Once in the car deck there is no going back until you reach your destination.
Secure the items inside the car. During the crossing the ship moves. Items left on the seats or unsecured can shift or break. Store everything in the boot, well closed.
Check your vehicle’s measurements before booking. The car deck’s clearance height varies depending on the ship. If you have a tall van, a caravan or a car with a roof-mounted bike or ski rack, check that your vehicle fits before confirming the booking. If in doubt, contact the ferry company directly.
Book the ferry in both directions at once. Return car-deck spaces also sell out in high season. If you already have firm dates, book the outbound and return at the same time.
FAQs about the ferry with a car to the Balearic Islands
Can I take my car on the ferry to Mallorca?
Yes. All the ferry companies operating routes between the mainland and Mallorca — Baleària, Trasmed and GNV — allow you to bring cars, motorbikes, vans and motorhomes. The vehicle ticket is booked at the same time as the passenger ticket and carries an additional cost.
How much does it cost to take the car on the ferry to Mallorca from Barcelona?
The vehicle supplement on the Barcelona–Mallorca route starts from around €16 in low season. In high season it can exceed €200 for a standard car. On the Valencia–Mallorca route the supplement starts from €27. Prices depend on the company, season and how far ahead you book. Check up-to-date prices on iloveferry.com.
How far in advance do I need to arrive at the port with the car?
Report to the vehicle boarding area at least 90 minutes before the departure time. In high season and at the port of Barcelona, arriving 2 hours earlier is recommended. The vehicle boarding area closes before the passenger area.
Can I access my car during the crossing?
No. The car deck remains closed throughout the crossing for safety reasons. Take everything you will need — medication, documents, personal items — out of the car before boarding.
Do I need a special permit to take my car to Ibiza in summer?
Yes. Between 1 June and 30 September 2026, non-resident tourists need prior authorisation on Ibiza Circular. The daily quota is 3,548 visitor cars. Without authorisation, the ferry company may refuse boarding of your vehicle even if you have paid for the ticket.
And to take the car to Formentera?
Formentera applies the Formentera.eco system from 1 June to 30 September. In 2026 only 1,732 visitor cars per day are allowed. Request the authorisation at formentera.eco before booking the ferry. Motorhomes are banned from the island.
When should I book the ferry with a car for the summer?
For July and August, book at least 2–3 months in advance. Car-deck spaces sell out before passenger places. For Easter and long weekends, the same lead time applies regardless of the month.
What documents do I need to board with the car?
Vehicle registration document, valid roadworthiness certificate (ITV), compulsory insurance and personal documentation (ID card or passport). Only the driver may board the vehicle; the other occupants must board the ship on foot.
Ferry with car to Mallorca Ferry with car to Ibiza
Sources consulted: Baleària — Travelling with a vehicle · Periódico de Ibiza — Vehicle restriction Ibiza and Formentera 2026 · La Voz de Ibiza — Formentera vehicle cap 2026 · formentera.eco — Official regulations ·
At I Love Ferry we compare in real time the prices and availability of Baleària, Trasmed and GNV for all routes to the Balearic Islands with a vehicle. State your car’s dimensions when you search and you will see the total price with no surprises. Smooth sailing! ♥
