Taking your dog or cat on the ferry to Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera: complete guide
Mallorca with your dog. Menorca with your cat. Ibiza with the whole family — including the one with four paws. What a few years ago seemed complicated is today perfectly possible, and the ferry is the most comfortable — sometimes the only — way to do it. In this guide we cover everything you need to know to travel by ferry to the Balearic Islands with your pet: what documents to bring, how pet-friendly cabins work, what is and is not allowed on board, and how to book without any surprises.
Why the ferry is the best option for travelling with your pet to the Balearic Islands
If you have a medium or large dog, flying is simply not an option. Most airlines do not accept dogs over a few kilos in the cabin, and travelling in the hold is a stressful experience with real risks for the animal. The ferry, on the other hand, allows your pet to travel with you — in the same cabin if you wish — and arrive at the destination just as relaxed as when you set off.
There is also a practical argument: if you are travelling in your own car, the ferry lets you bring your vehicle and arrive in Mallorca or Menorca with all the freedom you need to explore the island with your dog. No car hire, no restrictions, no need to find a pet-friendly hotel near the airport. You board in Barcelona or Valencia, sleep on board if the crossing is overnight, and arrive with the car, the family and the dog ready to go.
Mandatory documents for travelling with your pet on the ferry
For domestic routes — from the Spanish mainland to the Balearic Islands — the documentation you need is as follows:
Pet health card or European pet passport with all vaccinations up to date, especially the rabies vaccine. This is the most important document and the one the ferry company staff may request at boarding.
Implanted microchip. Mandatory for dogs and cats. Without a microchip, the pet cannot board.
Own boarding pass for the pet. Pets need their own ticket. You get it when booking on iloveferry.com at the same time as your own. A pet without a ticket cannot board under any circumstances, and the ferry company may refuse access at the boarding gate.
One important tip: even though the route is between Spanish ports, always carry complete and up-to-date documentation. Ferry companies may request verification at any time, and it is better to have one extra document than one too few.
Baleària’s pet-friendly cabin includes vinyl flooring, a water bowl, a food bowl and a puppy pad. Your pet sleeps with you throughout the crossing.
Baleària: the leading ferry company for pet travel to the Balearic Islands
Baleària is the ferry company that has done the most to cater for travellers with pets in Spain. Its most modern vessels — including the Hypatia de Alejandría, Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Abel Matutes, Hedy Lamarr and others — offer three types of accommodation for pets:
Pet-friendly cabin. The most comfortable option. Your pet travels with you in the cabin throughout the crossing. The cabin has easy-to-clean vinyl flooring, a water bowl, a food bowl, a puppy pad and a special hygiene protocol between journeys. Accommodates up to two pets weighing less than 30 kg each, or just one if it exceeds that weight. Available on vessels connecting the mainland with the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Calm pod. A solution specifically designed for the animal’s wellbeing. These are air-conditioned kennels with calming pheromone diffusers and limited visibility to prevent the animal from being constantly alert. Designed and supervised by ethologist Amparo Fortea. Available on five vessels: Marie Curie, Jaume III, Hypatia de Alejandría, Abel Matutes and Cecilia Payne. Three sizes: small kennel for under 30 kg, large kennel for over 30 kg, and a space for your own carrier.
Deck kennel. A designated area on the ship’s exterior, on deck 9 of vessels equipped with one. Dogs can walk, run, play and get fresh air during the crossing. You can visit them at any point during the journey.
Documentation required by Baleària: the pet’s boarding pass and a valid health card. Leaving the pet in the vehicle in the car deck is not permitted under any circumstances.
Trasmed: another great pet-friendly option on the Balearic routes
Trasmed, the Grimaldi Group ferry company connecting Barcelona and Valencia with the Balearic Islands, is also an excellent option for travelling with pets. Its pet-friendly cabins have vinyl or ceramic flooring, are cleaned with specialist products and accommodate up to two pets weighing up to 30 kg each, or just one if the animal exceeds that weight.
One interesting feature of Trasmed: the cabins on some of its vessels have CCTV cameras, allowing owners to keep an eye on their pet from their phone if they need to leave the cabin at any point. When booking a pet-friendly cabin with Trasmed you also receive a welcome kit for your pet including a cotton bag, a puppy pad, a waterproof food bowl, a roll of bags and a snack.
Trasmed also offers deck kennels and, for travellers with small animals — dogs or cats weighing up to 8 kg — a special seating area from which they can travel alongside their pet without needing a cabin.
Pets can walk along the ship’s outer decks on a lead and muzzle. Access to common indoor areas is not permitted.
What pets can and cannot do on board
So there are no surprises on board, it is worth knowing what is and is not permitted on all ferries operating Balearic routes:
Permitted: walking along designated outdoor decks, always on a lead and with a muzzle if required; remaining in the pet-friendly cabin throughout the crossing; visiting the pet in the kennel area at any point during the journey.
Not permitted: accessing indoor common areas such as restaurants, cafeterias, lounges or standard cabin corridors; leaving the pet alone in the vehicle parked in the car deck — this is a safety rule with no exceptions; boarding without the pet’s own ticket.
How much does it cost to bring your pet on the ferry to the Balearic Islands
The price varies depending on the ferry company, type of accommodation and route. As a guide, the supplement for a pet-friendly cabin on Baleària or Trasmed is around €30 on top of the standard cabin price. Calm pods and deck kennels are more affordable. On some short inter-island crossings, several companies allow small pets in a carrier to travel free of charge.
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals always travel free, upon presentation of the documentation certifying the animal’s role.
On iloveferry.com you can compare prices and availability for pet-friendly spaces on Baleària and Trasmed in real time for any date. When selecting your journey, indicate that you are travelling with a pet and the system will show you the available options with the total price included.
Your destination awaits. Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera have an ever-growing number of pet-friendly beaches, restaurants and accommodation.
Practical tips for a stress-free journey
Book well in advance. Pet-friendly cabin spaces are limited and in high season sell out weeks ahead. Don’t leave the booking to the last minute.
Don’t feed your pet right before boarding. Just like people, it is better for your pet to board with a relatively empty stomach to avoid seasickness. A light meal two or three hours before departure is sufficient.
Bring enough water. The water bowl in the pet-friendly cabin is a starting point, but always bring your own water for your pet, especially on longer crossings.
If your dog is anxious, consult your vet before travelling. There is specific medication to reduce anxiety on long crossings or if the animal is not used to the motion of a boat. Never administer anything on your own initiative.
Accustom your cat to the carrier. Cats generally handle changes of environment worse than dogs. If you are taking your cat in a carrier, get it used to the carrier several days before the trip: let it explore, sleep in it and associate it as a safe space.
Lead and muzzle ready. Even if your dog is the most docile in the world, always have a lead to hand for boarding, disembarking and walks on deck. Some ferry companies require a muzzle for breeds considered potentially dangerous.
Bring toys or clothing with your scent. A familiar object reduces anxiety in animals in new environments. One of your worn T-shirts in the cabin can make the difference between a calm dog and a restless one.
The Balearic Islands with your pet: what awaits you when you arrive
The good news is that the Balearic Islands are becoming increasingly pet-friendly. Mallorca has beaches specifically designated for dogs in several municipalities. Menorca, with its network of interior paths and less crowded nature, is perhaps the most comfortable island to explore with a dog. Ibiza also has pet-accessible beach areas and coves, although with more restrictions in high season. And Formentera, the smallest island, has a human scale that makes it perfectly manageable for a traveller with a pet.
Pet-friendly accommodation in the islands has grown enormously in recent years. When searching for a hotel or apartment, always filter by ‘pets welcome’ and confirm the conditions before booking, as some establishments have restrictions on size or breed.
FAQs about travelling by ferry with your pet to the Balearic Islands
Can I bring my dog on the ferry to Mallorca?
Yes. Both Baleària and Trasmed allow dogs on their Mallorca routes from Barcelona and Valencia. You can choose between a pet-friendly cabin, a calm pod or a deck kennel. You must book your pet’s space at the same time as your own ticket.
What documents does my pet need to board the ferry?
For domestic routes (mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands) you need: a pet health card or European pet passport with up-to-date vaccinations, including the mandatory rabies vaccine, an implanted microchip and a specific boarding pass for your pet, obtained when booking. Under no circumstances may your pet travel without its own ticket.
How much does it cost to bring my pet on the ferry to the Balearic Islands?
The price varies depending on the ferry company and accommodation type. A pet-friendly cabin on Baleària or Trasmed carries a supplement of approximately €30 on top of the standard cabin price. Calm pods and deck kennels are more affordable. The pet’s space must always be booked in advance.
Can my dog sleep with me in the ferry cabin?
Yes, if you book a pet-friendly cabin. Both Baleària and Trasmed offer adapted cabins with vinyl or ceramic flooring, a water bowl, a food bowl and a puppy pad so your pet travels with you throughout the crossing.
Can pets walk around the ferry?
Pets can walk along designated outdoor decks, always on a lead and with a muzzle if required. Access to indoor common areas such as restaurants, cafeterias and passenger lounges is not permitted.
What happens if my dog weighs more than 30 kg?
Pet-friendly cabins on Baleària and Trasmed accept up to two pets weighing less than 30 kg each, or just one if it exceeds that weight. For large breeds it is essential to book well in advance, as these spaces are limited and sell out in high season.
Can I leave my pet alone in the car during the crossing?
No. It is strictly forbidden to leave pets in vehicles parked in the car deck. This is a safety rule observed by all ferry companies without exception. You must always book a specific space for your pet.
Do cats travel under the same conditions as dogs?
Yes, under the same general conditions. Cats can travel in a pet-friendly cabin or in their own carrier. It is advisable to accustom your cat to the carrier before the trip and to cover part of it so the cat feels more secure during the crossing.
Which ferry companies allow pets on the Barcelona–Mallorca route?
The main companies allowing pets on the Barcelona–Balearic Islands routes are Baleària and Trasmed. Both offer pet-friendly cabins and other accommodation options. You can compare prices and availability at iloveferry.com.
Does my dog need medication for the crossing?
It is not mandatory, but if your dog suffers from motion sickness or anxiety, consult your vet before travelling. Never administer medication on your own initiative. The Barcelona–Mallorca crossing takes around 7–8 hours on a standard ferry and about 4 hours on a fast ferry.
Ferry to Mallorca with your pet Ferry to Menorca with your pet
Sources consulted: Baleària — Travel with pets · Economía de Mallorca — Trasmed pet-friendly · Turismo Canino — Baleària pet-friendly cabins ·
At I Love Ferry we compare all Baleària and Trasmed prices and availability in real time so you can find the best option for you and your pet. If you have any questions about the specific conditions of each ferry company or how to add your animal to the booking, we are here to help. Bon voyage, and smooth sailing! ♥
