fast ferry Formentera Expres Formentera Lines
fast ferry Formentera Expres
âš“ The Formentera Expres is the flagship fast ferry of Formentera Lines, built around the busiest crossing in the Balearic archipelago: the link between Ibiza (Sant Antoni de Portmany / Eivissa) and Formentera (La Savina). With a crossing of just 25 to 35 minutes depending on the port of departure, she is one of the most frequent and fastest ferries in her class in the western Mediterranean, with several sailings a day in high season.
Formentera Lines is a Balearic ferry operator devoted entirely to the link between Ibiza and Formentera, running a fleet of fast ferries built around speed, frequency and comfort for the thousands of holidaymakers and residents who make this crossing every year. The Formentera Expres is the company's benchmark for capacity and onboard facilities.
History and background of the ship
The Formentera Express was built in the early 1990s at the Talleres del Astillero S.A. (TASA) yard in Santander under the name Menorca Express, the only one of the group built in Spain rather than Norway. In late 2003 she was chartered by the local operator Mediterránea Pitiusa and joined the Ibiza–Formentera line, where she spent 15 years under her original name. In 2019 she was renamed Formentera Express to strengthen her local identity. In the spring of 2020, during the pause in sailings, she was given an eco re-engining with new MTU engines that cut her fuel consumption and emissions dramatically. Since Mediterránea Pitiusa was folded into the unified Formentera Lines brand, she has carried on sailing the route daily.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Catamaran fast ferry |
| Main route | Ibiza – Formentera |
| Service speed | ~30 knots |
| Passenger capacity | On request |
| Vehicle transport | No (passengers and luggage only) |
| Propulsion | High-speed diesel engines |
| Operating company | Formentera Lines |
| Ports served | Eivissa · Sant Antoni de Portmany · La Savina (Formentera) |
| Operating season | All year round (peak frequency April–October) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Frequency* |
|---|---|---|
| Eivissa → La Savina (Formentera) | ~35 min | Several sailings a day |
| La Savina (Formentera) → Eivissa | ~35 min | Several sailings a day |
| Sant Antoni de Portmany → La Savina (Formentera) | ~25 min | Selected sailings |
| La Savina (Formentera) → Sant Antoni de Portmany | ~25 min | Selected sailings |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact time in our search engine.
Ports served: Ibiza and Formentera
The Formentera Expres works mainly out of two ports on Ibiza: the Port of Eivissa (the most central, with the widest choice of connections) and the Port of Sant Antoni de Portmany (on the west of the island, handier for anyone staying in that area). Both link up with La Savina, the only port on Formentera, at the northern tip of the island.
La Savina is a small, thoroughly practical port less than 10 minutes by car or bicycle from the village of Sant Francesc Xavier (Formentera's capital). Bus routes, taxis and hire points for scooters, bicycles and cars all start from the quayside. Do bear in mind that private cars cannot be carried on this service: the Formentera Expres takes passengers and hand luggage only.
If you need to take a vehicle to Formentera, you will have to use the conventional ferry services of other operators that have a vehicle deck. Most visitors, though, choose to leave the car parked on Ibiza and hire transport once they reach Formentera.
Fares, discounts and how to book
The price of a single ticket on the Formentera Expres depends on the season and the port you leave from. As a rough guide, fares start at around €20–25 each way in low season and can go above €30–35 in July and August. Return tickets are usually cheaper than two singles.
Discounts and things to bear in mind:
- Balearic resident: residents of the Balearic Islands are entitled to the official discount off the base fare. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento) when you board.
- Children: young children usually travel at a reduced fare or free of charge, depending on the operator's current policy. Check the conditions when you book.
- Booking ahead: in high season (July and August) booking in advance is strongly advised, as sailings fill up quickly, particularly at weekends.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Standard seat on the indoor deck |
| Out to enjoy the views and the fresh air | Open deck (where available) |
| With family and children | Indoor seat with a table |
| With a pet | Check the pet policy when you book |
fast ferry Formentera Expres · Accommodations
Indoor seat · Standard
The standard option on board the Formentera Expres. Seating in an air-conditioned cabin with access to the café area. Perfect for the 25–35 minute hop between Ibiza and Formentera if you would rather stay comfortable and out of the sun and wind.
✓ Air-conditioned cabin
✓ Access to the onboard café
✓ Space for hand luggage
✓ Very quick crossing (~35 min)
Open deck · In the fresh air
An open-air area on the upper deck from which to take in the Mediterranean and the islands as you sail. Hugely popular in the summer months for anyone who wants the full sea experience.
✓ Panoramic views over the Mediterranean
✓ Ideal in spring and summer
✓ Free access included in your ticket
fast ferry Formentera Expres · On-board services
Café on board
Short though the crossing is, the Formentera Expres has a café service on board where passengers can buy hot and cold drinks, snacks and travel basics along the way.
Open deck
One of the great things about the Formentera Expres is her open deck, from which passengers can take in the Mediterranean, the Pitiusas and the low outline of Formentera during the brief 25–35 minute crossing. It is one of the finest sea views anywhere in the Balearics.
Travelling with a dog on board
The pet policy on the Formentera Expres can change with the season and with the operating conditions Formentera Lines has in place. As a general rule, small pets are accepted in a carrier. For larger animals, or to confirm the exact conditions, contact the operator directly before you book.
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
Formentera Lines offers assistance to passengers with reduced mobility. Tell them about any special requirements when you book, or well in advance, so that you get the best possible care while boarding, during the crossing and on arrival at La Savina. The ports of Eivissa and La Savina both have adapted facilities to make access easier.
The Ibiza–Formentera crossing: a route like no other
The channel between Ibiza and Formentera is one of the most spectacular stretches of water in the western Mediterranean. Over the 25–35 minutes on board the Formentera Expres, passengers can take in:
- The turquoise waters declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to their meadows of Posidonia oceanica.
- The salt pans of Ibiza and Formentera, a protected natural park visible from the sea.
- The rocky outline of the Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell islets in the distance on clear days.
- The approach into the Port of La Savina, with the Estany des Peix and Estany Pudent lagoons on either side.
Frequently asked questions about the Formentera Expres
Which routes does the Formentera Expres operate?
She works the Eivissa–La Savina (Formentera) and Sant Antoni de Portmany–La Savina (Formentera) routes with several sailings a day, especially in high season (April to October).
How long does the Formentera Expres take from Ibiza to Formentera?
From the Port of Eivissa the crossing takes roughly 35 minutes. From Sant Antoni de Portmany it is about 25 minutes, as that port lies closer to Formentera.
Does the Formentera Expres carry cars?
No. The Formentera Expres is a passenger-only service with no vehicle deck. If you need to take the car to Formentera, look at the other operators that run vehicle decks on the same route.
How much does a Formentera Expres ticket cost?
As a rough guide, fares start at €20–25 each way in low season and go above €30–35 in July and August. Balearic residents get the official discount. Check real-time prices here.
Is there a Balearic resident discount?
Yes. Residents of the Balearic Islands are entitled to the official discount off the base ticket price, on production of a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento) when boarding.
Are pets allowed on the Formentera Expres?
As a general rule, small animals in a carrier are accepted. The exact conditions can change with the season, so it is worth confirming with Formentera Lines when you book.
Where is the port of La Savina?
La Savina is the only port on Formentera, at the northern tip of the island. From there you have direct access to buses, taxis and hire points for bicycles, scooters and cars. It is less than 10 minutes by car from the centre of Sant Francesc Xavier.
How early should I get to the port?
Arrive at the port at least 20–30 minutes beforehand. In July and August, and particularly at weekends, allow extra time, as sailings fill up fast.
Does the Formentera Expres run all year round?
Yes, she runs all year round, although sailings are far more frequent between April and October. In high season there can be several departures an hour from both Ibiza ports.
Is she accessible to passengers with reduced mobility?
Formentera Lines offers assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Tell them about any special requirements when you book so that you get the best possible care while boarding and disembarking.
Can I take a bicycle on the Formentera Expres?
Carrying bicycles depends on available space and may incur a surcharge. It is best to ask when you book, particularly in high season, when space for bulky items is limited.
What makes the Ibiza–Formentera crossing special?
The channel between Ibiza and Formentera crosses waters declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their meadows of Posidonia oceanica. Along the way you can see the salt pans of Ibiza and Formentera (a protected natural park) and the turquoise Balearic Mediterranean, which makes this one of the most photogenic crossings in Spain.
