The most practical way to get from Mallorca to Ibiza is by ferry from the Port of Palma. The fast crossing with Baleària takes around 2 hours 15 minutes and tickets start from approximately €35 per person. Flights exist and are faster in the air, but once you add airport transfers and check-in time, the total door-to-door difference is smaller than it looks. For groups or anyone who wants to make the crossing part of the experience, a private charter from Mallorca is the third option and the one most people don’t consider until someone mentions it.
The distance between Palma and Ibiza Town is roughly 150 km by sea (81 nautical miles). It’s a straightforward crossing with good visibility on most days between April and October, when both islands are at their most active. Below is a clear breakdown of each option.
Ferry: the default choice
Two operators run the Palma to Ibiza route: Baleària and Trasmed (formerly Trasmediterránea). Baleària is the dominant option and runs both high-speed and standard ferries. The high-speed crossing takes around 2 hours 15 minutes; the standard vessel takes closer to 4-5 hours. If you’re doing a day trip or have a schedule to keep, the fast ferry is the one to book.
Departures from Palma leave from the Estació Marítima in the Port of Palma, on the southwest side of the city. It’s a short taxi ride from the centre (around 10-15 minutes) or accessible by bus on the TIB line 104. In Ibiza, ferries arrive at the Estació Marítima Eivissa-Botafoc, a short walk from Ibiza Town.
Key practical details:
- Frequency: daily crossings May to October; reduced schedule in winter (typically 1-2 per week)
- Fast ferry price: from around €35-60 per person one way; up to €110 in peak season
- Taking a car adds significant cost; for a day trip, travelling on foot is much cheaper
- Book in advance for July and August, when the fast ferries sell out regularly
- Check-in at the port is recommended at least 30-45 minutes before departure
The ferry crossing itself is comfortable and scenic. On a clear day you can see the outline of Ibiza long before you arrive, and the approach into Ibiza Town’s port, with the UNESCO-listed old town rising above the walls, is genuinely impressive.
Flight: faster in theory, not always in practice
Several airlines run daily flights between Palma Airport (PMI) and Ibiza Airport (IBZ), including Vueling, Iberia and seasonal low-cost operators. Block time is around 40-45 minutes. On paper that’s much faster than the ferry.
In practice, the calculation changes once you add both airport transfers. Palma Airport is 8 km from the city centre and Ibiza Airport is 7 km from Ibiza Town. Factor in check-in, security, boarding and baggage claim, and the real door-to-door time is typically 3-4 hours. The ferry from the Port of Palma to the Port of Ibiza Town, with no security queue and no baggage restrictions, often works out to similar total travel time for the fast crossing.
Flights make more sense if: you’re travelling from a resort far from Palma; you have tight onward connections; or the ferry schedule doesn’t work for your dates in low season. One-way fares start from around €30-40 booked in advance, but budget airlines add fees for checked bags that can raise the real cost quickly.
Private charter: the option most people overlook
Chartering a private yacht or motor boat from Mallorca to Ibiza is a genuine option, not just a fantasy for the very wealthy. The crossing at a comfortable cruising speed on a motor yacht takes around 3-4 hours depending on the vessel. For a group of 8-12 people sharing the cost, it changes the entire nature of the trip: you leave when you want, stop where you want, and arrive at the island on your own terms.
The practical version of this for most groups is chartering a day boat in Mallorca, crossing to Ibiza in the morning, spending several hours on the island, and returning in the afternoon or evening. Naizur operates a fleet of motor yachts out of Palma for private yacht hire from Palma, with vessels ranging from 10 to 17 metres suited to inter-island crossings. For groups looking to combine the journey and the destination into a single experience, this is the format that makes most sense.
Ferry vs flight vs charter: which fits your trip?
| Option | Door-to-door time | Cost (per person, approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry (Baleària) | 3-4 hours total | €35-110 | Most travellers, day trips, flexibility |
| Standard ferry | 5-6 hours total | €25-70 | Travelling with a vehicle, no rush |
| Flight | 3-4 hours total | €30-100 + bags | Travellers far from Palma or in low season |
| Private charter | 3-5 hours crossing | From ~€50-80 per person in a group | Groups, premium experience, flexible schedule |
How far is Ibiza from Mallorca?
The straight-line distance between Palma and Ibiza Town is approximately 150 km (93 miles). By sea the route covers around 81 nautical miles. It’s a short crossing by Mediterranean standards: comparable to crossing the English Channel, but with considerably better weather between May and October.
Practical tips before you go
For a day trip from Mallorca to Ibiza, the ferry schedule generally works well: early departures from Palma around 7:00-8:00 and return sailings from Ibiza in the late evening give you a full day on the island. Check Baleària’s current timetable directly before booking, as schedules vary significantly between peak season (June-September) and the rest of the year.
In July and August, the fast ferry from Palma to Ibiza sells out regularly. Booking at least two to three weeks in advance is sensible; for a weekend in August, book earlier. The same applies to flights on popular dates.
For groups combining Mallorca and Ibiza as part of a broader Balearic trip, the crossing is the natural link between the two islands. Naizur’s day charter from Mallorca to Ibiza is a practical base for groups who want to use the sea rather than the ferry terminal, with boats available from Palma for full-day crossings and overnight itineraries between the islands.
