If you're planning a trip to Mallorca, you've probably searched "do you need a car in Mallorca?" more than once.
The answer depends on where you're going, and how you like to travel.
Mallorca's public transport works well in the right places. But the island's real character (hidden coves, mountain villages, corners of the coast most visitors never reach) often sits just out of reach of a bus timetable.
Here's a clear breakdown to help you decide.
Both options work in Mallorca. What matters is the kind of trip you want, how many places you plan to see, and how much you value being able to change your plans at short notice.
When Public Transport Works
If your trip is mostly based around Palma, you might want to skip getting a car.
The city is walkable, well-connected, and served by a solid bus network. Getting around Mallorca's capital on foot or by public transport is straightforward, often more so than dealing with city traffic.
Mallorca's train network also covers a few useful routes beyond Palma, including inland towns like Inca and Manacor. If your plans stay close to these lines, tickets are affordable, and journeys are simple to plan around.
Heading to Sóller? The vintage train from Palma is one of the island's more memorable journeys, slow, scenic, and worth taking in its own right.
Staying in a resort town like Alcúdia, Magaluf, or Playa de Palma? These areas are built with visitors in mind. Beaches, restaurants, and nightlife sit within walking distance, and local buses cover the rest.
So if your holiday looks like one base, a beach, a few restaurants, and maybe a day trip by train, public transport in Mallorca will serve you well.
When You'll Want Your Own Car
Mallorca becomes more interesting the moment you move beyond the main routes. That's exactly where public transport starts to fall short.
Planning to explore remote coves and hidden beaches? Spots like Cala Varques, Es Trenc, and the calas along the northeast coast aren't well served by buses, and some aren't served at all. A car hire in Mallorca lets you reach them directly, without long walks or relying on a taxi that may not turn up on time.
Doing a multi-stop trip? Want to see Palma, the Tramuntana mountains, Sóller, and a few beaches in one week? Piecing that together with buses and trains means working around limited schedules, longer journeys, and fewer connections outside peak season.
With your own car, you set the pace. Leave when you're ready, stay as long as a place holds your interest, and move on to the next one without waiting on a timetable.
Travelling with family or a group? Carrying beach bags, kids' gear, or luggage across multiple bus changes gets tiring fast. A car keeps everything, and everyone, together and on your schedule.
Want to catch sunrise at a viewpoint, or a late dinner in a village 40 minutes away? Public transport thins out in the evenings and off-season. Your own car means you're not planning your day around the last bus back.
What About Cost and Convenience?
Public transport in Mallorca is affordable, and even longer regional routes rarely add up to much.
But cost isn't only the ticket price. Factor in time spent waiting at stops, checking timetables, and working around a bus that may run late outside peak season, and a car hire often works out comparably priced once split between two or more people, particularly with fewer taxis and no separate tickets to manage.
Is Driving in Mallorca Easy?
If you're used to driving on the left, Mallorca requires a small adjustment, since traffic drives on the right. Most UK visitors find it straightforward within the first hour.
Roads are well-maintained, signage is clear, and motorways connect the main towns quickly. Mountain roads near the Tramuntana range are narrower and need a bit more attention, but they're well signposted and manageable at a steady pace.
Parking is widely available near beaches and towns, with many resort areas offering free or low-cost parking a short walk from the sand.
Planning What Kind of Trip Do You Want?
If you're happy staying in one area and exploring on foot, Mallorca's public transport can carry your whole trip.
But if your idea of a good holiday includes spontaneous detours, quiet beaches most visitors never reach, and the freedom to change plans through the day, a car hire in Mallorca is no longer just a luxury. It's what makes that kind of trip possible.
Making It Easy From the Moment You Land
If you decide getting around Mallorca is easier with your own car, picking one up at Palma Airport takes only a few minutes with Hertz. There's no need to arrange transfers before your holiday has even started.
From compact cars for couples exploring the coast to larger options for families travelling with kids and luggage, you can book ahead and know exactly what's waiting when you land.