Why This Is the Smartest Way to Visit Mallorca
Most British visitors to Mallorca fly directly to Palma airport, transfer to their resort, and spend a week by the pool. There is nothing wrong with that – but you are missing out. The fly-and-ferry approach gives you two holidays in one: a vibrant city break in Barcelona followed by your Mallorca beach holiday. You save money (the overnight ferry replaces a night's hotel), you see more, and the journey itself becomes part of the adventure. Budget flights from across the UK to Barcelona are plentiful and cheap.
How It Works: Step by Step
- Fly to Barcelona El Prat – budget airlines fly from most UK airports, often for under £50 return
- Spend 2–3 days in Barcelona – explore the Sagrada Família, Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, beaches
- Take the evening ferry – board at 21:30–22:45, sleep on board in a cabin
- Wake up in Mallorca – arrive in Palma at 05:00–06:30, ready for your island holiday
- Return options – fly home directly from Palma, or reverse the route via Barcelona
Getting from Barcelona Airport to the Ferry Port
Barcelona El Prat airport is about 15 km from the ferry port. Here are your transfer options:
Budget: Aerobús + Metro
- Aerobús A1/A2: Airport to Plaça Catalunya (€7.75, 35 min)
- Metro L3: Plaça Catalunya to Drassanes (€2.40, 5 min)
- Walk: 5 min from Drassanes to Baleària terminal
- Total: ~50 min, €10.15
- Best for: Budget travellers, daytime arrivals
Convenient: Taxi
- Direct: Airport to ferry port
- Cost: €40–50 (fixed rate)
- Time: 25–40 min (traffic dependent)
- Best for: Groups (split the cost), late arrivals, heavy luggage
Important timing note: If your flight lands after 19:00 and the ferry departs at 21:30, a taxi is the safest option. For flights arriving before 17:00, public transport gives you time to spare.
Suggested Itineraries
The Classic: 3 + 7
- Days 1–3: Barcelona – city sights, food, architecture
- Day 3 evening: Overnight ferry to Palma
- Days 4–10: Mallorca – beach, mountains, culture
- Day 10: Fly home from Palma
The most popular combination. Ten days, two destinations, one return flight to book.
The Long Weekend: 2 + 4
- Days 1–2: Barcelona highlights
- Day 2 evening: Ferry to Palma
- Days 3–6: Mallorca relaxation
- Day 6: Fly home from Palma
Ideal for a week off work. Enough time for Barcelona's highlights plus genuine Mallorca relaxation.
The Round Trip: 2 + 7 + 2
- Days 1–2: Barcelona on arrival
- Day 2 evening: Ferry to Palma
- Days 3–9: Mallorca holiday
- Day 9 evening: Ferry back to Barcelona
- Days 10–11: More Barcelona
- Day 11: Fly home from Barcelona
The full experience. Requires two ferry crossings but you only need return flights to Barcelona.
The Overnight Ferry Advantage
The overnight ferry is not just transport – it is a money-saver and a travel hack:
- Save on accommodation: A cabin costs €40–70, far less than a hotel in Barcelona or Palma. You sleep while you travel.
- No baggage fees: Unlike budget airlines, the ferry has no luggage weight limits. Bring as much as you like.
- Arrive refreshed: Step off the ferry at 05:30 after a proper night's sleep, with the whole day ahead of you.
- The experience: Watching Barcelona's lights from the deck as you sail away is genuinely magical.
- Flexible return: Fly back from Palma directly, saving the return ferry time.
Flights from the UK to Barcelona
Barcelona El Prat is one of the best-connected airports in Europe. Budget airlines operate year-round from most major UK airports:
Major UK Departure Airports
- London: Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Heathrow
- Manchester: Daily services
- Birmingham: Regular flights
- Edinburgh: Several weekly
- Bristol: Regular services
- Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Glasgow: Seasonal and year-round
Typical Flight Prices
- Budget return (off-peak): £30–60
- Standard return: £60–120
- Peak summer return: £100–200
- Flight time: 2–2.5 hours
- Tip: Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares