Getting around the Balearics: bus, train, metro, ferries without breaking the bank

In the Balearics, getting around without a car is easiest in Mallorca, where TIB buses, SFM trains and Palma's metro and EMT buses are free in 2026 for residents holding the Targeta Intermodal, a free-fare scheme now entering its third year. Between the islands, on the other hand, everything runs by ferry, and Formentera is only reached from Ibiza. Ibiza and Menorca have their own bus networks.

In other words, there is no single "Balearic transport" system, but a highly developed network in Mallorca and more island-specific solutions elsewhere. Here is how to find your way, and above all how to travel free when you are entitled to.

In Mallorca: why is public transport free, and for whom?

Since 2023, the Balearic Government has renewed free public transport for residents, and 2026 marks the third consecutive year without paying a fare for holders of the intermodal card. Free travel covers the TIB interurban buses (the red and yellow buses linking Palma to the villages), the SFM trains on lines T1 (Palma-Inca-Sa Pobla), T2 and T3 (Palma-Manacor), as well as Palma's EMT urban buses and metro (lines M1 and M2). The condition: being registered as a resident, which requires an up-to-date empadronamiento, a key step in your first 90 days settling in.

Which networks operate in Palma and across the island?

In Palma, you combine the EMT urban buses and the metro (M1 and M2). To range across the island, SFM trains serve the central axis towards Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor, and TIB buses cover the rest of the territory. One figure worth noting: from spring 2026, a single intermodal card becomes valid across both networks, TIB and EMT, simplifying connections.

How do you get the Targeta Intermodal?

The intermodal card is issued free at Mallorca's main bus and train stations, including the Estacio Intermodal de Palma and the Inca and Manacor stations. You need to prove your residency, generally through your empadronamiento certificate. Without this card, you travel at the standard fare, so it is worth applying as soon as you settle.

Moving between the islands: the ferry, not the metro

No bridge links the islands, everything runs by sea or air. Balearia and Trasmediterranea operate the sea links, for example Palma to Ibiza or Menorca, and above all Ibiza to Formentera, the latter's only gateway. For a move or a one-way trip with a car, book ahead, especially from June to September. We cover using and transporting a vehicle in detail in our guide to driving a car in the Balearics.

And in Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera?

Each island has its own logic. Ibiza has a bus network that ramps up in summer, useful for reaching beaches and clubs without a car. Menorca is served by routes linking Mao, Ciutadella and the villages. Formentera, tiny and with no airport, is best explored by bike, on foot and with a few seasonal buses. For urban trips, also consider shared mobility, which we review in our guide to shared mobility in the Balearics.

Frequently asked questions

Is public transport really free in the Balearics in 2026?

Yes in Mallorca, for residents holding the Targeta Intermodal, on TIB buses, SFM trains and Palma's EMT buses and metro. This is the third consecutive year of free fares.

Do you have to be a resident to travel free?

Yes. Free travel is aimed at residents, on proof of empadronamiento, through the intermodal card. Visitors pay the standard fare, which stays moderate.

How do you get to Formentera?

Only by ferry from Ibiza, since the island has no airport. Crossings are frequent in season and take about half an hour from the port of Eivissa.

Can you live in Mallorca without a car?

In Palma and along the SFM routes, yes, thanks to the free network. In rural or poorly served areas, a car or a two-wheeler is often still needed.

Fares, cards and networks change; check current details with TIB, SFM and EMT before you rely on them. Information verified in August 2026. The Daily Baleares is an AI-assisted publication with human review.