Last updated: October 2026 · Reviewed by Lija Scheiman, CEO, leading the TaxiBambino Content Audit Team
Mallorca looks small on the map, but the resort run from Palma Airport (PMI) can be an hour or more. Alcúdia is 60 km away, and Cala Millor about 70 km. For families, the real choice is usually between the transfer coach included in the package and a private car, and the child seat question looks different in each.
Coach, taxi or private transfer?
Package coach | Taxi from the rank | Pre-booked private transfer | |
Child seat | Usually not provided | Not provided as standard | Fitted before pickup |
Rule on motorway routes | Coach rules: children 3+ may use an adult belt if no restraint is available | Seat required for children under 135 cm | Seat required, and already in the car |
Route | Several hotels on the way | Direct | Direct |
The coach is legal and cheap, but it collects several flights and stops at several hotels. After an evening arrival with a baby, that can turn a 45-minute drive into two hours.
The law in Mallorca: one rule for the island
Mallorca follows Spanish national law:
Article 117 of the General Traffic Regulations: anyone 135 cm or shorter must use an approved restraint suited to their size, and ride in the back in cars with up to nine seats.
Article 119.2, reworded by Real Decreto 518/2026 from 1 October 2026: taxis may carry children under 135 cm without a restraint, but only in urban traffic and only in a rear seat.
Coaches with more than nine seats follow a different rule: children aged 3 and over use an approved restraint, or an adult belt if none is available.
The motorways from PMI (the Ma-19, Ma-13 and Ma-1) are interurban. So a taxi to Alcúdia, Magaluf or Cala d'Or needs a proper seat for any child under 135 cm. The fine is €200 per child, a serious offence.
How far is your resort from PMI?
From PMI to | Distance | Typical drive |
Palma centre | about 8 km | 15 min |
Palmanova | about 26 km | 20 to 25 min |
Magaluf | about 29 km | 25 min |
Santa Ponsa | about 32 km | 30 min |
Sóller (via the tunnel) | about 35 km | 40 min |
Alcúdia | about 60 km | 45 min |
Cala d'Or | about 60 km | 55 to 60 min |
Port de Pollença | about 65 km | 50 to 60 min |
Cala Millor | about 70 km | 60 to 75 min |
The Sóller tunnel has been toll-free since 2017, and the Ma-13 north to Alcúdia has no tolls either.
Taxi fares on Mallorca
Mallorca's 2025 reference tariff for taxis sets a €2.50 flag fall and €1.20 per km on weekdays (€2.85 and €1.35 at night and on holidays), plus an airport supplement. The minimum fare from the airport is €16.95. Larger groups pay a little more: €3 extra for 5 to 6 passengers, €6 for 7 to 8.
By distance, that puts a taxi to the north-coast resorts well above a short hop to Palma, and a 70 km run to Cala Millor in a different bracket again.
Buses: the EMT A1 runs to Palma (€3 by card), A11 to Palmanova, A32 to Alcúdia and Can Picafort, and A42 to Cala Millor (€8.10 by card). Under-4s ride free on TIB buses if they don't take a seat.
Ride apps: Uber operates in Mallorca as a private-hire service, with dedicated pickup spaces at PMI arrivals. Like a taxi, it doesn't guarantee a seat for your child.
Our Mallorca bookings in numbers
Mallorca is our busiest island, with 334 completed family transfers from PMI in the past 12 months:
Our Mallorca bookings, last 12 months | |
Typical price (median) | €105 |
Middle half of bookings | €69 to €175 |
Groups of 4 or more | 44% |
Booked within 2 days of travel | 51% |
Busiest months | September, May, June |
The wide price range reflects the island's distances, from a short run into Palma to an hour or more to the north and east coasts. And our busiest month wasn't August but September, so it pays to book ahead in the shoulder season too.
Family favourites, and how to reach them
Palma Aquarium: at Playa de Palma, about 5 minutes from the airport. Under-3s go free.
Coves del Drac: caves near Porto Cristo, with a short boat ride and live music on Lake Martel. About 60 to 90 minutes inside.
Tren de Sóller: the vintage train from Palma to Sóller takes about an hour (€23 one way), with a tram on to the port.
Western Water Park and Katmandu Park: both in Magaluf. Western has a separate area for small children.
Playa de Muro: a 6 km beach with shallow, gently sloping water, close to Alcúdia. It's less sheltered than Alcúdia bay itself, so waves can build up on windy days.
Seats we fit
Infant carrier: rear-facing, newborns up to around 13 kg.
Harness seat: toddlers from about 9 to 18 kg.
High-back booster: older children up to 135 cm.
For families of five or more, see our vehicle fleet.
Island-hopping? We also cover Ibiza airport transfers and the mainland via Barcelona. Browse all our car seat options or see every city we serve on our destinations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a car seat required in a taxi from Palma Airport to my resort?
For a child under 135 cm, yes, on almost every resort route. The taxi exemption only covers urban traffic, and the main roads from PMI are motorways.
Are package transfer coaches legal without car seats?
Yes. Coaches follow different rules: children aged 3 and over use a restraint if available, otherwise an adult belt.
How long does it take from Palma Airport to Alcúdia?
About 45 minutes for the 60 km on the toll-free Ma-13, more in peak summer.
Can I use Uber at Palma Airport with a toddler?
Uber operates in Mallorca, but a child seat isn't guaranteed. For a toddler on a motorway route, a seat is legally required.
Do I need a car seat for a short taxi into Palma?
In Palma's urban traffic, a taxi may legally carry a child under 135 cm in the back without one. Many parents still prefer a seat, especially for babies.
Travel Safely with TaxiBambino
Knowing the law is one thing; having the right seat ready when you land is another. TaxiBambino.com connects families with certified child-seat taxis and airport transfers in Mallorca and 150+ destinations worldwide. Infant seats, forward-facing seats and boosters for all ages, booked in advance so nothing is left to chance on arrival.
About this page
TaxiBambino is a family transfer service run by Avaren Group AB (org. nr 559536-5247), Nacka, Sweden. On Mallorca, we work with vetted local partners who fit the child seat before pickup. Contact: [email protected].
Sources: Real Decreto 518/2026 (BOE) · General Traffic Regulations, consolidated text (BOE) · Govern de les Illes Balears: Mallorca taxi reference tariff · TIB: airport bus stop · Palma Aquarium: plan your visit · Tren de Sóller
This page is reviewed and updated regularly. For the most current official rules, always check your destination country's government transport authority.