Menorca Airport & Port Transfers: Your Guide to Getting to Your Base

Arriving at Menorca Airport (MAH)

Menorca Airport is 7 km southeast of Maó and is usually shown as "Mahon" on departure boards. It has car hire and the usual facilities. Package tourists are bussed straight to their accommodation; otherwise, take the public bus into Maó, then Bus 1 or 14 across the island.

Travellers report that Alamo/Enterprise hire cars are located within the airport grounds; from the terminal door walk right, signposted, about 3 minutes to the airport carparks. Rentalcars.com/app has been used for the last two years; in-terminal and car rental centre are the same, literally 30 seconds walk outside arrivals; Hertz/Thrifty used. Doncars is a local firm with excellent reviews; they park cars in the short stay carpark and you drop off there too.

If you need a taxi, travellers report a taxi from Menorca airport to Cala en Bosc costs €80; return trip costs €70. Confirm current fares locally.

Arriving at Ciutadella Port

Ciutadella Port is the landing point for ferries from Alcúdia on Mallorca and from Barcelona on the mainland. Balearia sail three times a day from Alcúdia, taking 90 min. Foot passengers (as of 2025) are wildly overcharged at €100 each way. This is more expensive than their daily ferry from Barcelona, which makes a 45 min stop at Alcúdia, taking 5 hr 30 min in all to Ciutadella. Trasmediterranea no longer sail these routes, so there's no price competition. In summer Corsica Ferries sail here from Toulon, 12 hr 30 min.

From the port, you can walk to the town centre or take a local bus. The bus station (Estació d'autobusos) is on Plaça de la Pau; it's just an open square. To town centre walk north a couple of short blocks along Rossinyol then turn left. Torres buses serve nearby resort villages from Placa des Pins, the main plaza in Ciutadella.

Bus Connections from Maó and Ciutadella

TMSA buses 1 and 14 run from Maó every 30 min, taking an hour via Alaior, Es Mercadel and Ferreries. Some start from Punta Prima or Sant Lluís. Bus 72 runs six times a day from Sant Tomàs, taking an hour via Migjorn, Es Mercadel and Ferreries. Bus 52 runs five times a day from Cala Galdana, taking 30 min via Ferreries.

From Ciutadella, Torres buses serve nearby resort villages: Bus 61 every 30 min from Calas Picas, Cale en Forcat, Los Delfines and Cala en Blanes; Bus 62 four times a day from La Vall and Cala Morell; Bus 64 hourly from Santandria, Cala Blanca, Blanc Sa Caleta and Port Son; Bus 65 hourly from Son Xoriguer, Cala en Bosch and Sa Caleta; Bus 66 four times a day from Son Saura and Son Catlar; Bus 68 M-Sa hourly from Cala en Turqueta; Bus 69 every 20 min from Macarella. These buses run to Placa des Pins.

Travellers report that in off season, buses to beaches in tourism areas run on the hour every hour rather than every 20 minutes like in main season, and buses are usually cheaper in off season compared to summer. Remote beaches may have only a couple of buses a day running near them, if any at all.

Car Hire: What to Book Ahead

Travellers report it is practically mandatory to rent a car in Menorca, especially if staying a little further out of center. Book ahead, particularly in peak season. A Renault Austral, brand new with only 300km, cost less than 200 pounds for the week to hire, according to travellers.

You cannot pay a car rental deposit with a debit card in Menorca; a credit card is required, which led to extra fees of €90 (reported by a user). Take the cheapest rate that includes full coverage with no excess to avoid damage charges; companies may block about 200€ on your card as gas deposit and return it. If using a cheap rate without full coverage, inspect the car for marks and damage before first driving, compare with the damage report, and make a full 360 video stopping at every imperfection. Basic insurance with excess typically makes you responsible for damages up to around 1000€. All rental companies will charge for gas if the car is not returned completely full.

Autos Menorca is described as barely reacting to minor scratches, while big companies like Hertz, Sixt, and Europcar will charge heavily if you don't have full insurance. If you have full insurance, minor dinks and grazes are common in Menorca and you will be fine.

Taxis and Late-Night Availability

Taxis are available at the airport and port, but book ahead if you have a specific destination or arrive late. Travellers report a taxi from Menorca airport to Cala en Bosc costs €80; return trip costs €70. Confirm current fares locally.

Post-festival taxi availability is unreliable; the Menorca Taxi App and calling taxi business numbers both feel like a lottery, according to travellers. A user asked whether a taxi can be ordered from Cova d'en Xoroi to Binibeca at 4:00 or 5:00am when the night session closes, indicating uncertainty about late-night taxi availability. Plan ahead if you need a late-night ride.

What to Book Ahead and Local Tips

Book car hire and taxis ahead, especially in peak season. If you're staying in a remote area, check bus schedules carefully as services may be limited. Travellers recommend staying in Ciutadella as a base and exploring from there; Mahon is nice too but Ciutadella is preferred. Consider the countryside around Ciutadella for a more authentic feel.

For a solo trip based in Cala Santandria exploring only the Ciutadella area, consider a 125cc scooter, small car, bike/e-bike, or public transport. If you're without a car, a family staying in Cala Piques and Cala Galdana wanted a private tour guide or driver for a day to visit a cheesemaking farm, olive grove, Salinas de la Concepcion, and a northern beach for a meal, because they did not want to drive.

Parking: Best choice for parking in Ciutadella is Plaça de la Pau, just north of the bus station. Plaça des Born parking is by Town Hall, 100 m west of the cathedral. It's larger than Plaça de la Pau but fills up early. At Cala Turqueta, 9am in July is usually too late to park; Bus line 68 is an alternative; check timetables again in July because they change.