Getting Around Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera Without a Car
Buses, ferries and bikes can cover these Balearic islands well, but the gaps between them reward planning, not winging it.
Menorca: buses that work, taxis that don't wait
Menorca's bus network is the strongest of the three islands for car-free travel. From Maó (Mahón) airport, line 10 runs to the city centre roughly every 30 minutes in summer, taking about 10 minutes. The island's spine is served by frequent routes linking Maó with Alaior, Es Mercadal and Ciutadella; a Maó–Ciutadella trip takes around an hour and costs a few euros. For beaches, seasonal lines run from Ciutadella to Cala Morell and from Maó to Punta Prima, but services to Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are limited to a handful of daily runs in July and August. Check the TMSA and Torres Allès timetables before you commit to a remote cove.
Taxis exist but are scarce outside Maó and Ciutadella, and a ride to a beach like Cala Galdana from Ciutadella can take 25 minutes and cost more than a day of bus fares. Rental bikes are practical around Ciutadella and Fornells, where the terrain is gentle, but the Camí de Cavalls coastal path is for walkers, not cyclists. My recommendation: base in Maó or Ciutadella for bus access, book a hotel within a 10-minute walk of the bus station, and use buses for the day's main move. Skip the idea of seeing three beaches in one day without a car — the connections eat the afternoon.
Ibiza: the bus can work if you pick the right base
Ibiza's buses are busiest along the corridor from Eivissa town to Sant Antoni de Portmany and to Platja d'en Bossa. The line 3 from the airport to Eivissa bus station runs frequently in summer, and from there you can reach Santa Eulària des Riu or Sant Antoni in 30 to 45 minutes. Northern beaches like Cala de Sant Vicent and Portinatx have seasonal services from Eivissa, but they are infrequent and stop early. Formentera ferries leave from the port in Eivissa town every 30 to 60 minutes in high season, taking about 35 minutes. If your trip centres on Eivissa town and one or two nearby beaches, you can skip the car entirely.
The catch is the west coast and the quieter north. Cala Comte, Cala Bassa and Cala Tarida have limited bus service, and a taxi from Sant Antoni to Cala Comte can take 20 minutes and cost more than a round trip on the bus. Scooters are popular but the island's roads and summer traffic make them a poor choice for nervous riders. My pick: stay in Eivissa town or Santa Eulària, use the bus for Platja d'en Bossa and Santa Eulària, and take one organised boat trip to the west coast coves rather than piecing together bus and taxi hops. Skip hiring a car for a two-night stay — parking in Eivissa town is the bottleneck.
Formentera: bikes and a small bus network
Formentera is the easiest of the three to do without a car. The island is 20 kilometres long, and the bus network radiates from La Savina port, where the ferries from Eivissa arrive. Line 1 runs to Sant Francesc Xavier and then to Es Pujols; line 2 serves Platja de Migjorn; line 3 reaches Cala Saona. Buses are small and fill up in July and August, so board at La Savina rather than assuming you can flag one down midway. Bicycle hire is widespread in Es Pujols and Sant Francesc, and the flat roads to Ses Illetes and Platja de Llevant are manageable for most riders. A bike is often faster than waiting for a busy bus.
The gap is the far south and west. Cala Saona has a bus but few runs; the lighthouse at Cap de Barbaria is a long, hot ride with no shade. Taxis are limited and should be booked ahead for early ferries. My recommendation: stay in Es Pujols or Sant Francesc, hire a bike for the northern beaches, and use the bus for Migjorn. Skip the idea of seeing the whole island in a day by bus; pick two beaches and one village. If you are arriving on a day trip from Eivissa, check the last ferry back before you settle on a remote beach.
Island hops and the booking decision
Inter-island travel is by ferry, and there is no air link between Menorca and Ibiza outside summer charter schedules. The main routes are Eivissa to La Savina (Formentera) and Eivissa to Maó (Menorca). The Formentera crossing is short and frequent; the Menorca crossing is longer and less frequent, so check timetables before you build an itinerary around it. Menorca's airport is near Maó, and Ibiza's airport is south of Eivissa town, both with bus links to their main towns. For a two-island trip, pair Menorca with Ibiza only if you have at least five nights; the ferry day eats a full half-day.
For a car-free trip, my booking order is: Menorca first if you want quiet coves and reliable buses, Ibiza second if you want town life and one boat trip, Formentera last if you want bikes and short hops. Book hotels within walking distance of bus stations in Maó, Ciutadella, Eivissa town or Es Pujols; that single choice removes most taxi reliance. Skip the rental car for stays under four nights on any island — the pickup, parking and one-way streets cost more time than they save.
Questions, answered
Can I reach Menorca's best beaches by bus?
Some, yes. Cala Galdana, Punta Prima and Son Bou have seasonal bus service. Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta have very limited runs in July and August, so check timetables and plan a full day for one beach rather than trying to link several.
How do I get from Ibiza airport to Eivissa town without a car?
Bus line 3 runs from the airport to the Eivissa bus station frequently in summer, taking about 20 minutes. Taxis are available but queues build in peak season. From the bus station you can reach Sant Antoni, Santa Eulària and Platja d'en Bossa.
Is Formentera doable in a day trip from Ibiza without a car?
Yes, but keep it simple. Take an early ferry from Eivissa port to La Savina, hire a bike or use the island bus to one or two beaches, and check the last ferry back before you commit to a remote spot. Day-tripping to Cap de Barbaria is rushed.
What is the best month for car-free travel on these islands?
Late May, June and September. Buses run on summer schedules, roads and buses are less crowded than in July and August, and the heat is manageable for walking and cycling. July and August buses fill quickly, especially in Formentera.
Do I need to book ferries between the islands in advance?
For the Eivissa–Formentera route, booking a day ahead is enough outside August. For Eivissa–Maó, book at least a few days ahead in summer; the crossing is longer and less frequent, and foot-passenger space can sell out around weekends.
Where should I stay if I want to rely on buses?
In Menorca, stay in Maó or Ciutadella near the bus station. In Ibiza, Eivissa town or Santa Eulària. In Formentera, Es Pujols or Sant Francesc. A hotel within a 10-minute walk of the main stop removes most taxi needs.
Are taxis easy to find on the smaller islands?
Menorca has taxis in Maó and Ciutadella but few elsewhere; book ahead for beach trips. Formentera has a small taxi fleet, so book early ferries in advance. Ibiza has more taxis, but supply is tight in July and August, especially at night.
What should I skip without a car?
Skip trying to see three beaches in one day on Menorca, skip the west coast coves of Ibiza unless you have a boat trip or taxi budget, and skip Cap de Barbaria on a day trip to Formentera. Also skip rental cars for stays under four nights.
5% back on completed stays · ~1 tonne CO₂ retired per booking