Palma Airport Taxi Services: Availability And Convenience

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) has several official taxi companies operating a service to and from the airport. The taxi rank for departures is located on the sidewalk outside the passenger terminal on level 2, while arrivals are on level 0. The taxis are easily identifiable by their white colour and a stripe featuring four red lines on a golden background. It is recommended to pre-book your taxi online, as this is a more cost-effective and stress-free method of securing a ride. However, if you do not pre-book, there are usually plenty of taxis available at the rank.

Taxi scams at Palma Airport

Palma Airport, or Palma de Mallorca International Airport (PMI), is one of the safest airports in the world, and it's unlikely you will be scammed. However, as with any unfamiliar territory, there are those who seek to scam innocent, unsuspecting tourists, and this can start at the airport. Here are some of the most common scams to be aware of when taking a taxi from Palma Airport:

Pickpockets in the Taxi Queue

While you’re waiting in line to get a taxi, one tactic that pickpockets will use is to have one person speak to you or otherwise create a diversion, while their partner attempts to steal your wallet, purse, or other belongings. Stay vigilant and keep an eye on your bags and valuable possessions at all times around the airport.

Fake Drivers Approaching You

If you have pre-booked your taxi pickup, you will be looking for a driver holding a sign with your name on it. However, some drivers have started approaching arriving tourists in the terminal and claiming to be their taxi, only to take them on a journey that results in a much more expensive fare.

Ignore Offers of Taxis at the Airport

Similar to the previous scam, some unlicensed taxi drivers will approach passengers in the airport terminal and offer a much cheaper fare than the official taxis outside. This is a lie, and these drivers will charge a much higher rate than a regular taxi. Ignore these people and walk to the official taxi pickup queue instead.

Check the Taxi Meter is Working

Palma Airport taxis operate using distance-based meters, so the longer your journey, the more expensive the fare. However, some drivers will claim that their meter is not working and offer what they say is a good flat rate, which is actually more expensive than using the meter. Before your journey starts, ask the driver to show you that the meter is running, and don't ride in a car with a broken meter.

Taking the Long Way to Your Destination

Because Palma Airport taxis use meters that charge fares by distance, some drivers might try to take you on an unnecessarily long route to your hotel. To prevent this, research the quickest, most direct route in advance and then demand that the taxi driver follows this path.

Not Giving You the Right Change

Be vigilant when paying the driver. If you are using Euros and expect change, ensure that you are given the correct amount. Some drivers will try to confuse you and hand back fewer Euros than you are entitled to.

Demanding You Tip a Set Amount

Tipping taxi drivers at Palma Airport is not required by law, and you have the right to end the journey without giving a tip, especially if you believe the ride was unsafe. However, some taxi drivers might try to claim that you are required to give a tip at a set amount, often much higher than what would be reasonable. If this happens, refuse to pay and warn the driver that you can report them to the taxi authorities.

Pre-booking a taxi

When pre-booking, look for a reputable local company that is known for reliability and punctuality, as some global agencies can be more expensive and less communicative. You can book by telephone or online, and it is recommended to use a fully licensed supplier, such as Solhop.com, which has been awarded the "Certificate of Excellence" by TripAdvisor.

Pre-booking guarantees a fixed price for your journey and can save you from unscrupulous drivers who may try to overcharge unsuspecting travellers. It also ensures that your luggage is included in the price, which is not always the case with regular airport taxis. Additionally, pre-booking can help you avoid any misunderstandings with drivers regarding prices and destinations, especially if there is a language barrier.

Palma Airport taxis have varying rates depending on the time of day and whether it is a public holiday. During the day on weekdays, the rate is €0.93 per km, with a minimum fare of €3, while at night and on holidays, the rate increases to €1.10 per km with a higher minimum charge. There are also additional charges for waiting times, shuttle services, and luggage.

By pre-booking a taxi, you can ensure a smooth and comfortable start to your trip, allowing you to reach your accommodation directly and quickly.

Taxi fares

The taxi fare from Palma Airport to your destination will depend on the time of day and day of the week. Fares are metered and there is a fixed charge for every kilometre travelled on the island. There are also additional charges for things like an airport journey, shuttle service, and luggage.

• Monday to Friday, from 6 am to 10 pm – €0.93 per km with a minimum fare of €3. Waiting charges are €17.85 per hour or €3.60 per 15 minutes. There is also an airport charge of €1.65.
• Monday to Friday, from 10 pm to 6 am, and all day on holidays – €1.10 per km with a minimum charge of €4. Waiting charges are €20.15 per hour or €3.60 per 15 minutes.
• Nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays – €1.24 per km with a minimum charge of €4. Waiting time is €17.86 per hour.
• Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 9 pm – €0.88 per km with a minimum fare of €2.90. Waiting time is €17.70 per hour.
• Inter-urban daytime tariff – €1.08 per km with a minimum fare of €13. Waiting time is €18.26 per hour.

The approximate taxi fare from the airport to the downtown area of Palma is €25. From the airport to Magaluf, you can expect to pay between €35 and €40.

There are a number of official airport taxi operators, including Radiotaxi, Palma Taxi, and Fono Taxi. It is recommended to pre-book your taxi, especially if you require a child safety seat as taxis don't usually have these. You can also pre-book a wheelchair-accessible taxi, although there are a limited number available.

When taking a taxi from the airport, be aware of potential scams, such as pickpockets in the queue, fake drivers, or drivers offering a flat rate instead of using the meter.

Picking up a taxi at the airport

Palma de Mallorca Airport has two taxi ranks at the passenger terminal. If you are arriving at the airport, the taxi rank is located at Departures on the sidewalk of the passenger terminal, level 2. If you are leaving the airport, the taxi rank is located at Arrivals on the sidewalk of the passenger terminal, level 0. The taxis operating at the airport are white with a stripe featuring four red lines on a golden background that crosses the front of the taxi in the middle and the front doors.

There are a number of official airport taxi operators, including Radiotaxi, Palma Taxi, and Fono Taxi, among others. You can make a booking beforehand by telephone or find a taxi at the taxi rank. Official airport taxis are a particularly good option for travellers with small children or a lot of luggage, as they provide greater comfort and privacy. They are also a good option for business travellers, as they offer a fast and efficient mode of transport.

It is recommended that you pre-book your taxi online, as this is generally quicker and more cost-effective than car hire. Pre-booking also ensures that your driver will be waiting for you inside the arrivals area, which can be less stressful than trying to find a taxi at the taxi rank. When pre-booking, look for a local company with a good reputation for reliability and punctuality, as some global international agencies can be more expensive and less communicative.

If you do not pre-book a taxi, you can find the taxi rank by exiting the arrivals hall and heading towards the covered walkway. During busy times, there may be considerable queues at the taxi rank, so be prepared to wait. To speed things up, you can also try calling a taxi company to book a taxi while you are waiting in the queue.

It is important to be vigilant when taking a taxi at the airport, as there have been reports of problematic drivers and thieves operating at the airport. For example, some drivers have been known to approach arriving tourists in the terminal and claim to be their pre-booked taxi, only to take them on a journey that results in a much more expensive fare. Similarly, some unlicensed drivers may approach passengers in the terminal and offer a cheaper fare than official taxis, but they will actually charge a much higher rate. In addition, pickpockets may operate in the taxi queue, so it is important to keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

When taking a taxi from Palma Airport, it is a good idea to research the quickest route to your destination beforehand to prevent drivers from taking you on an unnecessarily long route. You should also be aware of the applicable charges and ensure that you are being charged the correct rate. During the day on weekdays, the transportation rate is €0.93 per km with a minimum fare of €3, while at night and on weekends and holidays, the rate changes to €1.10 per km with a minimum charge of €4. There may also be additional charges for luggage and shuttle services.

Alternative transport

If you don't want to take a taxi from Palma Airport, there are a few other transport options available to you. Here is some information about alternative transport to and from the airport:

• Bus services run from just outside the check-in and arrivals areas of the terminals, opposite the car parking area. These are a much cheaper option than taxis, usually costing around €5, but the journey will take longer as the bus will make several stops.
• Metro trains are available in central Palma, connecting the capital with towns and resorts across the island.
• Hired cars are another option. It can take some time to get used to driving in a new country, but this will give you more independence during your trip.
• Shuttle services are offered by some airport hotels, and the regular bus Route 21 stops at many popular hotels on its way to Palma and the city centre.
• Uber and other ride-hailing services are prohibited by the local government from operating on Mallorca. Only officially registered taxis can pick up passengers from the airport.

Frequently asked questions