All the ways to get to Ibiza
Ibiza is an island, and as such, you can only arrive by air or sea. It seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people don't stop to think about their options and end up paying more than necessary.
Here I'll explain all the alternatives with their advantages, disadvantages and money-saving tricks.
Getting there by plane
The plane is the fastest and usually most practical way to reach Ibiza. The airport receives direct flights from virtually every major city in Spain and Europe.
Flights from Spain
- Madrid: multiple daily frequencies (Iberia, Vueling, Ryanair), ~50 minutes
- Barcelona: multiple daily flights, ~40 minutes
- Valencia, Bilbao, Seville, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca: direct flights, especially in high season
International flights
- April–October: direct connections from London, Manchester, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich, Rome, Milan and many more
- Winter: international connections are significantly reduced, most require a stopover in Madrid or Barcelona
Tricks to find cheap flights
- Search 2–3 months in advance for summer flights
- Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare prices and dates
- Check if it's cheaper to fly to Palma de Mallorca and then take a short flight or ferry to Ibiza
- Tuesday or Wednesday flights are almost always cheaper than Friday or Saturday
- Early morning and late night: most economical prices
Watch out for budget airlines: large carry-on luggage, checked baggage, seat selection and priority boarding are charged separately and can double the base ticket price. Always read the terms and conditions.
Getting there by ferry
The ferry is a fantastic alternative, especially if you're traveling with your own vehicle or prefer a more leisurely journey with sea views.
Main routes
- Barcelona → Ibiza: 7–9 hours (conventional ferry) or ~5 hours (Baleària fast ferry). Pleasant journey with cabins, cafeteria and outdoor deck
- Valencia → Ibiza: 4.5–7 hours depending on boat speed
- Dénia → Ibiza: 2.5–3.5 hours, the shortest and most economical from mainland Spain. Easy access to the port via motorway
My favorite route to recommend to those traveling by car is Dénia–Ibiza: quick, economical and with easy port access.
Indicative ferry prices
- Passenger without car from Barcelona: €40–80
- With standard car: €120–250 depending on season
- Companies: Baleària and Trasmediterránea
- Book in advance in summer: vehicle spaces sell out weeks ahead
A tip: departing at night from Barcelona and arriving early morning with a cabin is very comfortable and saves you a hotel night.
Connection between Ibiza and Formentera
- Ferries every half hour from Ibiza port to La Savina
- Journey: 25 minutes (fast boats) to 1 hour (conventional)
- Return ticket: €20–30 per person
- In summer, book online in advance if you're bringing a vehicle
Perfect day plan: leave in the morning, rent a scooter or bike in La Savina, explore Formentera's paradisiacal beaches and return in the afternoon. An experience I highly recommend.
From Palma de Mallorca
The connection between the Balearic Islands is excellent:
- Flights: just 20 minutes with Air Europa and Iberia
- Ferries: 2–4 hours with Baleària and Trasmediterránea
- Combining Mallorca + Ibiza + Formentera is very easy and well worth it
Tips for finding the best fares
- Flexibility is your best ally for good prices
- For ferries, overnight midweek crossings are the cheapest
- Subscribe to price alerts from airlines and ferries: promotions don't last long and spaces sell out fast
- Balearic residents: 75% discount on flights and ferries
Quick summary
- Plane: the fastest way, direct flights from all over Spain and Europe in summer
- Barcelona ferry: 5–9 hours, ideal for traveling by car or enjoying the journey
- Dénia ferry: the shortest route (2.5 h) and most economical by car
- Ibiza–Formentera: ferries every 30 min, 25 min journey, €20–30
- Mallorca–Ibiza: 20 min flight or 2–4 h ferry
- Book 2–3 months in advance in summer for better prices
- Fly Tuesday/Wednesday and early/late hours to save money