Car Rental in Palma de Mallorca, All Practical Information

Your vacation in Palma de Mallorca is approaching, and are you planning to rent a car during your stay? Mallorca is a Mediterranean island renowned for its beaches, natural sites, and the various activities you can engage in, with its capital being an exciting city with an astonishing heritage and where life is particularly pleasant ☀️ ! To make the most of your stay, having a vehicle at your disposal is a significant advantage. However, before renting a car, it's crucial to gather some information: where to rent? What insurance to choose? What type of vehicle is the most suitable? What pitfalls should you avoid? In this guide, I answer all the questions you may have about renting a car in Palma de Mallorca

Why Rent a Car in Palma de Mallorca?

car in mallorca — photo by unsacsurledos.com

Of course, the first question to ask is: do you really need a car during a stay in Mallorca? To answer simply, we could say yes, but not always!

If you stay in Palma de Mallorca, you will be in the best-served area of the island by public transport. You can take the buses that depart from the Palma intermodal station to reach the most touristy sites across the island, and you will also find many guided excursions departing from the capital, offering an exploration of the main points of interest. By the way, if you're unsure what to do in Mallorca, consider checking out my dedicated article Additionally, Palma de Mallorca is a beach town where you can easily find everything you need nearby. So, renting a car is not a necessity during a trip to Palma de Mallorca.

However, having the ability to move freely with a car will certainly be an asset, quite the opposite! The island is quite large, and the various sites are often separated by more than 30 minutes of driving, and renting a car in Palma de Mallorca offers 3 significant advantages:

The ability to reach almost anywhere on the island, even the more remote sites that are not serviced by buses and other means of transportation. With a rental vehicle, you can truly go wherever you want, which is not really possible with the bus or during the various excursions.
The ability to choose accommodation away from the city center, in the suburbs of the capital, or even in a more remote area of the island of Mallorca. You can freely explore the entire island and change your base several times during your vacation. To find out where to stay in Mallorca, be sure to check out my article!
The ability to move around whenever you want. Buses only operate during the day at specific schedules, and excursions are, of course, also scheduled. Even though you can reach all the tourist sites by bus, you will always arrive at the same time as other visitors. With a rental car, you can visit the most popular spots early in the morning or later in the day, enjoying them in a much calmer setting.

Where to Rent a Car in Palma de Mallorca?

You can find car rental agencies almost everywhere in the capital and even in other medium-sized cities on the island, but in the vast majority of cases, the best place to rent a car will depend on how you arrive in Mallorca.

For those traveling by plane, renting a car at Palma de Mallorca Airport (Son Sant Joan Airport) is the obvious solution.
For those arriving on the island by ferry, rental agencies located near the port of Mallorca or the port of Alcudia will often be the best choices.
Some hotels also offer car rental services, but the prices are rarely favorable.

When and How to Rent a Car in Mallorca?

rent a car in palma — photo by unsacsurledos.com

The location of the rental agency is important because that is where you will need to go to pick up and return the vehicle. However, I strongly recommend that you do not wait until you arrive in Palma de Mallorca to book a rental vehicle in advance. If possible, book as early as you know the exact date of your stay and after you have purchased your plane tickets or booked your hotel. If you wait too long, you will often pay significantly more. Prices can skyrocket due to high demand, especially depending on when you are traveling! To find out when to travel to Mallorca at the best price, feel free to read my article on the topic

All major rental agencies have their websites, but it is much more efficient to use comparison sites for car rental offers. Comparison platforms such as RentalCars, Discover Cars, or Liligo (there are dozens) partner with many local and international agencies. They aggregate numerous offers, making it very easy to search and truly find the vehicle that suits you, at the price that fits your budget

Not all comparison websites are the same, which is why it's advisable to use the most reputable ones. Personally, I have often used RentalCars during my travels in different countries, and the platform has always provided me with complete satisfaction!

Car Rental in Palma de Mallorca: Comparison Platforms

A comparison site will actually serve as an intermediary between the rental agency and the customer, so it's perfectly normal to wonder if skipping this intermediary might be a better idea

By using a comparison site, you can easily conduct searches by selecting all the criteria that interest you:

The type of vehicle (small, medium, SUV, minivan...)
The pickup location and the return location
Vehicle options (air conditioning, number of doors, manual transmission...)
Mileage options (limited or unlimited)
Fuel policy
Insurance options
Daily rate range
Deposit range at the time of pickup.

Other convenient features are available, such as the ability to check other customers' reviews, to get an idea of an agency's services

The advantage of easily comparing offers is plain to see. However, many people might be tempted to simply use the comparators to find an offer, then go to the agency's website to confirm the rental.

In practice, it doesn't work that way. Even though it may seem counterintuitive, the prices offered on comparison platforms are practically always lower than those found on agency websites or directly. The simple reason is that these platforms greatly increase the visibility of the rental agency's offers, so they are willing to lower their prices in exchange for this exposure.

The platform simplifies the search and offers more favorable prices, which is already a strong reason to convince you to use them. Moreover, they have 2 additional major advantages:

They truly serve as intermediaries. In the event of a dispute between a renter and a client, the platforms can step in. Their complaints often carry much more weight than those of an individual. The offers from comparators are often clearer, with no hidden options and no ambiguity regarding the deposit or insurance.
By booking your rental car online and selecting all options in advance, you only need to pick up the vehicle on-site. You can simply refuse all optional extras offered on-site by the local rental agency, which often only serve to inflate the bill.

Documents and Requirements to Rent a Car in Palma de Mallorca

As is often the case in Europe and elsewhere, rental agencies have certain requirements. To rent a vehicle, you will need to:

To be 21 years old or older
To have held your license for over a year
To possess a valid driver's license and identification card (an international driving permit is not required)
To have a payment method in your name, preferably a credit card to avoid issues when paying the deposit (you can find more information about the deposit a little further down in this guide).

What Type of Vehicle to Choose for a Stay in Palma de Mallorca?

what type of vehicle mallorca — photo by unsacsurledos.com

The road network in Mallorca is generally in very good condition. Driving really doesn't present any particular difficulties (we'll cover this later in this guide), and you won't need a very powerful vehicle, nor an SUV or 4x4. However, if you do choose to rent an off-road vehicle, keep in mind that insurance likely won't cover you if you venture off the beaten path!

A sedan or compact car will do perfectly. Smaller vehicles allow you to navigate easily almost anywhere and find parking more easily, especially near beaches and heavily trafficked tourist sites. You should primarily follow two basic tips:

Choose the most compact vehicle possible, while ensuring it is spacious enough for you to travel comfortably with all your luggage
Do not choose the least powerful model, as certain areas of the island are quite mountainous, and having a vehicle with some power behind it will be more pleasant and secure. However, there's no need to go for a sports car.

For the rest, it all depends on your desires and needs. Rental agencies will often offer additional equipment as options: GPS, child seat...

Insurance for Car Rental in Palma de Mallorca

Choosing insurance is one of the elements where you really need to be attentive when renting a vehicle, whether in Palma de Mallorca or elsewhere.

Since Mallorca is part of the EU, all rental agencies are required to include liability, theft, and accident insurance in their basic contracts. You will be partially covered by default, but these insurances are almost always insufficient.

The coverage is too light, and the deductible amounts are often exaggerated. If you opt for this basic protection, all rental agencies will systematically offer you additional insurance, as it is often through this that they can increase their margins. The most comprehensive plans, with no deposit and 0 deductible, are the most reassuring, but they come at a cost that can significantly inflate the final bill by more than 75%.

Basic insurances are too light, and comprehensive coverage from agencies is expensive and sometimes quite opaque, which is why the best solution is often to choose third-party additional insurance. You can opt for the one offered directly by the comparison platform (RentalCars or Discover Cars offer very satisfactory complete plans), or one from a company specialized in damage and theft insurance for rental cars, such as SereniTrip.

Pickup of the Rental Car

Upon your arrival in Mallorca, head directly to the rental agency. They are usually located right at the entrance of ports or near the airport. The major agencies are located just steps away from the hall where you will collect your luggage, while others are outside and can be reached via shuttle.

At the agency counter, you will need to present:

The rental voucher received by email upon booking online
Your identification card
Your driver's license
The credit card used to pay for the rental, which must be in your name.

You will then receive the keys and can proceed to where the vehicles are located (usually a covered parking area that is a few minutes' walk away if you rented at the airport).

Before leaving, conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle, especially if you did not opt for the full insurance plan with no deductible. Make sure that every defect found is noted on the car diagram present in the rental contract, and if not, return to the agency to have them documented. Make any necessary claims before driving the vehicle. Be very thorough in your internal and external checks of the vehicle. Being very attentive is the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises when returning the vehicle

Returning the Rental Car

rental car inspection — photo by unsacsurledos.com

When returning the vehicle, it must be in the same condition as when you took it.

When you rent, you will most often need to choose a fuel policy. I recommend opting for a full-tank rental, in which case you only need to refill the tank before returning it to avoid extra charges. If the car is dirty, visit a gas station and clean it as best as you can (inside and out) before returning it.

At that point, you will be ready to return the vehicle A mistake you should never make is returning your rental car in a hurry, just before catching a ferry or a flight. Allow time to conduct the final inspection with an agent. For the same reason, if possible, avoid returning a vehicle on the agency's closing days.

Deposit Payment for a Car Rental in Palma de Mallorca

To rent a car in Palma de Mallorca or many other destinations abroad, you will need to pay a deposit unless you chose the most comprehensive insurance option, which includes a deposit waiver.

In the vast majority of cases, this deposit payment must be made with a credit card (deferred debit card). This means that payment cards (immediate debit card/cards that require authorization) are not accepted. Moreover, this card must be the same one used to make the reservation, and it must be in the name of the main driver.

If you are unsure of what type of card you have, you can simply check what indication is clearly marked on it: DEBIT>> or CREDIT>> (do not rely on other criteria such as card color, logos, or whether the numbers are embossed). If you only have a debit card and the rental agency does not accept deposit payments with it, the only solution will often be to pay for the full insurance to avoid needing to pay the deposit.

Be Careful of Payment Limits!

In case you can pay the deposit with a debit card, be cautious of your balance and payment limits. The amount of the deposit will be held for a variable period depending on the bank; thus, you will not be able to use that money during this time, and in addition, this amount (which can range from a few hundred euros to sometimes over 1,000 €) will reduce your payment cap.

So think about adjusting this limit via your banking app or by contacting your advisor directly, so that this deposit does not prevent you from covering other expenses during your trip.

Once again, comparison platforms can save you a headache since you can subscribe to their no-deposit additional insurance, but also because they often allow you to filter offers to only display agencies that permit payments by debit card, or according to the deposit amount.

Driving in Mallorca

Taking the road in Mallorca is most of the time a real pleasure. The pavement is often in very good condition, the signage is usually very clear, and contrary to what you might sometimes hear, locals don't really drive recklessly. If you adhere to the traffic code (which is very similar to the French code), do not drive too fast, and are vigilant on mountain roads, you can successfully drive without worries.

Here's the essential information you need to know for driving in Mallorca:

Driving is on the right-hand side
Speed is limited to 30 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on roads, and 120 km/h on highways (the island has some 2-lane highways)
It is mandatory to wear closed shoes while driving
Some locals can be impatient, keep an eye on your rearview mirror and make overtaking simpler whenever possible
The emergency number is 112
Parking can be difficult, especially during the high season. Avoid illegal parking, which can result in a fine of 200 € (60 € for exceeding the parking meter time).

Pitfalls to Avoid

Some renters have little scruple, but simple precautions can help you avoid the most common traps and scams:

Read the rental contract carefully. This is a simple precaution that we often overlook. Pay particular attention to the insurance exclusion clauses. For example, Mallorca agencies do not permit taking the ferry to other Balearic Islands with their vehicles. So if you plan to visit Menorca, know that you probably won't be able to take your rental car there.
Avoid mileage packages. The most enticing offers are often those that offer a mileage limit, which can become very expensive in case of excess. Prefer unlimited mileage packages unless you are sure not to exceed the mileage.
When picking up your vehicle, if the renter tells you they no longer have a vehicle in the chosen category and offers you a different category, do not hesitate to insist on getting the car you reserved, even threatening to cancel your rental. Often, this is a tactic used by rental agencies to sell unwanted vehicles, but by insisting, you will prevail.
Take the time needed to conduct a thorough inspection when picking up and returning the car. Do not hesitate to be diligent, as some renters will not hesitate to blame you for damages that are not your fault.
If you engage with a small local agency, systematically refuse to pay the deposit in cash, which is one of the most common scams.
If you used a comparison platform to book a vehicle and opted for their additional insurance, you can simply refuse any extra option that the renter might propose.

Now you know everything about renting a car in Palma de Mallorca; I hope my article has helped clarify things for you If you're considering moving around in the Balearic Islands and looking for where to stay in Menorca, know that I also have an article on that topic that may be useful.