In this article
Renting a car in Mallorca is easy, but there are four or five things that, if you know them beforehand, save you money and hassle. As we host guests all summer, we’ve heard the same questions and the same scares a thousand times. Here’s what really matters, no small print.
- Do you need one? For the south, a car gives you a lot of freedom (Colònia is walkable, but…).
- Where: almost everyone rents at Palma airport (more options, better price).
- When: book ahead; in summer the price rises and they sell out.
- The key: understand the insurance and the excess, and choose full-to-full fuel.
- Documents: licence, the driver’s credit card and passport/ID.
Best price and options
The best policy
Sells out in summer
Data: Open-Meteo.
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Where and when to rent
Almost everyone picks up the car at Palma airport: that’s where the big international chains and local Mallorcan companies are, with more competition and, usually, a better price. And above all, book ahead: in July and August prices shoot up and cars sell out. Booking early (and being able to cancel free) is the play.
Insurance and the excess: what really matters
This is where 90% of the scares are. What matters isn’t just the rental price, but the excess: the amount you pay if the car is damaged. Many cheap deals carry a high excess and block a deposit on your card. Options: take out full coverage with no excess with the company (convenient but pricey), or a separate excess insurance (cheaper, but you pay first and claim later). Either way, check the car on pick-up and photograph any dents before you set off.
Fuel and documents
The fairest fuel policy is full-to-full: you pick the car up full and return it full. Steer clear of full-to-empty, where you pay for a whole tank upfront and give away whatever’s left. For documents you need a valid driving licence, a credit card (not debit) in the main driver’s name for the deposit, and a passport or ID. Watch the minimum age and surcharges for young or additional drivers.
Roads and parking
Driving around Mallorca is easy: good roads and short distances (airport to Colònia, a little under an hour). In the south, parking in Colònia is free, but fills up early in summer, so set off early for the beaches. In the villages, the streets are narrow: patience and not-too-big a car. To reach the star beach, see the guide on how to get to Es Trenc.
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Common mistakes we see every summer
The slip-ups we see every summer: not reading the excess and getting a scare with the deposit; declining the insurance and then paying a fortune for a scratch; returning the car with less fuel than agreed; and leaving it to the last minute in August and finding no car. Book early, choose the insurance well, and photograph on pick-up, and you’re set.
And without a car? Colònia is very walkable and there’s a bus, and many plans (Cabrera by boat, the village restaurants) are within reach. But for Es Trenc, the salt flats and exploring at your own pace, a car makes the difference.
FAQ
Do you need a rental car in southern Mallorca?
Colònia de Sant Jordi is walkable and has a bus, but to get around freely — beaches, salt flats, villages, the Cabrera harbour — a car makes everything easy. In high season, we do recommend it.
Where is it cheapest to rent?
Usually at Palma airport, where almost all the companies are and there’s more competition. Book ahead: in summer prices rise and cars sell out.
What matters most when renting?
Understanding the insurance and the excess (what you pay if there’s damage), the fuel policy (full-to-full is best), and bringing your licence, a credit card in the driver’s name and passport or ID.
Sources: official sources (town hall, transport and agencies), Google Maps and first-hand local knowledge. Reviewed August 2026.
Who it’s for (and who it isn’t)
Great if you want to move freely around the south and reach the coves.
Skip it if you’re staying in the village: you have it all on foot.
Local tip: book online ahead (prices rise in summer) and take fully comprehensive insurance.
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