Getting Around

Travelling From A To B

Due to its compact nature, getting around Menorca is a pleasure, especially if you are not in a rush, whether you hire a car or scooter, take a taxi or try out the local bus service.

Driving and Parking

Always drive on the right. Seat belts are compulsory and children must sit in the back. Traffic police may fine visitors on the spot.

If you are in a hire car always carry with you hire documents, driving licence and a photocopy of your passport and never attempt to hire a vehicle without your own licence. 

The general speed limit outside towns is 90 km/h and 40 km/h in built up areas, unless otherwise indicated.

Watch out for radar and photographic speed check areas and NEVER drink and drive, the police are hotter than ever this year with on the spot checks and heafty fines.

Do not park in an area with a “ Vado Permanente” sign (your car may get towed away and a yellow triangle will be put in its place indicating the location of the pound it has been taken to).

Blue zones designate Pay and Display parking areas, times and rates are advised on the ticket machines, the minimum charge is 25 cents. In towns, parking is free during the afternoon ‘siesta’ period, Sundays and Fiestas.

NB: Motorcyclists make a 'halt' sign with their left hand when turning right, drivers take note. Ceda el Paso means Give Way, in Spain it is usual to give way to the Right, except on roundabouts. Take care at roundabouts and always use the filter lane when turning onto a main road. Never cut straight across or cross a solid white line, for whatever reason including petrol, horrific accidents are caused in this way.

Taxis

Within their local areas, taxi fares are reasonable but once outside their normal patch journeys can become expensive.

Taxi ranks are located in prominent areas in the main towns and resorts and are identified by the letter ‘T’ on a blue square.

Taxis operate a meter system with a basic charge plus a mileage charge. At night and on public holidays there is usually a surcharge, so always confirm the rate first.

Radio Taxis operate throughout the Island – Tel: 971 36 71 11

Taxi Mahon operates only in the Mahon area – Tel: 971 35 77 00

Taxi Ciutadella operates in the Ciutadella area – Tel: 971 48 22 22 / 38 28 96

Buses

Menorca operates an efficient bus service, linking all the main towns and resorts. Getting around Menorca by bus may initially seem complicated but once you get the hang of it, traveling by bus can be fun and you will get to visit parts of the island you wouldn’t usually see if hiring a car – a great insight into real Menorcan life, but don’t be in a rush! Bus fares are also excellent value compared with others methods of transport. You can pay the driver or purchase prepaid travel cards allowing multiple trips.

Time-tables are printed in the daily paper as well as at the bus stops, so do check the times as there is often a break in the service during the afternoon and some routes finish early evening, so you don’t want to miss the last bus back!

There are three bus companies running services the length of the island between Mahon and Ciutadella and to different parts of the island. The distinctive red and yellow TMSA buses operate routes from Mahon to the main towns and resorts, including a direct service between Mahon and Ciutadella which takes 45 minutes.

Torres Alles Autocares operated the Aerobus connection and two circular routes around Mahon which start and terminate at the bus station. There is also a beach bus service from Placa Colon in Ciutadella to various resorts around the island.

Autos Fornells, based in Fornells, operates services in the north east of the island between Fornells and Mahon.

The central bus station is located in Mahon just off Calle de Vassallo near the Placa de Esplanada.