Only 99 Cents at Palma Airport: Where to Find Cheap Water

Only 99 Cents at Palma Airport: Where to Find Cheap Water

Anyone familiar with Palma de Mallorca Airport — the rattle of suitcase wheels and the chorus of announcements — knows the feeling: thirsty, with time to spare, and the shop prices sting. A simple money-saving tip is currently making the rounds on social media: in Terminal C, directly opposite Gate C48, there is, according to reports, a machine in a shop that sells water bottles for only €0.99.

That is notable because prices at the island airport's vending machines have risen significantly in recent years (why many prices on Mallorca hurt). As early as 2019 some places had a fixed price of €1.00 for 500 milliliters. Since June 2024 many vending machines have charged at least €1.50 per bottle; sparkling mineral water usually costs even more. Being able to find the €0.99 option can therefore actually save a little household money — especially for families or groups who like to drink before their flight.

Practically speaking: many travelers use Terminal C — you often see families with strollers, retirees with travel bags and groups of holidaymakers in flip-flops. The machine is located inside a shop, directly opposite the mentioned gate; so if you're in that area it's worth taking a look. A small local anecdote: on a hot morning I overheard two retirees sitting by the window marveling at the prices and laughing as they said they would now take an extra bottle for their stroll on the Paseo Mallorca.

If you want to be even more economical, you don't have to spend money on bottles at all: across the airport there are several water refill points where you can refill your own empty bottle for free (When the Tap Becomes a Luxury: Seven Municipalities Tighten Water Rules in Mallorca). It's important to observe security rules: liquids that are filled cannot be taken through security. A clever approach is therefore to take the empty bottle through security and then fill it at one of the dispensers in the secure area.

Why is this also good for Mallorca? Two reasons: first, travelers keep more money for restaurants, markets and attractions in the city — a few cents at the airport add up. Second, using refillable bottles reduces single-use plastic consumption, which benefits the island's beaches and bays. So whether you use the €0.99 option or the free refill stations, you're doing both your wallet and the island a favor.

A small tip at the end: gates and shops can change, and the constant hum of boarding announcements quickly moves people around. If you want to be sure, look around calmly while waiting in the terminal or ask the shop staff — they often know the current offers. And in case the machine is empty: the next vending machines and the free refill stations are never far away.

The heat outside, the rumble of the buses to the city and the smell of fresh espresso at the gates are all part of the pre-departure routine. A cent here, a good tip there — sometimes it's the small things that make a trip more pleasant. Pack a reusable bottle, remember the corner opposite Gate C48 in Terminal C — and start your holiday or journey home refreshed.