Getting Around Palma Made Easy: The Bus Lines Tourists Really Need

Getting Around Palma Made Easy: The Bus Lines Tourists Really Need

On your first walk through Palma, the bus network can sometimes look like a spiderweb – many lines, many stops, with the sound of the sea in the background. Don’t panic: with a few familiar lines you can get almost anywhere quickly. Plaça d’Espanya is the natural point of orientation: many connections come together here; you can take a short breather and decide where the day will go.

A Few Important Notes in Advance

Payment: On most EMT city buses you pay in cash and it’s best to have small change. Banknotes are often accepted, cards not everywhere yet. If you stroll past the Mercat de l’Olivar in the morning you’ll find not only fresh fruit but also plenty of stalls and tills where you can change coins if needed. Pro tip: A few two-euro coins and some 50-cent pieces save time and stress.

Line A1 — Airport ↔ City Centre

The A1 is the classic direct connection from the central bus stop at Palma Airport to the centre; other services to and from the airport have also seen timetable changes — see airport lines A11, A33, A43 and A51 running year-round. It runs regularly and is practical when you have suitcases. Note: on the way toward the airport, some intermediate stops are sometimes not intended for disembarking — the driver may take you all the way to the airport. Fare and frequency differ slightly from normal lines; so ask briefly when you board.

Line A2 — Airport ↔ Arenal / Playa de Palma

If your accommodation is on Playa de Palma you’ll probably use the A2. It serves the well-known balnearios and is especially popular with families and groups. It’s quieter in the morning; in the afternoons and evenings it fills up — sometimes the conversation with the person next to you is more interesting than the beach.

Line CC — Free Old Town Loop

Surprisingly practical: there is a short loop through the old town that touches many sights and is often free. Ideal for getting a first impression without wearing out your shoes. Attention: the route doesn’t always run the same way – more frequent on weekdays, sometimes less on certain weekends.

Other Routes Worth Remembering

Line 1 takes you to the harbor and along the Paseo Marítimo — perfect for evening strolls when the sailboats glitter in the light. Line 4 is the connection toward Ses Illetes (Calvià) and lovely coves shaded by pine trees. Line 25 is a good tip if you’re heading to Playa de Palma and want to avoid parking stress. Line 20 is useful if you need to get to the Son Espases university hospital. And if you want to go to the cathedral or the aquarium, you can often rely on Line 35.

Everyday Tips for Relaxed Rides

Plan a little: buses are usually emptier in the mornings; between 8 pm and 11 pm they get busier — especially in high season. There are night buses; they are practical but cost about the same as daytime lines. Plaça d’Espanya is a good place to orient yourself and change lines; here you often hear the distant beep of e-buses and the laughter of children eating ice cream. A small moment of island routine.

Short and honest: the network is not a mystery if you know the main lines. With a bit of curiosity, a map and enough small change you can get almost anywhere — and experience more of Palma than from behind a taxi window. Every now and then it’s worth popping into a café in a narrow side street, the sun hits the paving stones, seagull cries mix with the noise of passing buses. Give it a try – Palma rides along with you, if you like.