Night travel at Christmas: More trains and buses to ensure safe journeys home

Night travel at Christmas: More trains and buses to ensure safe journeys home

When the church bells in Palma fall silent and the string lights along the Passeig des Born slowly go out, for some people the way home is only beginning. On these nights the island relies on increased public transport: on Mallorca there are additional trains and buses on Christmas Eve and on New Year's Eve so that people can get home safely — without having to rely on their own car; for example, SFM deploys extra trains between Palma and Inca during the Advent season.

The trains between Palma and Sa Pobla and between Palma and Manacor run especially long into the night. Instead of finishing early, the trains continue after midnight and are scheduled to run until about 5:00 am. SFM even plans wider night services — see Night trains in Mallorca: Good idea — but can it work by 2027?. On December 25 and 26 the usual holiday timetable applies again, so commuters and day-trippers won’t find station doors locked on the second day of Christmas.

The city night network operated by EMT is also put on a tighter schedule. Line N1, which runs along the popular coastal sections from Portopí to Porta des Camp, operates every 15 minutes during the night and adopts this continuous rhythm from around 1:15 am. That gives those who stayed late at restaurants, bars or family gatherings plenty of chances to get back. On New Year's Eve there is an additional special service: a dedicated night bus connects s’Arenal with the Plaça de la Reina and runs hourly into the early morning, until about 7:10 am.

Behind these additional services is more than just a logistical detail: it is a practical contribution to road safety. Mallorca’s roads — the narrow alleys in town centres and the winding connecting roads in villages — are challenging even on ordinary weekends. When alcohol is involved during the holidays, the risk increases. By expanding services, transport providers want to offer a simple option so people can get home without stress, without searching for parking and without danger; debates about who pays are explored in Night Trains on Mallorca: Opportunity or Expensive Promise for 2027?.

I observed one of these nights at the harbour in Palma as people tried to catch the last train to Sa Pobla: a group of young adults, two older couples after a late meal in Santa Catalina, a single mother with a laptop in her bag who looked tired but relieved because the connection worked. The mood was subdued but friendly; taxi ranks remained emptier than usual because many people used the night services.

For anyone who wants to use the additional services, a few practical tips: plan your return roughly in advance, check departure times at stops or on official information boards, and think about the last “mile” from the bus stop or station to your door; if you want more background on proposed later services across the island, see Night trains from 2027? Mallorca's late homecomings under scrutiny. Sometimes it makes sense to walk part of the way together with others or to choose a meeting point such as the Plaça Major or Passeig Mallorca. And if you arrive late, carry a spare jacket or a small first-aid kit — nights in the Tramuntana can be cooler than expected.

These extra services are not a cure-all, but they are a practical step: fewer cars, less stress for residents, less parking chaos and — ideally — fewer accidents. When you walk through the lit streets and see buses running and trains arriving, it quickly becomes clear: the island is trying to combine safety with enjoyment of life.

And when the next celebration approaches: consider leaving the car at home. Use the additional night services, ask family for a lift or plan a meeting point. A simple timetable, a 15-minute bus cadence or a late train can make the difference between a worry-free journey home and a risky trip. Merry Christmas and a safe return — the island is travelling home with you.