Getting around in Ibiza is very easy if you have your vehicle as the island is small. Otherwise, you will have to spend more time using public transport and closely monitor timetables.
Ibiza is a moderately-sized island with a surface area of just 572 km2. From north to south, there are around 41 kilometres. And from east to west the distance is reduced to 15 kilometres.
Getting around in Ibiza: Car, Bus, Taxi, Boat
1. Owning or renting a car, the best way to get around in Ibiza
The road transport network is generally well connected, with routes that are easy to understand and follow without any unwanted detours. For this reason, the most convenient option is the car. Some people bring their own by ferry, but most tourists rent a car.
The car has many advantages regarding freedom of movement and the ease of getting to places, especially coves, that are not accessible by public transport.
Car rental in Ibiza is a very competitive sector because there are many agencies of the best-known brands with other local ones, and they try to compete with each other, which makes it possible to find reasonable rates.
If you rent a car, it is a good idea to do it from the airport to save the cost of travelling to the hotel.
On the ground floor of the terminal, you will find the counters of some of the leading companies in the sector, such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise Rent a Car, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent and Sixt. They are usually open from 7:00 to 23:00 hours.
Of course, it is essential to consider the large influx of travellers during the summer months. It is a good idea to book in advance to avoid the reality that the best and cheapest cars are soon sold out.
One potential problem when choosing this mode of transport is parking, which can be a scarce commodity in the busiest towns and beaches during the high season.
It is common to find paid parking areas on the street and regulated parking with parking meters, especially in large towns such as Ibiza, San Antonio or Santa Eulalia.
The best thing to do is to check the timetables and rates at the parking meters themselves and remember to put your parking ticket visible because there are parking wardens and, of course, they issue fines.
2. Public bus service – cheap but slower
The public bus transport network covers practically the entire island. This network includes interurban and urban lines in towns such as Ibiza and San Antonio.
The service is provided by five private bus companies, which run different parts of the island. These companies are Autobuses San Antonio, Voramar el Gaucho, Lucas Costa, Empresas HF Vilas and Discobus. In total, more than 40 lines cover the whole island, and the buses are pretty comfortable.
The seasonal nature of Ibiza means that the frequency of buses varies considerably during the different times of the year. In summer, this frequency is reduced in time, and some lines do not operate during the rest of the year.
In any case, Ibiza’s buses are not known for being exceptionally punctual.
From Ibiza town, some lines connect with all the most important cities on the island. The towns of San Antonio and Santa Eulalia are also important communication centres, and they usually offer services to the most remote beaches and coves, which sometimes require transfers.
Fares vary widely, depending on the company making the journey and the number of kilometres travelled. The island is divided into different zones according to the kilometres travelled and the “jumps” that occur when passing from one zone to another.
The first zone ranges from 0 to 9 kilometres, the second between 10-14 kilometres, the third between 15-18 kilometres, and the last area covers a distance of more than 18 kilometres.
Prices generally range from 1.55 euros to 4 euros.
If you are going to travel a lot by bus, you can get the Bono T-20, which includes 20 journeys at a reduced fare. They also cost differently depending on the number of “hops” to be made with them during the trip.
According to the zone scheme above, these prices are €18, €22, €26 and €33.
Check https://ibizabus.com/ibiza/tarifas/, where you can also consult each line’s specifics and timetables, which vary greatly depending on the time of year.
The Consell Insular website (https://eivissa.tib.org) also offers valuable information on fares and timetables.
3. Discobus, great for getting around Ibiza at night
The Discobuses deserve a special mention. These night buses connect the main nightclubs and entertainment areas, reducing the danger of traffic accidents and falling into police roadblocks.
They are a safe and fun way of getting around Ibiza at night. There are four lines, which operate from June to September.
Line 3 runs from 23:45 to 6:00, with a half-hourly frequency. It has a total journey time of 20 minutes, costs €3 and passes by iconic venues such as Privilege, Amnesia and Pachá.
Line 3B runs from 16:00 to 7:00 in the morning. The first hours have a frequency of 45 minutes, between 23:00 and 2:00, half an hour and after that, one hour. It includes places like Ushuaia or Bora Bora in its 25-minute journey for 4€.
Line 13-18 runs between the port of Ibiza and Es Canar, passing through Santa Eulalia, including some leisure venues on a 35-minute journey, at a single price of 4€. The timetables are 23:50, 1:00, 1:35, 2:45, 3:20, 4:30 and 6:15.
L14 makes a circular route between Port of Ibiza and Playa d’en Bossa, passing many discos and bars. Its timetables are 0:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 5:00 and 6:00. It takes about 25 minutes to make a complete round trip and costs 3€.
4. Taxis, more expensive
Taxis are always helpful for getting around Ibiza on certain occasions. Using it a lot could be more expensive than hiring a car.
You can find taxi ranks in the main tourist areas, at the airport and around the beaches, in nightclubs, restaurants, etc.
If you still need to, you can request the service through Radio Taxi (+34 971 33 33 33 33).
Taxis in Ibiza are white, with a different coloured stripe depending on the municipality they belong to. If they are free, they can be identified by the green light on the roof.
Bear in mind that when the island is crowded in the high season, although there are many taxis, it is pretty challenging to catch a free one. There are long queues at the taxi ranks themselves.
All legal taxis are metered and have regulated fares. The daytime fare applies every working day from 7:00 to 21:00. During this period, the start of the service costs €4, with a fare of €1.21 per kilometre travelled.
The night fare applies on weekdays from 21:00 to 7:00, Saturdays from 15:00 and Sundays and public holidays. In this case, the price is €4 per flag and €1.45 per kilometre.
Radio taxi calls (€1.45) and journeys to or from the port or airport (€2) are charged extra.
Radio Taxi phone number: +34 971 33 33 33 33
5. Boat
Although it is more of a tourist attraction than a means of transport, the truth is that it is possible to travel between different towns and beaches using the services of different companies that offer routes that make this possible on a more or less regular basis.
They are like water buses that, just as they connect different points in the Bay of Ibiza or San Antonio, allow you to travel differently to popular spots such as Figueretas, Playa d’en Bossa or the hippy market in Es Canar.
There is a wide variety on offer, and you can check it out by taking a stroll along the quays and jetties of the Ibizan coastline.
You can also hire organised boat trips or rent a boat alone.
Recommended boat trips: