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... some advices and hints for driving in Mallorca |
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Driving in Mallorca
To Mallorca by ferry
The actual departures and prices of the ferry
From BARCELONA the Transmediterranea ferry departs daily throughout the year to Palma de Mallorca. From June 15. until September 15. a second ferry departs (only 4 days per week). The journey takes approx. 8 hours. Prices start at approx. 130,-- EURO for a small car and approx. 50,-- EURO per person. Cabins approx. 60,--EURO p.p.
Reservations at all major travel agencies. Recommended in the summer season.
In case you missed a ferry or you don't get a ticket anymore please drive through to VALENCIA.
From here the Transmediterránea also departs to Mallorca every day throughout the year. Prices and transfer times are the same as from Barcelona.
If you are tired driving the french highways you can also catch a ferry in SETE (South France). Except in winter. But from here the trip takes 16 hours to Mallorca and the prices are much higher compared to those from Barcelona.
A fast ferry connection between Tarragona (on the mainland) and Palma de Mallorca started it's service this year again. The "Almudaina" - the newest ferry of the Transmediterránea - departs on tuesdays, thursdays, saturdays and sundays and needs only 3h 45min. The ship can take 450 passengers and 87 cars. Departure times and prices are available in nearly every travel office or on their homepage.
Reservations of the Transmediterránea: (+34) 902 - 45 46 45
Different traffic rules
You have to fasten seatbelts! The "Guardia Civil" checks intensively and the tickets are expensive (60,-- EURO!) if they get you without a fastened seatbelt.
In case the car broke down it is NOT allowed by law to tow your car privatley! ONLY an official towing service (Servicio de Gruas) has the right to tow cars! ! !
New since 1999: It is law to carry two warning triangles and also spare bulbs for the car lights.
Some traffic advices
In the winding roads up in the mountains (click here for a photo) you often meet oncoming trucks and busses. Because the roads are really narrow (specially for Americans who are used to much wider roads...) you have to stop very often to let them pass by. So please drive carefully!
Mallorca gets more and more popular for biking. Especially in spring you'll see almost more bikes than cars on the roads. Please drive accordingly.
Another dangerous point are traffic lights: the Mallorquins are used to drive through the yellow phase and they even ignore a blinking yellow traffic light. So watch your mirrors who's coming behind you!
Parking in Palma
Downtown Palma are many parking places with parking machines (pls. note the blue lines). The machines take 10, 20, 50 cents, also 1 or 2 EURO coins. Minimum charge for parking is 20 cents for 30 minutes. It increases in fractions for every 5 minutes. After pressing the GREEN button on the machines you get your parking slip. Place this slip behind your front window in the car.
Did you exceed your parking time you'll find a parking ticket behind your wiper. Take this ticket, go back to the parking machine and press the YELLOW button now. Then insert the coins into the machine and you'll receive another paper which you put in the envelope. Seal it and place it in the box marked "buzon" on the top of the machine.
Gas stations
M.O.T. Test
There are 4 test offices on Mallorca:
Palma:
Motorway Palma to Santanyi, Exit Ca´n Pastilla, Camino Son Fangos,
Phone: 971 - 26 59 50
Poligano Son Castellc, Gremi Sucrers y Candelers 2, Phone: 29 79 06
Inca:
On the way from Palma to Alcudia, km 30, Phone: 971 - 50 24 04
Manacor:
Poligono Industrial Manacor, C/. Oliveristes, Phone: 971 - 55 54 57
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