Driving from airport

[Caro21]

Hi there we are coming back to pp in July and I was considering driving from the airport and keeping hire car. I've never driven outside uk before and would like honest feedback on driving at night from airport...is the road easy...directions clear...or best to book transfers?

 

[Belladonna]

Hi Caro. We have been driving from the airport to PP for more years than I care to remember! Obviously we now have no problems at all, but to be honest, I really dont think it is that difficult as long as you keep your wits about with the signs. There is a link here that may well help you. After all, its only an island! Happy motoring!

Directions from Palma airport to Puerto Pollensa Majorca Mallorca

 

[pollensacare]

we have also driven this road many times with no problems, I understand how daunting it can be when you havent driven outside UK, Im sure you will have no problem on the main road, the only problem I have is in the narrow streets of Pollensa, wouldnt recommend this!

 

[eleanor]

If I can drive in Mallorca then frankly anyone can! The signs are good and the motorways are very easy to follow and usually not too busy with traffic.
Driving on the 'wrong' side actually seems very right! I usually have problems returning to the UK!
The one thing that I do find a little of a worry is joining a motorway or when others join- I do find that a little daunting but that's probably just me!

 

[fil6699]

Hi Caro
I drive in many counties so now find it easy. But you need to be sure you know exactly were you are going and this can be confusing especially at night. Personally what I would recommend is you use transfers from the Airport this time. And while in PP Hire a car for a couple of days and get used to driving around in daylight. Maybe even take a drive down to Palma to see how the Journey is. Driving at night in a different country can be very stressful and you don't want to start your Holiday all stressed plus you may also then spend your whole holiday worrying about the journey back to return the car. So just give it a try in the Port for a couple of days and if its for you then next time get a car from the Airport.Whatever you decide stay safe and have a wonderful holiday

 

[fil6699]

As My wife just reminded me I forgot to mention. Once you leave the Motorway the Road up to PP has no lights and is a long and difficult road if you have never driven especially at night after a day of traveling

 

[favie]

I personally would take fils advice.....and I'm only the passenger!

Remember you can always hire a car in the port if you wish to get out and about, I believe Hiper have a depot there.

 

[pescador2009]

Tend to agree with fil6699, a sensible option.
I also first hired in PP many years ago, but now always hire from the airport.
If you have a good confident navigator who can read a map and read the roadsigns try it by all means, but he/she will have to concentrate until you get on the main Palma-Inca-Alcudia road.
Just make sure you take it steady enough to read the signs on the bit between the airport and that road (motorway for most of the way). Do 'suss-out' the route beforehand. And remember 'the driver always sits towards the middle of the road' whether driving in England (RH drive) or Spain (LH drive).

 

[Baglanboyo]

Hi Caro I asked myself a similar question about 6 years ago having hired cars at different resorts on the island. Since then I have picked up the car at the airport on 3 occasions and found it relatively straight forward. The roads around Palma can be busy but if you are arriving at night time this shoud not be a problem. One thing I have found of great help has been a sat nav especially around Palma.

 

[Belladonna]

Did you get the satnav with the hire car, or did you bring your own? If so, which one? This is a bone of contention with hubby and myself!

 

[Baglanboyo]

It's my own Tomtom one UK and Euro works a treat all over the island.

 

[Sparky]

Hi Caro
I drive in many counties so now find it easy. But you need to be sure you know exactly were you are going and this can be confusing especially at night. Personally what I would recommend is you use transfers from the Airport this time. And while in PP Hire a car for a couple of days and get used to driving around in daylight. Maybe even take a drive down to Palma to see how the Journey is. Driving at night in a different country can be very stressful and you don't want to start your Holiday all stressed plus you may also then spend your whole holiday worrying about the journey back to return the car. So just give it a try in the Port for a couple of days and if its for you then next time get a car from the Airport.Whatever you decide stay safe and have a wonderful holiday

I think this is very wise advice, also, a few years ago a local taxi driver told hubby to never be rushed by impatient drivers, he said "just take your time and ignore them". Good luck with whatever you do and tell us all about it when you get back home .

 

[whaleywanderer]

Hi Caro
I drive in many counties so now find it easy. But you need to be sure you know exactly were you are going and this can be confusing especially at night. Personally what I would recommend is you use transfers from the Airport this time. And while in PP Hire a car for a couple of days and get used to driving around in daylight. Maybe even take a drive down to Palma to see how the Journey is. Driving at night in a different country can be very stressful and you don't want to start your Holiday all stressed plus you may also then spend your whole holiday worrying about the journey back to return the car. So just give it a try in the Port for a couple of days and if its for you then next time get a car from the Airport.Whatever you decide stay safe and have a wonderful holiday

Another option would be to hire the car from PP and arrange to leave it at the airport on your departure, almost sure most of the companies do this.

 

[gers1873]

it couldnt be easier now with the new motorway, 1st time i drove was one of those late night flights too and was a bit confused but that was on the old road to inca etc

on leaving airport car park follow sign for palma, then the alcudia cut off sign, even if you miss the pollensa cut off road ends up in alcudia and just follow coast road to pp

 

[Belladonna]

It's my own Tomtom one UK and Euro works a treat all over the island.

Excellent. Thanks Baglanboyo!

 

[Nick]

My advice has to be, and without any hesitation, to get a taxi transfer.

First time driving on the "wrong" side of the road, at night in a country you haven't been to for some time............please, no.

You don't want to become a driving statistic accident wise.

Sod the expense, it's your holiday, jump in a taxi. If anything else, it will defuse any stress at the start of a holiday and, God forbid, if you did have a near miss, get lost or even worse have an accident it will ruin your holiday.

TAXI, TAXI, TAXI !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[its cd]

Of course only you will know whether youfeel confident enough to collect the car at the airport and drive but please don't be put off. If you follow the map on this site it takes you the back way from the airport to the motorway that leads directly to the north of the island and so de risks the possibility of taking a wrong turn and ending up in Palma. Once you are on this motorway it is a straight road to the Pollensa exit and as motorways go apart from in rush hour it is quieter than any UK motorway I have ever driven on ....

Now some have said the road from the motorway to puerto pollensa is a difficult road ..... Personally I am not sure why ..... It is not a mountain road, it doesn't have any hairpins or steep gradients or sheer drops

Yes it is unlit but is far wider than most English country lanes and not at all busy.

I first did this drive as a young 22 year old and don't remember it feeling daunting despite it being my first time driving abroad. Also it was a far more complicated journey as the motorway only went part of the way up the island. But that may have just been the ignorance of youth !!!!

At the end of the day it is all down to personal choice ...... Maybe it seems simple to me because I drive more than 20000 miles a year in the UK ...... I have just asked my sister whether she would do the drive and her answer was " no chance - not even in daylight " - but she has never driven abroad and only does a few miles a day in the uk.

 

[sws97sdg]

Have to agree, it has to be a personal decision but if you follow the advice given so far on each choice, you wont go wrong, I would drive. As its motorway now unlike before when it was normal road its so much easier, dont think UK motorway, its doesn't often get very busy until you get closer to Palma. As for the Pollensa road up from the motorway, its not a bad road and lovely to drive, again not a busy road.

 

[Caro21]

Thank you everyone for your comments...li think on balance as I am arriving at night and never driven before I may take a transfer and hire a car in pp to get used to driving then next year hire from airport!, I think starting my hol stressed out wont be good for me. I will now look at hiring in pp thanks

 

[Ronnie]

Thank you everyone for your comments...li think on balance as I am arriving at night and never driven before I may take a transfer and hire a car in pp to get used to driving then next year hire from airport!, I think starting my hol stressed out wont be good for me. I will now look at hiring in pp thanks

You are right in what you are doing for your first trip, but after mastering your driving skills, you will find that driving from the airport is a lot less stressful than being sardined in a bus, taking twice the amount of time to get to your destination, due to drop offs. The good thing I find that when you leave Palma airport in your car you are in your own world to do so at your wish. Have a good holiday